Worth it? 112 HIMI Split-Cup Jelly Gouache Swatch and Compare

For more info on this and other jelly gouache check out these videos:

Pros:
Lots of colors (112 colors that are about 12ml each)
The lid is more secure and has a foam seal to discourage drying out and colors leaking into one another if it gets dropped.
Lots of paint
Inspiring to see all the colors

Cons:
Price: while it is only about 50 cents a color the overall price makes it comparable to a smaller set of professional tubes and I think you would be better with fewer better colors. Shinhan, Holbein, and Winsor & Newton have affordable mixing tube sets.
Chances are you will not use up the paint equally leading to waste.
No mixing area
It's smaller than the 56-color palette but still has a pretty big footprint without a mixing area.

Bottom line:

Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Social media links:

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#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art

[sueallen]

I appreciate your struggle with the abundance of art supplies and choosing what to review. I deal with depression and anxiety, and I know that I buy more when I’m struggling. But it’s just an illusion that I’ll feel better when I have more cool art supplies. So if anyone finds themselves buying for that reason, please focus on doing something good for yourself… create some art or talk to someone. Because always buying the next new thing in a review will do nothing for your mental health.

[MyCatIsActuallyABalrog]

“This is just an hour of me convincing you not to buy this paint. You’re welcome.” 🤣 Always love your honesty. Will stick to a few tubes of Windsor and Newton gouache. Tfs

[marymccaslin]

Okay, I bought these for $40.00 on a flash sale on Amazon last June I think. I was struggling like crazy with the high end gouache and mixing colors only to have everything dry so fast while I was trying to paint. I found these to be simple and fun and - Voila! No problems. The only down side was the darned cups were so stuck it was brutal trying open all of them. Thank you for sharing your talent, Lindsay.❤

[christinerenaud]

Amazing colours. You are THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ART. I’ve been watching your videos to be up to date and your knowledge of all art related « stuff » is incredible. Totally love your long videos, sat chat and demos. Please keep sharing, thank you so very much 💕💕💕

[elvenham]

In regards to swatching videos - I do love them, and they are nice to have playing while I'm at work. But it's a particular type. Seeing people experience new products or new colors for the first time and hearing their reactions, or people who simply love color expressing their feelings for each swatch and how it inspires them. Or just seeing how pigment (particularly watercolor) moves on the surface. I'm one of those that loves to "watch paint dry, " and enjoy it with others.

So, product reviews aside, helpful for many as they are, seeing the paint "in action" and how it acts when applied is just as useful as it is interesting and fun to watch! So, thank you for including them. 😊

[mjpete]

Hullo Lindsay, I do appreciate your reviews and I hope you continue to receive products to review. I just don’t see how anyone is going to be able to buy ALL of the new products introduced just in one month! I look on these Jelly gouache paints as more of a quick cash grab. If they were a “quality paint” every major brand would have a line of jelly gouache!
30+ years ago when I was working with gouache it was considered a temporary medium! NOT a fine art medium! I am not a snob, but I believe that if I am creating art for the “ages” I am going to use the best quality I can get. 100% cotton paper and very good archival quality paints! I have purchased several “fun” supplies like Nicker poster colors for painting Ghibli Film screen grabs! These are the same Japanese brand that is used for creating the artwork for their films! Did I have to get this paint? Nope, it sure feels like FUN! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions about this product, I might not rush out to buy but I bet someone out there sees it as the must have paint for their next project! Please take care, be safe and keep those videos coming!

[berolinastrassmann]

I bought the 52 HIMI cup set second hand for 10€ to see if I liked it. It was brand new! As you say, there are different uses for different media. I play around with them, use them to warm up, play without worrying about mixing. I ouck up my Holbein or W&N when I want to do something more involved. I ❤ your stream of consciousness chat while you swatch. Thanks for this honest review. I would be interested to hear more about your new persoective on M.Graham gouache. Thanks again Lindsay.

[flis]

There is something fascinating about swatching videos, I just really like them. So thank you for continuing to do them.😊

[TracieWho]

I totally appreciate your honest opinion on those gigantic sets of lower grade paints. I would never buy those for my grandkids (my barometer of all things in life...lol). Not because they are lower grade but it would be so overwhelming for them. Plus, they would never learn anything about color theory. As you pointed out, a small mixing set is so much more economical - I believe it is Holbein that is often on Amazon for $20 - $25 for 3 primaries and a black and white. Right now WN 6 color set is for less than $30. Can't beat that!

[susanthompson]

Thank you for swatching the new Himi jelly gouache paints, it's good to see comparisons.

[starr-starr]

Reviews ARE helpful. You’re not forcing anyone to buy anything. Your reviews are some of the best out there for people who are deciding what to buy. For this set in particular, I think the muted tones are really lovely.

[madhabitz]

Having that many colors can be overwhelming, but! Having that many colors is *so* much fun. The best of all worlds is to have these choices, then cherry-pick the ones you want to use in a more limited palette. Heck, you can set up several limited palettes for different needs: brights, dirty colors, rainbow, warms/cools, faces, landscapes, etc. etc.

[annettefournier]

Thanks Lindsay. I like to watch the swatching for several reasons. Mostly for the monolog .😃

[RKDivaDP]

I love Himi! I'm new to painting, and these colors excite me. I enjoy using them while studying color theory. Thanks for this video.😊

[rachelellen_art]

You hit the nail on the head, I was considering purchasing this set for the multiple colour selection for sketchbook work.
But I can not stand the strikness and lack of opaqueness of the Himi gouache.
I would rather use my higher quality holbien and winsor & Newton paint instead.
Thank you, Lindsay, for being transparent over your review much appreciated.

[Lacroix]

I have to say that these are some beautiful colors! Love the pastels! You can’t really find those in other mediums the same way as you can with gouache paints.

[meridithkish]

I just received this set from my son n law as a surprise. I couldn't believe he did that. He and I both have a set!!! I can't wait to have play time!! I do mixed media. I think these will work well for whimsical houses and whimsical scenes!

[FannaTurano]

I'm a massive fan of gouache with my illustration work--my bread & butter, & love love love that you swatched out the tray I have sitting on the floor of my art closet as I write this. These are GORGEOUS colors, but in Denver's arid climate, they'd be dried up within a month. I've tried SO many things to extend their life to no avail. My pricey choices are Shin Han gouache, but I can only afford a few tubes. What a dilemma, eh? Many thanks for the swatching video. I appreciate every single thing you do for us, Lindsay, thank you. -- Fanna

[gwensimmons_gigi]

Pretty colors, but I have the Turners DesGouache set and I rarely use them, not even during WWCM24! 🤷🏾‍♀️ Great review and thank you so much, and I always enjoy it when you swatch paints!! 🎉💜✨👍🏾

[soniabrickell]

Lindsay, I love watching your tutorials especially the compare products as it’s mind blowing . Could you recommend a white pen that won’t run or smudge when using with acrylic paint etc . Each one that I have bought smudges when I come to varnish finished art pieces . Thank you 💐