I’m a new subscriber as of today. So, I may be doing a bit of binge watching 😂. I am loving these chats ! For a new watercolorist want-to-be, this is making the art of watercolor so relatable. Thank you.
Definitely agree DS is a very unique brand of watercolor that I love to use. Wish it wasn't so gosh darn expensive. I think you missed Serpentine, Violet Hematite, Shadow Violet and Cascade Green and Pthalo Turquoise. Mixing Pthalo Turquoise with Quin Gold Deep makes the absolute darkest transparent green. Just my opinion. I enjoyed your DS descriptions and will be investing in some of these.
@@prodigaldaughter5978 Michaels prices on their in store DS tubes are 40% over Amazon/Dick BLick.. so you are still getting ripped off over 20% after the "coupon" is applied.
I have and love then all except Imperial Purple. I do have Rose of Ultamarine, which is made from the same pigments, in different proportions, so more pinky. I also am a fan of Cascade Green, Moonglow (yes, I know it has Opera Pink in it), Quin Coral, Quin Burnt Scarlett, and Quin Burnt Orange (also great for skin tones). Great video, I enjoyed seeing what you do with these colors.
If you could Create a Daniel Smith drain pallet of 24 colours. What would they be? Could you do a video on that like this? I’d be absolutely excited to see it. I would love to see your pallet. Collection of Daniel Smith switched out also, and here you go through the individual colours and your thoughts it would be lovely, even all your pallets if you so felt up to it.
I think the descriptions given by Daniel Smith are really over the top and ridiculous but I love the descriptions that you gave to each colour because you related to things we can actually paint items objects, life drawing landscapes. It was very informative with also practical applications. I think Daniel Smith could learn a thing or two from you, instead of just romanticising their colours, and that’s it. From you, we got the beauty of what the colour invokes its personality and it’s practical application.
I simply love that everyone is talking about color……I have learned so much and bottom line we can do as we wish with whatever the brand and color!!!…so exciting….i have been painting for 50 years….long time coming! I must say Daniel Smith is amazing…..💛💙💚🩵🧡🤎🖤
I am addicted to your channel. You are the best. So professional and such useful info. And you’re funny, so talented, thank you so much for what you offer!
Thank you for this! I appreciate the swatches and the use suggestions! I am going to try the Nickel Azo Yellow and the Buff Titanium for sure in the future. I almost grabbed the yellow on my last shopping trip, but went with something else. Maybe on the Aussie Red Gold. I love the Quinacridone Gold, and that Aussie Red Gold might be fun to experiment with too. We'll see how I feel whenever I am ready for my next order. 😁
Try the Aussie Red Gold. I never imagined that I’d particularly like a yellow/orange like that and now I find a way to sneak it into anything I’m painting.
@@PointebrushHave you tried M. Graham’s Scarlet Pyrrole? It is a truly magical, unique coral-ish orange that I have never found in other brands. And because of its saturation, it lasts years. Highly recommend! ❤🎨
My first artist grade watercolors was a daniel smith buff titanium, I got because I saw a great sale on it and it has been one of my favorites ever since. And omg yes lunar blue, literally when I'm feeling down I just Love painting with it and watch the color separate and move on it's own 💙
That’s insanity. There are Etsy sellers who make quarter or half pans of them. Not sure what the shipping cost is like but I would imagine it’s not that bad if it can fit in a padded envelope. Food for thought!
Thanks. You know that someone would make a fortune on selling this paint to Australian artists. Most of us have moved away from D.S. In favour of Mission Gold single pigments at around $12 a 15ml tube. Cost being the reason for the choice
I remember when Daniel Smith (the man) started his enterprise from the garage of his house off Nickerson on the north side of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. Mixing his own printing inks. Going to his eventual store in Seattle, getting his catalogs, and taking classes at the stores (Seattle and Bellevue) was like Christmas to me. Better, even!
I was also confused for a while about why everyone liked buff titanium but I started painting portraits of my pugs and the buff titanium is the perfect base color for their fur.
Well, I have three out of your ten, French Ultramarine, Buff Titanium, and Quin Rose. Made a list of the other seven for future shopping. Particularly the Lunar Blue and Aussie Red Gold. I love the colors you get using Buff Titanium to mix with. Thank you.
No, I only use Winsor and Newton, but this time you pushed it too far. I'm looking into the colors and I'm placing an order.😕I love the aussie red gold and the undersea green.💜🖌x
I love and adore Daniel Smith. That doesn't mean I do not enjoy W&N, M Graham, Sennelier and etc... but Daniel Smith was my first professional paints love. Imperial Purple is amazing! Also, Aussie Red Gold has such a strong personality, and like you said, landscaping and when painting fall leaves is one of my favorites.
Thank you for sharing your favorites! I enjoyed your vivid descriptions (you’re so well-spoken!), as well as examples from your paintings of how you like to use each color.
I loved the description you gave to each colors, it was like I was listening to a beautiful audio book ❤ I’d love to get some of those beautiful granulating greens
I love the brand- don’t get me wrong. But their response toward the Primatek controversy was extremely disappointing and frankly infuriating. They were so condescending in their “explanation.” I now don’t trust the Primatek colors. We were all led to believe these were made of 100% minerals. Turns out this isn’t true at all. Really disappointing.
I hear you Stephen! I saw the response you mentioned and agree that from a PR standpoint it could have been handled better. For me personally, I usually try to separate controversy from the paint’s actual performance and properties. Unfortunately, I think there are a lot of manufacturers out there who mislabel and don’t actually do their own testing and rely on pigment manufacturer ASTM results. Thats certainly quite a hot topic in itself. Anyway, thanks for watching and for stopping by 💕
As someone who worked a lot with gemstones, it didn't surprise me at all. There's no way of keeping consistent hues without boosting the paint with pigment. Gemstones are never the same. Even within a seam there are huge variations varying in clarity and hue. It's a shame they don't just own the reality of it,but guess they'd need to adjust their pricing.
I have 5 of the 10; Lunar Blue, Imperial Purple, Aussie red gold, French Ultramarine and quinacridone rose. And you're right they're very useful to have in your palette.
