Schmincke Akademie Watercolors

[@zoetkt]

Great review Marty! I think it is very helpful to see different opinions from different artists for the same set. My first watercolors were the Lukas student 12 set. Then I got a Mission gold set , and after that tried the Schmincke Akademie. After trying the vibrant punchy colors of Mission gold, I was quite disappointed with the Akademie paints because they didn't feel pigmented at all. Nowdays I have quite a few Horadam paints as well, so I also always reach for those and hardly used the Akademie set. Still, they are very transparent, in contrast to other student paints that feel chalky. So I guess they are a good compromise for the price.

[@owingsart]

Hi Zoe - For sure and they aren't perfect and I agree with you, there are certainly better paints out there. Just glad to hear you are giving different paints a try. It makes a lot of sense to diversify your experience when it comes to art materials.

[@HajraMeeks]

Thanks for sharing, Marty. Schmincke are my fav watercolor paints, I've used them for more than a decade myself--all my watercolor pieces are Schmincke or Sennelier, and both layer beautifully.

[@owingsart]

Hi Hajra - You are a very smart woman, great Artist and of course great minds think alike. :-) When people ask you why you love Schmincke so much more than other paints, what do you tell them?

[@HajraMeeks]

@@owingsart aww, thanks, Marty--you're one of the nicest people online and I love seeing your charming art on IG as well.

[@owingsart]

@@HajraMeeks Perfect!!!! You summarized it exactly my friend. I agree with everything you said, down to the last point. I love seeing your work on IG as well. Your Leyendecker work has been AMAZING my friend.

[@HajraMeeks]

@@owingsart Thanks so much, Marty, you're a sweetie.

[@Ieat2much]

‘Like’ video even before watching and they never disappoint . Thank you for your upload.

[@owingsart]

Ha! Thank you fro watching Tina.

[@omdraws7325]

I like how you’ve swatched on different paper surfaces. 🖖

[@owingsart]

Thank you so much.

[@evelyne7071]

As an amateur,I couldn’t see spending so much money on Schminche watercolors. So, I got a lightly used set on E-Bay. I couldn’t be happier. I use both Winsor Newtons and Schminches now.

[@owingsart]

Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hi Marty, thanks for the shout out and review! I found them similar to the lukas studio in mixing and layering, probably because I have a heavier hand than you and it made the texture of the mixed mass tones more apparent. Nevertheless they are a solid value if you live in a country that natively sells it. Take care:)

[@owingsart]

Hi Lindsay - I agree with you 100%, I'm just in love with Schmincke. I gave a very favorable review to the Lukas as well and definitely see your point about the affordability piece. I loved your review of these and especially your point about actually painting with the watercolors you test out. That really hit home my friend.

[@essietangle9931]

Marty, thanks for letting us know about these. It is great when your friend , across the way, sends you products for us to see. I think your point about if they are mainly used in a sketchbook, we can look at more products. Glad you included Denise and Lindsay in the review. Take care, hope your son has adjusted to these new times, without worrying about it.

[@owingsart]

Hi Essie - These came my way from Anja Muerer, she's been a great friend over the years and has been kind enough to send me a few things that are hard to get here. Very thankful for that. The son has adjusted great. Kids are really malleable which is a blessing, thank goodness. :-)

[@daffysmom3793]

Those colors are so gorgeous. The lemon yellow is brilliant. Another great video Marty. Stay well my friend. Warm regards from Michigan.

[@owingsart]

Hi Judy - Thanks for the note. I also love the lemon yellow and the it's also great for mixing. Sounds like things in Michigan are a little crazy right now, stay safe my friend.

[@KateTheSleepyTeacher]

Beautiful work, Marty! Love seeing you back on youtube!!!!

[@owingsart]

Hey thanks my friend. I need to catch up with you sometime soon.

[@rebeccapage4411]

Yass! Thank you for distinguishing colors that work well for sketch artists. Some artist colors just don't work well for sketching.

[@owingsart]

Thank you and no problem, happy it helps.

[@btwilks]

Thanks for the review & sketch demo, Marty. I liked your comment about 'old faithful' palettes being part of the story of our individual artistic journeys. My own oldest palette is a Winsor & Newton metal 12 half-pen Artist Watercolour set that I bought about 20 years ago - it's no longer quite as 'clean and brand spanking new' as it was in 2000, but it's still in perfect working order (wish I could say the same about my knees and hips!). And that was a very nice sketch at the end of the video - very much like those you've been sharing on Instagram recently. Anyway, thanks again for my late night Saturday entertainment. Stay safe and all the best from Florida, Brian.

