Winsor & Newton have introduced another limited edition of 6 `special' paints they are calling the `Twilight Edition'. Once again the paints are listed as Series 3 and are only available in 5ml tubes. The implication is that they will only be available for a limited time. I'm puzzled by the logic of this. What if you are particularly taken by one or more of them and want to continue using these colours? Methinks the marketing men (or women) are driving things these days, possibly a reflection of the way W & N have changed ownership over the last few years - no longer a British company. I also think this is another reaction to the success of Daniel Smith and I'm sure the lights are burning late into the night in the W &N marketing department to devise ways of countering this innovative company. Is this also a tryout of new colours to see if demand justifies them being added to the main range?
Another innovation is the availability (free) of a dot card containing the six colours, just like the dot cards that Daniel Smith pioneered. This dot card refers to the first limited edition but presumably they will be providing one for the `Twilight' one.
Here are the paints individually:
Cobalt Green Deep: PG26 (Pigment Green 26).This is known as Cobalt Chromite Green (according to the pigment database) or alternatively Cobalt Chrome Oxide (Handprint). PG26 is available in several other makes under Cobalt Green or similar.. Handprint say `dull blue green'.
Aqua Green: Colour Index Name N/A: What does this mean. I have tried to find anything under `Aqua Green' without success, ADDED:Aqua Green is actually `Palomar Turquoise' which is chlorinated Cu-Phthalcyanine and is` lightfast, transparent and granulating, It hasn't yet been allocated an Index number.So say W & N. Thanks to Greg for providing this information..
Quinacridone Violet. PV55 (Pigment Violet 55). PV55 was first introduced by Daniel Smith as Quinacridone Purple. Described as a `bluish violet to violet blue'. An excellent pigment.
Chrome Black. PBk29. (Pigment Black 29). Jacksons list this as `PBr' not `PBk' - possibly a mistake but maybe not as W & N describe this paint as `unique' to W & N. Colour just `black'. Described by the pigment database as `Iron Cobalt Black'.Not listed by Handprint.
Sanguine Red. PR187.(Pigment Red 187).the colour is described as `Permanent Pink' by the pigment database or alternatively `bright bluish red'.. Not listed by Handprint.
Smalt. PV15 (Pigment Violet 15). PV15 is a common pigment known usually as Ultramarine Violet. Most makers list it and Handprint calls it a TOP FORTY pigment..Added: Genuine Smalt is PB32 and is made from powdered glass with Cobalt in it. Daniel Smith offer a `Genuine Smalt'. The W & N is a substitute for it based on PV15.
Looking at the pricing they are all listed in Series 3 - which makes them expensive. As they are only available in a small 5ml tube this works out, at the discounted price being offered by Jacksons and the SAA (Society of All Artists), at around 80p per ml. Are they worth it? That's for others to decide as I have no plans to purchase any since, apart from anything else, replacements aren't on offer - at the moment.
The lack of information on Handprint is a pity but reflects Bruce McEvoy's decision to stop updating things a while back. Really sad. The pigment database www.artiscreation.com is an excellent source of pigment information and lists hundreds of pigments, of which only a proportion are utilised in watercolours. If anyone can add to the above or has experience with this limited edition set I'd be delighted to hear from them
Perhaps it's necessary to point out that just because paints from different makers have the same index number it doesn't mean the shades will be identical. Pigment suppliers vary and it can happen that pigments from different sources, although supposedly the same, may well vary. In addition those like PV19 have a number of versions which is reflected in the finished paint. Another factor is how the paints are made by eack maker and what binders and other additives are used. I don't pretend to know the technical details and differences but they do exist.
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