I have 19 DS colours. I have 9/10 of the ones covered, of this I love Quin Rose. Of the rest I have Opera Pink is a fave, I know it’s lightfast isn’t good, but I still love it.
I love your choices. I had them all except the French Ultramarine, as I love my Sennelier version, but you've sold me on getting a tube of the Daniel Smith too. If I were to add an 11th color, I suggest Isoindoline Yellow. It's a warm yellow that sheers down to a lovely delicate peach. I talk about this color a lot. It could be my #1.
I have 6 of the 10 you picked which makes me happy. It’s the first 4 colours you mentioned that I don’t have. I will have to go shopping again for the other 4. I’m a big fan of Daniel Smith paints even though I started painting quite recently. Your paints are lovely ❤. Thank you for sharing 🤗🇨🇦
I really enjoy your videos Margot! One topic I had hoped you would touch on- and I’d love to see it from more than one watercolorist- how paints behave when pan poured and dried, vs straight from the tube. For example, I Adore lunar blue Only from the tube, I lose vibrancy in pan-dried form. It would be fantastic to get an overview-by-brand style video.
I have the same issue with Lunar Blue. Even thought I had done something wrong because it looks so much faded from dried pans while it’s so vibrant when your pour ir straight from the tube :(
Excellent question and this would make a great video. To clarify, I’m assuming you mean store-bought pans, right? Not tubes that have been squeezed into pans and left to dry?
@@Pointebrush hi Margot- I’m talking about paints you pour and dry in pans….. and then reset after they are thoroughly dried. Moonglow and Lunar Blue are the top two offenders in my palette. I suspect undersea green as well- never appears as attractive to me when dried in pan and re-wet as it does fresh from the tube. I have a feeling other brands with intriguing mixes might have a few offenders- I am not picking on Daniel Smith - I love nearly every paint of theirs I’ve purchased 😉
I love Daniel Smith watercolours for their granulation and subtle tones. I have most of the paints you feature and love them all, but especially Quinacridone Rose which is such a workhorse colour - I don't bother with any reds or purples in my palette, as it's so easy to mix them using Quin Rose and either Transparent Pyrrol Orange or one of my blues, respectively. I am planning on getting Lunar Blue, though, on your recommendation!
I loved this, thank you! I have about half of those colors, and probably about 50-55 Daniel Smith watercolors. I'll have to see if you've done a video on the duochromes yet. I'm definitely going to be adding Aussie Red Gold, Nickle Azo Yellow, and Imperial Purple.
Just found you here and subscribed! I've been using Daniel Smith watercolors for a long time. One of my favorite colors from their line is Cascade Green. So lovely and very granulating! I, too love the Aussie Red Gold!
Merci pour cette video de qualité, j'aime beaucoup le choix de vos couleurs. mes couleurs préférées Daniel Smith : New Gamboge, Buff Titanium ..."Parlez-vous Daniel Smith ?" J'adore ;.)
Thank you for this list!!! I’m just getting into watercolor and have loved the few Daniel Smith shades I’ve picked up but I’ve felt overwhelmed with the options!
I agree that most of your picks are some of the most unique DS colors. I also love Piemontite, Undersea Green, Quinacridone Rose, Buff Titanium, Aussie Red Gold and Imperial Purple. Nickel Azo Yellow and French Ultramarine are such versatile colors and tend to be great from most artist brands. Thanks so much for giving us so many different ways to use these colors, I tend to get into ruts and forget to use more unusual colors for shadows, et cetera. Always love hearing your thoughts on products, techniques, ballet, whatever :)
The Nickel Azo (it's A as in Able) Yellow is a good replacement for the lost Gamboge Genuine. It's warm in masstone but cooler in dilution While there are Gamboge hues, if you want a single pigment replacement then it's the best. It is a tad more opaque.
Here are my top 10: quin gold, quin rose, quin burnt scarlet, quin coral, carbazole violet, indanthrone blue, sap green, serpentinite, amazonite and amethyst. Some colors such as buff titanium and hematite are secret vices for some people but not for me. Daniel Smith do have some "love it or hate it" colors I guess.
the way you describe these paints is the reason why im obsessed with the brand. their mixes are so unique and they create such beautiful texture with those granulations. so expensive but so unique.
I am doing online course with Artist Emily Olson. She is amazing she uses a lot of main colours for landscapes, beaches, animals colours and mixes. The tutorials are great. She uses lots of Daniel Smith watercolours and Hobein. I have endless Daniel Smith colours now, they are expensive takes time to build your palettes but it’s worth it. Daniel Smith paints are incredible! I love Indigo, Burnt Sienna, Burnt umber yellow ochre great colours for animals. Buff titanium by DS is incredible soft horses mains, beaches and landscapes. This is a well thought out presentation review. Thankyou for sharing your beneficial knowledge. I love how you explain what the colours are used for. Thankyou Suz 😊
I wonder what you think of that sleeping beauty turquoise colour on your pallet. I have noticed all the great watercolorists use it to mix colours . On all the big demonstrations on TH-cam they all use it I’m not sure exactly what it’s called but would like your view on it and lavender is another colour they all use to mix greys
Thank you, I watched your Video the other day and came back to write everything down so I can pic them up and try them so I will let you know what transpires 😊🙏
Okay another set of Top 10 that have some very new & different color choices for me. I am definitely enjoying your choices which are so different from many of the artists that I watch on TH-cam. I am definitely going to subscribe to your channel. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us.
Daniel Smith is my go to watercolor. I have all but one that you mentioned. I have a sprinkling of Windsor Newton, Sennelier, MGraham and more, I love my DS colors. Thank you for an excellent review.
thank you for your interesting and entertaining videos... you have a great teaching voice... i had only four of the colors you like.... so now I'm headed online to buy the other SIX!!
I love Daniel Smith the most. They outshine the rest. I have all of the colors that were your favorites except for Aussie red gold, nickel azo yellow, and imperial purple. I’m thinking I may need to get them 😮too. I especially love love the primateks and think they are magical. They have something that other brands just can’t duplicate. I believe that is because they contain real minerals. I believe that if those making the claims against Daniel Smith were true they would have had and still have a lot more to say about it. I have decided to give Daniel Smith the benefit of any doubt and carry on using the most beautiful paints. I loved this video and your paintings during it are so beautiful! Thank you!
