Home Forums Explore Media Watercolor The Learning Zone Lukas Aquarell vs Sennelier l’Aquarelle

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  • #990882
    JTRJules
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        If this thread is in the wrong forum, I do apologize. I’ve been searching pretty steady and haven’t found a comparison for these two particular brands.

        I’m comparing two SPECIFIC products: the 150th Anniversary Wood Box Set of 70 from Lukas: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/watercolor-paints-and-mediums/lukas-watercolors-and-sets/lukas-aquarell-1862-watercolor-sets.htm

        and the l’Aquarelle French Artists’ Metal Case Set of 48 from Sennelier:
        http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/watercolor-paints-and-mediums/sennelier-artist-watercolors-and-sets/laquarelle-french-artists-watercolor-sets.htm

        The prices are similar, so it’s not about the cost. I’m not a professional painter, but I do live way out in the boonies, so driving to town to pick up a color irritates me HARD, which is why I prefer the big ol’ sets.

        The sheer amount of half pans in the Lukas sets is attractive to me, but the reviews are pretty bad…not being a professional painter, I wonder how badly the poorly reviewed issues will even affect me, though.

        I’d be willing to sacrifice the difference between 70 colors and 48 colors IF the Sennelier paints are that much better than the Lukas.

        Any thoughts about these two specific products are greatly appreciated!!!

        #1187200
        sansnom
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            It sounds as if you have already decided to buy a “set”, but in the event that you are open to suggestions…

            If you buy a set, you still will have the problem of having to replace your favourite colour when it runs out.

            Perhaps a better strategy is to decide on which colours you think you will need, and buy multiples of those. Then at least you will see when you are down to a couple of tubes or pans of particular colours, and can buy another bunch accordingly next time you are “in town”.

            I doubt that anyone uses as many colours as are included in the sets that you are considering. Most painters will work with a palette of perhaps 12 to 24 paints, with the most common being around 12 to 16.

            #1187205
            JTRJules
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                I think I’m a ‘shade hoarder’ if there is such a thing…lol

                Also, I like to have things all in one box. Don’t laugh. I suppose that’s why I like to have SO many shades all in one set like that.

                #1187201
                sansnom
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                    Heh.

                    I’m a “shade hoarder” too, but mine have accumulated over the years. In the end you decide which ones are most use, and hoard those!

                    That said, there are sets that are fairly sensible. For example, Winsor and Newton make twelve pan sets with an intelligent selection of colours, in a metal box.

                    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000N98TWO/sr=1-1/qid=1367131377/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1367131377&seller=&sr=1-1

                    The 48 pan box you are considering is the more sensible choice of the two you mention, I think. As you go, you will alter and replace pans, including those from other brands.

                    Here, amongst other things, is an example of a 21 pan arrangement by Bruce MacEvoy of Handprint:

                    http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/tech33.html

                    Read through that page and you will also see the colours he chose, and a picture of his “box”. You can buy an empty box and fill it yourself in the same way.

                    #1187206
                    JTRJules
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                        Oh, thank you for that link. I’ve also been wondering about plein air sets etc.

                        I agree, I think the Sennelier is a better option if choosing specifically between these two.

                        #1187202
                        sansnom
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                            You’re welcome!

                            If you haven’t already, it’s worthwhile to explore the handprint site. It’s an amazing resource, and a labour of love by Bruce that benefits artists all over the world.

                            #1187194
                            ingegerd
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                                I haven’t tried any of these brands but I would choose the metal set from Sennelier because I have that kind of box they come in, and I like it. Even if I wouldn’t call it compact it’s easy to take with you if you want to paint outside, if you remove the pans from one of the rows you can put some brushes in it. The mixing wells in the lid are big enough to mix a wash that will cover a 1/4 sheet and if you want more mixing areas you can lift out the tray the pans sit on and use the bottom of the box for mixing.

                                #1187204
                                diamondsutra
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                                    I am pretty certain that Sennelier is much better quality .. I had the Sennelier travel set and it was nice. I live in Turkey and we don’t get many good quality paints here .. so I also had to stock up.