[@owingsart]

Hi Brian - It's great to hear you still have your old set of W&N's. Back in 2000 there weren't so many companies producing good quality watercolor sets, but W&N was one of them and you chose very wisely back then. I'm sure that set has seen a lot and even though our bodies wear out, these sets seem to hold up pretty well. :-)
Thanks for the note about the sketch and Instagram. I've been sketching more lately during the lockdown and on Sunday's we sketch online using Zoom. Let me know if you're ever interested in joining that group. We'd love to have you along. All the best. - Marty

[@Judith-H7]

They have Akademie for students (they are georgios) in a variety of 24 colors, in pans and tubes. The have aqua drops in 24 diffrent colors and the have horadam for professional artists in a range of 139 colors in pans and tubes. Best regards from Germany by Judith

[@owingsart]

Guten tag Judith -
Oh, diese Aquatropfen klingen für den Künstler wie Süßigkeiten. :-)
Marty

[@Judith-H7]

@@owingsart ich habe sie noch nicht ausprobiert (muss mit dem Geld sehr haushalten), aber das video hier auf RUclipsv von Schmincke selbst sieht echt interessant aus. Lg Judith

[@nenafrances5051]

Great review, artwork demo and mixing suggestions! I actually have that plastic Schmincke Akademie set, I just love the design of it. It holds 10 half pans (no black or brilliant green in this one), and I have grown to really enjoy being limited to these colours. It has 6 mixing wells, which is perfect, and space for 10 more half pans... it is one of my most used and reliable sets. I don't see a huge difference between these and my 'good' Schmincke paints and often enjoy the freedom of playing with the cheaper paints more. I also like the slightly thicker plastic on Schmincke's half pans as I think it helps me avoid contaminating my colours as much.

[@owingsart]

I have to admit, that set is appealing to me. I love the utility of that set, it loos really fun. And I agree with you about the quality of these paints. Thanks for the note Nena!

[@onemig00]

There's so few reviews abt that palette but that's the one I'm getting because kids are grabby and tin cases get dents or if it has unrolled edges, can cut.

[@kumakorei5295]

very detailed review and sharing of the techniques. I love that you mentioned and credited other channels

[@owingsart]

Thank you very much.

[@hollyzessin2886]

I had to have the 2019 christmas tin of these, still need to open and swatch but we just got back in my house that burned last year. Nice review.

[@owingsart]

Thank you Holly.

[@Gothikah]

I really enjoy these paints, aswell as the Daler and Rowney. They really suprised me with their quality, I even bought the travel set twice.
I bought a new palette like last week. Its the Rembrandt artists watercolors. I bought the 24 halfpan. The palette looks really nice, it has golden details. The mothercompany of these Rembrandt paints is actually Royal Talens, which I also have really bad experiences with.
I also have 1 of the massive White nights palettes. Although the palette is huge in intselfs, I really enjoy these paints for their intensity.

[@owingsart]

Daler & Rowney is great and it was good to hear you say that.

[@rhondamagee7459]

Lovely review, Marty!

[@owingsart]

Hi Rhonda - Thanks for checking it out.

[@azzuparis]

Hi my friend, thank you for this review. These paints look so vibrant and 9 out of 12 are single pigment? That’s pretty great.
Hope your are well, Marty. Take care 😘

[@owingsart]

Thanks my friend. Yes, lots of great single pigment paints in these sets which is a bonus. I have no idea why people call these student grade. :-)

[@omdraws7325]

Thanks, Marty ✌️🙋🏼‍♂️🌈☮️

[@owingsart]

Thank you.

[@AnnieThyme]

Hi Marty, this video is going to be a detriment to my bank balance as I have already been looking up to see if the sets are available in canada (& they are). Really appreciated seeing you go through your other swatches in relation to this one as well. It's helpful generally and especially so as some of our prices here are very out of whack so the cost/value assessment on paint doesn't always shake down the same. (Some sets that are student grade/more budget friendly end up more expensive than the higher quality lines- which complicates things when trying to figure out what's best. Although the problem with your videos is they make me want to try everything!! Hope you've got a good week ahead of you :)

[@owingsart]

Ha! I know what you mean Annie. At some point I knew all these swatches would come in handy. :-) It's an addiction my friend, we are all willing victims some how...LOL. Hope you are staying well.

[@valasafantastic1055]

Fun video thanks!

[@owingsart]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Donna_G]

Hi Marty, thanks for the review and demo. Those paints look like they will make good sketchbook paints. Have you every tried Grumbacher Academy watercolors? Years ago when I lived in Ohio, a local artist opened an art supply store and I learned a lot from him just by hanging out there. Funny, most of the kids my age hung out at Frisch's; but, I hung out at the art supply store. My first paints were from the Grumbacher company and I tried oil paints, acrylics, and watercolors.