There are a handful that have been lackluster for me but the majority of them are amazing and out of over 200+ colors, I’d say that’s a pretty good record 😜
Recently amazon had a deal , 3 primary Colors 15 ml tubes , 3 secondary colours 15ml tubes and a tester pack of 6 cool/warm primaries 5ml tubes for $38 each set. A bargain for this Aussie artist. !
Was that ballerina you? 👏👏👏 😊 Thank you for another exciting video. 👑 I enjoy hearing about your favorite DS colors and why you enjoy them so much.Your editing and presentation are superb as usual. I think I'll mix my own Lunar Blue, but there are so many Primateks that are must haves.
thank you for this countdown!! i'd say my favorite from ds is definitely buff titanium, i feel like it antiques a color if your going for that muted look, and french ultramarine comes in 2nd. i do like your number one choice but it reminds me a lot of wn gold ochre 😮
I really enjoy their new Gamboge hue, it’s got a gorgeous glow. I know PY65 is a single pigment, but I just prefer the new Gamboge. I have it as my warm yellow. Incredibly useful in mixes too. Piedmontite has a fabulous granulation. I hope that helps.
Great video! Love Daniel Smith. I loved hearing your suggestions for all the colors. I have them all except Undersea Green! Gotta get that one. Now I'm gonna go watch your W&N one so I can see which new paints I need to get. ;) Thanks.
You can get to a similar green by mixing an ultramarine with a Quin Gold or Aussie Red Gold so if you have any of those ingredients you can “demo” it at home!
Super video Margot and very helpful - I’m actually researching a 5 color mixing palette for a small Watercolor palette and am going to choose Nickel azo yellow but I’ve found it very difficult to actually find within the Daniel Smith range a primary magenta or primary Cerulean blue. I’m trying to have a Daniel smith version of the Holbien gouache 😍
@@lisamessina5952 ooow that’s an interesting suggestion….. I was thinking only option would be quinacridone rose? So you can get good bright purples and oranges with it?
Hi Rebecca! Primary magentas are tough across all brands because in my experience, I find them to have the most variation and it’s hard to manage getting a bright poppy color without sacrificing in the lightfastness department. Cerulean is also a toughie. So if I’m understanding correctly, you want a smooth cerulean with no granulation?
Yes! DS has a bunch of pinks in the Quinacridone family from rose and lilac to Quin fuchsia. Depending on what you’re using it for, I would check the lightfast ratings though because they do vary (even though Quinacridone is a more stable pigment). Another one I love but have yet to do my own lightfast testing on is Rhodonite Genuine. As soon as it clears the 6 month mark, I think I’m going to start rolling it out to my more permanent palette.
ABSOLUTELY wonderful review. Thank you. I have some new paints now to try. My favourite colour is Payne’s gray. Even though gray can be mixed, i just love this one by itself and used with other colours to provide a contrast.
Thank you! And I agree with you! Payne’s Grey can be mixed but there’s a lot of nuance (even in greys) so you’re not alone to have your own preferences here too 😉
I was so excited to see this posting and am feeling so validated in my choices as I continue to add to my collection during my learning watercolor journey! I actually have 8 of your selections....amazing! Sadly, I am missing the Buff Titanium and the Piamonte (sp) green. Of course, I will be adding them to my shopping cart....uuugghhhh, lol. Thanks ever so much for sharing your knowledge and with such dynamic energy. Also, for sharing the many ways that these vibrant pigments might be used and/or mixed for so many genres. Superb job!!! Daniel Smith could not have done a better job!!😉
Quite interesting picks, and also rather good choices, yet I would have expected maybe even more primatek in the top 10, as well as two "trademark" colors I am planning to add to my palette - Rose of Ultramarine and Moonglow. As for Primatek, I plan to add Kyanite, Amazonite, Bronzite burnt and Tiger Eye burnt, but that is me rounding out my palette, which so far contains other brands.
Thanks for your comment and for watching! Moonglow was on my original list but I took it out based on some issues regarding lightfastness and labeling which came up. I don’t have a problem with fugitive colors at all as long as they’re labeled as such. Moonglow’s anthraquinone pigment has had some fading on my side which is why I chose to omit it.
Oh, the colours you've described are my go to as well 💝 Lunar Blue I use literally everywhere: landscapes, flowers, portraits. It is the most convenient for me. Undersea green - also I would never buy it but I've seen one of my favourite artist use it and I decided to give it a try. Now I can't live without it. French Ultramarine - just love at the first sight))) Quinacridone rose I've received in a set and I've been using it ever since. Genuinely love all quinacridones and this one wasn't an exception) Green apatite genuine and Aussie red gold - love love love 😍
I find Daniel Smith paints are like the 'Lady in Red'. Stunning...I often find myself using these more and more. I like mixing from primes, but then I treat myself to the blues for sure.
The first thing I noticed trying Daniel Smith is personality. The paints simply have a mind on their on when you put them in the paper. I’ve been using White Nights for quite some time, which are far more controlled. Then I purchased the Jean Haines’ set and oh boy. I even found it hard to paint at the beginning but it is a joy. Vibrant colors, most of them have that element of surprise (if you ever used Moonglow you know what i’m taking about). They are definitely amazing. I’m collecting Daniel Smith paints now because they are quite expensive (especially if you live in Brazil, as I do), in order of priority (as a portrait painter, the Jean Haines’ set is a little tricky, because you don’t have all that convenience and you have to MIX - a lot, for natural skin tones). But I also have to admit: Aussie Red Gold is my number 1 too. If you want to try any Daniel Smith colors, go for this one and you’ll be instantly hooked! And finally, thank you for this one, I adore your reviews and tips in general!
