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Kate, first off… thank you for your very detailed and thoughtful reply! I learn so much from you all here. Second, I’m not getting the email alerts either and I started this thread. 😀
Okay, here’s what I know about DS…
I only began painting about three years ago, and that would have been after the sale of the company. I’ve thoroughly tested these paints, probably nearly every color they make, and they have issues. I only use a color or two because that is their big draw: They purchase pigments and take the time to formulate certain colors that no one else offers.
That being said, that’s about the only thing I like about them. I’m quite certain they use either a high level of plasticizers along with a lot of water in their production, which is why the paints shrink so much after squeezed into pans. Have you ever noticed that after DS paints are dry, you can peel them out of a pan like a hunk of rubber? That’s the plastic binder I’m talking about. Usually this is glycerin, but I don’t think that’s what DS uses or they use too much of dextrin (another additive that can be gummy), because I’ve never seen another brand act like this.
Now every company has to use some sort of binders and fillers. That’s what makes up the 98-percent of a tube that’s not comprised of pigment, so this doesn’t bother me if it’s formulated at the correct levels. However, DS goes a bit overboard with it, but not so much that their pigment load is severely comprised, so I’ve dealt with the weirdness (shrinking, odd solidification) to use the few colors of theirs that I enjoy.
On a postive note, I’ve not run across many brighteners in their paints, and most of their pigments are milled to good size so they stay dispersed in the paints and float on the paper well.
That being said, I rarely feature them at my blog and do not recommend them because of customer service. They never, ever reply to my emails, and when/if I hound them enough and they finally do, they are very vague and seem to know even less about watercolors than I do. Which means they don’t know much at all.
As an art blogger, I try very hard to stay somewhat impartial and open minded because I recognize that we all are different and like different things. I suppose posting this puts me *on the record* with my opinion, but oh well. No use pigment coating it. 🙂
P.S. I typed this really quickly. Probably lots of typos. If so, please overlook!
The email notification is working for me, so it’s probably another one of those issues that has to do with how you’ve logged in or the email you use.
I probably should have closed my very long reply above with… And if their quality goes even a teeny tiny bit further downhill (which that may be the case with the recent tubes), then I’m totally done with DS. I was never into DS to begin with. Makes me wish I could have tried them way back when though, at least so I would have something to compare them to.
Confession! Just thought you should know that I’m totally blowing off painting tonight and have been numbing my mind with social media. 🙂 Okay I did work on identifying a moss I found yesterday so I can sketch it tomorrow but that’s my most productive moment.
But anyway, I was over at IG and saw Dane Merry (Dana Richards) just posted this…
“My tube of D.S. Potters Pink is really horrid! It’s as if the pigment & the binder are separated – all I can do is smear clear gunk on the paper & push the pigment around. Is anyone else having this problem?”
Oh dear, I think DS is having serious technical difficulties. Only time will tell if they care enough to fix it. I don’t hold out high hopes because it seems that, when it comes to the corporate world, quality rarely goes upward, but if you are a DS fanatic, I wouldn’t give up hope. Other companies have had issues and fixed them. (e.g. Pentalic Aqua Journals with their past binding issues.)
On another note, the email thing… I’m only getting some notifications, very limited like maybe 1 out of 5, not all. Weird.
I think we will all have to take on ourselves to get the word out about Da Vinci paints because DS is going to have a lot of customers looking for replacements. Even the lure of colors you can’t get elsewhere won’t keep people if they are worthless when you get them.
Don’t feel bad Tonya, I’ve had some problems lately too. I hadn’t ever had a problem until this round of filling, separation was horrid. But then I also bought two 5ml tubes of W&N and they were half air. The company refunded me right away so I love their customer service. I’m just starting to try Da Vinci but already find them the creamiest paints I’ve ever used, they rewet like a dream. I can see myself switching some colors for sure.
I’m having troubles with email notifications too. I’m sure it’ll all work out in the wash, I just make sure to check in everyday so I don’t miss notifications. Wish I were a computer genius who could just volunteer to help Charlie. Either that or a fairy god mother?? Hehehe. Then I’d take wishes. Wishes anyone? Ya, I heard you… Paint, you all want paint. ;o)
Jen, I think Charlie IS a computer genius. 😀 Okay so you’ve noticed the DS issues also? Hmmm, really good to know!
I actually love love love WN… until I go to paint with them. They are beautiful watercolors but I prefer bolder colors. They’re just a bit too soft for me and get lost in mixes when combined with AJ and DV. I wouldn’t notice any issues with WN because I don’t purchase them, but I’ve had my eye on WN Cerulean blue because so many folks have recommended that one to me. If I end up getting a tube, I’ll certainly be evaluating the quality of it. 🙂
Just told Dana (who I quoted above) about this thread, and she mentioned that she’s had problems with another DS color also. Maybe she’ll chime in here. She’s a neat lady and a lovely artist.
Thanks Sandra, I’d forgotten about those, I’ve been saving up my points for more Hahnemuhle paper, but maybe the dots are the better choice if I want to purchase smartly. I may also get the American journey dots the next time I order from Cheap Joes. I like the few colors I have from them so far.
I get an email occasionally, with such an active conversation my phone dings every few hours, but not for every reply. On slower threads I’ve been getting emails more often if not for every reply. I wonder if the site doesn’t do updates continuously, but in batches maybe?
Aww thanks! hehe… I wish I were a computer genius, then I could figure out some of the little bugs that creep into this site! 😉 Not sure what’s happening with forum emails, though, I’ll have to check into it and see what I can figure out. If you see this, please reply, so I can see if it sends me an email! Thanks!
I concur with the others, I think Charlie is a genius to create and run this site. Testing also to see if it emails the replies.
Charlie, so far I’ve received an email for every reply since I check the ‘Notify’ box. I’ll start checking it on all the discussions I follow and let you know if I have any problems and where.
Thanks, Sandra! I received your reply via email, so not sure what’s happening, but let me know if you experience other problems!
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