A stand-out in the best way. With exceptional brilliance in masstone, good tinting strength, and high covering power this red is a stunner. Michael Harding has three cadmium reds, and this is a sort of like a Cadmium Red Medium within this line. Michael Harding’s cadmium reds were all excellent. This is a bright, light cherry red, close to what most would think of as primary red. The Michael Harding Cadmium Red was similar and a touch oranger-leaning than Vasari Cadmium Red Medium. The Michael Harding was in a similar zone as Old Holland Cadmium Red Medium (Vermillioned). Of the three, the Michael Harding has the highest lightness and reflectivity, the Vasari is the deepest of the three, and the Old Holland is highly chromatic for its hue. This class of cadmiums looks almost as if a Quinacridone red were crossed with a cadmium red they are so bright. The hues of the masstones differ a bit between Old Holland and the Michael Harding, with Old Holland also being very chromatic and a bit deeper in lightness. however, the two are very close. In mixes with white one would be hard pressed to tell them apart. Also please note that while this is a very lively cadmium, it does not behave like Quinacridone in tints. This paint is also a very strong tinter—at first it was hard to tell whether it was a stronger tinter than Old Holland. The handling between the two differs quite a bit as the Michael Harding is a bit more feathery in consistency and less unified than the classic, stiffer Old Holland. The surface of the Michael Harding is also more matte and the tiniest bit cooler-hued in tints.