Artist watercolors

[Tousabella]

I FINALLY got some D-R artist watercolor paints!!  Not many, and certainly not the necessary ones, but what is the drop of liquid that is on top of the tube when first opened? It's thicker than water, but just a drop. Does that mean these paints have been sitting around for awhile or is it natural?
Boy oh boy...what an experience to paint with "good" paint. Little bit goes a   l o n g   ways!!!    And, I have to say, it sure 'soaks in' nicely.  Whew.  I guess that is why I like using the pans.  I'll learn!!

[ImBatman]

Val

In my experience it's niether natural, nor unnatural.

Some of my tubes do have it, some don't. I even have some Aquafine "Light Red" tubes that I almost need a pair of pliers to squeeze out of the tube!!!

Batman.

[SunRai]

You'll soon be spoiled!  It's nice to be able to easily get that rich color.  It drove me crazy when I used student grade - only did that once and just had to go for the "good stuff"!   And, they last a long time because you need so little paint to get good color and coverage.   
 
As to the little drop of ?    I never noticed or thought about it    !  I guess I was just too anxious to get the paint on the palette!   

[Tousabella]

Thanks Batman and Pat.  I just have to remember that a little goes along way....I haven't learned that yet!!   

Good thing they are 15 ml.  I have enough paint mixed to do about six backgrounds!!  LOL  I have it in a small flower palette, so I just sprayed it with some water and put saran wrap tight around it.  Should be okay til tomorrow. (Need the light.)
This is great....My butterflies are funny colors, but they are there!!!  I'll post when I'm done, with hysterical laughter.  Too funny, but fun.

[ImBatman]

Retta, just so you know, there's no need to keep it moist overnight like an acrylic for example. It can dry out and you just add water again.

I have only ever bought tubes, then bought some of those little pill boxes sets and squeezed in the paint and leave it in the open. Instant pans. Plus I still have the tubes too for the super pure colours.

And each tube costs around $3.50 for the same Aquafine Dennis uses, and I can easily totally fill those pill boxes 2 - 3 times - and they are at least twice the size of the pans. An absolute crapload cheaper than buying the little pans all the time.  to those greedy art stores.
And you have seen the kind of paintings I produce with my home made pans.

Batman.

[dennis]

Often there is a touch of glycerine in some of the paints to keep them moist and this is possibly what you have seen. It is nothing to worry about.

[Tony (ASM)]

It's been very interesting to read about the tube colours and finding out from Dennis what the drop is.
I have to share my experience on buying watercolour pans:
I thought Winsor & Newton watercolour pans were the best so, I purchased a set last year. It's only been quite recent that I discovered that my set was not 'artist' grade. What?! I was shocked. I thought I'd bought the best. What happened was, I bought the 'Cotman' watercolour set. I didn't know there was Winsor & Newton 'Artists' grade watercolour range too!
So, after hearing about the tubes being mover versatile and cheaper (Artist grade are more expensive), I'll be getting some and throwing my others away!

[Val]

Hi Tony  was beginning to wonder what happened to you! I've been using my sister's Cotman paints. Took a bit to get used to as the colours are a bit different from my W&N Artist Grade that I have back on the boat. Took a bit of practice mixing to get the colours I was used to. I'll most likely go through it all over again when I get back to the boat. Me, Art, and Nature...all very much alike.... always in a constant state of flux! 

[KathyKuz]

Dennis;  Your cad orange is more red than Winsor Newton's.   My cad orange is bright yellow orange.  Kathy

[dennis]

Kathy, I'm afraid you will always be getting "problem"
Every manufacturer has their own rendering of a certain colour, even though they may be using the same chemical(s).
Having the same colour name does not mean that they are actually all the same colour - very frustrating for many artists.

[doina]

Tony do not throw away you Cotman watercolor set. Please donate it to a school where children can use it. Thanks, Doina