Holbein Permanent Magenta Review: PV19 Blossoms, Washes & Watercolor Test
Holbein Permanent Magenta (PV19), also known as Quinacridone Violet, is a transparent, semi-staining watercolor paint known for smooth graduated washes, glazing ability, and soft blossoming effects. This red-leaning purple performs especially well in skies, florals, shadows, and layered watercolor passages where luminous color transitions matter.
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Holbein Permanent Magenta Review
I picked up a tube of this paint while traveling in Japan.
Well… technically I picked up this paint along with about 60 other tubes because watercolor artists apparently lose all financial restraint in Japanese art stores.
Paint in Japan is absurdly cheap compared to American prices. Honestly, I should have bought more. I really do not need clothes. I need paint.
Most rational people in my life would disagree with that statement.
Of course, there is one small problem: you have to actually get yourself to Japan, and flights from the East Coast are neither cheap nor short. So yes, the paint is affordable. The international travel required to justify buying twelve tubes of watercolor? Slightly less affordable.
Holbein Permanent Magenta (also called Quinacridone Violet) is made from PV19, a single-pigment quinacridone color known for excellent transparency, glazing ability, and impressive lightfastness. Historically, quinacridone pigments became popular because artists suddenly had access to highly transparent, permanent reds and violets that did not fade into disappointment over time.
And disappointment is expensive.
Straight from the tube, Permanent Magenta looks extremely dark and dramatic — the kind of color that feels like it may have unresolved emotional issues.
Diluted with water, however, it transforms into a beautiful red-leaning violet with soft luminous transitions.
One thing I noticed immediately: this paint behaves very nicely.
It creates smooth, non-streaky graduated washes and emulsifies easily, especially when tilting the paper slightly and letting our old friend gravity do most of the work. If you like soft skies, layered florals, shadows, or atmospheric passages, this color becomes surprisingly useful.
Granulation?
A little.
This is not some dramatic mineral-texture monster like Cobalt Violet or a Schmincke super-granulator. But there is just enough texture to keep things visually interesting, especially in stronger concentrations.
Staining?
Moderate.
You are not dealing with one of those pigments that permanently tattoos your paper the moment it touches water, but it does hold its place reasonably well while still glazing beautifully.
Blossoming abilities?
Pretty good.
Not spectacular. Not terrible. Somewhere comfortably in the middle.
If you enjoy intentional watercolor blossoms and soft atmospheric backruns, this paint gives you enough working time to play around before everything locks into place. The pigment does not soak into the paper instantly, which makes controlled blooms much easier than with some faster-drying colors.
Will it outperform Holbein Bright Violet for dramatic effects?
No.
But for more believable, softer, luminous transitions? Absolutely.
One of my favorite surprises was mixing this color with Yellow Ochre, which produced a beautiful muted gray with subtle complexity. I always enjoy colors that unexpectedly behave themselves in mixes.
Those are the happy little accidents watercolor occasionally rewards us with before humbling us five minutes later.
Best Uses for Holbein Permanent Magenta
Holbein Permanent Magenta works especially well for:
- Atmospheric skies and sunset transitions
- Florals and botanical painting
- Layered watercolor glazing
- Soft shadows and expressive landscapes
- Watercolor blossoms and backruns
- Abstract backgrounds and luminous passages
- Muted gray mixtures (especially with Yellow Ochre)
Who Should Buy Holbein Permanent Magenta?
You should probably consider this paint if:
- You enjoy smooth graduated washes
- You like transparent colors that glaze beautifully
- You paint skies, florals, shadows, or atmospheric scenes
- You want a violet-red that blossoms reasonably well without becoming chaotic
- You enjoy experimenting with subtle color mixing
You may want to skip it if:
- You want aggressive granulation or dramatic texture
- You prefer cooler violets or more blue-leaning purples
- You already own several PV19-based paints and hate redundancy
- You enjoy pigments that behave like complete chaos agents (Holbein Bright Violet would like a word)
How Does Holbein Permanent Magenta Compare?
Curious how Holbein Permanent Magenta compares to other watercolor paints? Compare it to:
- Holbein Bright Violet – stronger blossoms and more dramatic effects
- Winsor & Newton Quinacridone Violet (PV55) – smoother washes and transparent violet glow
- Winsor & Newton Cobalt Violet (PV14) – softer mineral texture and heavier granulation
- Daniel Smith Rose of Ultramarine – moody separation and dramatic skies
- Daniel Smith Moonglow – atmospheric granulation and shadow effects
- Holbein Opera – brighter, more floral pink-violet energy
- Winsor & Newton Alizarin Crimson – deeper, moodier red-violet behavior
This is one of those colors I initially bought because:
“Oooo pretty.”
But after actually testing it?
It quietly earned a place on the palette.
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Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting
(919) 645-8345