Trying out this new watercolour set from Paul Rubens

Since I made this film Paul Rubens has offered 10% OFF Paul Rubens YouLan Artist Watercolor Paint Set only until 12 May 2024 :
Code: 4JPOR277
Start Date: 2024-5-6
Expiration Date: 2024-5-12

They also added - please note that your Australian subscribers can purchase our products through Aliexpress. We do not offer additional discount codes because the Aliexpress page already has a discount.

This is a new artist quality pan set from Paul Rubens with some interesting pigments to tempt you. I have used it for a couple of weeks now, as part of the Sktchy 30Faces30Days challenge, so I feel I have put it through its paces. I will swatch out the colours and show you a few paintings before reaching a few conclusions.

In a nutshell, I really like it. There are some rarer colours here. I felt it would have benefited from cobalt blue and could have lost the Naples Yellow or May Green. I liked the packaging and it is a classic design. The downside is the lack of open stock (don't think I mentioned that in the film), so you will have to replace with other brands as you use up your favourites. If you are looking for an artist quality set at a good price point, it is definitely worth a go.

I also try out the sparkly watercolour paper - I'm at a bit of a loss as to why you would want this, but in case you are into sparkles it performed well for wet in wet and glazing, but not for lifting. Again since I made this film @amypanddirtytoo1926 shared this information:

It is the alum sizing. Rice papers sized with alum will called "sparkle dragon cloud paper" or the very thin translucent ones "cicada wing" since cicada wings are thin and sparkly. I have many different variations of sparkle paper. I also buy alum myself to size inexpensive rice papers for studies so I can save the expensive good ones for finished works. Sizing is important for the Gong Bi and Chinoiserie I do. And it is important depending on what effect I'm going for when I do Chinese brush painting/Japanese sumi-e. Eastern watercolor isn't meant to be done like Western so of course you would not be able to lift well. That is also why Eastern watercolors, like Kuretake, Kissoh, Choosing Keeping, Komarebi, etc are so extremely pigmented and thick: they are meant to be used in one layer at one go. Meeden, a Chinese company as well as Paul Reubens, another Chinese brand, have used alum to size certain papers so they can also have a range of "sparkle papers".

Thank you @amypanddirtytoo1926

This is what Paul Rubens say:
More Advanced Colors: YouLan Artist Watercolor Paint Set features a new colour palette that is more sophisticated and smooth compared to the fresh colours of Paul Rubens' fourth-generation tube watercolors.

Vibrant Colors and Excellent Solubility: They dissolve quickly on contact with water, resulting in even and uniform colors.

Fine Color Powder and Ultra-Pure Pigments: The ultra-fine pigments are meticulously ground using extra-fine gum Arabic.

Every week I share a tip, trick or technique I wish I had known when I started painting, so if you enjoyed this please like, comment and subscribe. Or if you have a watercolour problem, let me know and maybe I can help?

#lizchaderton #paulrubens #youlan
Excellent Diffusion and High Transparency：The colors blend naturally and evenly, with better diffusion than previous Paul Rubens artist watercolors. The transparency is higher, and the spread of watermarks is more uniform.

Exquisite and Portable Packaging Design: The set comes in an exquisite and portable tin case, making it suitable for outdoor painting and gifting during festivals.

[karencartwright]

Love the paper for Christmas cards and snow scenes

[cheesegoddess]

It has been fun to see different folks on here try the paper and paints. Thank you for this review.

[CherylsCreativeWorld]

This was helpful as I’ve been looking at this particular palette! I actually want the sparkly paper, and found your comments useful on that too. I agree about the cobalt blue though!

[PatriciaVoinescuArt]

Beautiful portraits and a very thorough review of the Paul Rubens watercolours. My favourite portrait is of the little girl💚

[GrandmaMuggy]

Thanks Liz. Always interesting to watch you swatch and also loved looking at your portraits.

[doreenstrachan]

What's the difference between the cobalt blue and the french blue. They look similar

[jillm]

Hi Liz, great video, I do fancy the sparkly paper where can I get it? - I did read what Amy wrote but I'm still confused.

[madebylora]

That made me laugh when you said that your “gungy brown” mix makes a great hair colour! Hahaha! Just don’t tell the model that their hair is gungy brown! Hehehe

[amandahodgin]

I have the sparkle paper. I use it for making cards. It was brilliant for my Christmas cards last year. I probably won’t use it for anything else but cards, though.

[colleenmcchesney]

I’m not sure if I would like the sparkling rice paper much either. I do love 💕 the set of Paul Rubens Watercolors though. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[tarabooartarmy]

I bought this palette for the maroon. Such a lovely color. That said, my favorite colors ended up being the two you said you’d remove, the Naples yellow and the May green. The three oranges are very similar, so I’d personally keep Naples yellow and remove one of the orange. I wish there was another green that was less blue. I find the two darker greens to be too cool for my taste. I prefer warmer greens. Nothing some mixing can’t fix, though.

[IcsulX]

Not for every painting or every day use, but I do love the sparkly paper that you got with this one. <3

[martinanelsonartandpsychol]

Thank you for sharing this review and your practical experience with the set. Does it say anything on the paper wrapping that it is supposed to sparkle (as to say on purpose). Could it be that something went wrong with the sizing of the paper?😅

[LovinLnCottage]

Thank you for this. I have to say that I don’t like the sparkles in the paper. The colors are nice. I agree about the cobalt and May green. ☮️❤️🙏

[ZeeCeeCreations]

Thank you so much for this review, Liz. It is very helpful. I must say, also, that you are one of the ONLY artists that pronounce the word ’phthalo’ correctly. I know I am way too fussy about pronunciation, but after all these years, I have accepted who I am. The word is pronounced ‘Fallow’… just like unsown farmland. Thanks, again Liz!

[StarBarksU]

Wonderful article in Watercolor Artist magazine this quarter by you Liz!!! Which also featured your amazing work!!..Many blessings, Rus from Bucks County Pennsylvania ❤️🖌🎨🤓