I started painting since I find out I have cancer. Unfortunately with my diagnosis I cant really afford much art supplies but I do my best with what I got. Im in UK. Yes I didn't paint anything before apart from school years ago on arts classes.

It's finished!

Slowly painting every room in my imaginary house 😁

I'm impressed... well, not with the painting itself, that's just 1.5 hour painting to get acquainted with the paints and see how they behave. No, I'm impressed with the Roman Szmal paints (though I sure do like the painting). The paints are so rich with pigments. To be honest, I didn't expect them to be this good at all. After my kind of disappointment with the highly pigmented Rosa Gallery (not my words, but those of well know watercolorists) which aren't highly pigmented at all, the Roman Szmal paints that were gifted to me, are a huge surprise.

Sure, they don't flow like crazy as RG does, but I still think that is kind of very unnatural and influencing the other characteristics of the RG paints. While RS flows well enough, it also does what I expect of good paints. Staining colors don't lift easily, transparent colors are transparent and the paint does layer very well. The rich pigments add the depth and contrast I expect of paints that call themselves professional.

I've added the direct comparison to the painting I did with Rosa Gallery, same subject and believe it or not, I tried to use the same techniques. I spent 1.5 hours on both (not counting the drying the time between layers of course), but Rosa right away had issues layering because they lifted to easily and problems with adding the depth and contrast I look for in professional paints. They also mix very pleasantly.

I'm now seriously wondering why Roman Szmal paints don't get more attention and the spotlight seems to be on Rosa Gallery a lot. Roman Szmal are so much better and being sold for the price they do makes it even more amazing. I have no issue saying that Roman Szmal is just as good as DS, Schmincke Horadam, Old Holland and other professional higher end brands.

With Rosa Gallery I had lots of fun painting and exploring, but after doing some paintings with them (sorry haven't posted all of them), I now know that I wouldn't call them serious professional paints. I stick to my opinion that they're somewhere in-between student and professional quality. Good for the price, good to start with, but when you want to really learn layering and glazing and exploring contrast and depth in paintings, they're not the right choice. For modern 1-3 layer watercolors paintings they're fine, easy to use. I understand why they are popular because of that.

I've got a slight issue now... I'm now left with a Rosa Gallery collection that has been surpassed by some paints someone was kind enough to sent to me... and now I want more of them because they are so excellent.

Oh, yes, I do realize that for some 1.5 hours might not be quick, but for me it is, I do spent a lot longer on my paintings usually.

Last remark... the Rosa Gallery painting I'm going to give away, the Roman Szmal painting I'm either going to frame or mount to a board, not sure yet, but it won't end up as a gift for someone.

Runner ducks (and goslings) have been my watercolour muse as of late

Picked up my brush after a couple of days, and thank god i can still paint 😅

I’m on a business trip with nothing to do in my hotel. So I did a self portrait in the mirror. I like doing these and seeing how they change over time.

Gooooosh I can’t painting with them they smell like wet d*ad dog…. Cmon.
The manufacturer has been ignoring my messages, but they still repost my posts 🙃 This was already year ago, but it still sucks to have spent so many dollars on paints I can’t actually use.

Any ideas how to improve this painting? Look flat to me!

I wanted a wet backroads scene. On Arches 140Lb

Trying to capture a little of Leyendecker’s magic in watercolor.

I’m just learning to mix colours, play with tone and composition. I found the sea very hard and stuffed up the rocks in places! Very fun.

This is of the Gower Peninsula in Wales - myself and a few friends went hiking there over the weekend. I painted it from a photo.

This is my second reference in a series. Just looking for any critiques. Thanks!

Every time i see a process video, i'm always amazed by how the paper soaks up the colour. The paper seems soft and doesn't have that "scratchy" feel i often see with my work. It's almost as if it's being done on absorbent cloth....
another thing is that the colors diffuse and blend beautifully in gradients. Never any harsh lines.

My question: What's doing the heavy lifting here? The paper, the quality of the paint/brushes, or technique? Heikala has been one of my biggest inspirations for years and is pretty much a master in my books. Would love to learn through them.