Jane Blundell - Artist
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4 - Red Watercolour Swatches

There are literally hundreds of artist quality watercolours available from many brands. I have tested many of them and created swatches as seen on the right. The square box is painted into a damp wash at the top to show the colour mixed in water, with more pigment added towards the bottom. The rectangle is painted in a juicy wash to show the mass-tone. The small squares at the bottom of the swatch have the pigment number and characteristics - staining, lightfast rating, granulation and transparency. 

For more on Red pigments see the Artiscreation red pigment database page here. See the very comprehensive Handprint Red pigment information here, but note that the tests were done in 2004.
Picture
The size of my swatches

Single Pigment Red Watercolours

Many of the Red watercolours will have be denoted as PR for Pigment Red, then a number. You will also notice many made with PV19 (Pigment Violet 19) which is a lovely pigment that covers a range of paints from a rose pink through reds, crimsons and violets. Avoid any watercolours with PR83 - this is a fugitive Alizarin Crimson pigment that will fade in sunlight so should not be used. See also the earthy red-brown and orange brown watercolours made with PR101 and other red earth pigments in the 'Earths' tab. Magentas made with red pigments are also included here, as are reds made ith oranges pigments.

Unfortunately, I have difficulty capturing the exact hue of reds and oranges in particular so use these swatches as a guide to the behaviour of a pigment rather than the actual colour :-(

NR9

Rose Madder Genuine - A.Gallo; Rose Madder Genuine, Winsor & Newton; Rose Madder Genuine* - Daniel Smith (Discontinued)
Rose Madder Genuine - A.Gallo. NR9
Rose Madder Genuine, Winsor & Newton watercolour. NR9. Not recommended - a fugitive colour
Rose Madder Genuine, Daniel Smith watercolour. NR9. Discontinued 2017

PR9

Cadmium Red Hue - Daler Rowney watercolour
Cadmium Red Hue, Daler Rowney watercolour. PR9

Quinacridone Rose, Reds and Crimsons made with PV19

PV19 comes in a 'rose' version and a 'violet' version. I'd love it if the main two colours were called PV19R and PV19V, but they are not. It is also to be seen in crimson versions, such as the Alizarin Crimson Quinacridone and Carmine by Da Vinci and Sennelier. The violet versions are shown in the purple section. This is a great choice for a primary red as it will mix clear purples and oranges. While there are often a number of colours in a range made with this pigment, you should only need one as a rose and perhaps another as a crimson (or use PR264).
Shown here are:
  1. Permanent Rose Quinacridone - American Journey; Pomegranate - American Journey; Quin Red Rose Deep - American Journey; Quinacridone Red - Aquarius; Rose Madder (Permanent Hue) - Art Spectrum; 
  2. Permanent Rose - Art Spectrum; ​Rose Lake Pale - Blockx; Rose Lake - Blockx; Quin Gulaal - Blue Pine Arts; Permanent Rose - Daler Rowney; 
  3. Quinacridone Rose* - Daniel Smith; Quinacridone Red* -  Daniel Smith; ​Permanent Rose (Quinacridone) - Da Vinci; Red Rose Deep (Quinacridone) - Da Vinci; Quinacridone Red - Holbein; 
  4. Primary Red - Magenta - MaimeriBlu;  Quinacridone Rose - M.Graham; Quinacridone Red - QoR;​ Quinacridone Rose Reddish - Rembrandt; Quinacridone Rose - Rembrandt; 
  5. Magenta Lake - Renesans half pan; Rose Madder Lake - Sennelier; Ruby Red - Schmincke; Quinacridone Rose - Stephen Quiller; Rose Madder - Wichitrong; 
  6. Permanent Rose - Winsor & Newton 
Permanent Rose Quinacridone, American Journey Watercolour. PV19.
Pomegranate, American Journey watercolour. PV19
Quin Red Rose Deep, American Journey watercolour. PV19.
Quinacridone Red - Aquarius Watercolour. PV19
Rose Madder (Permanent Hue), Art Spectrum watercolour. PV19
Permanent Rose, Art Spectrum watercolour. PV19. Cool red
Rose Lake Pale, Blockx watercolour. PV19
Rose Lake, Blockx watercolour. PV19
Quin Gulaal - Blue Pine Arts Watercolour. PV19
Permanent Rose, Daler Rowney watercolour. PV19
Quinacridone Rose - Daniel Smith watercolour. PV19.
Quinacridone Red - Daniel Smith watercolour. PV19.
Permanent Rose (Quinacridone), Da Vinci watercolour. PV19. Cool red
Red Rose Deep (Quinacridone), Da Vinci watercolour. PV19
Quinacridone Red - Holbein Watercolour. PV19
Primary Red - Magenta. Maimeri Blu watercolour. PV19
Quinacridone Rose, M.Graham watercolour. PV19.
Quinacridone Red, QoR watercolour. PV19 (Cool crimson red)
Quinacridone Rose Reddish, Rembrandt Watercolour. PV19 (New 2019)
Quinacridone Rose, Rembrandt watercolour. PV19.
Magenta Lake, Renesans half pan watercolour. PV19
Rose Madder Lake, Sennelier Watercolour. PV19
Ruby Red, Schmincke Horadam watercolour. PV19. Cool red
Quinacridone Rose, Stephen Quiller watercolour. PV19. Cool red
Rose Madder, Wichitrong Watercolour. PV19
Permanent Rose, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PV19