What a well crafted comment! Agree with you on everything! One note about Moonglow is that it contains a controversial pigment that is said to be fugitive (which is the reason why I didn’t include it on this list). If you like that color, I have a short with a “recipe” for how to make your own lightfast version. Thank you for watching! ❤️
I've been wanting to finally invest in professional watercolors. I saw the Jean Haines set as well as their basics starter set. Also heard good reviews for M. Graham. I bought an Arches watercolor pad which is patiently waiting for me to decide 🙆♀️😸
Thank you for your delicious delivery of your top 10 DS watercolours. As a newbie I’m beginning to feel like a bloated sea sponge🤣 LOL I have paper taped down, paint laid out, fresh water and brushes at the ready. Now I need a push off of the cliff! Isn’t that silly? I’m off to watch one more of your series on swatching and I WILL BEGIN.🎉❤ Oh yes and I love your choice in lipstick. So glam! 💄
Oh I so feel you Sam. I so feel you! Fear not! Help is on the way. I’m preparing a studio series where we’ll start from 0 and build up watercolor technique while having fun doing it! Hang in there! Or better yet, drive off that darn cliff!
I have a hacked square Schminck palette that fits in the palm of my hand that I can get 32 half pans into. Because I have to have many of these along for the ride. But…WHAT?! You didn’t mention Moon Glow? Or Cascade Green for signature colors?! Living outside Seattle near Rainier, these two are colors made for Daniel Smith’s region. I use a nearly exclusive DS palette and sure miss the DS retail store that was at the manufacturing plant (closed for good during covid). You named some of my faves: nickel azo yellow, quin rose, buff titanium, sap green (although it alternates with appatite green gen)….DS’s yellow ochre is my fave yellow ochre because it is nearly transparent. I also like their burnt sienna/raw umber/burnt umber trio and I usually have quin burnt orant as well. And piemontite! OMG, I love that pigment! I could go on and on….just love DS watercolors! Oh, one other and I keep this on my palette for plein air painting: fuchsite genuine. It’s a primatec and a sort of weak turquoise. It has a bit of a sparkle to it and is amazing when used to paint water (I will often glaze it on other colors. If you have sun sparkling water in plein air painting, it is worth carrying a bit of this.
It’s been a while Daniel Smith has been claiming their watercolor to be vegan at least from 2017. That would mean there’s no ox-gall, animal glycerine neither honey. This is for elders that have been painting with DS watercolors for a long time. Have you perceived any difference regarding this watercolor performance from the old tubes to the new tubes?
Cascade green is a great one that I use but in terms of versatility, I find it to be more limiting which is why I didn’t include it in the video. Moonglow I love and was supposed to put on this list but recently discovered that it contains a fugitive pigment. I have a video on how to mix your own lightfast Moonglow from other DS colors. If you like that color, I would check that out 👍
I’m a new subscriber as of today. So, I may be doing a bit of binge watching 😂. I am loving these chats ! For a new watercolorist want-to-be, this is making the art of watercolor so relatable. Thank you.
I too am a new subscriber today. Grateful for this insightful video
Definitely agree DS is a very unique brand of watercolor that I love to use. Wish it wasn't so gosh darn expensive. I think you missed Serpentine, Violet Hematite, Shadow Violet and Cascade Green and Pthalo Turquoise. Mixing Pthalo Turquoise with Quin Gold Deep makes the absolute darkest transparent green. Just my opinion. I enjoyed your DS descriptions and will be investing in some of these.
If you ever shop at Michaels, they currently have a 20% off coupon plus you can you a voucher if you have any. Hope that helps!
@@prodigaldaughter5978 Michaels prices on their in store DS tubes are 40% over Amazon/Dick BLick.. so you are still getting ripped off over 20% after the "coupon" is applied.
I have and love then all except Imperial Purple. I do have Rose of Ultamarine, which is made from the same pigments, in different proportions, so more pinky. I also am a fan of Cascade Green, Moonglow (yes, I know it has Opera Pink in it), Quin Coral, Quin Burnt Scarlett, and Quin Burnt Orange (also great for skin tones). Great video, I enjoyed seeing what you do with these colors.
If you could Create a Daniel Smith drain pallet of 24 colours. What would they be? Could you do a video on that like this? I’d be absolutely excited to see it. I would love to see your pallet. Collection of Daniel Smith switched out also, and here you go through the individual colours and your thoughts it would be lovely, even all your pallets if you so felt up to it.
I think the descriptions given by Daniel Smith are really over the top and ridiculous but I love the descriptions that you gave to each colour because you related to things we can actually paint items objects, life drawing landscapes. It was very informative with also practical applications. I think Daniel Smith could learn a thing or two from you, instead of just romanticising their colours, and that’s it. From you, we got the beauty of what the colour invokes its personality and it’s practical application.
I totally agree with you !
I couldn't agree more!!😊
Same here. Great job!
I appreciate your accurate punctuation ❤
I simply love that everyone is talking about color……I have learned so much and bottom line we can do as we wish with whatever the brand and color!!!…so exciting….i have been painting for 50 years….long time coming! I must say Daniel Smith is amazing…..💛💙💚🩵🧡🤎🖤
Woww! I've been waiting for this top 10 best Daniel Smith watercolors from you! I love how you describe each colors ❤️ Btw, fangirl here 😁💞
Awww thank you!! And glad you enjoyed it!
I love Daniel Smith paints. My top two favourites are Moonglow and Quinacridone Deep Gold.
Great choices!
I'm not a professional watercolorist however fell in love with this brand and bought almost all the available colours. AMAZING ❤
I am addicted to your channel. You are the best. So professional and such useful info. And you’re funny, so talented, thank you so much for what you offer!
Thank you for this! I appreciate the swatches and the use suggestions! I am going to try the Nickel Azo Yellow and the Buff Titanium for sure in the future. I almost grabbed the yellow on my last shopping trip, but went with something else. Maybe on the Aussie Red Gold. I love the Quinacridone Gold, and that Aussie Red Gold might be fun to experiment with too. We'll see how I feel whenever I am ready for my next order. 😁
Try the Aussie Red Gold. I never imagined that I’d particularly like a yellow/orange like that and now I find a way to sneak it into anything I’m painting.
@@grafmatheus I did end up picking up the Aussie Red Gold recently, and it is wild! Thank you for giving me that extra little push.
I’d really like to try Buff Titanium. I think it would make a natural sand colour, for clouds, and for desert scapes.
Yes…I have it and it’s great!
