After swatching all eight of the new Daniel Smith 5ml Triad sets, I wanted to take things one step further and actually paint with them—because swatches are helpful, but they don’t tell you everything. In this Bectober 2025 session I paint FOUR full sketchbook page spreads, each one dedicated to what I’m calling the “Theme” triads: Stormbreaker, Architectural, Evening Glow, and Desert Horizons. This is the first half of a two-part series, and it’s very much a relaxed paint-with-me where I chat through what I’m noticing as I go. For each triad I focus on how the colours behave in real mixes, how quickly I can find harmony (or where the palette fights me), and what kind of subjects the set naturally suits. I share my impressions as I build layers, push contrast, and try to keep each spread feeling cohesive while still having a bit of fun and experimentation. By the end, I also give my overall thoughts and ratings for the sets—so if you’re wondering whether these triads are worth it, or which theme might fit your style best, this video should help you decide.