Carmine and Crimson reds made with PV19

​Permanent Carmine - A Gallo; Alizarin Crimson (Quinacridone) - Da Vinci; ​Carmine (Quinacridone) - Da Vinci; ​Carmine - Jackson's; ​​Permanent Carmine - Schmincke; ​Carmine - Sennelier; ​
Permanent Carmine, A Gallo. PV19
Alizarin Crimson (Quinacridone), Da Vinci watercolour. PV19. Cool red. Suitable as a primary red
Carmine (Quinacridone), Da Vinci Watercolour. PV19
Carmine, Jackson's watercolour. PV19.
Permanent Carmine, Schmincke Horadam watercolour. PV19.
Carmine, Sennelier Watercolour. PV19

PO20 - Reds made with Cadmium Orange

Cadmium Red Orange - Schmincke; Cadmium Red Light -  Schmincke (old); Cadmium Red Light - Schmincke; Cadmium Red Orange, Blockx; Cadmium Red Orange - QoR 
Cadmium Red Orange, Schmincke Watercolour. PO20
Cadmium Red Light, Schmincke Horodam watercolour. PO20. Old or discontinued?
Cadmium Red Light, Schmincke Horodam watercolour. PO20
Cadmium Red Orange, Blockx watercolour. PO20
Cadmium Red Orange, QoR watercolour. PO20

NR31

Dragon's Blood - A. Gallo 
Dragon's Blood - A. Gallo watercolour. NR31

PO36

Titan Red - White Nights watercolour
Titan Red, White Nights watercolour. PO36

PV42

Quinacridone Warm Pink - Aquarius;  Quinacridone Pink* - Daniel Smith watercolour; Magenta - Schmincke 
Quinacridone Warm Pink, Aquarius Watercolour. PV42
Quinacridone Pink, Daniel Smith watercolour. PV42.
Magenta, Schmincke Horadam watercolour. PV42

PO63

Vermilion Permanent - Art Spectrum Watercolour
Vermilion Permanent, Art Spectrum Watercolour. PO63

PO64

Saturn Red - Schmincke ​
Saturn Red, Schmincke Watercolour. PO64. New 2017

PO65

Golden Barok Red - Old Holland watercolour. ​
Golden Barok Red, Old Holland watercolour. PO65.

PO73

This orange/red pigment is also found in a number of orange watercolours. Shown here are:
  1. Scarlet Pyrrol M.Graham; Pyrrolo Vermilion Blockx; Scarlet Pyrrol M.Graham; Flame Red - Rosa.  ​
Scarlet Pyrrol, M.Graham watercolour. PO73
Pyrrolo Vermilion, Blockx watercolour. PO73
Scarlet Pyrrol, M.Graham watercolour. PO73. Note this is an orange hue in real life, not a red
Flame Red - Rosa Watercolour PO73

PR83 and PR83:1

This beautiful and traditional crimson red mixes lovely purples and remarkably clear oranges, but is rated IV for watercolour so should be avoided unless work is being photographed or kept in a sketchbook. Shown here:
  1. Alizarin Crimson* - Daniel Smith watercolour; Carmine - Holbein; Rose Madder - Holbein; Alizarin Crimson - Schmincke watercolour; Alizarin Crimson - Winsor & Newton watercolour 
Alizarin Crimson - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR83. (Not recommended)
Carmine - Holbein Watercolour. PR83
Rose Madder - Holbein watercolour. PR83
Alizarin Crimson, Schmincke watercolour. PR83:1 (Not recommended as it is a fugitive pigment)
Alizarin Crimson, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PR83. Not recommended.

PR106

​Vermilion, Kremer watercolour. PR106
Vermilion, Kremer watercolour. PR106

PR108 - Cadmium Red Scarlet, Vermilion and Light (mostly warm reds)

Generally the scarlet/light versions are warm reds, the medium are mid reds and the deep/purple are more maroon reds, but it varies by manufacturer.
  1. ​​Cadmium Scarlet - American Journey; Cadmium Vermilion* - Aquarius; Cadmium Scarlet* - Daniel Smith (discontinued); Cadmium Red Light - Da Vinci; Cadmium Red Light - M. Graham; 
  2. Cadmium Red Orange - Holbein; Cadmium Red Orange - Jackson's Cadmium Red Light - Jackson's; ​Cadmium Red Light* - Maimeri Blu; Cadmium Red - Rembrandt; 
  3. Cadmium Red Pale - Renesans pan; Cadmium Red Light - Sennelier;  Cadmium Red Light - Schmincke; ​​Cadmium Red Light - White Nights; Cadmium Scarlet - Winsor & Newton ​
Cadmium Scarlet, American Journey watercolour. PR108.
Cadmium Red Vermilion - Aquarius. PR108
Cadmium Scarlet - Daniel Smith Watercolour PR108. Discontinued.
Cadmium Red Light, Da Vinci Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Light, M. Graham watercolour. PR108. Warm red
Cadmium Red Orange - Holbein watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Orange, Jackson's watercolour. PR108. This is a beautiful bright orange red - colour is accurate.
Cadmium Red Light, Jackson's Watercolour. PR108.
Cadmium Red Light - Maimeri Blu Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR108.
Cadmium Red Pale, Renesans half pan watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Light, Sennelier watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Light, Schmincke watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Light, White Nights watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Scarlet, Winsor & Newton Watercolours. PR108

