Hullo Helen, I am just a bit ashamed to say that I purchased the first set of Rubens paints released, however I still have a real difficulty with them as you simply cannot replace a color after it is used up! I purchased the first set as my wife said “ Oh look the box is Pink! I want one of those!” I got the 24 half pan set and before I gave her the palette I replaced the paints with DaVinci watercolors! I think they are just the best option for anyone in the US looking for a reasonably priced paint and starting out with professional grade paints is so much easier to help them when they start to advance and have troubles you can eliminate the paint as a source of the problem. Teaching anyone how to paint can be difficult, a spouse doubly so! She is enjoying her adventure and as long as I keep her working on cotton paper she has great success! Thank you for sharing this lovely painting. I enjoyed watching you move through the different medium’s finding a solution that you could be happy with!
That's so lovely of you! I haven't tried DaVinci watercolours. I hear from people who have had both older Paul Rubens and these new 5th Generation ones, that the new ones are much better. I guess when one runs out, they can be replaced by whatever paint you fancy!
Don't worry about being a purist, watercolor artist. I like the art you make, the mix-media touches you add in; it really makes your art yours. As you know, I'm a big fan of your work, mix-media or not! Keep it up!!
I have had my set for a few weeks now. I absolutly love them. I also have the older 48 set in the og pink tin. I find the new ones are waaay more pigmented and fuild
I always love these comparisons between brands of colors, and that sky you painted is so gorgeous! I loved the entire painting, but that sky was super awesome ❤❤
I’ve only heard a few artists say that they prefer pre-mixed or convenience paint and I’m one of them. I just don’t want to bother with trying to get the color right and having the right amount handy. I also like your use of mixed media and I’m still on a learning curve of getting that combination right. I think the point is to achieve the result we want.
Pigments get mixed in order to get to the exact colour I want, one way or another anyway. I just want what works fastest for me, plus some of the granulating paints I either can't mix myself (I've tried), or are tricky to get exactly the right ratios.
Hi Helen! Thanks for the review. I won’t be buying these but I always enjoy your videos and thoughts. I loved your painting. I’m glad you are feeling a little better and hope you are back to your full self soon!💗
Since you like granulating greens and browns, keep your eyes peeled for Mijello’s new Tourmaline paints. Some of the greens and browns are stunners. Mountain green, green ochre, jade green, forest green, bark brown, bronze brown and milky way violet are all so natural and beautiful.
This is why I’m hesitant to purchase sets. I would prefer to buy the individual paints I like to use. Although, there were some nice ones in this set. I enjoyed the review and brand comparisons. The addition of other media to the landscape really gave this painting character. Very nice! 😍
I think a set can be nice for some people starting out, to give them an idea of quite a few different paints. I also bought sets of tubes of a few different brands when I was learning more about them, and it was way cheaper to try them that way (like QoR) and then after a while kept the ones I liked most and sold the others on eBay. Nowadays I only buy individual paints. Thank you!
I think I will buy a 24 color set from this Youlan line. Thank you for your demonstration. I also enjoyed the music you picked for your painting process.
Those colors look gorgeous, I would like to get the qiaomei set (those are within my budget) hope I can buy the Youlan set in the future, even though I dont like having 48 colors. Your painting was amazing 🎉🎉🎉
It seems like the PR watercolours lack the “depth” of many of the comparison colours. They look a bit flat. I think in some cases this seems to be due to the PR watercolours being over mulled and the size of pigment particles are too uniform across the range. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as a ome people prefer less texture and depth in their watercolours. I love texture and granulation so it’s not really a set for me. Thank you so much for your exceptional reviews, Helen. You make it so much easier to choose!! ❤️🩷💜💙🩵🧡💚💛
Very informative, Helen, thank you. Did you prefer the Paul Rubens 48 to the Lightwish 48? Like you, I don't think either set would be right for me, but with Christmas coming up, I'm thinking of someone else who might like smooth, fairly easy to control paints for botanical work.
The 5th Gen Youlan set is definitely superior to the Lightwish 48 set. The Lightwish set is more student grade paint, whilst this Paul Rubens one feels more like my professional paints.
Interesting paints. Some of these are very nice pigments, with odd names, and some, like the burnt sienna are WTH! pigments (I sure as hell don't want a black pigment in pr 101 as burnt sienna!). The inclusion of white, gold, silver, blacks just scream out "play paint" vs professional paint to me....which is a bit sad because the inclusion of pigmentss like PO 71 and PY 150 are more pro quality. This is the kind of set that might be a big black friday sale set and would be nice for a new watercolorist. I certainly had big, everything palettes when starting out and have MANY tubes, but I wouldn't sit down with a set of 48 any more. Was the set of 24 curated to include the artist wuality pigments or was it mucked up with some of the studenty colors? The ink lines were a good addition!
