When it comes to watercolor paints, few brands have earned the same level of respect and admiration as Schmincke. Known for its exceptional quality and vibrant color range, Schmincke has been a trusted name among professional artists and hobbyists alike for decades. In this review, we’ll dive into the characteristics that set Schmincke watercolors apart, exploring their pigmentation, texture, lightfastness, and overall value.
A Brief Introduction to Schmincke
Schmincke was founded in 1881 in Germany and has been producing high-quality artist materials ever since. The company is particularly renowned for its watercolor paints, which are produced with a keen focus on preserving tradition while incorporating modern advancements in materials and pigment science. Schmincke offers two primary lines of watercolors: Horadam Aquarell and
Academy Aquarell.
Horadam Aquarell is the premium line, considered to be the gold standard in professional-grade watercolors. It boasts an impressive range of highly pigmented colors, many of which are handmade and bound with honey to enhance smoothness and flow.
Academy Aquarell is a student-grade line, which retains much of the quality of the professional range but at a more affordable price.
In this review, we will focus primarily on Horadam Aquarell since it represents Schmincke's top-tier offering and is the most popular among serious artists.
You can buy Schmincke Watercolor on Amazon:
Key Features of Schmincke Horadam Aquarell Watercolors
1. Pigmentation
One of the standout features of Schmincke watercolors is their extraordinary pigmentation. Each color is formulated with high-quality, lightfast pigments that deliver intense, pure hues. The pigments used are often the same or of a higher grade than those found in many other professional watercolor brands. This results in highly saturated colors that are vivid and vibrant on the paper. The pigments are also carefully selected for their transparency or opacity, allowing artists to create a range of effects from delicate washes to rich, dense layers of color.
2. Consistency and Texture
Schmincke Horadam watercolors are known for their smooth, buttery texture that reactivates easily with water, making them a joy to work with. They don't have the clumpy or chalky feel that some other paints might have, which means the paint flows effortlessly on the paper, allowing for seamless blending and layering. The paint behaves predictably across different types of watercolor paper, and artists report a high degree of consistency across batches, making it easier to replicate techniques and results.
The formulation of these watercolors also includes honey as a binding agent, which improves the paint’s flow and provides a subtle gloss finish to the dried paint. This unique feature makes the paint easier to lift from the palette and ensures that the colors are vibrant even after drying.
3. Lightfastness
Lightfastness is an essential consideration for any professional watercolor artist, especially for works that are intended for sale or long-term display. Schmincke Horadam Aquarell paints are renowned for their excellent lightfastness ratings. Most colors in the range are rated with a ASTM I rating, meaning they have exceptional resistance to fading when exposed to light.
The lightfastness of Schmincke watercolors ensures that artworks retain their brilliance over time, a crucial factor for collectors and professional artists working on commissions, exhibitions, or galleries.
4. Range of Colors
Schmincke offers a stunning array of 140 colors in the Horadam Aquarell range, which includes classic pigments as well as unique options like Schmincke’s Special Colors (including colors like Lapis Lazuli Genuine and Mummy Brown). The selection spans a diverse spectrum of hues, from vibrant reds and yellows to deep blues and earthy tones. Schmincke also produces various single-pigment colors, making it easier for artists to mix clean, transparent washes without the muddiness that can sometimes occur with multi-pigment colors.
For artists who are looking for subtle color variations, Schmincke provides multiple options for each color family, allowing for a more nuanced palette to suit different styles, from hyper-realistic to expressive washes.
5. Reactivity and Ease of Mixing
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Schmincke watercolors is their ability to mix and blend effortlessly. The paints have excellent reactivity, meaning they lift easily from the palette and mix beautifully with water. They maintain their vibrancy when diluted and can be layered in glazes to achieve complex color relationships. This ease of mixing allows artists to experiment with gradients, washes, and color transitions with ease.
Artists also appreciate that the watercolors maintain their clarity and brilliance even when diluted extensively, which is not always the case with lower-quality paints. This quality makes Schmincke ideal for delicate, transparent layers, as well as for wet-on-wet techniques.
6. Packaging and Usability
Schmincke Horadam Aquarell watercolors are available in both half-pan and full-pan sizes, making them convenient for both studio use and plein air painting. The pans themselves are durable and easy to handle, and the colors come in tightly packed form, ensuring that they don’t crumble or lose pigment when being re-wetted.
The packaging is practical and elegant, with each pan securely placed in a metal tin or individual plastic case. The company has also thoughtfully included an innovative safety-lock system on the lids of some of the watercolors, which helps prevent leaks during transport.
Comparisons: Schmincke vs. Other Professional Brands
When comparing Schmincke to other top-tier watercolor brands like Winsor & Newton, Sennelier, and Daniel Smith, it’s clear that Schmincke stands out for its outstanding color saturation and smooth texture.
Winsor & Newton is a close contender, but Schmincke's paint tends to be smoother and more buttery. The high-quality pigments in Schmincke also tend to be more vibrant than some of Winsor & Newton’s formulations.
Sennelier (my favourite brands) offers a rich, honey-based watercolor formula similar to Schmincke, but some artists find Sennelier to be a bit more unpredictable in terms of mixing and reactivity, especially when used with different papers.
sennellier Daniel Smith is famous for its unique, granulating colors and wide range of specialty pigments, but Schmincke's Horadam range is more consistent across the board in terms of performance and usability.
In the end, choosing between these brands is often a matter of personal preference. Schmincke’s emphasis on smoothness, vibrancy, and lightfastness makes it ideal for those who prioritize high-quality, predictable results.
Final Thoughts: Is Schmincke Worth It?
For serious artists who demand professional-grade performance, Schmincke Horadam Aquarell watercolors are undoubtedly worth the investment. Their rich pigment load, smooth application, and exceptional lightfastness make them a top choice for a wide range of techniques, from delicate washes to bold, vibrant strokes.
While they are on the pricier side, the quality you receive justifies the cost, especially for those who work with watercolors regularly. Whether you’re a seasoned watercolorist or a beginner looking to upgrade, Schmincke offers a truly premium painting experience that lives up to its reputation.
If you're seeking a watercolor paint that offers precision, beauty, and a professional finish, Schmincke Horadam Aquarell is certainly worth considering for your palette.
