New color
For the past couple of years, I have used a fairly good set of Grumbacher "Deluxe" watercolors in a big plastic box. They have served me well all over the world,and I have grown quite used to their slightly chalky hues and know how to mix virtually any hue with the two dozen pans in the palette.
I would compare painting with these Grumbachers to a $10 bottle of Merlot. Certainly not bottom of the barrel, not embarrassing, but I know there's something a lot tastier out there, probably at a much higher price point. Every time I browse an art supply store, I glance into the locked-up showcase at the gleaming sets of real professional artists paints. They tend to start at about $75 and crest a C-note pretty quickly. Dear, even for a New York gazillionaire like me, and I usually end up shrugging and scoring another familiar old set of Grumbachers for about twenty bucks.
FInally, I caved and bought myself a teeny lovely set of Winsor-Newtons in a leather case for about $75 (they're cheaper, I now see, on the web). There are only a dozen colors but they are revolutionizing how I paint. I have been using them to paint my #600 series of portraits and they are bright and bold like nothing I've used before, pushing me to wilder and wilder color combinations. They are so intense and creamy.
Just a wee dab on the end of my sable is like handling a freshly honed scalpel. A teeny touch and everything changes. I am mixing more and more on the page and forsaking my palette; I find this makes my colors crisper and stronger than anything Grumbacher could conceive.
I am not urging anyone else to use these paints. I know that Roz loves a man named Daniel Smith and that for many beginners a box of Crayola poster paints will get them on the road. But for me, right now, these are the perfect companions. It's a new chapter, a new virulent sunset to rid off into.
I am now also firmly committed to my .35 Rapidograph. It hasn't balked or clogged on me much and I've only had one brief leaking issue. The line is clean, consistent and yet somehow more liquidy and velvety and creamy than anything a disposable pen can give me. So far, it's just conked out on me once far from home; I pulled out my trusty green fountain pen with its cheap water-soluble refill and polished off the drawing.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Danny, I've been a W&N user for quite a long time - it's my brand of choice. But I find that Holbeins are pretty fine, too. I see a lot of professional watercolorists using them and their affordable price pleases those without an extreme platinum Chase card. It's not really necessary to use more than 6-8 colors to mix everything you need, but Holbein has a lot of "convenience mix" colors that are good shortcuts. (Nope, I'm not on their payroll, I just like their paints, along with WN's.)
At a recent Art Expo trade show in LA, I stopped by the WN booth and the demonstrator made French Ultramarine Blue from scratch using a glass mull and a dashes of glycerine, gum arabic and pure pigment. It was amazing to watch and those of us who were bystanders and listened to the sales pitch were given a little round tub of the precious stuff. The demo guy assured us that it was inferior to the factory made blend, but it sure looked good on paper. Paint swag, woo hoo!
Posted by: Karen Winters | October 23, 2006 08:08 PM
Hey Danny, The WC's do make a difference there really bright, and beautiful. I my self love DS except there 2 high but I get them when I can. Love the portrats there really interesting. How many do you have plained. Do you just sketch random people or do you know them?
Like the new post love the shades (ZZ Top song cant remember but thats what floated in this brain when you wrote about bright colors and the shades:)Have a good one Danny,
Linda
Posted by: Linda | October 23, 2006 08:15 PM
Welcome to the world of wonderful Winsor Newton paints. I love them, too! Your portrait series is just fantastic, especially the last one. Now -- I'm off to see what else you've put up that's new-ish -- glad you're back!
Posted by: Linda M | October 23, 2006 08:32 PM
I am probably teaching grandma (or in this case, grandpa) to suck eggs but ... it is possible to but the little pans of watercolour paint one at a time so even a New York gazillionaire can afford to slowly replace the less expensive pans in a box with the juicer W&N or Sennelier gradually. It might even be interesting to see how the different brands mix as one goes along.
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October 23, 2006 09:43 PM
Danny and others: I've been painting with a starter set from Pelikan, and they're opaque watercolors, which I love, because the color is so dense. And because I can thin it out when I feel like it.
In the set you describe above, Danny--how different are these from opaque watercolors? Your color always looks so rich. And the Grumbachers you talk about--are they opaque? I'm not sure I understand the difference with all this stuff, and before I spend more moolah, I'd like to have an idea of what to expect.
Advice appreciated!
Posted by: Mary Ann | October 23, 2006 10:53 PM
Danny...Danny...Danny....you know that you paid mostly for the little leather case, don't you? I just recently bought the exact same set for MUCH less. Haven't used it yet...it arrived a day late for my last week away, when I had to work with what I already had...and of course, that worked out fine. Will post some of the pics soon...
Posted by: Rita Cleary | October 23, 2006 11:01 PM
fortunately roz and I can share the man named daniel smith. Danny, try just one tube of quinacradone gold or q orange...then we can have a menage a quatro...now that would give the gossips at this party something to talk about! dana
Posted by: dana | October 24, 2006 08:54 AM
YEAH, DANNY!!!!!! I was told early-on that using profressional (aka artist quality) paints -- even though expensive -- can make the world of difference in your work -- and mercy, it is so true! I used my first sheet of Fabriano CP paper and WN watercolors and I was bowled over as well! Your fine work, Danny, even though a bit pricier -- deserves nothing but the BEST!! GO FOR IT!
Posted by: Lin | October 24, 2006 09:14 AM
I wonder if there is a difference
between tube colors squeezed out and allowed to dry versus "pan "
colors, store bought?
I find a big plus for the w/n (not cotman) colors too.
Any tips out there on how to Design a Page? Other than looking at the ways you always do it just perfectly. Great work!
Posted by: Lu | October 24, 2006 09:32 AM
Hi Danny,
Your new sketches are very pleasing. I think that you deserve the treat of that elegant little set and its case. You're our hero! Enjoy it.
Kate
Posted by: Kate | October 24, 2006 08:45 PM
I usually end up using my Cotman Windsor Newton paints that I bought for about $20.00 a couple of years ago. The best thing about those paints is that they last for some time and you don't have to buy whole new box of paints when you run out. All you have to do is go back to the art store where you bought them and tell them what number and color you ran out of and they will refill you for you. Actually, they may have to order it for you, but still that's better than buying a whole new set of paints.
Posted by: Monica Kelley | October 25, 2006 09:35 AM
I know that Roz prefers Daniel Smith's paints; any way, it sounds so strange that American people discovered fine Winsor & Newton Artists' watercolour so late! They are Europeans' first choice, together with Rembrandt by Talens, Schmincke Horadam and MaimeriBlu.
Posted by: Raf | December 25, 2006 06:38 PM