The 24 set isn't bad - no white, metallics, and only 1 black, though some of the fun ones aren't included in it, the two you mentioned, Cobalt Turquoise etc. (The video of the 24 set is here, if anyone's interested: th-cam.com/video/FctI03nOnYQ/w-d-xo.html ) I doubt I'll buy any sets again, but I think this set is a reasonable way to get quite a few good paints. I'd probably take some out of this set and add some greens and browns I prefer.
There's always going to be some differences between different makes and how they manufacture their colours; even from where they source their basic minerals/materials. I recently took a liking to some Holbein colours and added a Naples Yellow, but it turned out too yellow so I've had to go back to my Rembrandt Naples Yellow Deep.
Yes, definitely. I think what I was aiming to show by the comparisons, is that the Paul Rubens are equally as pigmented and have similar textures, and are decent quality.
I think they should be coming out with a 5th Generation set of 12 at some point - I received a 12 set a few months ago as part of a gift package, and was told everything in it was going to be released.
My heart sank when you opened the tin. I'd rather have 24 full pans than 48 halves. For any painting bigger than a paperback, the brushes I'm using will be far too big. Oh, and all those opaque yellows at the start of the swatching! Anyone using this set will end up with muddy colours if they're not careful. It's a no from me.
Hullo Helen, I am just a bit ashamed to say that I purchased the first set of Rubens paints released, however I still have a real difficulty with them as you simply cannot replace a color after it is used up! I purchased the first set as my wife said “ Oh look the box is Pink! I want one of those!” I got the 24 half pan set and before I gave her the palette I replaced the paints with DaVinci watercolors! I think they are just the best option for anyone in the US looking for a reasonably priced paint and starting out with professional grade paints is so much easier to help them when they start to advance and have troubles you can eliminate the paint as a source of the problem. Teaching anyone how to paint can be difficult, a spouse doubly so! She is enjoying her adventure and as long as I keep her working on cotton paper she has great success! Thank you for sharing this lovely painting. I enjoyed watching you move through the different medium’s finding a solution that you could be happy with!
You sound like a very sweet husband! 😊
That's so lovely of you!
I haven't tried DaVinci watercolours. I hear from people who have had both older Paul Rubens and these new 5th Generation ones, that the new ones are much better. I guess when one runs out, they can be replaced by whatever paint you fancy!
Don't worry about being a purist, watercolor artist. I like the art you make, the mix-media touches you add in; it really makes your art yours. As you know, I'm a big fan of your work, mix-media or not! Keep it up!!
Thank you! I don't know if I'd ever have the skill or patience for it - I just like getting stuff chucked on the paper, so I don't mind too much!
Black Velvet brushes are so satisfying to paint with! ❤️
Yes!!
I have had my set for a few weeks now. I absolutly love them. I also have the older 48 set in the og pink tin. I find the new ones are waaay more pigmented and fuild
That's really good to know - thanks! I never tried the older ones.
I have the 24 colors version and I was anxious to see some review of the 48 colors kit. Thank you!
Glad I could help!
I always love these comparisons between brands of colors, and that sky you painted is so gorgeous! I loved the entire painting, but that sky was super awesome ❤❤
Thanks ever so much!
Very nice video!❤
Thanks for the closeups.
Thanks!
I’ve only heard a few artists say that they prefer pre-mixed or convenience paint and I’m one of them. I just don’t want to bother with trying to get the color right and having the right amount handy. I also like your use of mixed media and I’m still on a learning curve of getting that combination right. I think the point is to achieve the result we want.
Pigments get mixed in order to get to the exact colour I want, one way or another anyway. I just want what works fastest for me, plus some of the granulating paints I either can't mix myself (I've tried), or are tricky to get exactly the right ratios.
Thanks for this Helen, you do such helpful reviews. The sap green looked very bright or maybe it’s my screen?😊
Thanks! It is just quite bright - and partly why I don't like the greens much!
Hi Helen! Thanks for the review. I won’t be buying these but I always enjoy your videos and thoughts. I loved your painting. I’m glad you are feeling a little better and hope you are back to your full self soon!💗
That's really kind, thank you!
these look brilliant ☺☺
Thanks, this was a really good review.
Thanks!
Since you like granulating greens and browns, keep your eyes peeled for Mijello’s new Tourmaline paints. Some of the greens and browns are stunners. Mountain green, green ochre, jade green, forest green, bark brown, bronze brown and milky way violet are all so natural and beautiful.
Thanks! I'll look out for if they sell them individually, because I don't want to buy the whole set.
Great art work love it ❤❤❤bravissima
Thanks!
This is why I’m hesitant to purchase sets. I would prefer to buy the individual paints I like to use. Although, there were some nice ones in this set. I enjoyed the review and brand comparisons.
