How to Read Schmincke Horadam Aquarell Watercolour Tubes: A Complete Guide to Decoding Labels for Artists
Schmincke Horadam Aquarell is widely regarded as one of the finest professional-grade watercolor lines available, prized for its exceptional pigment load, luminosity, and lightfastness. However, the wealth of information printed on each tube can feel overwhelming at first glance—especially for beginners or artists new to the brand.
This beautifully hand-illustrated tutorial breaks down every symbol, code, icon, and marking on a Schmincke Horadam tube so you can instantly understand exactly what you’re buying: from pigment quality and lightfastness to staining properties, opacity, series (price group), and more.
Mastering these labels empowers you to make informed choices, build a reliable palette, and protect the longevity of your artwork.
Key Elements on a Schmincke Horadam Watercolour Tube (Explained)
- Brand & Line NameHORADAM® AQUARELL This confirms you’re looking at Schmincke’s professional-grade, artist-quality watercolor line (not their student-grade Akademie or Hobby brands).
- Colour Name & Multilingual Labels The primary colour name appears in German (the brand’s origin), followed by translations in English, French, Spanish, and often Italian. Example: Lasurorange / Transparent Orange / Orange Transparent / Naranja Transparente Always check the English name for clarity.
- Colour Number Each colour has a unique 3- or 4-digit number (e.g., 218). This is the official Schmincke identification code. Use it when reordering or searching for exact matches online or in stores.
- Series / Price Group A number from 1 to 5 (sometimes with letters) indicates the pigment cost and rarity:
- Series 1 – Most affordable
- Series 2–3 – Mid-range
- Series 4–5 – Premium (often single-pigment, rare, or expensive pigments like genuine cadmiums, cobalt, or quinacridones) Higher series = higher price per tube. The tube in the illustration shows 218 in the higher series range.
- Pigment Load & Quality Symbols
- Finest Artists’ Watercolour – Official designation of professional quality.
- Many tubes include a small swatch painted next to the label, showing the colour’s true appearance when applied.
- Opacity / Transparency Rating Indicated by a square symbol: □ = Fully transparent (ideal for glazing and layering) ◧ = Semi-transparent ■ = Semi-opaque ■ = Fully opaque (rare in watercolor; useful for covering or gouache-like effects)
- Staining / Non-Staining Property Shown with a triangle symbol: △ = Non-staining (lifts easily with a damp brush – great for corrections) ▲ = Semi-staining ▲ = Staining (bonds strongly to paper – difficult or impossible to lift completely; excellent for vibrant, permanent layers)
- Lightfastness Rating The most critical indicator for archival work. Schmincke uses stars: ★★★★★ = Extremely lightfast (highest rating – excellent for museum-quality work) ★★★★ = Good lightfastness ★★★ = Lightfast (acceptable for most purposes) ★★ = Limited lightfastness (use with caution for pieces exposed to light) ★ = Less lightfast (avoid for long-term display) No stars = Not lightfast (fugitive – will fade significantly over time)
- Tube Size Clearly marked in milliliters: e 15 ml = Standard full-size tube (most common) Smaller sizes (e.g., 5 ml) are available for testing expensive colours.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet (Schmincke Horadam Icons)
| Symbol | Meaning | Recommendation for Artists |
|---|---|---|
| □ | Fully transparent | Best for glazing, layering, luminous washes |
| ■ | Fully opaque | Use sparingly; great for highlights |
| △ | Non-staining | Ideal for beginners & corrections |
| ▲ | Staining | Excellent for rich, permanent colour |
| ★★★★★ | Extremely lightfast | Safe for professional, long-term work |
| ★★ or ★ | Limited / Less lightfast | Use for studies, sketchbooks, or protected pieces |
Practical Tips for Using This Knowledge
- Building a Lightfast Palette — Prioritize colours with ★★★★ or ★★★★★ ratings. Avoid anything below ★★★ for pieces you intend to frame and display.
- Layering Strategy — Choose transparent colours (□) for glazing; use semi-opaque or opaque for final touches and highlights.
- Lifting & Corrections — Stock up on non-staining (△) colours if you like to adjust or lift paint during the painting process.
- Budget Smart — Start with Series 1–3 colours to build a strong core palette before investing in the more expensive Series 4–5 pigments.
- Documentation — When buying new colours, photograph the tube label or note the number, series, lightfastness, and staining rating for future reference.
Understanding these markings transforms you from a casual user into a confident, knowledgeable watercolor artist who selects paints intentionally rather than randomly.
Schmincke’s meticulous labeling is one of the reasons professionals trust Horadam Aquarell for both studio masterpieces and plein air work. Now that you can read the tubes like a pro, your next palette upgrade will be more informed—and your paintings will benefit from better colour choices and archival quality.
Happy painting, and enjoy the brilliance of Schmincke Horadam! 🎨✨