Cadmium Red Medium made with PR108 

You'll see that most cadmium reds are made with PR108, which has a more scarlet, a mid red and a more maroon red version. The sample of the Blockx 'Cadmium Purple' captures the more maroon colour of the cadmium deep colours best. Jacksons' Cadmium Red Orange captures the orange version best. Reds and oranges are difficult to colour match.
  1.  Cadmium Red Medium - American Journey;  Cadmium Red* - Aquarius Cadmium Red - Blockx; Cadmium Red* - Daniel Smith (discontinued); Cadmium Red Medium -  Rembrandt; 
  2. Cadmium Red Medium* - Rosa;​ Volcano Red* - Schmincke Watercolour. PR108; Cadmium Red - Winsor & Newton 
Cadmium Red Medium, American Journey watercolour. PR108.
Cadmium Red - Aquarius Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red, Blockx watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red - Daniel Smith Watercolour. PR108 (discontinued)
Cadmium Red Medium, Rembrandt watercolours. PR108
Cadmium Red Medium - Rosa Watercolour. PR108
Volcano Red - Schmincke Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PR108. Warm red

PR108 - Cadmium Red Deep/Purple

  1. Cadmium Red Deep* - Aquarius; Cadmium Red Deep - Art Spectrum; Cadmium Purple - Blockx  Cadmium Red Deep - Da Vinci;  Cadmium Red Deep - Holbein; 
  2. Cadmium Red Purple - Holbein; Cadmium Red Purple - Jackson's; Cadmium Red Deep - Rembrandt; Cadmium Red Deep - Renesans half pan; Cadmium Red Deep - Schmincke; 
  3. ​Cadmium Red Deep - Winsor & Newton
Cadmium Red Deep - Aquarius Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Deep, Art Spectrum watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Purple, Blockx watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Deep, Da Vinci Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Deep - Holbein Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Purple - Holbein Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Purple, Jackson's watercolour. PR108. (I suspect my sample was a new tube and not properly mixed as the Jackson's colours are generally lovely.)
Cadmium Red Deep, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR108.
Cadmium Red Deep, Renesans half pan watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Deep, Schmincke Watercolour. PR108
Cadmium Red Deep, Winsor & Newton Watercolour. PR108

PR112

  1. Naphthol Red* - Aquarius; Sunset Ibis* - Blue Pine Arts ​Permanent Red - Mission Gold;  Scheveningen Red Light - Old Holland; Napthol Red - M.Graham;
  2. Permanent Red - Holbein (discontinued) 
Naphthol Red - Aquarius. PR112
Sunset Ibis - Blue Pine Arts Watercolour. PR112
Permanent Red, Mission Gold watercolour. PR112 (colour looks more 'fire engine' red in actual sample rather than pinky red.)
Scheveningen Red Light, Old Holland watercolour. PR112
Napthol Red, M.Graham watercolour. PR112
Permanent Red, Holbein watercolours. PR112

Quinacridone Magenta and Magenta reds made with PR122 

The two Quinacridone pigments PR122 and PR202 (see further below) make similar magenta colours, but the PR122 will be a cleaner colour for mixing oranges as well as purples. They are very similar, apart from the first by A.Gallo that is more purple. Shown here in alphabetical order by manufacturer:
  1. Quinacridone Magenta - A Gallo; Magenta - Aquarius; Quinacridone Pink - Aquarius; Quinacridone Magenta - Blockx; Quinacridone Magenta - Daler Rowney; 
  2. Quinacridone Lilac* - Daniel Smith; Quinacridone Magenta* (was Rose Violet) - Holbein ; ​Quinacridone Purple - Jackson's; Verzino Violet - MaimeriBlu; ​Permanent Magenta - Mission Gold; 
  3. Magenta (Quinacridone) - Old Holland; Quinacridone Magenta - QoR;  Quinacridone Red Violet, Rembrandt; ​​Magenta Lake - Renesans half pan; Magenta Rose* - Rosa; 
  4. Helios Purple - Sennelier; ​Purple Magenta - Schmincke; ​​Quinacridone Magenta - Winsor & Newton      
Quinacridone Magenta, A Gallo. PR122
Magenta - Aquarius. PR122
Quinacridone Pink - Aquarius Watercolour PR122
Quinacridone Magenta, Blockx watercolour. PR122
Quinacridone Magenta, Daler Rowney watercolour. PR122.
Quinacridone Lilac, Daniel Smith Watercolour. PR122. New 2017
Quinacridone Magenta - Holbein Watercolour. PR122
Quinacridone Purple, Jackson's watercolour. PR122.
Verzino Violet, MaimeriBlu Watercolour. PR122
Permanent Magenta, Mission Gold watercolour. PR122
Magenta (Quinacridone) Old Holland watercolour. PR122
Quinacridone Magenta, QoR watercolour. PR122
Quinacridone Rose Magenta, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR122. New 2019.
Magenta Lake, Renesans half pan watercolour. PV19
Magenta Rose - Rosa Watercolour. PR122
Helios Purple, Sennelier Watercolour. PR122
Purple Magenta, Schmincke Horadam watercolour. PR122.
Quinacridone Magenta, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PR122

