My Favorite Budget Watercolor is Now in Tubes! Let's Swatch Meiliang/Pretty Excellent 36 Set!
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- Today I have an in-depth swatch and comparison of the new 36 sets of Meiliang watercolor tubes: amzn.to/46idmwD
These are refills for the set of 36 haf pans that I have been recommending enthusiastically for the past 7 years: amzn.to/40OmCHN (pan set)
*Either would make a wonderful gift for a beginner watercolor painter as it will not hinder their ability to learn and the cost makes them not too "precious" to use.
I wanted to see if the tubes were an exact match for the colors in the half-pan set and except for the fresh purple color they were! I found the fresh purple tube to be a bit more blue-leaning than the pan version (it actually matches the 2017 pan set better) All other colors were the same as the 2023 Paul Rubens 36 pan set I bought last summer. By the way comparing the 2017 and 2023 36 pan sets I found no quality difference but fresh purple and madder red were a bit different, the new madder red matches the tubes. You get 2-3x the paint in the tube set than the pan set, so if you have the tin already you might wish to refill it instead of buying another tin or maybe you wish to start with good quality, yet affordable tube paints and put them in your own palette.
Pros:
Price: the 5ml tubes are about $1 each
Colors match well
Pigment, transparency, and lightfast info included on tube
The packaging keeps the paint safe and organized.
Cons:
I noticed slight scaling on colors 268, 090 and 103. This effect will be most pronounced when using lots of paint in wet washes. It resembles the silty effect you get when you use a granulation medium. I think it is indicative of excess filler in those colors.
Bottom Line,
The Meiliang Pretty Excellent 36 Tube set amzn.to/46idmwD is a good value for the money. You are not going to find this quality of paint for $1 a 5ml tube. That said if you are buying this to refill your pan set but find that you are only using up a few colors you might want to just buy open-stock tubes of similar colors. Currently, Paul Rubens doesn't offer open-stock tubes and if they did I am sure they would have to be much more costly per tube. So if you just want to refill a couple of colors I would suggest Van Gogh watercolors, they come in 10ml tubes and the quality and feel of the paint are very similar to the Meiliang/Pretty Excellent paints: shrsl.com/4b5q2 Of course you can only get 10 colors for the price of the 36 set of meilang but the tubes are twice as big. Honestly, you can't go wrong with whatever way you choose to go, I just want to recommend supplies that people will use because the only paint that is ever wasted is the paint left in the tube:)
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Thanks Lindsay. I have a soft spot for this set as it was my first set . I'm one of THOSE people who prefer the redder burnt sienna. If 5 years ago someone told me I would be engrossed watching paint dry, I would have said they were nuts. But here I am! Lol.💜🎉
I echo the feeling…
Awww, thank you!
Watching paint dry!!! Ha! Never thought of it that way... too funny 😂
Same here Annette!!
Just as you have said, people NEED affordable paints when they are just beginning, especially. And afterwards, it's still nice to have different sets for different needs. But few people will start with tubes for $20 each and then might never think they can paint. YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
Thank you for this Lindsey. Never knew these refills existed. I love these paints. Had to get these refills, thanks to you. And yes I agree with you about 1 dot could do a whole painting. Don't waste, it's a sin. Lol. 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤ Karen from Canada
You are so welcome!
I finally got this set. When I went to use the puncture side of the lids it was a nightmare. Paint everywhere. So I just began using the tip of a steak knife ,there was much more control. You don't have to puncture very much. It helped alot. I love these paints. Karen from Canada
Good to know!
I picked this set up around the Christmas holiday. I've been learning about watercolor for a while, but never really dedicated to actually learning TO paint. One ADHD hyperfixation later and I've got a wide variety of student grade sets, and this was my pick for the tubes. Your recommendation had a lot to do with that, and I'm hopeful to learn a lot from these paints. I'm already thinking of them as my "no fear" paints!
Thanks for the thorough review Lindsay! I won't purchase the tubes even though I love my (two) tins for 'playing'. I have so much paint! I was taking stock of what I have the other day and was wondering at what point I totally lost my mind 😊I just get all squishy looking at color, lol. And seriously, I have a ton of artist quality paint...that I view as 'precious'. Today I was looking at Jerry's online and saw the Schmincke super granulating WOOD box set of 40 for 430 bucks and thought "darn it...why did I retire". So I rewatched your video about making your own granulating set 😃I do wish Santa still visited me though hahahahaha!
