At ARTdiscount, we pride ourselves on curating the highest quality art materials from around the world — and one of the standout brands on our shelves is ROSA, an inspiring art manufacturer with deep cultural roots and a growing reputation for excellence.
The Origins of ROSA
Founded in Ukraine in 1996, ROSA began its journey with a clear mission: to create professional, high-quality art materials that meet the exacting standards of both academic and contemporary artists. Starting as a small-scale family business, ROSA has grown over the years into a respected name in the European and international art market, gaining acclaim for its dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and Ukrainian cultural identity.
ROSA’s development has always been closely linked to the Ukrainian art school tradition, and many of its products are developed in collaboration with professional artists, educators, and art institutions. Their manufacturing facilities are located in Lviv and Kyiv, where they uphold rigorous quality control standards and remain committed to sustainable production practices.
What Does ROSA Make?
ROSA manufactures a wide range of art supplies tailored for students, hobbyists, and professional artists alike. Their products combine affordability with high performance, making them an excellent choice for artists at every level. For this article we will test Rosa Watercolours.
ROSA Watercolours
ROSA’s watercolours are available in both student and professional lines. Their ROSA Gallery Artists’ Watercolours are known for:
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High pigment concentration
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Excellent transparency and blendability
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Carefully curated colour palettes
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Lightfast ratings suitable for gallery and archival use
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Organic and inorganic pigments
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High lightfastness
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Clear and vibrant colours
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Easy dilution and brushing properties
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The colours and their hues in the tubes are identical as in the pans
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They are made using organic gum Arabic, with finely ground pigments to ensure smooth application and a brilliant finish.
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We conducted a comprehensive test of the Rosa Gallery Watercolour - 12 x Whole Pan Tin Set - Classic. Our evaluation focused on several key aspects: colour vibrancy, staining properties, and the ability to expand the colour palette through mixing. We also explored various techniques, including wet-on-wet applications and glazing. The Rosa full pan pigment watercolour set offers an exceptional range of vivid, jewel-like colours. Each pigment is meticulously crafted to deliver stunning intensity, allowing artists to achieve brilliant, saturated hues on their paper. The versatility of these watercolours is remarkable; they perform beautifully whether used in a heavily diluted wash, creating delicate, translucent layers, or applied with only a slight dilution for rich, opaque coverage. |
This flexibility enables a wide spectrum of artistic techniques, from subtle gradients and atmospheric effects to bold, impactful statements. The inherent vibrancy of the pigments ensures that every stroke contributes to a luminous and captivating final artwork, making the Rosa watercolour set an invaluable tool for both amateur and professional artists seeking to infuse their creations with brilliant, lasting colour.
Discover ROSA at ARTdiscount
Whether you're just beginning your artistic journey or are a seasoned professional, ROSA’s high-performing and beautifully made products are a joy to use. Explore the ROSA range today at ARTdiscount and bring a piece of Ukraine’s rich artistic heritage into your own studio.
Shop the ROSA collection now and feel the difference in every brushstroke.