PR123

Perylene Vermilion - Aquarius Watercolour. New 2023

PR144

Azo Red* - Aquarius; Transparent Red Deep - Schmincke watercolour
Azo Red - Aquarius Watercolour. PR144
Transparent Red Deep, Schmincke watercolour. PR144. New 2017.

PR149

Perylene Scarlet* - Daniel Smith watercolour. Perylene Scarlet - Aquarius Watercolour. New 2023
Perylene Scarlet, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR149
Perylene Scarlet PR149 - Aquarius Watercolour. New 2023

PR166

Scarlet Red - Aquarius 
Scarlet Red - Aquarius Watercolour. PR166

PR168

  1. Medici Red - A Gallo; Anthraquinone Scarlet* - Aquarius; Anthraquinoid Scarlet* - Daniel Smith; Permanent Red Light* - Maimeri Blu; Permanent Red Light - Mission Gold Watercolour; 
  2. Bright Red - Old Holland watercolour
Medici Red, A Gallo Watercolour. PR168
Anthraquinone Scarlet - Aquarius. PR168
Anthraquinoid Scarlet, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR168
Permanent Red Light, Maimeri Blu watercolours. PR168
Permanent Red Light, Mission Gold Watercolour. PR168
Bright Red, Old Holland watercolour. PR168

​PR 170 and PR170:1

  1. Permanent Red* - Aquarius PR170; Permanent Red* - Daniel Smith PR170 F3rk-70; Permanent Red Deep* - Daniel Smith PR170 F5RK-A;  Napthol Red - Da Vinci PR170; Naphtol Red Bluish - Rembrandt PR170; 
  2. Carmine* - RosaPR170:1; Dark Red - Schmincke Watercolour PR170 (Discontinued); Carmine - White Nights PR170:1 
Permanent Red - Aquarius Watercolour. PR170
Permanent Red - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR170 F3rk-70
Permanent Red Deep - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR170 F5RK-A.
Napthol Red, Da Vinci watercolour. PR170
Naphtol Red Bluish, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR170.
Carmine - Rosa Watercolour. PR170:1
Dark Red, Schmincke Watercolour. PR170. Discontinued 2017, replaced with Ruby Transparent Red Deep.
Carmine, White Nights watercolour. PR170:1

PR171

Napthalmide Maroon - Daniel Smith 
Napthalmide Maroon - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR171

​PR 175

Deep Scarlet* - Daniel Smith 
Deep Scarlet - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR175

PR176

PR176 is a gorgeous crimson - very like the genuine but fugitive alizarin crimson PR83. It will mix purples and oranges.
Permanent Alizarin Crimson - Aquarius; Carmine* - Daniel Smith 
Permanent Alizarin Crimson - Aquarius. PR176
Carmine - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR176

Reds made with PR177 - crimson reds

Anthraquinone Red - Aquarius; Anthraquinoid Red* - Daniel Smith watercolour; Permanent Red Deep - MaimerBlu; Permanent Alizarin Crimson - QoR; Geranium Lake - Renesans half pan;
Anthraquinone Red - Aquarius. PR177
Anthraquinoid Red - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR177
Permanent Red Deep - MaimerBlu watercolour. PR177
Permanent Alizarin Crimson, QoR watercolour. PR177
Geranium Lake. Renesans half pan watercolour. PR177. (And something else?)

​PR 178

The first swatch is a very close match to the actual colour of this bright crimson pigment.​
Perylene Red - Aquarius; Perylene Red* - Daniel Smith; Perylene Red Deep - Rembrandt Watercolour; Perylene Dark Red, Schmincke 
Perylene Red, Aquarius watercolour, PR178 2021
Perylene Red, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR 178
Perylene Red Deep, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR178.
Perylene Dark Red, Schmincke watercolours. PR178 New 2017.

