Testing a new product! This time, a pan of hand-made watercolor paints from Italy by A. Gallo. And how did I come to know about it? When I was at Tracy Verdugo’s art retreat in Monteparo earlier this summer, a mini set was on sale at the hotel we were staying at. The hotel owner there explained the company that produces them are based in Assisi and that the paints are derived from natural pigments and non-toxic minerals. Sounds good! Already I have similar natural hand-made watercolors by Kuretake Gansai Tambi from Japan and Kremer Pigments from Germany but thought I would add this new Italian brand to my collection!
This particular set I ended up purchasing was especially crafted for the hotel. Although only 12 colors, there is still a fair variety of neutrals and vivid colors. The primary colors of yellow, red and blue each had two different hues. The violet and green just one kind each but I suppose you can blend with the primary colors to your desired shade. And look, there is even a collapsible brush so you can travel and paint. Handy! As you can see, I also produced a page of color samples in my sketchbook even though the set already came with a swatch. And now, let’s put this to the test with a simple painting of who else but Little One! The objective is merely to sample the colors in an artwork setting rather than to create a proper painting and hence is not one of my best pieces.
Awww isn’t she adorable and pretty? The Strathmore’s watercolor sketcbook I went for come with cold-pressed paper which enables the paints to absorb better. For the sky, I combined both blues, and for the ground both yellows. Little One’s dress too was colored in with both reds. The neutral colors of course were for the hair, face and features and I do love they turned out. Even being limited to three neutrals is enough for portraits and landscape paintings. The only thing that is lacking, though, is white which would have been handy if you were wanting to create pink and other pastel shades. That said, I am well pleased with how intense and vivid the colors came out as is typical of natural pigments. A. Gallo paints are definitely recommended!
My Kawaii Quarter 