Who is Daniel Smith?
Daniel Smith Inc. was founded in 1976 by Dan Smith in Seattle, Washington, to produce artist-grade printmaking ink. Later, the company expanded to include watercolours, oil paints, and other art supplies. In 2005, John Cogley, who had been with the company since 1988, purchased the company from Dan Smith. Daniel Smith Inc. continues to manufacture professional-quality art materials, maintaining a commitment to quality and innovation.
How do you store Daniel Smith watercolour sticks?
Daniel Smith sells plastic compartment cases that can hold 5 sticks each for convenient and clean transport. Watercolour sticks can be stored in a tin box, but when wet, this can make a mess.
Are Daniel Smith watercolours professional grade?
Yes, Daniel Smith manufactures professional artist-quality watercolour paints. Their Extra Fine Watercolours, launched in 1993, were defined as “classic watercolour of unsurpassed purity and permanence”. Daniel Smith paints are known for their exceptional lightfastness and highly pigmented colours.
How do you use watercolour sticks?
Watercolour sticks can be used in several ways:
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Direct application Directly apply to paper for strong, vibrant colour or dry for building texture.
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With a wet brush Use a wet brush to pick up the pigment directly from the stick. This allows for creating intense washes easily.
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Dissolving Dissolve the sticks with a wet brush to create flat washes, similar to using pan or tube colours.
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Splattering Wet the stick with a brush and then splatter for easy and less messy splatter effects.
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Creating marks Ideal for sketching, developing colour values, and building expressive marks.
Are Daniel Smith Watercolour Sticks the same quality as their tube and pan watercolours?
Yes, Daniel Smith Watercolour Sticks are made with the same superior pigments as their Extra Fine Watercolour paints, without any fillers or waxes. They offer the same lightfastness, granulation, transparency, and staining properties.
How many pans of watercolour is one Daniel Smith Watercolour Stick equivalent to?
Each Daniel Smith Watercolor Stick is approximately equivalent to three full pans of watercolour paint.
Are Daniel Smith Watercolour Sticks good for travel?
Yes, their portability makes them ideal for plein air painting and travel. They are easy to carry and store, offering a convenient way to paint on the go.
What are the advantages of using Daniel Smith Watercolour Sticks?
Daniel Smith Watercolour Sticks offer vibrant, strong colours, and are easy to use. They are long-lasting, provide excellent value for money, and allow for sketching, developing color values, and creating bold expressions. They also minimize waste, as the pigment goes directly to the paper.