Not boring at all, because I'm truly interested in these paints, and how they compare with one another. 😊😊❤❤ Karen from Canada
Lindsay you're a dream! Swatching videos are so soothing and frankly your lukewarm takes on the paints during first impressions is very valuable! Love it
I'm so glad!
To prevent blobbing one thing I do is before piercing the tubes unfold a little bit the bottom of the tube so there is not pressure and that way the painting is released as you squeeze the tube.
Good idea!
Ahhh no way! I'm such a fangirl of these paints. I've been using them for four years. Had no idea they released a tube version.. Thanks for this video, you always keep me up-to-date 😋
They are brand new! On black Friday specail too!
@thefrugalcrafter Oh no, don't tempt me, Lindsay! I promised myself I wouldn't buy more watercolors until I've used up my current set (sets?). Though I might have to break that rule for these.. 😂🙈
Hello, I read that some of their colors fade with light and are not lightfast. Did you have that experience in the 4 years you've been using it? Thanks
@Maki-zf5wm Hi there 👋🏼 I haven't experienced much color shifting--nothing noticeable at least. And I've had artwork that I painted with the half-pan set up on my walls for between 2-3 years. I'm not sure if the tubed version has different lightfast ratings, but so far my experience with the pans has been great!
This was very helpful as I was considering the tubes to refill my pans. I love my Meilang pans.
I've been wanting to make myself a full pan palette so i can use bigger brushes but i always feel nervous about squeezing so much paint out of my professional paint tubes 😂 . I think i'm going to get this set to do that. Thanks for the review!
Go for it!
Lindsay thank you so much! This is my first watercolor I got the old one reallg really cheap because there were a lot of discount back then.. I enjoyed them so much❤ I kinda want to have this set as well
Hello! I am beginning my watercolor journey, and I came across your channel when looking for paint reviews a few months ago. I have been using royal and langernickle tube paints from walmart, and I have no qualms with them (probably because I dont know any different) but have been looking to upgrade my paints. Im not ready for the leap to professional paints yet, but I do want quality and have been considered these tubes. I appreciate your thoughtful reviews so much! They are so helpful in making an informed decision. After watching, I will get the pans since they are the same and already in a palette. Thanks again! ❤
Idk I still like the quality of the paints in the 52 set better and I just saw them for 25 on ali express. I think for someone wanting to get into watercolor its perfection because I can't get over how good the brush is that comes with it. You get paper to so someone could literally buy that and not have to buy anything else till they go through the paper and then they'd know if they want to continue. I wish I would have started with that brush. I've been comparing the 2 for a month now and I just think the paint itself in the 52 set is on par with with the artist grade, its way more creamy i think easier to pickup from dry. I know the pastels aren't your favorite but you'd have enough of the other colors to do what you need , I really love the Indian red, the pbr25, pr254 in particular, which you don't get in the 36 set, I also held a blacklight up to them and could only see the 2 purples react that are crossovers from 36, the 36 set 3 the reds have fluorescent added the vermillion and the two purples. I think that the 52 set has more lightfast colors overall and better pigments. But of course I think it is better to have both lol
I had this playing in the background while painting. It's like talk radio. My first set years ago, now my kids use it. I think the tubes would be good for my teens refills in their nature art class. Thanks for the video!
Good idea!
I had these on my amazon wishlist as a "just to remember they exist later" kind of thing after watching this video the day it came out, and then a friend went through my wishlist and bought them for me! I have the 48 count pans already, and I absolutely adore them, so I think I'll definitely save these to refill my favorite non-metallic colors as I use them up
Nice!
I got these as soon as I saw them on amazon. I have to say, I prefer the pans, but they are pretty fun to have.
I feel like I'm a little on the fence about these tubes. I absolutely love the pans and use they daily! But I know that scaling will bug me too much. Maybe i just need to give-in and start buying pro-tubes of my favorite most used colors to refill with. I use dont want to practice with super expensive paints. Thank you so much for such an indept review. Its so helpful for me to make better choices of what to buy!! Thank you.
Glad you like the review!
Great review Lindsay, Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving ❤
You too!
I love the earth tones
Thanks for the enabler alert. I have the 36 and the 48 set. Love they came out with the tubes. I need more watercolor like a hole in my head. Couldn't pass it up as it was on a Black Friday sale.
I know the struggle.
