Holbein Vermillion Watercolor Review (PR108) | Swatch & Test
Holbein Vermillion (PR108) is a bold, heavily staining orange-red watercolor with intense color, minimal granulation and excellent glazing strength. It works especially well for sunsets, florals, warm underpainting and strong focal accents, although artists looking for a subtle or easily lifted red should look elsewhere.
Purchase this paint online NOW
If you’ve ever wanted a watercolor pigment that walks into your palette like a bright orange firefighter yelling “MOVE, I’VE GOT THIS!”—then allow me to introduce you to Holbein Vermillion (PR108).
This color is loud, bold, unapologetic, and proudly low-granulating.
It stains like it’s getting paid by the molecule.
And it has the kind of nuclear orange punch that whispers, “Let’s ruin some paper today… but beautifully.”
In short: this paint means business.
What Makes Vermillion… Vermillion?
Holbein Vermillion is technically an orange-red, which is code for:
“I couldn’t decide between being a sunset or an emergency flare, so I became both.”
Chemically, it’s PR108—a pigment known for:
- strong staining
- minimal granulation
- punch-you-in-the-face vibrancy
- clean mixes
- a glow that looks almost backlit
This makes it perfect for:
- sunsets
- glowing underpainting
- florals
- warm accents
- fiery skies
- “I need this to pop more than that person’s neon windbreaker in Reykjavík” moments
If you’re looking for a shy, gentle orange?
Yeah… absolutely not.
Holbein Vermillion will file a complaint.
How It Behaves on Paper (a.k.a. The Drama Test)
1. Staining Power
Oh, it stains.
It stains like it signed a legally binding contract to never lift again.
You can scrub until your brush sighs dramatically—it’s not going anywhere.
This makes it excellent for glazing because each layer stays put and refuses to mingle.
2. Blooming
Add water into a wet wash and it will create blooms, but they’re soft—more like gentle ripples than volcanic explosions.
3. Intensity
Holbein Vermillion has only two settings:
- “BRIGHT”
- “EVEN BRIGHTER”
But because of its smoother behavior, you can actually control the vibrancy instead of letting it take over your whole painting like an overly enthusiastic toddler.
Where Vermillion Really Shines
1. Sunset + Atmospheric Glow
Mix with a touch of yellow for rich oranges.
Mix with a violet or blue for killer warm shadows.
Use it straight for that “Molten Lava Sky” feeling.
2. Underpainting
Because it stains deeply and evenly, it’s fantastic for laying in warm foundations that peek through your later layers like secret color whispers.
3. Florals
Poppies, nasturtiums, Bird of Paradise, anything dramatic and tropical.
Great for petals that need a punchy edge.
4. Warm Accents in Urban Scenes
Small pops of Vermillion will lead the viewer’s eye across a cityscape like breadcrumbs—glowing, radioactive breadcrumbs—but still breadcrumbs.
Mixing Notes
A few pairings I love:
- Vermillion + Ultramarine Blue
Makes rich, warm neutrals that feel like earth with attitude. - Vermillion + Quin Burnt Orange
Hello, sunset firestorm. - Vermillion + Paynes Gray
Instant cinematic shadows. - Vermillion + any Holbein Bright Violet
Explosion of warm-cool contrast. Very fun. Very dangerous.
How Does Holbein Vermillion Compare to Other Watercolors?
- Winsor & Newton Scarlet Lake – Scarlet Lake leans further toward red, while Holbein Vermillion sits comfortably between red and orange. Vermillion often feels warmer and more energetic in sunsets and architectural highlights.
- Daniel Smith Perinone Orange – Perinone Orange is slightly red-biased but still clearly an orange. Vermillion pushes further into the red family while maintaining strong warmth and intensity.
- Winsor & Newton Transparent Orange – Transparent Orange creates glowing transparent washes and blossoms beautifully. Vermillion is bolder, more opaque, and produces stronger focal points.
- Holbein Brilliant Orange – Brilliant Orange is brighter and more obviously orange. Vermillion feels richer, deeper, and more versatile for sunsets, florals, and warm landscape passages.
- Winsor Orange – Winsor Orange leans toward yellow-orange and excels at glazing warm light. Vermillion provides more punch and stronger red-orange intensity.
- Holbein Permanent Magenta – Permanent Magenta moves toward pink-violet territory. Vermillion stays firmly in the warm red-orange family and is often a better choice for sunsets and autumn color.
- Holbein Opera – Opera is brighter, pinker, and more attention-grabbing. Vermillion is slightly more natural and easier to incorporate into landscapes and travel paintings.
- Winsor & Newton Quinacridone Violet – Quinacridone Violet creates dramatic complementary mixtures with Vermillion and is excellent for atmospheric shadows and muted neutrals.
- Holbein Marine Blue – Marine Blue and Vermillion create strong warm-cool contrast for skies, water scenes, and colorful shadows.
- Winsor & Newton Manganese Blue Hue – Manganese Blue Hue provides luminous blue atmospheric passages that pair beautifully with the warm intensity of Vermillion.
Final Thoughts
Holbein Vermillion is a brilliant, strong-willed, low-granulating orange-red that absolutely earns a place in your palette—especially if you love:
- intense warmth
- bold statements
- fiery skies
- strong underpaintings
- colors that don’t apologize for existing
It’s not subtle.
It’s not quiet.
But in the right hands, it’s a showstopper.
Whether you paint landscapes, florals, sunsets, cityscapes, or you just really enjoy staining paper permanently, Vermillion delivers.
Purchase this paint online NOW
Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting
(919) 645-8345