PR179

  1. Perylene Maroon* - Aquarius; Perylene Red Deep - Aquarius. New 2023; Perylene Red - Daler Rowney watercolour; Perylene Maroon* - Daniel Smith; Perylene Maroon - Holbein; 
  2. Perylene Maroon - Winsor & Newton 
Perylene Maroon, Aquarius Watercolour. PR179
Perylene Red Deep - Aquarius Watercolour. PR179. New 2023
Perylene Red, Daler Rowney watercolour. PR179
Perylene Maroon - Daniel Smith watercolour. PR179
Perylene Maroon - Holbein Watercolour. PR179
Perylene Maroon, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PR179

PR187

Permanent Madder Lake - Rembrandt; Madder Red Light - White Nights; Sanguine - Winsor & Newton (Discontinued)
Permanent Madder Lake, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR187.
Madder Red Light, White Nights watercolour. PR187
Sanguine, Winsor & Newton Watercolour. PR187 (Discontinued)

Reds made with PR188

  1. Red Hot Mamma - American Journey; Poppy - American Journey; Scarlet lake* - Aquarius; Organic Vermilion* - Daniel Smith; Permanent Red - Da Vinci; 
  2. Scarlet Lacquer - Sennelier  Vermilion Light - Schmincke; Scarlet Lake - Winsor & Newton 
Red Hot Mamma, American Journey watercolours. PR 188
Poppy, American Journey watercolour. PR188.
Scarlet lake - Aquarius Watercolour. PR188
Organic Vermilion, Daniel Smith watercolour PR188
Permanent Red, Da Vinci watercolour. PR188 (Warm red)
Scarlet Lacquer, Sennelier Watercolour. PR188
Vermilion Light, Schmincke Horodam watercolours. PR188. New colour 2017
Scarlet Lake, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PR188. Warm red

PR202

Similar to the magenta created with PR122, but not as bright or clean mixing. Shown here in alphabetical order my manufacturer:
  1. Quinacridone Fuchsia - American Journey;  Quinacridone Fuchsia* - Aquarius; Quinacridone Fuchsia* - Daniel Smith; Quinacridone Magenta* - Daniel Smith; Quinacridone Fuchsia - Da Vinci; 
  2. Crimson Lake - Mission Gold; ​Quinacridone Red Violet - Rembrandt; Quinacridone Magenta - Schmincke Watercolour
This pigment is also used in Magenta Quinacridone - MaimeriBlu 

Reds (and red browns) made with PR206

The rather lovely Permanent alizarin crimson by W&N is a real surprise from this normally burnt scarlet pigment. This is another Quinaqcridone pigment that will run out, so stock up if you love any particular version of it.
Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PR206. Cool red, suitable as a primary red
Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet. Daniel Smith watercolour. PR206
Transparent Red Brown, Daler Rowney watercolour. PR206
Permanent Alizarin Crimson Deep, Sennelier Watercolour. PR206
Madder Brown, Schmincke Watercolour. PR206
Brown Madder, Winsor & Newton Watercolour. PR206
Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet, American Journey watercolour. PR206.
Permanent Alizarin Crimson Deep, Jackson's watercolour. PR206.
Quinacridone Chestnut, A Gallo Watercolour. PR206

Reds made with PR207

Quinacridone Warm Scarlet - Aquarius Watercolour. New 2023; Pyrrole Red Light - QoR 
Quinacridone Warm Scarlet PR207 - Aquarius Watercolour. New 2023
Pyrrole Red Light, QoR Watercolour. PR207
Quinacridone Red Light, QoR watercolour. PR207 (actually a coral red but not accurate on my screen.)
Quinacridone Red Light, Schmincke Horadam watercolours. PR207. New colour 2017. A lovely coral.
Quinacridone Red Light, Schmincke Watercolour. PR207. New 2017
Quinacridone Red, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR207.

Reds made with PR209

I have not been able to match the exact colour for this pigment - it makes a lovely true coral colour, but these tend to look too pink. See the Aquarius, Daniel Smith and Holbein swatches for the closest idea of this coral colour.
  1. ​​Coral Red (Quin) - American Journey; Cherry Quinacridone Red* - Aquarius; Quinacridone Red - Blockx; Quinacridone Coral* - Daniel Smith; Quinacridone Red - Da vinci; 
  2. Quinacridone Scarlet/Cherry Red* - Holbein; ​Quinacridone Red Orange - Sennelier; Quinacridone Red - MaimeriBlu; Quinacridone Red - M.Graham; ​Quinacridone Red - Winsor & Newton  
Coral Red (Quin), American Journey watercolour. PR209.
Cherry quinacridone Red - Aquarius. PR209
Quinacridone Red, Blockx watercolour. PR209
Quinacridone Coral, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR209
Quinacridone Red, Da Vinci Watercolour. PR209
Quinacridone Scarlet/Cherry Red - Holbein watercolour. PR209
Quinacridone Red Orange, Sennelier watercolour. PR209 Note this colour reproduction is very poor - it is a coral colour!
Quinacridone Red - MaimeriBlu watercolour. PR209. New 2017.
Quinacridone Red, M.Graham Watercolour. PR209 (This is a coral colour)
Quinacridone Red, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PR209 (Coral colour rather than pink)

PR214

Aquarius Red* - Aquarius; Scheveningen Red Medium - Old Holland
Aquarius Red - Aquarius. PR214
Scheveningen Red Medium, Old Holland watercolour. PR214

