Amazing quality paints! The difference with Michael Harding paints to others, are clear when you use them. They go much further than other paints and you don’t need to add any mediums to work with them as they are so buttery and beautiful. As for the Cobalt Violet Dark, it is the perfect compliment to mix in with other semi and transparent hues to bring the tone down or add ‘shadow’. As a mainly portrait artist, I love this hue to mix with my Rose Madder and either Lead Tin yellow Light or Lead Tin Lemon to make a harmonious, natural looking skin tone. :D