I did a bit of research on these, as I have been contemplating them for a while. I had read the angry rants of artists claiming these are terrible because they're not "pure" pigments, but instead a mix with synthetic pigments, and as a result the lightfastness would also be affected. Nonetheless, I still decided to invest in them, because while it's okay to use single pigments (there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to use what everyone has used for hundreds of years), I think it's terrible to be close-minded about new things. There are newer things being developed out there like Qor's non-gum arabic binders, and this one using synthetic dyes. I mean--what do you think most ultramarines are made out of? Not lapis lazuli anymore, unless you paid $30+ for it. Nowadays, ultramarine is most likely a synthetic pigment, much like these synthetic dyes. I'm not hating on old school palettes (I love them), but I don't see why everyone is so up in arms about these specific paints. I appreciate that they openly list all the pigments used, whereas other widely praised brands like Holbein don't openly tell you that most of their colours have white in them (nothing wrong with holbein, I love them as well). If you are open minded and willing to try something new, then these are great. And as for lightfastness, well I'll be doing my own tests on them later on.
Now, onto the actual paints! These are bright. I've heard many people say they are vivid, but man, they are VIVID. Opera pink is practically a neon pink highlighter, and some others are so bright that you can actually overlay them on darks and have them pop still. What you get out of one stroke of paint, is the equivalent of several layers of another brand, so these are definitely not for those who like muted or light earthy colours. Most of them stain, because of the underlying dyes in them, and you can see in most of my swatches I tried to lift parts, to reveal which color was the weaker undertone. Ultramarine is the only granulating colour on my end, and I think there is a very nice selection of colours. I really enjoy reds, so I was kinda sad to not have a huge selection of warmer reds; just two reddish oranges (vermillion and orange yellow), and the rest were all pinkish reds. However, I loved the huge selection of browns and greens.
The actual palette is huge, much bigger than I expected. It came in korean packaging, with a korean pamplet inside, so I honestly couldn't read anything about the paints. But it's fine. Anyway, the paints come in 7 ml tubes. They are slightly smaller than the 7.5 ml Grumbacher tubes, but definitely bigger than the 5ml Holbein tubes. In the second photo you can see a 15ml Daniel smith tube on top, as comparison. I filled all of the wells in the palette, and the tubes look like they hardly have a dent in them! Some colours immediately settled in their wells; others needed a bit of help from a wet brush to pat down. I also like that the tubes have their own boxes, so I can store them elsewhere away from the wet paints, leaving the giant well for me. My only gripe is that the plastic does not mix paint well; paint will just sit there and puddle up into tight beads, so it's impossible to spread colour out. I kinda wish I had tested for this earlier; I would have scrubbed the lid and palette with a sponge to add some texture in there. I haven't experienced any staining, even with these colours being staining, so that's a plus on the palette.
So all in all, I think these are a great set of paints. Lots of colours to pick from, which reduces mixing time, and it doesn't take much to release a huge explosion of colour. I included a quick painting I did to test these out; and I love how quickly I was able to do it, because the colours didn't need extra layering to remain bright. I was also able to overlay the bright yellow green over the darker green and have it show up. I am very happy with this investment, and I do see myself using these instead of the other brands (and I've tried most of them all by now), especially when I plan on working with bright colours and don't want to eat up my other palettes. So, if you're open about nontraditional watercolours, give these a try for sure!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2016
Now, onto the actual paints! These are bright. I've heard many people say they are vivid, but man, they are VIVID. Opera pink is practically a neon pink highlighter, and some others are so bright that you can actually overlay them on darks and have them pop still. What you get out of one stroke of paint, is the equivalent of several layers of another brand, so these are definitely not for those who like muted or light earthy colours. Most of them stain, because of the underlying dyes in them, and you can see in most of my swatches I tried to lift parts, to reveal which color was the weaker undertone. Ultramarine is the only granulating colour on my end, and I think there is a very nice selection of colours. I really enjoy reds, so I was kinda sad to not have a huge selection of warmer reds; just two reddish oranges (vermillion and orange yellow), and the rest were all pinkish reds. However, I loved the huge selection of browns and greens.
The actual palette is huge, much bigger than I expected. It came in korean packaging, with a korean pamplet inside, so I honestly couldn't read anything about the paints. But it's fine. Anyway, the paints come in 7 ml tubes. They are slightly smaller than the 7.5 ml Grumbacher tubes, but definitely bigger than the 5ml Holbein tubes. In the second photo you can see a 15ml Daniel smith tube on top, as comparison. I filled all of the wells in the palette, and the tubes look like they hardly have a dent in them! Some colours immediately settled in their wells; others needed a bit of help from a wet brush to pat down. I also like that the tubes have their own boxes, so I can store them elsewhere away from the wet paints, leaving the giant well for me. My only gripe is that the plastic does not mix paint well; paint will just sit there and puddle up into tight beads, so it's impossible to spread colour out. I kinda wish I had tested for this earlier; I would have scrubbed the lid and palette with a sponge to add some texture in there. I haven't experienced any staining, even with these colours being staining, so that's a plus on the palette.
So all in all, I think these are a great set of paints. Lots of colours to pick from, which reduces mixing time, and it doesn't take much to release a huge explosion of colour. I included a quick painting I did to test these out; and I love how quickly I was able to do it, because the colours didn't need extra layering to remain bright. I was also able to overlay the bright yellow green over the darker green and have it show up. I am very happy with this investment, and I do see myself using these instead of the other brands (and I've tried most of them all by now), especially when I plan on working with bright colours and don't want to eat up my other palettes. So, if you're open about nontraditional watercolours, give these a try for sure!