It’s PERFECT for sand! I love seascapes and buff titanium is a must have in my palette!
Aussie Red Gold is amazing….I think it’s my favorite orange. It truly dazzles.
It’s wonderful! Another orange I love is Sennelier’s Chinese Orange if you’re ever on the lookout for another unique orange 🧡
@@PointebrushHave you tried M. Graham’s Scarlet Pyrrole? It is a truly magical, unique coral-ish orange that I have never found in other brands. And because of its saturation, it lasts years. Highly recommend! ❤🎨
My first artist grade watercolors was a daniel smith buff titanium, I got because I saw a great sale on it and it has been one of my favorites ever since.
And omg yes lunar blue, literally when I'm feeling down I just Love painting with it and watch the color separate and move on it's own 💙
If you’re having a bad day, just getting out your lunar blue and playing with it should give you a fresh start 😝
Amazon Australia sells these 15ml tubes for $30 each. So I have to pick my Colors carefully.
That’s insanity. There are Etsy sellers who make quarter or half pans of them. Not sure what the shipping cost is like but I would imagine it’s not that bad if it can fit in a padded envelope. Food for thought!
Thanks.
You know that someone would make a fortune on selling this paint to Australian artists. Most of us have moved away from D.S. In favour of Mission Gold single pigments at around $12 a 15ml tube. Cost being the reason for the choice
I remember when Daniel Smith (the man) started his enterprise from the garage of his house off Nickerson on the north side of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. Mixing his own printing inks. Going to his eventual store in Seattle, getting his catalogs, and taking classes at the stores (Seattle and Bellevue) was like Christmas to me. Better, even!
I am envious😊
I was also confused for a while about why everyone liked buff titanium but I started painting portraits of my pugs and the buff titanium is the perfect base color for their fur.
Well, I have three out of your ten, French Ultramarine, Buff Titanium, and Quin Rose. Made a list of the other seven for future shopping. Particularly the Lunar Blue and Aussie Red Gold. I love the colors you get using Buff Titanium to mix with. Thank you.
Ah you have three great ingredients to make some pretty amazing mixes! Thanks for watching Paula!
I love cascade green, living among the fir and pines
No, I only use Winsor and Newton, but this time you pushed it too far. I'm looking into the colors and I'm placing an order.😕I love the aussie red gold and the undersea green.💜🖌x
Oh Penny, I apologize to your bank account 😉 Enjoy your new goodies!
😂 😍
I love and adore Daniel Smith. That doesn't mean I do not enjoy W&N, M Graham, Sennelier and etc... but Daniel Smith was my first professional paints love. Imperial Purple is amazing! Also, Aussie Red Gold has such a strong personality, and like you said, landscaping and when painting fall leaves is one of my favorites.
Thank you for sharing your favorites! I enjoyed your vivid descriptions (you’re so well-spoken!), as well as examples from your paintings of how you like to use each color.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!
I loved the description you gave to each colors, it was like I was listening to a beautiful audio book ❤
I’d love to get some of those beautiful granulating greens
Thank you so much! 💚
I love the brand- don’t get me wrong. But their response toward the Primatek controversy was extremely disappointing and frankly infuriating. They were so condescending in their “explanation.”
I now don’t trust the Primatek colors. We were all led to believe these were made of 100% minerals. Turns out this isn’t true at all. Really disappointing.
I hear you Stephen! I saw the response you mentioned and agree that from a PR standpoint it could have been handled better. For me personally, I usually try to separate controversy from the paint’s actual performance and properties. Unfortunately, I think there are a lot of manufacturers out there who mislabel and don’t actually do their own testing and rely on pigment manufacturer ASTM results. Thats certainly quite a hot topic in itself. Anyway, thanks for watching and for stopping by 💕
As someone who worked a lot with gemstones, it didn't surprise me at all. There's no way of keeping consistent hues without boosting the paint with pigment. Gemstones are never the same. Even within a seam there are huge variations varying in clarity and hue. It's a shame they don't just own the reality of it,but guess they'd need to adjust their pricing.
I have 5 of the 10; Lunar Blue, Imperial Purple, Aussie red gold, French Ultramarine and quinacridone rose.
And you're right they're very useful to have in your palette.
Green Apatite Genuine reminds me of the colour i imagine an old landed meteor to be
While I like your descriptions… I’d say these are hardly essentials.
I have 19 DS colours. I have 9/10 of the ones covered, of this I love Quin Rose. Of the rest I have Opera Pink is a fave, I know it’s lightfast isn’t good, but I still love it.
I love your choices. I had them all except the French Ultramarine, as I love my Sennelier version, but you've sold me on getting a tube of the Daniel Smith too. If I were to add an 11th color, I suggest Isoindoline Yellow. It's a warm yellow that sheers down to a lovely delicate peach. I talk about this color a lot. It could be my #1.
Yes, yes, yes! And try Quin Coral! My very favorite! ❤
I have 6 of the 10 you picked which makes me happy. It’s the first 4 colours you mentioned that I don’t have. I will have to go shopping again for the other 4. I’m a big fan of Daniel Smith paints even though I started painting quite recently. Your paints are lovely ❤. Thank you for sharing 🤗🇨🇦
I really enjoy your videos Margot! One topic I had hoped you would touch on- and I’d love to see it from more than one watercolorist- how paints behave when pan poured and dried, vs straight from the tube. For example, I Adore lunar blue Only from the tube, I lose vibrancy in pan-dried form. It would be fantastic to get an overview-by-brand style video.
I have the same issue with Lunar Blue. Even thought I had done something wrong because it looks so much faded from dried pans while it’s so vibrant when your pour ir straight from the tube :(
Excellent question and this would make a great video. To clarify, I’m assuming you mean store-bought pans, right? Not tubes that have been squeezed into pans and left to dry?
@@Pointebrush hi Margot- I’m talking about paints you pour and dry in pans….. and then reset after they are thoroughly dried. Moonglow and Lunar Blue are the top two offenders in my palette. I suspect undersea green as well- never appears as attractive to me when dried in pan and re-wet as it does fresh from the tube.
