Artist watercolors have higher pigment concentration and quality, whereas student watercolors are more affordable but with lower pigment load.
Quality and Composition
Pigment Concentration in Artist vs. Student Watercolors
Artist grade watercolors boast a higher pigment concentration, providing richer and more vivid colors. These paints typically contain pure, finely ground pigments, resulting in superior color payoff and blending capabilities. In contrast, student watercolors have a lower pigment concentration, often diluted with fillers to reduce cost. This results in less vibrant colors and may require more layers to achieve desired intensity.
Specifications for Pigment Concentration:
- Artist Watercolors: Pigment concentration typically around 30-40%
- Student Watercolors: Pigment concentration often below 15-20%
Binders and Additives: How They Differ
Binders in artist watercolors usually consist of high-quality gum arabic, ensuring a smooth, consistent texture and excellent adherence to the paper. These paints may also include honey or glycerin for enhanced luminosity and flow. On the other hand, student watercolors might use synthetic binders or lower-quality gum arabic, affecting the paint’s texture and finish.
Binder Specifications:
- Artist Watercolors: High-quality gum arabic, occasional additions like honey or glycerin
- Student Watercolors: Synthetic binders or lower grade gum arabic
Longevity and Lightfastness Comparison
Longevity and lightfastness are key factors differentiating artist and student watercolors. Artist grade paints are highly resistant to fading and maintain their vibrancy over time, thanks to premium pigments and binders. Student grade paints, while more affordable, may fade or change color when exposed to light over prolonged periods.
Lightfastness Range:
- Artist Watercolors: Typically rated I or II (excellent or very good) on the ASTM scale
- Student Watercolors: Often rated III or lower (fair to poor) on the ASTM scale
Color Range and Vibrancy
The Spectrum of Colors in Professional Grades
Professional grade watercolors offer an extensive spectrum of colors, ranging from vivid primaries to unique and rare hues. These colors are crafted to provide artists with a wide palette for maximum creativity. The range often includes both historical pigments and modern synthetic ones, giving artists access to colors that are both traditional and innovative. For example, professional sets might include unique shades like quinacridone gold or perylene maroon, which are less common in student sets.
Key Points:
- Number of colors available in professional sets can exceed 100 different shades.
- Inclusion of both traditional (like ultramarine) and modern synthetic pigments (like phthalo blue).
Comparing the Intensity of Artist and Student Watercolors
The intensity of artist grade watercolors is significantly higher than that of student grades, owing to their high pigment load and quality of pigments used. Artist watercolors produce more vivid and expressive results with less paint. Student watercolors, while cost-effective, often require more paint to achieve similar intensity and can appear more washed out or muted due to the higher ratio of fillers and extenders.
Intensity Aspects:
- Artist watercolors can achieve deep and vibrant tones with minimal application.
- Student watercolors might need multiple layers to reach similar intensity levels.
Understanding Saturation and Transparency
Saturation refers to the purity and intensity of a color, while transparency determines how much light passes through the paint layer. Artist grade watercolors excel in both aspects, offering high saturation for bold, rich colors and varying levels of transparency for diverse painting techniques. Student watercolors, due to their composition, might lack in saturation and offer limited transparency options.
Saturation and Transparency Details:
- Artist watercolors provide a high level of saturation, enabling vibrant and rich color applications.
- Transparency levels in artist watercolors range from fully transparent to opaque, allowing for versatile painting techniques.
Pricing and Accessibility
Cost Analysis: Artist vs. Student Watercolors
The cost of artist grade watercolors is significantly higher than student grades due to their superior pigment quality, concentration, and overall formulation. A single tube of artist grade watercolor can range from $5 to $20, depending on the brand and pigment rarity. In contrast, student watercolors are more budget-friendly, with prices often between $2 and $10 per tube. This price difference is attributed to the use of less expensive pigments and fillers in student watercolors.
Key Cost Aspects:
- Premium pigments and production methods increase the price of artist grade watercolors.
- Student watercolors offer a more affordable option due to lower pigment load and the use of extenders.
Availability in Art Stores and Online
Artist grade watercolors are readily available in specialized art supply stores and on various online platforms, offering a wide selection for professionals and enthusiasts. Student grade watercolors are even more accessible, found not only in art supply stores but also in general craft stores and online. The widespread availability of student watercolors makes them a convenient choice for beginners.
Availability Details:
- Artist watercolors are often found in specialized art supply stores and niche online retailers.
- Student watercolors have a broader availability, including general craft stores and mainstream online marketplaces.
Budget Considerations for Beginners and Professionals
For beginners, starting with student grade watercolors is often recommended. They provide a cost-effective way to learn and experiment without the pressure of using expensive materials. As skills develop, artists can gradually invest in artist grade watercolors. Professionals, on the other hand, might prioritize artist grade watercolors for their quality and consistency, considering them a worthwhile investment for their work.
Budgeting Tips:
- Beginners can start with larger student sets to explore a wide range of colors at a lower cost.
- Professionals might choose to invest selectively in artist grade colors they use most frequently.
Brand Variations and Recommendations
Popular Brands for Artist and Student Watercolors
In the realm of artist grade watercolors, brands like Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, and Schmincke hold high regard for their quality and range of colors. Winsor & Newton, for instance, offers a classic range of watercolors known for their purity and permanence. Daniel Smith is celebrated for its innovative and unique colors, like the luminescent and PrimaTek series. For student grade watercolors, brands like Cotman (a Winsor & Newton subsidiary) and Sakura’s Koi Water Colors are popular for their affordability and decent quality. Cotman, in particular, is well-regarded for providing a good balance between quality and cost.
Brand Highlights:
- Winsor & Newton: Renowned for purity and permanence in artist grade.
- Daniel Smith: Offers unique colors and high-quality pigments.
- Cotman: Provides a balance of quality and affordability for students.
Expert Recommendations and Reviews
Art experts and seasoned painters often recommend starting with a basic set of artist grade watercolors for serious learners, citing brands like Winsor & Newton Professional or Daniel Smith for their reliability and color range. Online platforms and art blogs are rich resources for reviews and recommendations, providing insights into the performance of various brands. These sources often highlight factors like color vibrancy, ease of blending, and lightfastness in their evaluations.
Key Recommendation Aspects:
- For beginners serious about learning, a basic set of artist grade watercolors is recommended.
- Online reviews and art blogs are valuable resources for understanding brand performance.
Tailoring Choice of Watercolors to Artistic Needs
Choosing watercolors should align with an artist’s style, preferred techniques, and the type of artwork they intend to create. For detailed, fine art pieces, artist grade watercolors with high pigment concentration and permanence are ideal. For illustrative work or practice, student grade watercolors might suffice. Additionally, considering specific color preferences and the need for special pigments (like iridescent or granulating colors) is crucial in making the right choice.
Tailoring Tips:
- For fine art: Opt for artist grade watercolors with high pigment load and permanence.
- For practice and experimentation: Student grade watercolors can be a cost-effective choice.