The addition of other media to the landscape really gave this painting character. Very nice! 😍
I think a set can be nice for some people starting out, to give them an idea of quite a few different paints. I also bought sets of tubes of a few different brands when I was learning more about them, and it was way cheaper to try them that way (like QoR) and then after a while kept the ones I liked most and sold the others on eBay. Nowadays I only buy individual paints.
Thank you!
I think I will buy a 24 color set from this Youlan line. Thank you for your demonstration. I also enjoyed the music you picked for your painting process.
If you're happy with the colour selection, then I think they're a pretty decent paint.
Those colors look gorgeous, I would like to get the qiaomei set (those are within my budget) hope I can buy the Youlan set in the future, even though I dont like having 48 colors. Your painting was amazing 🎉🎉🎉
There are various smaller Youlan sets available if you don't want that many colours.
Thanks!
It seems like the PR watercolours lack the “depth” of many of the comparison colours. They look a bit flat. I think in some cases this seems to be due to the PR watercolours being over mulled and the size of pigment particles are too uniform across the range. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as a ome people prefer less texture and depth in their watercolours. I love texture and granulation so it’s not really a set for me. Thank you so much for your exceptional reviews, Helen. You make it so much easier to choose!! ❤️🩷💜💙🩵🧡💚💛
Yes, they're very uniform, and like you - from personal preference, I like more variety!
Thanks ever so much!
Very informative, Helen, thank you. Did you prefer the Paul Rubens 48 to the Lightwish 48? Like you, I don't think either set would be right for me, but with Christmas coming up, I'm thinking of someone else who might like smooth, fairly easy to control paints for botanical work.
The 5th Gen Youlan set is definitely superior to the Lightwish 48 set. The Lightwish set is more student grade paint, whilst this Paul Rubens one feels more like my professional paints.
@@helencryer Thank you!
That Rosa Gallery golden brown, though 😮
It's delicious!!
I was waiting for the green comment as soon as I thought 'oooh look at those gorgeous greens 😍'. 😂 😂 😂
😂
Hello. I hope you're feeling a bit better. ❤
Hiya! How did you know I was ill?! Yesterday was dreadful and I didn't get out of bed except to be sick - today feels a million times better, thanks!
@@helencryer I chatted with Peter for a bit on Sunday afternoon. I knew you were better by Tuesday too. Lol
Interesting paints. Some of these are very nice pigments, with odd names, and some, like the burnt sienna are WTH! pigments (I sure as hell don't want a black pigment in pr 101 as burnt sienna!). The inclusion of white, gold, silver, blacks just scream out "play paint" vs professional paint to me....which is a bit sad because the inclusion of pigmentss like PO 71 and PY 150 are more pro quality. This is the kind of set that might be a big black friday sale set and would be nice for a new watercolorist. I certainly had big, everything palettes when starting out and have MANY tubes, but I wouldn't sit down with a set of 48 any more. Was the set of 24 curated to include the artist wuality pigments or was it mucked up with some of the studenty colors?
The ink lines were a good addition!
The 24 set isn't bad - no white, metallics, and only 1 black, though some of the fun ones aren't included in it, the two you mentioned, Cobalt Turquoise etc.
(The video of the 24 set is here, if anyone's interested:
th-cam.com/video/FctI03nOnYQ/w-d-xo.html )
I doubt I'll buy any sets again, but I think this set is a reasonable way to get quite a few good paints. I'd probably take some out of this set and add some greens and browns I prefer.
Love the painting is this St Agnes? X
Thanks! Yes! Trevaunance Cove.
@ that’s the name of it I couldn’t remember lol 😂
There's always going to be some differences between different makes and how they manufacture their colours; even from where they source their basic minerals/materials. I recently took a liking to some Holbein colours and added a Naples Yellow, but it turned out too yellow so I've had to go back to my Rembrandt Naples Yellow Deep.
Yes, definitely. I think what I was aiming to show by the comparisons, is that the Paul Rubens are equally as pigmented and have similar textures, and are decent quality.
I’d like to try Paul Reubens but I wish they did a set of no more than 12. Really don’t need all those colours.
I think they should be coming out with a 5th Generation set of 12 at some point - I received a 12 set a few months ago as part of a gift package, and was told everything in it was going to be released.
@ I saw that video
🐨👍
My heart sank when you opened the tin. I'd rather have 24 full pans than 48 halves. For any painting bigger than a paperback, the brushes I'm using will be far too big.
Oh, and all those opaque yellows at the start of the swatching! Anyone using this set will end up with muddy colours if they're not careful. It's a no from me.
Good to hear your perspective!
Splodge and scribble…🎉💃🪇🫶🏻😂🙏. Sorry to hear you’ve not been feeling well,hope you’re recovering well.
Thank you!!