[@owingsart]

Hi Donna - I thought you lived in Door County? There is a great Art Supply store there in Egg Harbor, isn't there? Maybe I am mixed up on where you are from.

[@Donna_G]

Hi Marty, maybe you have me mixed up with a different Donna. I live in Kittitas County in the center of Washington state. There are no art supply stores here in town; but, there are some stores which sell art supplies for students and crafters. Since there is a university here with an art program, art supplies are needed by the students. But, there are limits as to what is available. I used to order from Daniel Smith and Cheap Joe's. More recently, I have ordered from Wet Paint. Usually, I try to buy locally.
@@owingsart

[@starshinesoldier]

I already have 9 different watercolors brands and palettes. I don't need more paint. X.x resist the urge! XD lovely review as always Marty!

[@olgahein4384]

Nah, just give in. If you try to hold it in too much, it will explode and you will totally binge shop all the stuff and at the end of the day, you will sit there happily with your 139 Schmincke Horadam collection, your pile of Arches paper and your Kolinsky brushes and wonder, how you're gonna survive till next payday (cause all your savings are gone and you only have enough food for 5 days, but you have to somehow make it work for 3 weeks). I speak from experience here.

[@owingsart]

Ha!

[@alisonjames8082]

This is a great review. My local art store had one of the decorative boxes with 12 colours, same colours as your set. I was really impressed. To my mind they do what a student set should do; that is, provide a good set of single pigment colours for a person to learn mixing, and be of high enough quality that a person can make really nice paintings. I found a store in Edmonton which carries the full set of 24 and bought it, also. Not an inexpensive set, for student grade, but great quality, and wonderful for splashing around, which is what a learner needs to do. The box will long outlast the paints, which can be replaced with professional grade as one gains confidence. Of all the student grade paints I have tried, I think these are my favourites.

[@owingsart]

Hi Alison - You lucked out finding there - You nailed the purpose of these paints. Good to hear you like them.

[@HerradaJulio]

Thanks Marty.

[@owingsart]

Thank you!

[@joyfulldj]

These are excellent paints for a student though crazy on the price in the us. Happy you finally have the chance to do a video on them though. For ones in the eu who go meh on cotman in the eu the schmincke akademie line is well worth the money. The cadmiums are not in the set as far as as I can remember, akademie is a line designed to be used for young painters, Cadmiums have become a bit of a thing in the EU,if you have pets who like to mess with your water,these are your thing You don't want cats to zipup your cadmium waste water. Painting is just for fun; noone starts out being an artist. Don't let lightfast bite you in the behind, for beginners,that is really overrated. Basic difference is just there is no cadmiums in the akademie line. It is a hue.

[@onemig00]

The akademie also doesn't have ox gall unlike the horadam making them vegan

[@joyfulldj]

@@onemig00 cool i didnt even know that

[@ColoringKaria]

another great video. i did roll my eyes at the idea that swatching isnt helpful. I see it as specs in a phone or of a car. They dont tell the whole story but it is a great way to give semiobjective comparisons that are otherwise impossible.

[@owingsart]

I agree with you and for me it is helpful. Good to hear from you my friend. Painful time right now in America, but better days are ahead. Hope you are well.

[@ColoringKaria]

Owings Art me too. It hasn’t been the best for me. But I’m still here.

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Whenever I buy a new product, I always double check Lindsay’s reviews. She’s the best at being honest and thorough ☺️ but you’re right she dyes consider price points and that’s why I like her reviews, because i also have to consider price
Thank you for mentioning the other reviews, I’ll check Denise review too.

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

She *does

[@owingsart]

I agree with you 100% about Lindsay.

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Owings Art and I love how this is such a supportive community on RUclips. Everyone has their unique style of art and their own opinions on products. But we respect one another

[@adriannamarszal]

Thanks for the video! I you were to recommend one set of 24/36 (I’ve found both brands online in the same price) - would it be Rembrandt or Schmincke? 😊

[@Gerintea]

Hey Marty. I have just enough of a budget for either a 24 Holbein set or 24 of these Schmincke Akademie’s. Which one would you recommend more? Thanks in advance!

[@owingsart]

That is such a tough call. I would go with the Holbein in this case, or save up and get the 12 pan of the Schmincke Horadam. 🙂

[@sky_izm]

I have no issues with opaque paints. My issue is the multiple pigment formula in Holbein. :(

[@anjakritzelkram5544]

The first set from Schmincke I picked up on ebay was their Akademie range. But I got a Horadam set just after that and I think thats spoiled it for me. As the Akademie paints are quite expensive for a student grade watercolor I always would give the advice to buy Horadam right away (unless you want vegan paint or a very special present for a child).
If you just want to start into watercolor or just give it a try there a more affordable ways to go.
Oh, and I tried Lukas student grade paint and hated them! These awful paint cakes alone...