I was excited to see a review on the tubes! I have the 36 MeiLiang pan set. Got it about 6 months ago on Temu. (Not the newest version.) I like it a lot, and have been using it more and more, along with a palette I made up from DS and a couple other brands of paint. The Turkey Blue is my favorite of MeiLiang. It's such a deep vibrant blue. That set has such a great range of colors, especially the reds and blues. When I've almost used up the colors, I'll get the tubes!
So glad these are out in tubes! Thx for the review 🎉
No problem!
I also like painting with dried watercolors, I find that I can’t control my pigment load very easily when I use it straight from the tube.
I forgot about this set and I have no idea where mine went, it's cool they offer the paint in tubes now!
Great! Thank you for doing this review. I'm going to get them. Sometimes I prefer tubes rather than rewetting pans over and over. Just me.
Glad it was helpful!
I ordered these and was all prepared to play with them over the long weekend only to find out Amazon shipped me a box of oil pastels. So I'm now waiting on the replacement set! Do I have the pan set? Yes, of course. But still... 😂
Oh no!
Thanks! I’m a big fan of all of Paul Rubens with the exception of the first opaque/gouache set that cracked terribly and was just odd. I actually wondered which other company made those. PRs ‘super’ artist quality? Whoa…love that tube set! Overall, the pans set is $20 tonight. I’d buy these since they’re $31.99 with a 15% off coupon! These colors surprised me.
Hi Lindsay, I appreciate this video, thank you! I bought the 36 pan set on your recommendation and haven't really dug in yet, but I'm glad to know the tubes are available. Next year watercolor is a goal as well as partivipation in watercolor month. I added the tube set to my wishlist so if I find I'm going through the pan set quicker than I expect, I'll give them a go.
The pan set I got is 4 bucks higher than when I got it (was on sale) so the company is staying consistent with their pricing.
I can see the scaling on your swatch sheet but it seems almost unnoticeable on the hot press which is what I prefer...but as you said I can sub those with another brand.
I know the algorithm doesn't often promote swatch videos so many artists don't share them, I'm glad you do.
Btw- you mentioned this recently in one of your videos- several artists and makers on YT have noticed a SEVERE dip in traffic. They've also been getting complaints that some of their subscribers are being unsubbed. There is something really dirty going on I think with what I call soft shadowbanning. I think people like you are losing traffic for more divisive and dramatic channels. It's infuriating to see. I watch you for several reasons: learning and making (several things I'd have never had the courage or knowledge to try like card making and warercolors), you're nice to watch snd your personality is so nice and fun. I'm very homesick (live in the UK right now) and your videos actually help with that sometimes. Other channels I enjoy do the same. To see you guys being penalized for offering normal and enjoyable videos ticks me off snd I really wish the corporation would knock it off.
Aww, thanks so much. I don't know how youtube recommends videos and when I think I figured it out it changes lol!
I bought this set for my 7 yo last year for Xmas. I sometimes use them, too! They are really good.
Yes they are!
Thanks for an excellent review, Lindsay. I use these pan sets more than any other paints I have. I like the idea of having refills, but like you mentioned, there are a lot of colors in the pans that are hardly used. So, would these tubes be right for me? Probably not. 🙄 I have other tubes I could use for refills. In an ideal situation Paul Rubens would offer a 10 tube set with the most commonly used colors. Sap green, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, etc. 😊 Thanks again for the review!
Everyone has different must have colors tho so it would be hard for them to predict.
a gorgeous swatch page❤❤❤
Thanks!
Well, I listened and bought the 36 pan set for a friend... at $16 on Amazon!!! Thank you so much for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving!!!🎉❤😊 A California Gramma ❤
That is awesome!
I have those in the green box. I love them!
I also have an older set of Meiliang in full pans, but those have a smell that is kind of bothersome.
The colors are awesome.
I've never sent them in full pans.
I like working straight from the tube when I’m mixing. It’s so much easier to use the wet paint.
ooooooh- i LOVE that pan set!! new shopping item 🥰
Great review. I love watching you swatch paint.
Thank you so much!
Love my set of watercolors. So I am going to need the tubes now
Enjoy!
When I bought my set of 36 from Amazon it was bundled with the 48 set. I wanted the metallics and the purple and pink ombre palette is too cute. So, I have an entire set of backup half pans. I use the bigger palette for goauche and Kuretake Tambi pans. I love to mix it up. Great review! Thx 🤗
That is awesome!
All those yummy colors ❤I need to swatch my new colors. ❤ I can’t wait to see you paint with them ❤️ Thank you ❤️
You are so welcome!