Reds made with PR221

Carmine (Hue) - Aquarius.
Carmine (hue), Aquarius Watercolour. PR221 (new 2024)

Pinks made with PR233

This gently granulating dusty pink pigment is known as Potter's Pink or Pink Colour.
​​Potter's Pink* - A Gallo; PR233; Potter's Pink* - Aquarius; Potter's Pink* - Daniel Smith; Potter's Pink* - Dirty Blue; Potter's Pink - Schmincke; Potter's Pink - Winsor & Newton 
Potter's Pink, A Gallo. PR233
Potter's Pink - Aquarius Watercolour. PR233
Potter's Pink, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR233
Potter's Pink - Dirty Blue Watercolour. PR233
Potter's Pink, Schmincke Watercolour. PR233. This is a deeper version than the DS or W&N.
Potter's Pink, Winsor & Newton Watercolour. PR233

PR242

This bright warm red is difficult to capture.
French Vermilion -
 Sennelier; Geranium Red, Schmincke; French Vermilion - Jackson's.
French Vermilion, Sennelier watercolour. PR242 (Warm Red)
Geranium Red, Schmincke Horadam watercolours. PR242. New colour 2017. A bright warm red.
French Vermilion, Jackson's watercolour. PR242.

​PR251

Spectrum Red - Art Spectrum;  Vermilion Extra - Old Holland 
Spectrum Red, Art Spectrum watercolour. PR251
Vermilion Extra, Old Holland watercolour. PR251

PR254

Picture
PR254
This fabulous pillar box red is a wonderful choice if you want a bright mid red. This colour is actually fairly consistent across the brands, and as best seen left. (These swatches will be re-scanned to better show the colour.)
  1. Scarlet Red - A Gallo; Joe's Red - American Journey; Pyrrole Red - Aquarius; Blockx Red - Blockx; Pyrrol Red - Daniel Smith watercolour; 
  2. Da Vinci Red - Da Vinci watercolour; Pyrrole Red - Holbein; Red (Pyrrole) - Jackson's; Sandal Red - Maimeri Blu; Pyrrol Red - M.Graham;
  3. Permanent Red Deep - Mission Gold; Permanent Red Deep - Rembrandt; ​Sennelier Red - Sennelier; Scarlet Red - Schmincke Watercolour; Permanent Red - Wichitrong; 
  4. Winsor Red - Winsor & Newton 
Scarlet Red, A Gallo. PR254
Joe's Red, American Journey watercolour. PR254.
Pyrrole Red - Aquarius Watercolour. PR254
Blockx Red, Blockx watercolour. PR254
Pyrrol Red, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR254
Da Vinci Red, Da Vinci watercolour. PR254
Pyrrole Red - Holbein Watercolour. PR254
Jackson's Red (Pyrrole), Jackson's watercolour. PR254.
Sandal Red - Maimeri Blu watercolour. PR254
Pyrrol Red, M.Graham watercolour. PR254
Permanent Red Deep, Mission Gold watercolour. PR254.
Permanent Red Deep, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR254.
Sennelier Red, Senneilier watercolour. PR254
Scarlet Red - Schmincke Watercolour. PR254
Permanent Red, Wichitrong Watercolour. PR254
Winsor Red - Winsor & Newton Watercolour. PR254

Reds made with PR255 - warm reds

Picture
PR255
PR255 is a definite orange-red, and my favourite pigment for a warm red option. I'll be re-scanning these swatches to better show the true colour - seen left. The swatches* by A.Gallo, Aquarius, Daniel Smith and Dirty Blue give the best depiction of this pigment. 
  1. Vermilion* - A Gallo; ​Pyrrole Scarlet* - Aquarius; Pyrrolo Red - Blockx; Pyrrol Scarlet* - Daniel Smith; Pyrrol Scarlet* - Dirty Blue; *
  2. Pyrrole Red - Maimeri Blu; Rose Dore Madder Lake - Sennelier; Vermilion - Schmincke; Vermilion - Schmincke; Richeson Pyrrole Red Light - Stephen Quiller 
Vermilion, A Gallo Watercolour. PR255
Pyrrole Scarlet - Aquarius Watercolour. PR255
Pyrrolo Red, Blockx Watercolour. PR255
Pyrrol Scarlet, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR255.
Pyrrol Scarlet - Dirty Blue Watercolour. PR255
Pyrrole Red - Maimeri Blu Watercolour PR255
Rose Dore Madder Lake, Sennelier Watercolour. PR255
Vermilion, Schmincke Horadam watercolour. PR255
Vermilion, Schmincke watercolour. PR255
Richeson Pyrrole Red Light, Stephen Quiller watercolour. PR255

PR259

All these swatches are as accurate as I can make them.
Ultramarine Pink
- A. Gallo; Ultramarine Pink - Aquarius; Ultramarine Pink - Dirty Blue; Ultramarine Pink - M.Graham 
Ultramarine Pink - A. Gallo. PR258
Ultramarine Pink - Aquarius Watercolour. PR259
Ultramarine Pink - Dirty Blue Watercolour. PR259
Ultramarine Pink, M.Graham watercolour. PR259

