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Old Holland has been making artist colors since 1664, making it one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the art supplies industry. The company is known for uncompromising adherence to traditional techniques and standards. All color making is done by hand, and all processes are controlled by artists. Pigments are ground in stone rather than metal rollers.
Old Holland Watercolors contain up to twice as much pigmentation as some other "Artist" grade colors. To qualify for the status of "Classic," the greatest possible amount of each pigment is ground in the purest binders. This heavy pigmentation load makes Old Holland the richest and thickest of watercolor paints, and colors have a heavy consistency.
Although Old Holland formulas are very traditional, modern pigments that are more lightfast or less toxic have been substituted for older pigments such as Alizarin Crimson (less lightfast) and Vermilion (which formerly contained mercury). These modern colors are indicated by the word "extra" in the color's name.
Transparent glazing colors are indicated by the word "lake" in the color name. (In other watercolor lines, a "lake" color is a dye that requires an extra vehicle in its binder.)
Old Holland Classic Watercolors come in .20 oz (6 ml) tubes.
Note — Use this color chart as an approximation of the real color. If exact color matching is necessary, use actual samples of the materials.
Comments about Old Holland Classic Artist Watercolors:
One of the earlier reviews said that Old Holland Watercolors smell bad. I have 16 colors and have not detected any bad odors in any of them, just smooth paints that blend well and look great on paper.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Really nice
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
A solid value
4/13/2011
(6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)
2.0
Didn't care for them.
By Painter in Paradise
from USA
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Old Holland Classic Artist Watercolors:
Old Holland has a stellar reputation in oil paint so I figured their watercolors would be just as nice. However, I was disappointed. For one thing, Old Holland watercolor paints smell bad. Real bad. The scent alone makes me not want to use them. I've tried every major brand of watercolor paint out there and none have this issue but Old Holland. I played around with the colors I purchased but was not impressed. I do not find Old Holland's high price to be justified. The watercolors I bought were no better in quality than the ones I already have from Winsor & Newton, Holbein, Da Vinci, Sennelier, etc. I am thankful that Blick allowed me to return my Old Hollands for a refund.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Worse than most
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Overpriced
1/11/2011
(5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
My Favorite Brand of Watercolor
By Maggie
from Seattle Washington
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Old Holland Classic Artist Watercolors:
Old Holland watercolors are vibrant and handle easily. I compared lightfastness of their colors at http://www.artiscreation.com/yellow.html and found almost all colors rating I or II. The three colors I found fugitive have been replaced by Quin. colors. The watercolors, such as Hookers Green or Sap Green, have subtle undertones not found in other watercolors. In my mixes, I do not get mud, and some mixes using three colors are transparent enough to use as glazes. All manufacturers carry paints that not lighfast or fugitive. Check your paints on the above website.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Best in its category
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Average
4/24/2010
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
4.0
Great paints, but....
By YetUndiscovered
from Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Old Holland Classic Artist Watercolors:
A very good palette of vibrant colors with a good degree of control. They are great paints in general, but I have some concerns about the lightfastness and possibility of fugitive colors. The other notable difference from other artist grade paints is the consistency of the pans. The pans have a taffy-like consistency, and are never fully dry it seems, sticky to the touch. There is no detrimental effect, but its worth noting.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Really nice
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Average
6/2/2009
(5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Coral Orange
By River Painter
from Seattle, WA
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Old Holland Classic Artist Watercolors:
I tried this paint because Hilary Page rates it as her "favorite orange" in her "Guide to Watercolor Paints". I have to agree it is a delightful orange with a slight melony feel to it. It handles well and has a delicate texture.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Really nice
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
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