Verified Purchase
Super vivid, definitely something new and unique
By birdcakes on March 15, 2016
I did a bit of research on these, as I have been contemplating them for a while. I had read the angry rants of artists claiming these are terrible because they're not "pure" pigments, but instead a mix with synthetic pigments, and as a result the lightfastness would also be affected. Nonetheless, I still decided to invest in them, because while it's okay to use single pigments (there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to use what everyone has used for hundreds of years), I think it's terrible to be close-minded about new things. There are newer things being developed out there like Qor's non-gum arabic binders, and this one using synthetic dyes. I mean--what do you think most ultramarines are made out of? Not lapis lazuli anymore, unless you paid $30+ for it. Nowadays, ultramarine is most likely a synthetic pigment, much like these synthetic dyes. I'm not hating on old school palettes (I love them), but I don't see why everyone is so up in arms about these specific paints. I appreciate that they openly list all the pigments used, whereas other widely praised brands like Holbein don't openly tell you that most of their colours have white in them (nothing wrong with holbein, I love them as well). If you are open minded and willing to try something new, then these are great. And as for lightfastness, well I'll be doing my own tests on them later on.By birdcakes on March 15, 2016
Now, onto the actual paints! These are bright. I've heard many people say they are vivid, but man, they are VIVID. Opera pink is practically a neon pink highlighter, and some others are so bright that you can actually overlay them on darks and have them pop still. What you get out of one stroke of paint, is the equivalent of several layers of another brand, so these are definitely not for those who like muted or light earthy colours. Most of them stain, because of the underlying dyes in them, and you can see in most of my swatches I tried to lift parts, to reveal which color was the weaker undertone. Ultramarine is the only granulating colour on my end, and I think there is a very nice selection of colours. I really enjoy reds, so I was kinda sad to not have a huge selection of warmer reds; just two reddish oranges (vermillion and orange yellow), and the rest were all pinkish reds. However, I loved the huge selection of browns and greens.
The actual palette is huge, much bigger than I expected. It came in korean packaging, with a korean pamplet inside, so I honestly couldn't read anything about the paints. But it's fine. Anyway, the paints come in 7 ml tubes. They are slightly smaller than the 7.5 ml Grumbacher tubes, but definitely bigger than the 5ml Holbein tubes. In the second photo you can see a 15ml Daniel smith tube on top, as comparison. I filled all of the wells in the palette, and the tubes look like they hardly have a dent in them! Some colours immediately settled in their wells; others needed a bit of help from a wet brush to pat down. I also like that the tubes have their own boxes, so I can store them elsewhere away from the wet paints, leaving the giant well for me. My only gripe is that the plastic does not mix paint well; paint will just sit there and puddle up into tight beads, so it's impossible to spread colour out. I kinda wish I had tested for this earlier; I would have scrubbed the lid and palette with a sponge to add some texture in there. I haven't experienced any staining, even with these colours being staining, so that's a plus on the palette.
So all in all, I think these are a great set of paints. Lots of colours to pick from, which reduces mixing time, and it doesn't take much to release a huge explosion of colour. I included a quick painting I did to test these out; and I love how quickly I was able to do it, because the colours didn't need extra layering to remain bright. I was also able to overlay the bright yellow green over the darker green and have it show up. I am very happy with this investment, and I do see myself using these instead of the other brands (and I've tried most of them all by now), especially when I plan on working with bright colours and don't want to eat up my other palettes. So, if you're open about nontraditional watercolours, give these a try for sure!
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2019
Verified Purchase
extremely pleased
By PN on December 14, 2019
I saw good youtube reviews and checked this set out. WOW is this way more expensive everywhere else. It arrived fast and I was so excited. I filled the palette and waited 4 days for it to completely dry. I did the swatches (I hate doing swatches) on Canson XL. I noticed first the difference between these paints and dry half pans. A little goes a long way. I use a lot of water when I paint so I struggled with the little swatch boxes but that was well worth the experience. I am in awe of the vibrancy. The palette box is 12.75 x 5 inches. Larger than I'm used to but I'm all good with getting used to it. Very pleased and can't wait to actually paint with them.
By PN on December 14, 2019
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Kezxu
Quality and value
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2020Verified Purchase
Quality and value
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2020
This palette set is huge, there is a well space for each of the 36 colours and lots of mixing space beside the well and in the lid. The Mijello paint is superb, highly pigmented, smooth to paint, it feels very nice to paint with and the range of colours is great, the only thing I would change is to swap out the Ivory Black for Paynes Grey, although I suppose you could use the indigo. Overall, a really nice set, great quality and a very good price on Amazon.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2020
Images in this review
sharon conlin
Disappointed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2021Verified Purchase
dadadeduck
Good colours but don’t like the case.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2020Verified Purchase
Good colours but don’t like the case.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2020
The colours are good, very easy to use and draw with. However I’m not a big fan of the case it comes with. It’s so big and the way those little grids spread is hard for me to do a proper colour card to display the colors neatly.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2020
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Amazon Customer
High quality paints
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2017Verified Purchase
Lina
Great Watercolour paints!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2017Verified Purchase