PR264

This is my favourite of the crimson reds - transparent, lightfast and rich in colour. Shown here are
  1. Ruby - A Gallo; Pyrrole Rubine* - Aquarius; Crimson Lake - Blockx; Pyrrol Crimson* -  Daniel Smith; Pyrrole Rubine - Holbein 
  2. Permanent Alizarin Crimson - M.Graham; ​Ruby Red Deep - Schmincke; Carmine - Rembrandt; Winsor Red Deep - Winsor & Newton 
Ruby, A Gallo watercolour. PR264
Crimson Lake, Blockx watercolour. PR264
Pyrrole Rubine - Holbein Watercolour. PR264
Permanent Alizarin Crimson, M.Graham Watercolour, PR264
Ruby Red Deep, Schmincke Watercolour. PR264. New 2017
Carmine, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR264.
Winsor Red Deep, Winsor & Newton Watercolours. PR264. An excellent cool red pigment.

PR272

Raspberry Red - ​Aquarius Watercolour. New 2023

PR287

Mayan Red - Daniel Smith (slightly more coral than it looks here); Bordeaux - Schmincke 
Mayan Red, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR287
Bordeaux, Schmincke Watercolour. PR287. New 2017.

PR290

This is the only example I know of for this intriguing ginger pigment. 
Ginger Red - Aquarius
Ginger Red, Aquarius. PR290. 2021

More (unknown) single pigment reds and Daniel Smith Primateks

  1. Quinacriodone Scarlet - Aquarius PR N/A; Quinacridone Rose, Aquarius. PR N/A​; Quinacridone Magenta Intense - Aquarius PR N/A Rhodonite Genuine Daniel Smith; Garnet Genuine* - Daniel Smith. 
  2. Red Fuchsite Genuine* - Daniel Smith; ​Cote D'Azure Violet* - Daniel Smith (Discontinued).​Bright Red, Jackson's Pigment N/A; ​Acra Crimson - Permanent pigments PV19?; Permanent Carmine Winsor & Newton watercolour. Pigment number not given.

Mixed Pigment Reds

May be made from more than one red pigment, but all mixes of some sort. (I'll sort these further eventually and re-scan for better colour accuracy)
Rose Dore, Winsor & Newton watercolour. PV19 + PY97
Permanent Red, Daler Rowney watercolour. PO73 + PR254
Vermilion Hue, Da Vinci Watercolour. PR188 + PO62
Cadmium Red Pale, Daler Rowney watercolour. PR254 + PO73
Coral, Art Spectrum watercolour. PR192 + PY83
Flesh Ochre, Old Holland watercolour. PW4 + PY120 + PR214
Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR177 + PV19 + PR149
Alizarin Crimson Hue, Daler Rowney watercolour. PR 187 + PR178
Crimson Lake, Maimeri Blu watercolours. PR122 + PR254 + PR206
Ornamental Red, American Journey watercolour. PR88 + PV19
Vermilion, Mission Gold watercolour. PR112 + PO73. (colour is more of a warm orange-red - bright and beautiful - than it appears on the screen)
Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Mission Gold watercolour. PV19 + PR179 + PR122
Bright Red, Winsor & Newton Watercolour. PR188+PY65 +? (Discontinued)
Permanent Red, Schmincke Watercolour. PR242+PO62
Scarler, Renesans half pan watercolour. PR254 PV19
Bright REd, Winsor & Newton Watercolours. PR188 PY65
Vermilion, Renesans half pan watercolour. PR254 PY83.
Carmine, Renesans half pan watercolour. PR48:4, PV19
Fire Engine Red, American Journey watercolour. PR188, PV19.
Bright Red, Jackson's watercolour. PR254, PO43.
Coral - Rosa Watercolour. PR4 + PR2 + PW6
Cinabro Hue - A.Gallo Watercolour. PW27 + PR101 + PR254 (accurate colour)

Mixed pigment orange-reds (warm reds)

  1. Permanent Red - Daler Rowney PO73 + PR254; Cadmium Red Scarlet Hue* - Daniel Smith PY53 + PR254 + PY83; Cadmium Red Medium Hue* - Daniel Smith PY53 + PR254; Scarlet Lake - Holbein PO73 + PR254 + PV19​; Vermilion - Rembrandt PR255, PY154; 
  2. Cadmium Red Light - Rosa PR108 + PO20; ​Bright Red* - Rosa PO73 + PR254.
Permanent Red - Daler Rowney Watercolour. PO73 + PR254
Cadmium Red Scarlet Hue - Daniel smith watercolour. PY53 + PR254 + PY83
Cadmium Red Medium Hue - Daniel Smith Watercolour. PY53 + PR254
Scarlet Lake - Holbein watercolour. PO73 + PR254 + PV19
Vermilion, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR255, PY154.
Cadmium Red Light - Rosa Watercolours. PR108 + PO20
Bright Red - Rosa Watercolour. PO73 + PR254

