RW V.S. DS
RW vs. DS… Yes!
I thought it would be fun to create a comparison sheet between my Rippled Waves paints and Daniel Smith. Eventually, I’ll branch out to other brands, but for now, this is what I’ve got. I know many artists hesitate to switch brands, especially when they’re comfortable with what they’ve been using. But sometimes, it’s refreshing to explore new options and understand what makes them unique.
Personally, I have about three—no, wait, four—favorite brands that I enjoy painting with. And, of course, Rippled Waves is my number one! HAHAHA!
So, here are my top watercolor brands (in no particular order, except for mine at #1):
- Rippled Waves
- QOR
- Daniel Smith
- Sakura Koi
Watercolors can be expensive to make and buy, so it’s smart to invest in those that have a solid reputation without breaking the bank. I’ve tried many premium brands like Schminke, Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, QOR, and even some handmade ones from Etsy—and they’re all beautiful. However, cheaper alternatives often fall short, being too chalky or lacking vibrancy.
That’s why I’ve settled on these four brands as my go-to choices. It’s not about one being superior to the others; they each behave differently on paper.
- QOR: I love their bright, bold colors that stain beautifully. I turn to them when I need a bit more “oomph” in my work.
- Daniel Smith: They offer a fantastic range of colors, each with its own distinct purpose.
- Sakura Koi: Their compact kits are perfect for travel, and their colors are vibrant and lovely.
As for Rippled Waves, I love the flexibility of creating my own colors on demand, with a huge range of natural pigments to work from. However, because they’re natural, it can be harder to achieve those vivid, bright hues. Many of those intense pigments are synthetic and can be quite pricey for a small creator like me. For example, a 50-gram jar of magenta can run between $30 and $40—and surprisingly, it doesn’t make as many pans as you’d expect! So, for those eye-popping colors, I usually purchase from other well-established companies, who likely get better deals on pigments than an independent artist like myself. 😊
FYI, this comparison does not include all of my pigments. Infact I have two new ones, Sap Green and Opera Pink..which I can Flamingo. I eventually would like to do more comparison charts.
