Review on Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio Set - 15 Assorted Colors in Metal Tin - Improved Version (Multi; Improved-1) by Michelle Langley

After looking for a "good" gouache set and reading the reviews I settled on this set . Basically, I liked the idea of the pans, they are cleaner and so handy because they dry quickly, when you're done you can just close the lid and off you go. But I was concerned about the consistency, opacity, and its ability to mask. I'm fairly new to this medium and have previously used these gouaches on jelly cups so I started looking for something else first. They work well enough, but they're so dirty, so striped, and the container weighs a ton, so ugly! Ok, back to these :-). I understand that this is not fine art quality gouache and that some people are concerned about the light fastness of their pigments, although some claim to have contacted the company and were told that most of the colors in this palette have a very good light fastness exception from a few of them. (Purple and pink) In my case, I'm not worried about their lightfastness as I plan to use gouache for paintings and illustrations, mostly in a sketchbook. Because this set has such good reviews from other gouache artists, I think you should give it a try. They are not expensive and they have many colors that you can play with for a while. They are not the designers of Windsor and Newton, Gouache, Holbein etc and we shouldn't compare them to them but they are great for what they are, good for practice, learning and drawing. The brush that comes with it is great! If you're picky, maybe buy a large white tube of Windsor and Newton gouache and you'll be good to go for a while. The little white gouache that's coming is good but probably not as good as Windsor and Newton anyway, eventually you'll stop being white pretty soon so get a W&N then. I'm very happy with that choice , I know I'll have to get Windsor and Newton Designer's Gouache anyway if I want to do the "real thing" as an illustration, but this set is still a must-have if you enjoy painting, sketching, or doing your own outdoors you want to take colors with you. The box is big but very strong, still much better than carrying tubes, palette, knives etc. Well I recommend this magic red wonder box to all kids (3 to 90) who like to draw and stuff. You will not regret it! * I almost forgot you see I have cats. They walk on my paints, they drink my watercolor water, they tap on palettes, they chew on brushes. Another reason I'm afraid to buy tubes or stop making oil or acrylic. But I can only put one lid on it, I have water lids, mixed pallets, etc. LOL. You know I stand a minute away from my desk and they fiddle with everything. You know what I'm talking about if you have cats or dogs :-) Well if your dog runs away with this box the colors will still suit you hahahaha.