Mixed Pigment Rose Madder Hues

  1. Rose Madder (Quinacridone) - American Journey PR188 + PV19; ​​Rose Madder Permanent - Daniel Smith R209 + PV19 + PR202; Madder Rose* - Rosa PV19 + PV254; Rose Madder - Schmincke PR83:1 + PR48:4; 
Rose Madder (Quinacridone), American Journey watercolour. PR188, PV19.
Rose Madder Permanent - Daniel Smith watercolour. R209 + PV19 + PR202. New colour 2017
Madder Rose - Rosa Watercolours. PV19 + PV254
Rose Madder, Schmincke Horadam watercolours. PR83:1 + PR48:4 (PR83 is not lightfast especially in light washes)

Mixed pigment rose reds and pinks

  1. Pietra Rosa, A Gallo. PR233, PV16, PV15; Taylor's Flamingo Pink (Quin) - American Journey PV19 + PW6;  ​Jane's Earth Rose - Custom mix using Daniel Smith PR233 + PR101​; ​​Shell Pink* - Holbein PO73 + PW6; ​​Brilliant Pink* - Holbein PW6 + PR209; 
  2. Rose - Rembrandt PR122 + PW6; ​​Tundra Pink* - Schmincke PB29 + PR233; ​Galazy Pink* - Schmincke PV16 + PBr33; Brilliant Pink - ShinHan PWC PW6 + PR209​; 
Pietra Rosa, A Gallo. PR233, PV16, PV15
Taylor's Flamingo Pink (Quin), American Journey watercolour. PV19, PW6.
Jane's Earth Rose - custom mix of PR233 + PR101
Shell Pink - Holbein watercolour. PO73 + PW6
Brilliant Pink - Holbein Watercolour. PW6 + PR209
Rose, Rembrandt Watercolour. PR122, PW6. New 2019.
Tundra Pink - Schmincke PB29 + PR233
Galazy Pink - Schmincke PV16 + PBr33
Brilliant Pink, ShinHan PWC Watercolour. PW6+PR209

Mixed pigment crimson reds

  1. Alizarin Crimson Hue - A Gallo Pr177 + PR144 + PV19; Ornamental Red - American Journey PR88, PV19 (Discontinued); Crimson Lake - Holbein PR177 + PR122 + PV19; Permanent Alizarin Crimson - Holbein  PV19 + PBr25; Alizarin Crimson - Jackson's PR209 + PY83 + PR179; 
  2. Madder Red* - Rosa PR177 + PR264; Alizarin Crimson - Sennelier PR209 + PY83 + PR179.
Alizarin Crimson Hue, A Gallo. Pr177, PR144, PV19
Ornamental Red, American Journey watercolour. PR88, PV19. Discontinued.
Crimson Lake - Holbein Watercolour. PR177 + PR122 + PV19
Permanent Alizarin Crimson - Holbein Watercolour. PV19 + PBr25
Alizarin Crimson, Jackson's watercolour. PR209, PY83, PR179.
Madder Red - Rosa Watercolour. PR177 + PR264
Alizarin Crimson Sennelier watercolour. PR209, PY83, PR179.

Opera Rose reds

I don't tend to use this extremely bright rose colour but many love it so I'll gradually add to this gallery. It is difficult to capture the vibrancy of a Fluoro colour. These are all like the Da Vinci and Holbein swatches - super bright, but they will fade.
  1. Rich Opera - American Journey. PR122; Opera Pink*- Daniel Smith. PR122 + Fluro dye; Opus (Vivid Pink) - Da Vinci. PR122 Red dyed Polymer; Opera* - Holbein PR122 + PY10; Bright Rose* - Holbein PV11:1 + AB83
  2. ​Opera Rose - Jackson's watercolour. FLUO PR81:1; Opera Rose* - Rosa PR122 fluorescent; Brilliant Opera Rose - Schmincke. PR122; Opera Rose - Sennelier. PR81:1; Opera Rose - Winsor & Newton. PR122 + fluro dye
Rich Opera, American Journey watercolour. PR122.
Opera Pink, Daniel Smith watercolour. PR122 + Fluro dye
Opus (Vivid Pink), Da Vinci Watercolour. PR122 Red dyed Polymer
Opera/Quindacridone Opera - Holbein Watercolour. PR122 BV10
Bright Rose - Holbein Watercolour. PV11:1 + AB83
Opera Rose, Jackson's watercolour. FLUO, PR81:1.
Brilliant Opera Rose, Schmincke Watercolour. PR122 flouro dye. New 2017
Opera Rose, Sennelier Watercolour. PR81:1
Opera Rose, Winsor & Newton Watercolour. PR122 + fluro dye
These swatches are painted and added as a guide. The intention is show the characteristics of each colour when painted. The colour reproduction is not perfect but hopefully will still be helpful used in conjunction with the manufacturer's website.  Thank you to those of you, from Canada, Sweden, Australia and the USA, who have helped me with this section by sharing your favourite colours. If you notice errors please let me know so I can correct them. If you have artist quality watercolour that are not shown here and want to help me build up this resource, also please let me know :-)
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This pages was last edited October 2023. Rescanning these swatches and adding more brands...
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