                                    I have about 8 colors I use consistently and I bought a ton of them – 3-4 tubes of 15mL a piece. I imagine that if you buy a set of 48+ you will find you are using the same paints over and over, while some are getting dusty in the box. I have an 18 well john Pike palette and there are a handful of colors I haven’t used in months. Anyhow, my two cents! Best of luck with your venture into watercolor .. it’s amazing. This forum will prove very handy for you.

                                    josh here :music:
                                    my artwork: http://www.joshwalden.com
                                    my travel blog: http://joshwalden.blogspot.com

                                    #1187197
                                    D’Lady
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                                        The prices are similar, so it’s not about the cost. I’m not a professional painter, but I do live way out in the boonies, so driving to town to pick up a color irritates me HARD, which is why I prefer the big ol’ sets.

                                        I’m in the same situation you’re in. I live 30 miles from the nearest small town, and over 130 miles from the nearest art supply store. When my DH lost his job, and hurt his back in the same week, our income took a dive and I gave up most of my hobbies.

                                        When I decided to start painting again, I narrowed my palette down to just eight colors, and now use them almost exclusively. I have more, but when they are gone I won’t replace them (unless we win the lottery -then all bets are off). The simple truth is, I can paint nearly anything with just the eight; and replacing them online is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive.

                                        I know the big sets are visually appealing, and the idea of sitting down with all those choices and all those brilliant pigments to choose from is exciting and inspiring…but, honestly, you don’t need them. You only need a very few that will mix well and give you a good range.

                                        I *strongly* suggest reading through the different palette threads here, and choosing a limited palette that will suit your needs and be readily refillable. Later, you can add -or subtract- colors when you realize you need them for your favorite subjects, and avoid buying a huge set that will contain a dozen or more pigments that you’ll never touch.

                                        -DragonLady

                                        Which would be the bigger waste:
                                        your art supplies, or your creative soul?

                                        #1187195
                                        Aderynglas
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                                            If my choice was between Lukas and Sennelier l’Aquarell, then Sennelier would win hands down. Not that I’ve tried the Lukas, but I do have Sennelier L’Aquarelle paints in both pans and tubes and they are lovely, as was their old formula.

                                            If I were starting out now, with the knowledge I now have, I would not buy different sets of colours, but then I was doing a comparison between the different brands ;) (we don’t have Lukas over here, so didn’t try them ) I would buy a set of good paints and stick with them. The 48 pan set would allow you to discover what colours were your favourites, but to be honest, you are unlikely to actually need 48 colours, and could probably save money and buy a smaller set as others have suggested.

                                            However, if you did buy the 48 pan set, you could then use some of the pans you don’t normally use and fix them in another, smaller tin for travelling and plein air – I’ve used al sorts of small tins and fixed the pans with blutack which works really well :D

                                            Have you allowed funds for plenty of good quality watercolour paper? Brushes?

                                            No point in buying really lovely paints if the paper is not of good quality – you can use student quality paints on good paper and get lovely results, but professional quality paints on poor quality paper will just frustrate you :wink2:

                                            #1187207
                                            JTRJules
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                                                Thank you all for your input…I got a lot more, and better, responses than if I had tried on my Facebook wall lol.

                                                I decided to go with the Sennelier. I agree that I don’t NEED all those colors. Wanting is another thing altogether of course.

                                                2 years ago when I began painting, I started with a limited range of colors with paints, old masters style, knowing I could mix pretty much whatever shade I might need. That worked for a while, but then I got tired of replacing the same things over and over and it hit me: if someone has taken the trouble to mix a commercially available shade that’s closer to what you’re trying to achieve, why not use it?

                                                So, and with my husband’s blessing, I decided to stock up on whatever I might need, and thankfully he’s very generous. Yay!

                                                I’m looking forward to using a pan style, as well. The tubes wear on my nerves.

                                                #1187198
                                                sashntash
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                                                    Sennelier !!! Absolutely…. much better quality than Lukas…

                                                    Susan
                                                    in beautiful North Carolina
                                                    Retired and loving every minute of it !!!
                                                    Time to play......