Aren't these the same as the Paul Rubens Caroline tubes? Its the same 36 colors. I think you did a review on those before. The student grade ones. I honestly would not be surprised if these were the same paints, just sold under the MeiLiang name now.
I don't think they are but I will check and compare!
As I recall the old PR student tube paint was a bit streaky and gloopy and not as smooth and transparent. They were not as good as the pretty excellent pans or the PR full pans.
@@thefrugalcrafter I have the old student grade tubes and just ordered these MeiLiang ones to compare them. I hope they are a bit better than the pans. Not a big fan of those.
This looks great/ Looks like decent product and awesome price. Love the colors too.
It really is!
Thanks Lindsay for taking the time to do this, I’ve always wanted to get this pan set, but can’t justify getting another student grade watercolor set when I have so many plus professional sets as well!… Also not being able to refill it but now I am tempted! Lol also, all those colors with PR206, look like some wonderful Quinn acridone Reds/coral colors, funny that they call them magenta, and rose red PV 19 and red violet would be better described as magenta. That’s when it’s handy to know your pigments! :-) Thanks again
Oops I realize I had a bit of a number dyslexia with PR 206 confusion with PR209… PR206 is the on its way out, soon to be discontinued, Quinn scarlet or Quinn rust… And those colors they call PR 206 in the range that you just swatched , Look like PR209! Now I really don’t know what to think! L O L
Thank you for the review. I have moved on to artist grade paint for the most part, but keep my set of Art Whale paints for practice and urban sketching. If someone didn't have a set of student grade or was just starting out, this would be along the better ones to start with. The colors are lovely and the selection great for someone who is not comfortable mixing. I still love my Art Whale paints though, and they come in huge 15ml tubes, unlike these much smaller 5ml ones.
Thank you for the in-depth review! It’s so interesting that the tubes aren’t as luminous as the pans. I’ve thought the generally straight from the tube is supposed to be more luminous.
Really there is no difference between the quality of tube and pan, it's more about use and preference. In general I mean, you can have equivient quality in tubes and pans even if the formulation differs.
i searched for the 21ml tubes and it wasnt on amazon,are they out yet?i loved this video ,i made 3 tiny palettes with my 5 ml tubes they fit 6 half pans,if i didnt have my 24 tube set id get these, thank you , i wish i would not have said i watched you while getting ready for sleep,i have never not enjoyed your channel im a big fan,
Oh my gosh, no worries, I wasn't referring to your comment. I was referring to this being a mellow video:) here is the 12ml set of the Paul rubens Qiomei watercolors: amzn.to/3SNS9Yg they are supposed to be better quality and you get more MLS paint for the price.
Hullo Lindsay, I do appreciate your hard work and dedication to finding the best least expensive choices for beginners to start painting with. I was spoiled by my Gran when I first started watercolor painting. She set up my first palette with Grumbacher’s Finest professional grade paint. I have learned that if I am going to cut corners or go with the least expensive options. I know that buying the cheaper paint is easier than buying cheaper papers! I have not given away less than professional grade paints in quite some time! I am certainly not the richest person nor a well known artist. I only give quality paints to friends or relatives! I discovered (like yourself) DaVinci’s 37ml tubes are simply the best way to set up palettes for a class so everyone has the same supplies! I buy full sheets of quality cotton paper and cut into 1/4 sheets gives everyone a surface they do not have to fight with as they are learning. I am excited for you starting up a new class. I hope you enjoy yourself and find energetic students! Stay safe and be well!
Very thorough and much appreciated. I think I'll get the pans just due to the colors that are not as often used. Talking about prices changing from day to day, though...I bought the 104 set of Ohuhu markers on Amazon yesterday for $79.99, and today the same set is $63.99! Same seller - Ohuhu store. Just my luck.
Can you cancel yesterday's order and rebuy?
@@thefrugalcrafter Hi; it had shipped already. However, I did reach out to Ohuhu and ask if they would honor the new price that occurred the day after I bought it, and this morning I woke up with a $16 credit back! That was so nice of them!
Thanks for a Very nice review! It reminded me that I wanted to do a mixing chart for my Owin watercolors. I love doing charts. They make me relax and get my fill of rainbows! We also have the PBS auction here. I like to watch it. It is restful too! Plus, it can get exciting if you are bidding! I got a great set of antique lamps! 😂
Sweet!