I have a feeling other brands with intriguing mixes might have a few offenders- I am not picking on Daniel Smith - I love nearly every paint of theirs I’ve purchased 😉
Moonglow is a fugitive anyway isn’t it
@@ankejacobs4649 It is! Here is a recipe for a non-fugitive one th-cam.com/users/shortsgMl7bpjpgFU?feature=share
Under sea green and buff titanium are my favorite, so natural looking.
I love Daniel Smith watercolours for their granulation and subtle tones. I have most of the paints you feature and love them all, but especially Quinacridone Rose which is such a workhorse colour - I don't bother with any reds or purples in my palette, as it's so easy to mix them using Quin Rose and either Transparent Pyrrol Orange or one of my blues, respectively. I am planning on getting Lunar Blue, though, on your recommendation!
I love my green apatite, and you've made me want to order aussie red gold & piemontite.
I loved this, thank you! I have about half of those colors, and probably about 50-55 Daniel Smith watercolors. I'll have to see if you've done a video on the duochromes yet. I'm definitely going to be adding Aussie Red Gold, Nickle Azo Yellow, and Imperial Purple.
Just found you here and subscribed! I've been using Daniel Smith watercolors for a long time. One of my favorite colors from their line is Cascade Green. So lovely and very granulating! I, too love the Aussie Red Gold!
Welcome Betsy! Cascade green is another big hit with me and it was definitely on my list of contenders!
I love your videos…You are well spoken. I love the largish swatches you use! Thinking of jumping into the watercolor stick world. And DS is USA based.
11:35 Don't poo poo it, Oui Oui it! 😅
I apologize for my pun but considering you're a French speaker i thought you might appreciate it.
Merci pour cette video de qualité, j'aime beaucoup le choix de vos couleurs. mes couleurs préférées Daniel Smith : New Gamboge, Buff Titanium ..."Parlez-vous Daniel Smith ?" J'adore ;.)
😘😘😘
Una. Verdadera pena 😢 que no 😂ntiendo. Tu idioma. Y no lo puedo Traducir ql Espqñol: aun asin , voy leyendo l’ós comentarios. Grqciqs
I love your humor!! :) ...and the colors you picked
Thank you so much 🙏
Beautiful french. Where are you from? Discovered all the quinacridone tones lately. What a blast.
Thank you for this list!!! I’m just getting into watercolor and have loved the few Daniel Smith shades I’ve picked up but I’ve felt overwhelmed with the options!
I agree that most of your picks are some of the most unique DS colors. I also love Piemontite, Undersea Green, Quinacridone Rose, Buff Titanium, Aussie Red Gold and Imperial Purple. Nickel Azo Yellow and French Ultramarine are such versatile colors and tend to be great from most artist brands. Thanks so much for giving us so many different ways to use these colors, I tend to get into ruts and forget to use more unusual colors for shadows, et cetera. Always love hearing your thoughts on products, techniques, ballet, whatever :)
So happy it was useful Everart! Thanks for "stopping by" 💕
The Nickel Azo (it's A as in Able) Yellow is a good replacement for the lost Gamboge Genuine. It's warm in masstone but cooler in dilution While there are Gamboge hues, if you want a single pigment replacement then it's the best. It is a tad more opaque.
Here are my top 10: quin gold, quin rose, quin burnt scarlet, quin coral, carbazole violet, indanthrone blue, sap green, serpentinite, amazonite and amethyst. Some colors such as buff titanium and hematite are secret vices for some people but not for me. Daniel Smith do have some "love it or hate it" colors I guess.
What do you think of Carbazole Violet from the Daniel Smith line? I've really enjoyed this purple.
the way you describe these paints is the reason why im obsessed with the brand. their mixes are so unique and they create such beautiful texture with those granulations. so expensive but so unique.
I am doing online course with Artist Emily Olson. She is amazing she uses a lot of main colours for landscapes, beaches, animals colours and mixes.
The tutorials are great. She uses lots of Daniel Smith watercolours and Hobein.
I have endless Daniel Smith colours now, they are expensive takes time to build your palettes but it’s worth it. Daniel Smith paints are incredible!
I love Indigo, Burnt Sienna, Burnt umber yellow ochre great colours for animals.
Buff titanium by DS is incredible soft horses mains, beaches and landscapes. This is a well thought out presentation review. Thankyou for sharing your beneficial knowledge. I love how you explain what the colours are used for.
Thankyou Suz 😊
you are so funny. Changing a babys diaper with that green? so many levels even though you were just winging it!
I wonder what you think of that sleeping beauty turquoise colour on your pallet. I have noticed all the great watercolorists use it to mix colours . On all the big demonstrations on TH-cam they all use it I’m not sure exactly what it’s called but would like your view on it and lavender is another colour they all use to mix greys
Thank you, I watched your Video the other day and came back to write everything down so I can pic them up and try them so I will let you know what transpires 😊🙏
Okay another set of Top 10 that have some very new & different color choices for me. I am definitely enjoying your choices which are so different from many of the artists that I watch on TH-cam. I am definitely going to subscribe to your channel. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us.
Yes, I am new to Daniel Smith. Love your recommendations. Your descriptions are amazing and right on. Thanks!
Daniel Smith is my go to watercolor. I have all but one that you mentioned. I have a sprinkling of Windsor Newton, Sennelier, MGraham and more, I love my DS colors. Thank you for an excellent review.
thank you for your interesting and entertaining videos... you have a great teaching voice... i had only four of the colors you like.... so now I'm headed online to buy the other SIX!!
Aussie red gold is my next purchase. Somehow I don't think I have it in my DS pallette and it's a stunning color.
Unfortunately some colors just like cobalt green pale, lapis lazuli seems like disasters for me.
I love Daniel Smith the most. They outshine the rest. I have all of the colors that were your favorites except for Aussie red gold, nickel azo yellow, and imperial purple. I’m thinking I may need to get them 😮too.
I especially love love the primateks and think they are magical. They have something that other brands just can’t duplicate. I believe that is because they contain real minerals. I believe that if those making the claims against Daniel Smith were true they would have had and still have a lot more to say about it.
I have decided to give Daniel Smith the benefit of any doubt and carry on using the most beautiful paints.
