Naples Yellow is beautiful warm and balanced paint, created by Daniel Smith watercolors. I’ve decided after numerous purchases and experiments with other NY (Naples Yellow) colors that they were lacking in what I needed from my paints. Clarity, mixability, lightfastness, consistency.

Color Mixing
A brief review on some of the experiments I’ve done using Naples Yellow, with a couple of blues on small Test Strips.
Its fun and fast.
Exploring and trying out a little bit of color mixing each day.
Five minutes is all it really ever takes. That, and just doing it each day.
Think, Long Term!!



Small, Quick Mixes
Every day you paint, does not need to be an epic journey towards…. That Glorious Masterpiece.
Its wonderful -and necessary – to have days of quick, short bursts of sheer color.
Nothing but color.
Short. And sweet.
“With absolutely. No. Pressure. Put on yourself whatsoever.”
Your fast little test strips of color mixing …do not... have to look like much at all!
All they need to do, is to get You to get your Paints Out!
partner posts
painting Taming the Dragon of Perfectionism!
You should see my strips of test mixes….I have just short of 100 taped on the wall in front of my painting area. I love mixing paint. Wonderful informative post!
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ya! that sounds fab u lous Margaret!! smiling AND I would love to see them actually………. 🙂 thank you M, as always I love seeing your thoughts!! YRF
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I should take several photos of them sometime for you 😉
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indeed! but, I believe you anyway and am excited that you have done them. and so many. doing those and looking at them, with your little notations – is the best thing 🙂 ps, how are your eyes? I haven’t asked lately…….
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oh of course, you probably oodles of your own hehe…..my eyes have been sore lately only because I have skipped my daily routine treatments. I guess it looks like I’ll have to be doing it for a very long time. Thank you for asking…how is your hip doing?
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overall, it is progressing – so that is really good. I overdid my zen walk.. went into Hike mode this AM & Its now yelling at me! now MRF, it sounds like we both need to remind ourselves more of limits and boundaries. smiling and almost laughing Hoping that your eyes will return to a much better state of affairs. soon. YRF
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Easy does it! Now you need to do those Zen walks in your mind, capture a bit slowly in reality and you’ll feel like you got the whole tamale!
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Great reminder to keep up with the practice of art… 15 minutes a day makes a difference! Thanks!
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thank you Ally for sharing your thoughts! and yes, its true…. a tiny bit of time is all it takes. 🙂 Cheers, Debi
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I’m not an artist, but I enjoy the simplicity and beauty of what you present on your blog. I don’t often comment, but it is a bright spot in my day.
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I’m really pleased that you’re enjoying my website!
And – I want to thank you. Your sharing your thoughts…. really does make a difference, to me.
I never know what the vast majority of followers “think or feel” about what they read. I always – Wonder.
And today…… was a really good day for you to comment. It was needed. thank you. cheers, Debi 🙂
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I am learning how important this is……….. finally! 🙂
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at first, we don’t – we are too busy trying to paint that picture, by golly!! LOL then, slowly… we get a mind reset, I believe 🙂 I’m so glad you are enjoying Color Jodi; it is a Fun and sometimes …mindless thing to do that is just relaxing.
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Thank you for the color combo idea. Much appreciated!
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hi Dawn and Thank You! I’m happy that this gives you some new color idea tidbits! The DS Naples Yellow, you will love 🙂
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I won’t be doing water colors but I have naples yellow oil paint and haven’t figured out quite how to use it. I really like wha it does with the UM blue. Nice greys, greenish bluish green blues. Lol. Anyway, soothing.
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thank you 🙂
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Wonderful! Please delete the previous typo.
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thank you Nico 🙂 and yes, I did….. I hate not being able to delete those silly things when I make them -as I do!
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Thanks for the reminder to keep on swimming…..errr practicing, Debi! Those colors are divine. Daniel Smith tubes are at the top of this year’s wish list. 🙂
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hi Carrie, glad you enjoyed! I don’t used the DS colors for all!!! just really the NY that I need to be DS in this group 🙂
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Great! I hear that daniel smith colors are really super and so vibrant though quite a bit pricey but worth the investment.
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I get specific ones. not all!!! just the ones that the other brands in no way, can ever, come close to.
and make do, with other colors using art spectrum, maimeri, blockx, winsor and newton etc. I do find that a tube of artists paint is actually pure paint. and goes further, its not mixed 70% with chalk fillers. The Stainers, are even better! a tiny pinprick of phalo blue can do a sky. I hate wasting money. its like lighting it on fire!! LOL
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So true Debi! I hate wasting money too on supplies I will only use once or twice or because it looks nice. Careful planning is always considered especially with these tube paints.
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yep!
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I wish I could dedicate that much time on a regular basis but with my LO it gets tough. However I still make up time for little DIY things 🙂
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I understand! and with little ones they are always Busy 🙂 there are many forms of art. each is valid and important, whether its cooking, photography, writing, calligraphy. interior home decor…. each day, just looking at the day’s beauty IS Art!! 🙂
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Such beautiful artwork…. I have heard that painting with watercolours is an art in itself. I have once almost took clases at the local library. Then other things came up and couldn´t. But maybe I´ll give it a try this winter (meaning by June-July, in the southern hemisphere!) 😀 . Kudos, Debi!. Love your paintings… All the best to you. Happy weekend ahead. 🙂
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Thanks for the reminder Debi – I really enjoy your instructions and demonstrations. Miss them and happy to be back!
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Such great advice as always Debi. Just back from the joy of spending time you know where and now time for the studio. With your advice the pressure is off to produce a masterpiece 🙂
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Thank you! I am a watercolor artist so fun to play with color!
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it is yes! I’m glad you enjoyed this today. and Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! cheers, Debi
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Beautiful colour combinations!
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thanks!! 🙂
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I usually jump right in when painting, so I love this idea.
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🙂
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These are so simple and effective and a great trigger for further art peaces!
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I’m a self taught illustrator and I have no experience at all with watercolors. But after reading your post, I really want to give it a try! These colors are beautiful and seem fun to play with.
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thank you! glad you felt inspired to give it a go …. wc are so enjoyable. yes, tricky – if not using the appropriate tools, paints etc as one starts off; but SO fun! cheers, Debi
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Thank you Debi. It would be nice if you can check my post about trying watercolors for the first time and see if I got all the basic tools right. https://ishanlin.wordpress.com/2017/04/19/practice-makes-perfect/#more-458
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hi Ishanlin! I thought your post was well written and laid out, with great color charts!
I’m not the be all/end all and ‘my way’ isn’t necessarily the way that suits every one. so, what you have chosen may not have been what I’d suggest for a beginner – it may, work out just fine for you. we are all different.
If, you start to run into any troubles with mud, color mixing, etc … then maybe refer to my “Watercolor Basic Tips Page” for 100’s of tips for beginners…. otherwise, you just do it like you feel like & enjoy!!! 🙂 cheers, Debi
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Thank you for the response Debi. I will be sure to check out the page! Have a nice day.
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no worries, and you too! 🙂
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That is beautiful.
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thank you Dan…. I’m rather partial to daniel smith naples yellow – glad you enjoyed this!
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You’re welcome.
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