                                                    #1187203
                                                    ErnstG
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                                                        Ihre Frage kommt dem Vergleich von Äpfeln mit Birnen nahe.
                                                        Nicht was die Qualität betrifft, sondern die jeweilige Zusammenstellung
                                                        der Farben innerhalb der Paletten. Es ist ein großer Unterschied, ob Sie
                                                        70 oder nur 48 Farben haben. Wobei sich die Frage stellt, ob Sie diese
                                                        Menge jemals benutzen werden – außer Sie sind passionierter Sammler
                                                        von Aquarellfarben.
                                                        Stellen Sie Ihre persönliche Näpfchen-Palette zusammen aus maximal
                                                        20 Farben, das reicht vollkommen aus um brillante Bilder zu malen.
                                                        Vorschlag: Wenn Sie Ihre Pinsel sehr lange in einem guten Zustand sehen
                                                        wollen, verwenden Sie große Näpfchen.
                                                        Ein Satz zur Qualität. Ich glaube nicht, dass es unter den verschiedenen
                                                        Marken gewaltige Unterschiede gibt. Ich male mittlerweile kreuz und quer
                                                        durch die europäischen Hersteller (inklusive Zweitmarken, wie Cotman,
                                                        van Gogh etc.) und stelle keine nennenswerten Abweichungen fest.
                                                        Doch, Entschuldigung, dass ich nicht lüge – im Preis!

                                                        Your question comes close to comparing apples to pears.
                                                        Not in terms of quality, but each compilation of color in the palette. There
                                                        is a big difference whether you only have 70 or 48 colors. Where the
                                                        question is whether this amount will ever use – unless you are a passionate
                                                        collector of watercolor paints.
                                                        Make your personal palette pans consist of up to 20 colors, ranging from
                                                        completely to paint brilliant pictures.
                                                        If you see your brush very long in good condition: Proposal want to use large
                                                        pans. A set of quality. I do not think it among the various trademarks are
                                                        huge differences. I paint now criss-cross by the european manufacturers
                                                        (including secondary brands, such as Cotman, van Gogh, etc.) and have
                                                        noticed no significant deviations.
                                                        Yet, sorry, that I lie not – in the price!

                                                        Ernst


                                                        Meine Seiten - My website
                                                        Malen ist nicht alles im Leben - aber ohne Malen ist alles nichts!
                                                        Painting is not everything in life - but without painting everything is nothing!

                                                        #1187193
                                                        Andrew
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                                                            I love Sennelier watercolours. One of the few paints I will drive out of my way to get, especially if I can find them on at a bargain, if you know what I mean. Another brand I really like are Shin Han, both their Premium (Western style watercolours) and the Korean (glue based oriental watercolours) colours. They are all vibrant and have a solid pigment load.

                                                            I find that Lukas oils are a vital part of my oil palette. I just picked up some Lukas heavy body acrylics to give a go, but have yet to try the watercolours, but Lukas does stand behind their products, which means a great deal to me.

                                                            Andrew

                                                            "Never ascribe to malice what adequately can be explained as stupidity"
                                                            - Robert J. Hanlon

                                                            “What a genius, that Picasso. It is a pity he doesn't paint.” - Marc Chagall

                                                            #1187199
                                                            sashntash
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                                                                Just a friendly side note :)

                                                                While I agree with everyone that one does not “need” 48 colors, I am of the belief that if you love pretty colors…. as I do…. and you want to own all those pretty colors to play with… then go for it !!!

                                                                I have at least 60 tubes of paint of various brands and various colors.

                                                                I only use about 8 to 10 colors in a single painting, but I have all of those colors available to choose from.

                                                                And.. it is not because I don’t know how to mix colors using a limited palette…. I am actually very good at mixing colors…. I just love all the pretty colors that the manufacturers make and they make me happy :wink2:

                                                                Susan
                                                                in beautiful North Carolina
                                                                Retired and loving every minute of it !!!
                                                                Time to play......

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