[@justacatwhocantype]

Lukas paint cakes? Do you mean their opaque paint set that looks a bit like a Pelikan set? Because Lukas does have student grade watercolors that come in regular half pans and tubes, and they really are pretty good for what they cost.

[@acatinthecradle]

Are the half pans smaller than regular half pans Marty? I have the 48 half pan artist grade set and noticed right away the pans are sooooo small compared to my normal half pans. Great video !

[@owingsart]

Hi Alicia - As far as I can tell these are standard half-pans. When I saw your note I went to double check in my other sets as well, and they are the same size across the board, so I think they are pretty standard. Is your 48 half-pan set a Schmincke branded set?

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

I didn’t even realize they have a student grade range, thank you for the review...

[@owingsart]

They are very good paints. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@Judith-H7]

They have Akademie for students (they are georgios) in a variety of 24 colors, in pans and tubes. The have aqua drops in 24 diffrent colors and the have horadam for professional artists in a range of 139 colors in pans and tubes. Best regards from Germany by Judith

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Jule K thank you for the details! I’ve checked their website the liquid watercolour looks fun!

[@Judith-H7]

@@watercolourartincapetown2919 i think so too. May be I'll try them. Stay healthy. Best regards Judith

[@judithf9297]

Marty, I genuinly enjoy both you and Steve Mitchell, although you have different personalities and different styles. I am just a beginner hobby coloring, and actually I only used watercolor markers so far, mostly abstract, I can’t draw. Also do alcohol ink, thats a lot if fun too. But I love watching you create,review and compare and you have such a soothing voice. I actually am looking to get some watercolors and even though not so knowledgeable,but am picky and always look for quality over quantity. I am a retired concert violinist, so I am a different kind of artist myself. I would of loved to get the 12 set that Steve designed with Daniel Smith, I love those colors, but I was too late, it was gone in a few hours. Steve says, they might get more. But I am looking into a brand now that is very inexpensive but quality product and has beautiful colors, many of them unique. Are you familiar with the Aquarius colors by Roman Szmal in Poland? You can get them at Jackson’s in the UK. He has 140 colors, plenty to choose from. Some say it is a little similar with White Nights, but much better, I don’t know, I’m not familiar with them. The only one I tried was the Lukas Studio, and in my taste I wasn’t impressed. But these Roman Szmal, I’ve seen many videos reviewing them, Dr Oto, Jane and a few others and I love what I see and hear about them. Problem is so far I have not been able to decide which colors. I don want too many, I was thinking 12,but after I picked colors I ended up with 24, now I reduced it to 20 LOL. I should reduce it at least to 18, then I need a palette, I want to choose the colors,not get the set. And they mix wonderfully, of course I need more experience for that. Anyway, again I enjoy your videos so much, it brings some sense and joy in these hard times. I am sorry this is so long. If you have an opinion about the Roman Szmal , or something else,please let me know. Stay safe and healthy 😊

[@judithf9297]

Hi Marty, I was really hoping to get a response to my previous comment, maybe it was too long and I guess you’re busy, still if you have a chance would love to hear your input.

[@owingsart]

Hi Judith - Thanks for the note and sorry for the long delay in my reply, I must've missed your note. I would love to hear some violin right now, what a great job to have. Steve's Daniel Smith sets are back in stock at Wet Paint, last time I checked. I'm not familiar with Roman Szmal and will have to look into them. Thanks for the kind message and again sorry for the delay in response. - Marty

[@robynjorde5592]

The color card you show says these are gouache, and they look pretty opaque. Which do you think they are, watercolor or gouache?

[@owingsart]

Thanks for the question. No, these are definitely watercolors. Where did you see the, "Gouache"? What is the timestamp on that, because I must've missed that.

[@robynjorde5592]

Owings Art see at 0:33, in the upper left hand corner. It says fine artists’ gouache colors. Just curious! Like you, I do like Schminke a lot.

[@owingsart]

Robyn Jorde Thanks Robyn, yep I see that and they must use the same card because this is the pdf from the link on the Akademie webpage. Weird huh?

[@justacatwhocantype]

These are the colorcards for both the watercolor and the gouache from their German page.
www.schmincke.de/fileadmin/downloads/pdf/Farbkarten_2019/AKADEMIE_Aquarell_Farbkarte.pdf
www.schmincke.de/fileadmin/downloads/pdf/Farbkarten_2019/AKADEMIE_GOUACHE_Farbkarte.pdf
Looks like Schmincke made a mistake on the English card and wrote gouache on the watercolor card.

