In a previous post, I provided some background on this unique, limited-edition blue available from QoR Watercolors.
YInMn fills a gap between cobalt and ultramarine blue that I didn’t know existed. It is an ultra-granulating, transparent watercolor that runs the spectrum from a light blue-gray to a rich lapis blue. However, due to the semi-weak tinting strength, it doesn’t quite reach the level of saturation as a strong cobalt or ultramarine.
For the wheel below, I chose some ultramarines and cobalts that I thought would offer a good basis of comparison. I used Arches Rough watercolor paper to showcase the granulation of the paints used.
The colors I used are listed below. YInMn fills the center of the wheel.
- QoR: Ultramarine — PB29
- Daniel Smith: Ultramarine Blue — PB29
- Daniel Smith: French Ultramarine — PB29
- Winsor & Newton: French Ultramarine — PB29
- Winsor & Newton: Ultramarine Green Shade — PB29
- Mijello Mission White: Ultramarine Deep — PB29/PV15/PV3:2
- Sennelier: Ultramarine Deep — PB29
- Sennelier: Ultramarine Light — PB29
- White Nights: Ultramarine — PB29
- Daniel Smith: Cobalt Blue — PB28
- M. Graham: Cobalt Blue — PB28
- Winsor & Newton: Cobalt Blue Deep — PB74
- Sennelier: Cobalt Deep — PB72
- White Nights: Cobalt — PB28
- Mijello Mission White: Cobalt — PB28
YInMn looks similar to the colors on this wheel but is different enough to create mixes I have not been able to achieve with any ultramarine or cobalt I’ve used. In a future post, I will be writing about mixing with YInMn. Stay tuned!
The Color Chronicles 
Nice comparison! I don’t know if you saw my earlier comment to you, but I learned from their American rep that Schmincke will be issuing a YInMn Special Edition in their Horadam watercolor line sometime in the future, date TBD.
LikeLike
I didn’t see that so I’m glad you mentioned it again! I will eagerly keep my eyes peeled for future developments. A few days ago, I found out that Kremer Pigments is selling both pans and pure pigment powder but it’s very expensive. One pan costs $69 and the powder is $295 for 50 grams.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa! That’s seriously expensive!
That’s approaching natural lapis lazuli pigment price. Greenleaf & Blueberry occasionally sells natural lapis watercolor paint, but it’s hideously expensive (half-pans – $140, shells – $49). I received a shell of their natural lapis watercolor as a gift one time (can’t afford it myself), and it’s beautiful stuff — but I actually prefer synthetic ultramarine instead, because the natural lapis is far less saturated.
I too look forward to getting some of the Schmincke YInMn paint when it becomes available.
LikeLike
I haven’t tried it yet, but Roman Szmal produces a natural lapis paint. The tinting strength looks relatively weak (as most lapis paints do) but at $12 for a full pan, it might be worth a try. Their paints are lovely – especially the earth pigments – so I expect that it would be fun to work with.
LikeLike