Sunday, 8 April 2018

Prima Watercolor Confections: Pigment composition

UPDATED TUE 10th APRIL 2018 - Prima have given me some more information - see the comments below in RED.

After years now of asking Prima what the pigment compositions of their Watercolor Confections watercolours are, they have provided them for me and I thought I would share them and my thoughts.

I have linked to my videos reviewing these products and links through which you can buy them - sometimes there are excellent deals to be had that are so good, even if you don't like the paints, the metal palette works out cheaper than buying one - I know a few people who have used them for that! The swatch cards in the older sets were horrid glossy stock that actually made the paints look really bad but swatched on watercolour paper, they are much better so don't be fooled if you think that! Try them on a better paper :)

As you will see, all of the palettes are based around the same set of pigments, more or less, so they will all work well together across the sets. I get very tired of hearing people say "these aren't artist quality!" about Prima's paints - they are. Fine artists can get a bit snobby and forget that art-journalling and scrapbooking and mixed media are professional artwork forms, thus, these paints are professional artist quality, but they are not necessarily fine-art suited. I think they are lovely for use in sketchbooks and they form nice limited palettes to challenge yourself with - I take a different one with me in my bag each week to sketch whatever I come across that I enjoy.

As always with non-fine-art watercolours, PW5 Lithopone will be used to extend and opacify some colours but labelling conventions do not require it to be stated. 

Anywhere I gave given a pigment without a C.I. number and in capitals e.g. "GOLD", it is a proprietary pigment or coated mica.

In 2018, some of the colours from the early sets were renamed, so I have given both names where this is the case. The numbers have not changed, just the names - the paints are still 100% the same!

The Classics
This was the first set in the series and I didn't get this one for quite some time as the colours in the other sets appealed a lot more. I have given two sets of names here - the first name for each colour is the original name, and the second one is the 2018 onwards name.
BUY ONLINE: US$18.57
BUY ONLINE: £20.79
NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
01Dove / WhitePW6 Titanium White
02Candy / PinkyPR81 Rhodamine 6G
03Rouge / RedPR112 Naphthol Red AS-D
PR170 Naphthol Red AS
04Carrot / OrangePO13 Benzidine Orange
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
05Canary / YellowPY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
06Green Apple / Green PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
07Breeze / Icy BluePB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
08Sailor / BluePB29 Ultramarine Blue
09Lavender / PurplePB81 Cobalt Tin Alumina Blue Spinel
PV23 Dioxazine Violet
10Roasted Coffee / Cocoa PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PBk9 Bone Black
11Slate / GreyPW6 Titanium White
PBk9 Bone Black
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
12Dark Night / BlackPBk9 Bone Black

Tropicals
This was the first set that I bought in the series and I like it for sketching out of doors in the summer months when you don't want to use your best paints - use cheaper ones and fill up your sketchbook! Lovely vibrant colours. I have given two sets of names here - the first name for each colour is the original name, and the second one is the 2018 onwards name.
BUY ONLINE: US$18.88
BUY ONLINE: £18.47





NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
13Grassland / Island PG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
14Plantain / CoconutPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
15Thunderstorm / Hurricane PB29 Ultramarine Blue
PB27 Prussian Blue
16Avocado / ParrotPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB27 Prussian Blue
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
17Tropicana / HibiscusPO13 Benzidine Orange
PR112 Naphthol Red AS-D
18Rainforest / PalmsPG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
19Red Parrot / PitayaPR57:1 Lithol Rubine
20North Isle / ReefPV23 Dioxazine Violet
21Sunset / PineapplePY83 Diarylide Yellow HR
22Lush / SunsetPR81 Rhodamine 6G
23Wild Berry / OceanPB27 Prussian Blue
24Cacao / TikiPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PBk9 Bone Black

Decadent Pies
This was the second set I tried and I love these colours - sooo good for sketching beach scenes or anything 'earthy'. Some beautiful, deep, soulful colours herein. I have given two sets of names here - the first name for each colour is the original name, and the second one is the 2018 onwards name.
BUY ONLINE: US$20.57
BUY ONLINE: £18.42





NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
25Frosting / White Mocha PW20 Mica
26Silver Pearl / Earl GreyPW20 Mica
PBk9 Bone Black
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
27Praline / Pischahio CreamPW20 Mica
PY83 Diarylide Yellow HR
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
Rich Gold
28Rose Petal / Guava MeringuePW20 Mica
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PO13 Benzidine Orange
Pale Gold
29Vanilla Cream / Banana Cream PY6 Titanium Dioxide
PY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
30Dark Chocolate / PecanPR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PO13 Benzidine Orange
PBk9 Bone Black
31Frappe / Peach CoblerPW6 Titanium Dioxide
PO13 Benzidine Orange
PY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
32Sweet Jam / ApplePR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
33Caramel / PumpkinPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB27 Prussian Blue
34Pistachio / KeylimePB27 Prussian Blue
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
35Blue Berry / BlackberryPB27 Prussian Blue
PBk9 Bone Black
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
36Berry Syrup / BlueberryPB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
Pastel Dreams
This was not a set that I enjoyed much at first as most colours are very opaque in nature and I found them a little heavy - but I've seen some beautiful lightweight use of them on Prima's Instagram feed with lovely dilute washes - I really need to try these out again! They are jolly ice-cream colours and I think they would be really useful for cardmakers.
BUY ONLINE: US$19.39
BUY ONLINE: £18.42





NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
37BrownPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB27 Prussian Blue
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
38ChocolatePR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PBk9 Bone Black
39CrimsonPO13 Benzidine Orange
PR112 Naphthol Red AS
40Rose PO13 Benzidine Orange
PR112 Naphthol Red AS
41LemonadePY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB27 Prussian Blue
42CitrusPY83 Diarylide Yellow HR
43BumblebeePY3 Hansa Yellow 10G
44Sea DreamPB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
45ParadisePG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
46Pool PartyPB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
47Icy SkyPB27 Prussian Blue
48Lilac RainPR81 Rhodamine 6G
Shimmering Lights
This set is full of metallics and is clearly intended to complete with the far more expensive FineTec metallic watercolours for brushed lettering. They'd be great for that or for card-making but not much use to traditional watercolourists.
BUY ONLINE: US$23.98
BUY ONLINE: £58.32 [may be cheaper at Art From The Heart]





NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
49GoldGOLD
50TwinkleGOLD/PALE GOLD
51AllureGOLD
52TreasurePB27 Prussian Blue
GOLD
53GlazePY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
54AntiquePR27 Prussian Blue
GOLD
55CopperedPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY83 Diarylide Yellow HR
PO13 Benzidine Orange
56FlarePY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
57DiscoPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
58GoldstonePO13 Benzidine Orange
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB27 Prussian Blue
59ChampagnePEARL
60ChandelierPEARL

Celestial
The set that never was. It was shipped to some reviewers in 2017 after a long delay but was never released formally though I think a few people did manage to buy sets from reviewers who had been sent it. For undisclosed reasons, it was quietly pulled by Prima. If I can get the pigment info I may add it for completeness.

NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
61Venus
62Comet
63Vega
64Aurora 
65Nebula
66Galactic
67Heavenly
68Stellar
69Luna
70Big Bang
71Nova
72Divina
Odyssey
This set was originally intended to be released with Celestial and then it was delayed and finally released. The colours are really interesting but I've yet to try it. Prima gave me two reds for 74 Rome - it is either made from PR57:1 and PV23 or PR170 and PV23, which I assume was a reformulation at some stage along the way.
BUY ONLINE: US$22.17
BUY ONLINE: £23.48


NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
73TokyoPR57:1 Lithol Rubine
PR170 Naphthol Red AS
74RomePR57:1 Lithol Rubine
OR
PR170 Naphthol Red AS
PV23 Dioxazine Violet
75AmsterdamPV23 Dioxazine Violet
PR122 Quinacridone Red
76Maui PR112 Naphthol Red AS
PO13 Benzidine Orange
77JordanPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
78CuscoPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PBk7 Lamp Black
79DubaiPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PO13 Benzidine Orange
PBk7 Lamp Black
80JamaicaPG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
81LondonPB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PB27 Prussian Blue
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
82IncaPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PO13 Benzidine Orange
83BudapestPR170 Naphthol Red AS
PO13 Benzidine Orange
PV23 Dioxazine Violet
PBk7 Lamp Black
84CalgaryPW6 Titanium White
Woodlands
One of the three sets released in early 2018 in the new packaging, this set is based around landscape colours and thus would be great for landscape sketching - though I've yet to try it myself.
BUY ONLINE: US$30.33
BUY ONLINE: £23.01



NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
85Sand RidgePY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PBk7 Lamp Black
86ShadowPBk7 Lamp Black
87CavernPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PBk7 Lamp Black
PB27 Prussian Blue
88Foxberry PR112 Naphthol Red AS
PB27 Prussian Blue
89PondPG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
90StreamPB27 Prussian Blue
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
91BearPY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
92MistPB27 Prussian Blue
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
93GreystonePBk7 Lamp Black
PY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
94DaylightPY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB27 Prussian Blue
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
95RedwoodPR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
96Deep MossPB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PB27 Prussian Blue
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
Essence
Whilst I have this set, I've yet to open it and try it. The colours are really beautiful and it could be useful for urban sketchers or cityscape painters.
BUY ONLINE: US$30.33
BUY ONLINE: TRY ART FROM THE HEART (UK)


NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
97AdorePR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PBk7 Lamp Black
98ChantPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
99EmotionPB27 Prussian Blue
PG7 Phthalocyanine Green Blue Shade
100Earth PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB27 Prussian Blue
101NamastePY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
102PonderPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PBk7 Lamp Black
103EternityPB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PB27 Prussian Blue
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
104NirvanaPB27 Prussian Blue
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
105UnitePR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PBk7 Lamp Black
106AwakePR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PY14 Arylide Yellow AAOT
107CreationPB29 Ultramarine Blue
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PR57:1 Lithol Rubine
108SerenityPY3 Hansa Yellow 10G
PB27 Prussian Blue

Complexion
This set is just a mix of colours from older sets put together to make a portrait set, so there is no point really in buying this if you already have all of the older sets, of course, but if you don't, this is a really useful portrait set. Note that some of the colours (12, 14, 24 and 31) have different names in Complexion than in their original sets as the paints in those sets have been renamed in 2018, but based on the material Prima has provided, they are the same pigment composition and they do look identical - the paints have not been changed, only the name.
BUY ONLINE: US$29.33
BUY ONLINE: £23.01


NumberPaint NamePigments and Notes
12BlackPBk9 Bone Black
14CoconutPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
24TikiPR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PBk9 Bone Black
31Peach Cobbler PW6 Titanium Dioxide
PO13 Benzidine Orange
PY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
41LemonadePY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB27 Prussian Blue
49GoldGOLD
87CavernPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PBk7 Lamp Black
PB27 Prussian Blue
91BearPY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
95RedwoodPR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
98ChantPY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
101NamastePY42 Yellow Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PB29 Ultramarine Blue
105UnitePR101 Red Iron Oxide (Synthetic)
PY14 Diarylide Yellow AAOT
PR48:4 Permanent Red 2B
PBk7 Lamp Black