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

could not agree more on the quality of schmincke metal boxes. yet i find other decent brands (rembrandt, sennelier, winsor and newton, da vinci) metal palettes to be on par, except the nevskaya palitra new metal palettes for white nights and sonet. they are really flimsy ones, just like meeden (would not be surprised if someone told me that they are made by meeden). the akademie paints are nice, but they really melt like a snow in the summer when used, so nice as a starter, or as a kind of cheap way to get schmincke metal box, but not really good choise in the long run.

[@owingsart]

They are really awesome.

[@justacatwhocantype]

Did Nevskaya Palitra change their tins, do you know? I'm asking because earlier this year, around springtime, I bought a set of Sonnet because I was curious and also because I wanted the yellow tin so bad, and I don't find it flimsy at all, just a regular watercolor tin, the only difference to most tins is that it does not have the fold-out. After reading this I even pulled it out to compare it to my Schmincke tin, and while I think the Schmincke tin is extra nice, I really would not call the Sonnet one bad. Maybe they changed them?

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

"Maybe they changed them?" Not that I'm aware of. I have both sonet and white nights metal boxes. The difference between them is the lack of the shalow mixing plate in the sonet box, and the colour they are painted in. Otherwise both boxes are identical. To compare these boxes to schmincke, rembrandt, winsor & newton, da vinci, sennelier, van gogh, I must say, that nevskaya palitra palettes are of lower quality. The metal is thinner, or softer, or both. I find it on par with meeden boxes, which dent, bend much easier than the metal boxes of the other brands that i have mentioned, since i have them and can compare. If that box is nice for you, good, i'm glad for you. it is of low quality to me, that is how i see, and i feel it. I'm not going to try to convince nor you, nor anyone to think or feel the same. It is how i find them to be. Though the box by gearstacker, branded white nights is really nice, though lacking mixing space like in sonets' case. But having that that box is bigger, the mixing space is not that small after all.

[@justacatwhocantype]

@@mariusvaiciulis5072 No need to explain yourself, don't worry, I'm not trying to change your opinion, I was just surprised that you would consider the box to be of such low quality, as to me it is just a normal watercolor tin. I thought it was kinda cool to get a yellow tin, as I had never seen one before, but aside from that, I am mostly interested in simply having a functional container for my paints. About half of the watercolors that I own are actually hotglued into empty chocolate tins - if it works, it works.

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

@@justacatwhocantype "I was just surprised that you would consider the box to be of such low quality, as to me it is just a normal watercolor tin." guess it all depends on what is "normal watercolour tin" to you. I am comparing it to other brands, that i'm used to and comparing it to them, and so far it feels, and looks, like a meeden tin box.
"I thought it was kinda cool to get a yellow tin, as I had never seen one before" well, i've seen a schmincke one, christmass edition, that was yellow www.ebay.com/itm/SCHMINCKE-Akademie-2019-Christmas-Ltd-Edition-Tin-Watercolor-Paint-Travel-Set-/352824717730
"I am mostly interested in simply having a functional container for my paints." well it is functional (limited kind of, because sonet == reduced mixing space, but functional), otherwise it works, yes, but from a decent brand I expect something better, something that does not dent, bend, etc, that easily. not that schmincke box does not dent, or is buletproof, no, but to dent it, you have to apply more force. much more.

[@sketchingjohn1678]

What kind of paper is that? Nice barn as well. I know you love your Schminke!

[@owingsart]

Hi John - I used a strathmore 100% cotton and also some illustration board. I also used my Bee (Aquabee) sketchbook.

[@sketchingjohn1678]

@@owingsart how do you like the Bee book? I had one years ago, but it was too mixed media for me, but maybe this one is different?

[@ggggggggggggggggggggg951]

Hi in my country horadam is very expensive. But i would like to havenew watercolor. Im using van gogh by the way.
Do you think akademie is better than white nights? Because actually want to have schmke if its better:)
Or should i save money for horadam. If you can give me advice, i’ll be happy thank you

[@owingsart]

Hi and thanks - Yes I would recommend even Schmincke's student grade, Akademie, over White Knights. White Knights tend to be too chalky for me. If you have enough, or you can save up, the Horadam are the best commercial watercolors in the world in my experience.

[@ggggggggggggggggggggg951]

@@owingsart thank you sooo much for help me. Now im going to buy study grade then. But i'll save money for the future. I can get better at watercolor while i save eheh. Thank you again🥳🥳

[@johnwoodcock6468]

They kill cotman i know that