I loved this video and your paintings during it are so beautiful! Thank you!
I love all of my Daniel Smith paints. I have never had one disappoint.
There are a handful that have been lackluster for me but the majority of them are amazing and out of over 200+ colors, I’d say that’s a pretty good record 😜
I am a novice but I use DS paints and have a fairly large collection but your recommendations gives me some more options to put on my wish list
Happy to say I have all of your top 10 .... hadn't thought of it before but can't wait to try mixing 1 and 2 to see what I get!
You’re advice on when to use the colors was very useful. Once again, many thanks! ☺️
So glad it was helpful!
ps. hope you enjoyed the coffee and cookie 🍪
@@Pointebrush I did, thank you, and I made a second cup. 😊
Recently amazon had a deal , 3 primary Colors 15 ml tubes , 3 secondary colours 15ml tubes and a tester pack of 6 cool/warm primaries 5ml tubes for $38 each set. A bargain for this Aussie artist. !
Margot, as always is a pleasure to see your videos!…congratulations and thanks again for your insights!…🤗👍🏻
Was that ballerina you? 👏👏👏 😊 Thank you for another exciting video. 👑 I enjoy hearing about your favorite DS colors and why you enjoy them so much.Your editing and presentation are superb as usual. I think I'll mix my own Lunar Blue, but there are so many Primateks that are must haves.
It sure was 😜 and Thank you so much! A lot goes into these so I’m glad the details are noticed ❤️❤️❤️❤️
@@Pointebrush 🥰😍
Fantastic informative video! Thank you.
I have all those colors except Imperial purple - I could add that moonglow, cascade green and janes grey are really exceptional colors too!!
thank you for this countdown!! i'd say my favorite from ds is definitely buff titanium, i feel like it antiques a color if your going for that muted look, and french ultramarine comes in 2nd. i do like your number one choice but it reminds me a lot of wn gold ochre 😮
ooooh I love Piemontite Genuine!! I've had my eye on buff titanium for a while so I definitely want to get it now ☺
Let me know if you end up liking it!
Jayne’s Grey, I really love that one…even more than my fave WN Payne’s Grey.
Daniel Smith is my fave!!! Hugs! Peggy
I'm wondering if I need new gamboge. I have all the ones on your list except piedmontite genuine.
I really enjoy their new Gamboge hue, it’s got a gorgeous glow. I know PY65 is a single pigment, but I just prefer the new Gamboge. I have it as my warm yellow. Incredibly useful in mixes too. Piedmontite has a fabulous granulation. I hope that helps.
Hey Margot, I'm not sure if you're aware but apparently Aussie Red Gold isn't lightfast (according to Kim Crick's lightfast tests at least).
Hmmm how interesting. I didn’t run into the same fade with my own lightfast tests. I wonder if her geographical location makes a difference…
Great video! Love Daniel Smith. I loved hearing your suggestions for all the colors. I have them all except Undersea Green! Gotta get that one. Now I'm gonna go watch your W&N one so I can see which new paints I need to get. ;) Thanks.
You can get to a similar green by mixing an ultramarine with a Quin Gold or Aussie Red Gold so if you have any of those ingredients you can “demo” it at home!
@@Pointebrush thanks! I'll try that :)
I wanted to let you know that your signature red lippie always looks so beautiful on you ❤ love your videos 😊
Travail intéressant autour de la gamme DS Merci
Agreed, nickel azo yellow is the only yellow on my palette
The Swiss Army knife of yellows 😉
Super video Margot and very helpful -
I’m actually researching a 5 color mixing palette for a small Watercolor palette and am going to choose Nickel azo yellow but I’ve found it very difficult to actually find within the Daniel Smith range a primary magenta or primary Cerulean blue. I’m trying to have a Daniel smith version of the Holbien gouache 😍
Try Quin Lilac. A great magenta mixer.
@@lisamessina5952 ooow that’s an interesting suggestion….. I was thinking only option would be quinacridone rose? So you can get good bright purples and oranges with it?
Hi Rebecca! Primary magentas are tough across all brands because in my experience, I find them to have the most variation and it’s hard to manage getting a bright poppy color without sacrificing in the lightfastness department. Cerulean is also a toughie. So if I’m understanding correctly, you want a smooth cerulean with no granulation?
Yes! DS has a bunch of pinks in the Quinacridone family from rose and lilac to Quin fuchsia. Depending on what you’re using it for, I would check the lightfast ratings though because they do vary (even though Quinacridone is a more stable pigment). Another one I love but have yet to do my own lightfast testing on is Rhodonite Genuine. As soon as it clears the 6 month mark, I think I’m going to start rolling it out to my more permanent palette.
ABSOLUTELY wonderful review. Thank you. I have some new paints now to try. My favourite colour is Payne’s gray. Even though gray can be mixed, i just love this one by itself and used with other colours to provide a contrast.
Thank you! And I agree with you! Payne’s Grey can be mixed but there’s a lot of nuance (even in greys) so you’re not alone to have your own preferences here too 😉
I have all of these colors except the Piemontite Genuine which I just ordered. I love Daniel Smith watercolors!!
Well what can I say except genius minds think alike 😜
I was so excited to see this posting and am feeling so validated in my choices as I continue to add to my collection during my learning watercolor journey! I actually have 8 of your selections....amazing! Sadly, I am missing the Buff Titanium and the Piamonte (sp) green. Of course, I will be adding them to my shopping cart....uuugghhhh, lol.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your knowledge and with such dynamic energy. Also, for sharing the many ways that these vibrant pigments might be used and/or mixed for so many genres.
Superb job!!! Daniel Smith could not have done a better job!!😉
You mean piemonte brown😂
Aussie Red Gold is another paint I’d love to try, but I want to try A Gallo’s version: Arancione.
A. Gallo… Le-sigh….
@@Pointebrush Le-sigh 🤣
I'm only missing buff titanium. I guess I have think about rectifying that 😂.
Lol! One 5ml tube won’t do any harm 😜😇
Quite interesting picks, and also rather good choices, yet I would have expected maybe even more primatek in the top 10, as well as two "trademark" colors I am planning to add to my palette - Rose of Ultramarine and Moonglow. As for Primatek, I plan to add Kyanite, Amazonite, Bronzite burnt and Tiger Eye burnt, but that is me rounding out my palette, which so far contains other brands.