I recently got the 52 set I never tried them before and I have to say I love them I really like this brands paynes grey I am so tempted to get this set just to have more paynes grey lmao their other colors r great too so excited that they r making tubes now❤
Glad you like them!
Interestingly the pretty excellent watercolours are all around £30 on Amazon in the uk at the moment, but the Paul Reubens professional watercolour set are only £39 right now! If i wasnt trying to behave with my buying id be snapping them up - theyre usually way more expensive.
Great video, i love your reviews
Good to know!
Amazon has buy 1 get 1 on Meilang right now….plus their older sets 48&36 are already on sale. Worked out to be 7$ for 36 set, 11$ 48.
Wow!
I would absolutely do the same and wipe off excess paint on the pans. I'm not wasting that much pigment, even if the paint is cheap.
Thanks for this interesting review Lindsay! I noticed recently that Blick watercolor tubes seem pretty reasonably priced... But on their site, the reviews are mixed... Could those be good possibibilities for refilling inexpensively?
I didn't like the blick watercolors quality wise and the tube did not feel totally full. These are better and cheaper. Otherwise I love blick products.
I will be skipping these. I’m out of my student grade paint phase. But thanks for the thorough review!
No problem!
…I’ve always thought tubes was a bit wasteful. Shipping water. Well, that and I love my tins. Lol.
I’ve learned not to buy all the paints you recommend anymore. I barely touched last year’s batch yet, still using my old paints. 😅
It really depends. Probably the least wasteful is to buy tubes in the color uoi need when you run out:)
I hope you are well. Been under the weather myself. So little to watch on RUclips.
I am! Hubby's got covid tho so I'm hoping I don't get it. His symptoms are mild luckily.
The colours seem very clear and clean. I'm curious about the pastel shades and the metallics. 😇🩵🙏🙌🇸🇪
I have a review here of the 52 set with the pastels ruclips.net/video/IgBtcIOGE-I/видео.htmlsi=h_-Ld1N-pG-CvD8H
Oh, thank you! 🤗❤️
Hi, Lindsay. Love all of your in depth reviews - and this one is no exception. I currently use W&N Colman. Although I’m not a pro by any means, I also don’t consider myself a beginner. I went ahead and ordered these tubes but think I may have jumped the gun… I thought I might like something comparable to the Colman, but now I’m thinking I’d actually like to try a step up…. What would you suggest that is a step up from Colman? Thanks in advance! dena
Actually, I'd consider these a step between cotman and professional watercolors.
Ok! Thanks, Lindsay❤
Ha! Just noticed that my phone had been changing Cotman to Colman the whole time!
This set of tube paints is a Black Friday sale on Amazon USA for just 28.79 plus tax.
Yes!
Lindsay, if I were to buy the tube set and pan them myself could I correct the by adding either a little bit of Honey or a little bit of glycerin? I happen to love honey based paints because I live in Phoenix Arizona where they hold up very very well.
What do you want to correct? Adding honey will make them softer and rewer easier and prevent cracking, but this paint doesn't tend to crack.
I started out painting with Winsor and Newton and I could never figure out why I got a weird texture with Permanent Alizarin Crimson. It doesn’t look like normal granulation. I have since thought it might be scaling. I would love to know what you think about that colour if you happen to have it. I have decided to replace that colour with Winsor Red Deep in my W & N palette because I just don’t like the texture. I love the shade though. There was another red shade that does it to a lesser degree which I can’t remember the name of as well.
I'm not sure, I try to avoid traditional alizarin due to fading.
@@thefrugalcrafter All good. I should do a wash and take a photo. I haven’t used it up in my palette yet.
Off topic, I didn't buy the fountain pens quick enough. Now they are $19.99!☹️
Is that the 40 pack, I got a 16 pack gor $9 but that sold out after I shared the link on instagram. There was a 8 pack for $10 or a 40 pack for $20 after that.
Just checked Amazon (in Canada) $123.75 for this set 😵💫👎🏼
Way too much!
C'est la 2ème vidéo de vous que je regarde et je suis surpris que vous ne vous intéressiez pas aux pigments (sur YT Kimberly Crick Art le fait très sérieusement et vous auriez pu la consulter par exemple). C'est important de savoir dans le set de 36 il faut enlever 9 couleurs fugitives, et c'est la même chose pour Art Whale dont vous parlez dans une autre vidéo sans aucune recherche sur ses pigments. A quoi ça sert alors ? Amicalement.