The Rosa Watercolour Collection
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Rosa Gallery Watercolour - 21 Whole Pan Tin Set - Landscape This ROSA Gallery Watercolour set contains 21 whole pan watercolour paints perfect for capturing the mood and atmosphere of the world around you. This set of professional Landscape ROSA Gallery Artists' Watercolours consists of colours that allow you to get a wide palette for Landscape painting. The majority of the colours are single pigment, enabling artists to obtain numerous amazing pure shades when the colours are mixed. |
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Rosa Gallery Watercolour - 12 x Whole Pan Tin Set - Classic ROSA Gallery Fine Art Watercolour Paints are made of organic Gum Arabic and premium finely ground organic and inorganic pigments. Combine traditional colours for watercolour techniques. The metal case is convenient when working in the open air, traveling or in the studio. It has two palettes of different configurations and a cuvette holder. In the new cases, rows of fastening for pans are fixed with a special catch. This method of fastening makes their connection with the base strong, reliable, and resistant to water. Also, if necessary, they are easy to detach and use the free space for a brush, liner or pencil. |
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Rosa Gallery Watercolour - 14 x Whole Pan Tin Set - Portrait This set of professional Portrait ROSA Gallery Artists' Watercolours consists of colours that allow you to get a wide palette for portrait and figure painting. The majority of the colours are single pigment, enabling artists to obtain numerous amazing pure shades when the colours are mixed. |
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Rosa Gallery Watercolour - 21 x Whole Pan Tin Set - Classic The ROSA Gallery Watercolour set is an exceptional all-rounder, featuring 21 whole pan watercolour paints. This comprehensive collection is meticulously curated to cater to a wide array of subjects and disciplines, making it an indispensable tool for both budding enthusiasts and seasoned professionals. Each pan is generously sized, ensuring a lasting supply of vibrant colour for countless creative projects. The thoughtfully selected palette within this set allows artists to explore various painting styles, from delicate washes to bold, expressive strokes. Whether you're capturing the subtle nuances of a landscape, the intricate details of a still life, or the dynamic energy of a portrait, these watercolours provide the versatility needed to bring your artistic vision to life. Classic ROSA Gallery Artists' Watercolours: Purity in Every Pigment |
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Rosa Gallery Watercolour - 12 x Whole Pan Tin Set - Urban Sketching This Urban Sketching Watercolour Set from ROSA Gallery contains twelve whole pan watercolours perfect for painting urban scenes on the go. This set is a great companion for reportage work. Most of the colours in the set are mono-pigmented, which allows you to create pure shades when mixed. The maximum level of light fastness of colours of a set guarantees the preservation of artworks over time. |
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Watercolour Techniques
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Colour mixing on the paper, wet on wet technique. The wet-on-wet technique facilitates colour mixing directly on the paper. Ultramarine Blue and Madder Red were applied to wet paper, allowing for the organic emergence of a secondary colour through their interaction. Rosa watercolour pans are highly suitable for colour mixing, whether on a palette or the paper surface. |
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Lifting techniques; We used a clean wet brush and tissue paper to test how cleanly the pigment can be lifted off the paper to reveal the white watercolour paper underneath. Some colours will naturally stain the paper more than others, they are usually transparent, finely milled pigments that sink into paper fibres and can’t be lifted easily. Non staining colours that are easier to lift are usually granulating, heavier, or opaque pigments. We used Green 711 pigment, a dark rich earthy green for this test and found the pigment lifted off very well. |
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Neutral Black was evaluated for its staining properties. Minimal pigment transfer was observed following water application. It is advisable to pre-test colours on a separate sheet prior to beginning a project. This practice facilitates the exploration of dilution gradients and colour blending. It is important to note that combining black with other pigments will influence lifting techniques.
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Wet on Wet techniques are effective for generating organic textures. This method allows colours to intermix, producing blooms and nuanced colour transitions. We introduced Cadmium Yellow pigment onto an Emerald Green pigment whilst still wet, allowing them to naturally integrate and create some beautiful textures. |
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Creating Glazes; We used Cadmium Yellow light and Madder Red for our sample. To create a glaze in watercolour, paint a thin, transparent wash of colour over a dry layer of paint to build up depth, adjust tones, or subtly shift hues. Artists use the glazing technique to create luminous, layered effects and to control value and colour without muddying the underlying layers. |
A Commitment to Craft, Culture and Sustainability
ROSA is not just a manufacturer — it is a cultural ambassador. The brand proudly incorporates Ukrainian motifs, traditional craftsmanship, and eco-conscious values into every aspect of its business. As part of their sustainability goals, many ROSA products are made using responsibly sourced materials and packaging with minimal environmental impact.
Supporting ROSA means supporting a company that values artistic tradition, ethical production, and creative empowerment.