Thanks for your comment and for watching! Moonglow was on my original list but I took it out based on some issues regarding lightfastness and labeling which came up. I don’t have a problem with fugitive colors at all as long as they’re labeled as such. Moonglow’s anthraquinone pigment has had some fading on my side which is why I chose to omit it.
Oh, the colours you've described are my go to as well 💝
Lunar Blue I use literally everywhere: landscapes, flowers, portraits. It is the most convenient for me.
Undersea green - also I would never buy it but I've seen one of my favourite artist use it and I decided to give it a try. Now I can't live without it.
French Ultramarine - just love at the first sight)))
Quinacridone rose I've received in a set and I've been using it ever since. Genuinely love all quinacridones and this one wasn't an exception)
Green apatite genuine and Aussie red gold - love love love 😍
I find Daniel Smith paints are like the 'Lady in Red'. Stunning...I often find myself using these more and more. I like mixing from primes, but then I treat myself to the blues for sure.
Lady in red is such a more succinct way to say it 😂 completely agree and yes their blues are some of the highlights in the range!
Agree. I have six of the ten you mentioned and they are all great.
Undersea green will be gone soon since one of the pigments are discontinued......sucks
Ooh where did you see this news??
Loved every minute of your choices and opinions.
Aww thank you Sandy! That means a lot 🥺🥰
Thank goodness I only had to add three to my 'wanted' list. The rest are already nesting in my palette x
😝😂🤣
Sadly the Nickel Azo Yellow, Buff Titanium & Green Apatite Green are Prop 65 colors 😢
The first thing I noticed trying Daniel Smith is personality. The paints simply have a mind on their on when you put them in the paper. I’ve been using White Nights for quite some time, which are far more controlled. Then I purchased the Jean Haines’ set and oh boy. I even found it hard to paint at the beginning but it is a joy. Vibrant colors, most of them have that element of surprise (if you ever used Moonglow you know what i’m taking about). They are definitely amazing. I’m collecting Daniel Smith paints now because they are quite expensive (especially if you live in Brazil, as I do), in order of priority (as a portrait painter, the Jean Haines’ set is a little tricky, because you don’t have all that convenience and you have to MIX - a lot, for natural skin tones). But I also have to admit: Aussie Red Gold is my number 1 too. If you want to try any Daniel Smith colors, go for this one and you’ll be instantly hooked! And finally, thank you for this one, I adore your reviews and tips in general!
What a well crafted comment! Agree with you on everything! One note about Moonglow is that it contains a controversial pigment that is said to be fugitive (which is the reason why I didn’t include it on this list). If you like that color, I have a short with a “recipe” for how to make your own lightfast version. Thank you for watching! ❤️
I’ve been hesitant to try Moonglow for this reason. I’m definitely interested in the recipe!
@@Pointebrush I’ll try that! Thank you!
@@qwiltergrl Here it is! th-cam.com/users/shortsgMl7bpjpgFU?feature=share
I can't live without DS Lavender. I also loooove Quin Gold and Opera Pink. Opera Pink mixes beautifully with so many colors.
I've been wanting to finally invest in professional watercolors. I saw the Jean Haines set as well as their basics starter set. Also heard good reviews for M. Graham. I bought an Arches watercolor pad which is patiently waiting for me to decide 🙆♀️😸
Thank you for your delicious delivery of your top 10 DS watercolours. As a newbie I’m beginning to feel like a bloated sea sponge🤣 LOL I have paper taped down, paint laid out, fresh water and brushes at the ready. Now I need a push off of the cliff! Isn’t that silly? I’m off to watch one more of your series on swatching and I WILL BEGIN.🎉❤
Oh yes and I love your choice in lipstick. So glam! 💄
Oh I so feel you Sam. I so feel you! Fear not! Help is on the way. I’m preparing a studio series where we’ll start from 0 and build up watercolor technique while having fun doing it! Hang in there! Or better yet, drive off that darn cliff!
@@Pointebrush Thank you Margo! Full steam ahead as they say! I’m so ready for a deep dive❣️They don’t call me “bad granny” for no reason!🫶🏻🤪
Very helpful video. I'm enjoying watching all of your videos.
I have a hacked square Schminck palette that fits in the palm of my hand that I can get 32 half pans into. Because I have to have many of these along for the ride. But…WHAT?! You didn’t mention Moon Glow? Or Cascade Green for signature colors?! Living outside Seattle near Rainier, these two are colors made for Daniel Smith’s region. I use a nearly exclusive DS palette and sure miss the DS retail store that was at the manufacturing plant (closed for good during covid). You named some of my faves: nickel azo yellow, quin rose, buff titanium, sap green (although it alternates with appatite green gen)….DS’s yellow ochre is my fave yellow ochre because it is nearly transparent. I also like their burnt sienna/raw umber/burnt umber trio and I usually have quin burnt orant as well. And piemontite! OMG, I love that pigment! I could go on and on….just love DS watercolors! Oh, one other and I keep this on my palette for plein air painting: fuchsite genuine. It’s a primatec and a sort of weak turquoise. It has a bit of a sparkle to it and is amazing when used to paint water (I will often glaze it on other colors. If you have sun sparkling water in plein air painting, it is worth carrying a bit of this.
It’s been a while Daniel Smith has been claiming their watercolor to be vegan at least from 2017. That would mean there’s no ox-gall, animal glycerine neither honey. This is for elders that have been painting with DS watercolors for a long time. Have you perceived any difference regarding this watercolor performance from the old tubes to the new tubes?
Vaya...No figuran cascade green o moonlight...
Cascade green is a great one that I use but in terms of versatility, I find it to be more limiting which is why I didn’t include it in the video. Moonglow I love and was supposed to put on this list but recently discovered that it contains a fugitive pigment. I have a video on how to mix your own lightfast Moonglow from other DS colors. If you like that color, I would check that out 👍
I've Azo Yellow, Imperial Purple, buff titanium - and yes, I love these colors too