11 New colors? Let's Swatch the Upgraded 52 Pretty Excellent Meiliang Watercolor Set!

[@amberrundell]

Oo I have the original 52 and the half on 36 set and i really like them these look so nice ❤I feel like I need these lol

[@joblowers211202]

I can't believe the depth and breadth of your work across so may materials and practices... it's SO helpful. I just don't know how you do it! Thanks for another great review.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@Guammaine]

Thank you for doing this. This is my favorite brand of watercolor! And I know you're opinions can be trusted.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@artandmusic09]

I must say, this is an upgrade! First off, the paint is actually in half pans, not poured into tiny metal tins and fitted into ice-cube-tray-like plastic . The color selection is much nicer, too, besides a few redundant colors. I sort of raised my eyebrows at another Meiliang palette, but i actually really support this upgrade.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I agree, the nice thing about Paul rubins is that they listen to reviews and make improvements.

[@regnskyer]

If you keep the plastic sheet in that is the extra space in the 52 set could be cool for storing a little pen house in (maybe custom made) 😊

[@amortlepsg]

I must say, I like that the color order is better this time. They probably listened to reviews and customers.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They did!

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

Lordt I needed this today. These long videos are like zen for brain haha. ❤

[@eBookHoarder]

Girl, yes, and I just had a work Zoom. This is woo for me.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Aww, you are so welcome!

[@jennw6809]

I feel the same way. I've gotten addicted to the long, leisurely reviews especially when I'm not tempted by the set :)

[@berolinastrassmann]

Well, I have paint to last me for two lifetimes, but I enjoyed watching and listening to you. It's a sort of "colour swatching meditation" 😂😂 I enjoy learning from your vast pigment Knowledge as well. I would be overwhelmed with 52 colours, though. However, these look really great -and better than the earlier version.

[@heatheredwards7158]

Is anyone else drooling just over the cases? Forget the paint, I have way too much paint. But these cases are gorgeous!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That how they getchya!

[@MedaHalmaciu]

Hi, Lindsay! Bye, Lindsay. I have enough paint. Love you, though 🤗. Just to let you know I actually pressed the play button.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You're the best!

[@joymiller9668]

I’m excited to see these ❤❤❤!! Want Monster Activated 😂!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆 I think it's better than the first 52 set!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

I don't need more paints right now but honestly these videos are like paint zen for the brain. Still worth a listen to, so as not to go coo-coo-bananas during the day job 😂 I love it!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you like them!

[@jennw6809]

Hahah, I'm the one always teasing Paul Rubens for their pigment info errors. I think it's kind of endearing in a weird way, and I actually respect & appreciate them for disclosing their soft & oil pastel pigments, and using good lightfast ones! And you're right, their English is a lot better than my Chinese!!! I love PR176... Novoperm Carmine. Looks like great updates to the set.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They watched my review and said they forwarded the typo info to their manufacturing team!

[@jennw6809]

@@thefrugalcrafter Yayyyy! That's awesome

[@ArtwithSuzanne]

I was wondering why my colors were different in the set I just bought. I didn’t know the old set had the cute pastel colors.

[@Grognardlass]

I need to watch the rest with coffee in the morning ☺️ This is awesome.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hope you enjoy!

[@firechick561]

Thank you Lindsay for this review! I wasn't looking for watercolors bc I've not had time to paint for 11/2 years & I have several good sets ( thanks to your reviews) ☺️. BUT I love the Meiliang watercolor 36 set and thought the 48 set of Mungyo sounded really nice. But some reviews did admit the paint does not flow well. Then I saw this review!!!!!! Better than Mungyo, more colors...and a much better price!!! AND the palette is the half pan snap in kind...perfect!!!!!🎉👍❤ You are a gem 💖

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cindybohl9593]

Nice set! I never use pastels either. I love watching your reviews. I trust you to be honest. Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much! When I want a Patel watercolor I reach for my derwent 12 pastel pan paints, they seem more pigmented but yet still pastel. Shinhan tint set us good too. These are fine but if all you want is pastels I'd pick the ithers.

[@128titanic]

Hi, Lindsay. Thank you for your video. Best wishes to you and Happy the week. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! You too!

[@analudraws]

Thank you for swatching out this new palette! I have had the original 52 set in my amazon wishlist for a while, but trying to keep the 'want monster' at bay as i reallllyyy don't need them haha. This one is actually more tempting since, I agree, there was an overkill on pastels in the original.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@Katiepuppyz]

Nice review ! Thank you ! I have the basic Paul Reuben’s 24 so I’m good !😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good choice!

[@handedesigns4you22]

I have heard you and other contributors rave about Pretty Excellent paints and have drug my feet because I’ve been a Daniel Smith snob. Well, I’m pleased to inform you that I just got this via Amazon just now and am looking forward to swatching them all tomorrow. They look like candy! Thanks for your recommendations.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I hope you enjoy them!

[@blankmission5369]

Can I ask how you liked them? Do they flow well? I am also a bit of a dm snob so I too have my reservations but am curious about these paints.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@blankmission5369 they flow similar to schminke. They flow enough, but they are not explosive like QoR or Mungyo. They are easy to control. I like them a lot.

[@Julia94549]

I do love the pan and tray set up in this set. It's kind of like the Phoenix 48 pan set up. I do wish the top lid was more like the 36 tray set-up though.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I totally agree!

[@emilynewton9097]

Lindsay could you do a review on the Lisilinka watercolors? Especially what is compared to them. Thanks

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I've never heard of them.

[@emilynewton9097]

@@thefrugalcrafter There are you tube about them, but very expensive very beautiful. Don't know if they are worth the money.

[@antoniaking4719]

Yay! A nice long video 💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@gingerblue]

fingers crossed they get into serious granulating colors next... just in case they are listening. I know they have those muted colors ones in those round boxes in the artist range, but I would love a fairly lightfast extreme granulating palette.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That would be a great seller I'm sure!

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Lindsay. I think i may have given away my replacement 36 Pretty Excellent to a curious young artist. I'll have to check my tote of pallets. Yup tote.😁 So i may want to replace it. If there is room in the tote😅

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Tote? I have a small bookcase!

[@annettefournier9655]

@@thefrugalcrafter Omg I forgot the ones on the bookcase. Lol. That's 8 more.😄

[@sunnycharacter]

The set looks nice, and I have the 24 set from 2020 which are also great. This set here looks a little light on the greens, would like to see more. But I’m waiting to see these maybe go on sale with a coupon discount or see what they do for Prime day.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Their stuff usually goes on sale on prime days:)

[@sunnycharacter]

@@thefrugalcrafter that’s coming up soon, cool!

[@thecraftyrn]

Thank you for the review. I’m going on vacation and didn’t want to take my professional/artist grade paints with me. I was afraid of losing them. I ordered from your like. Hope that helps you some. Happy 4th of July 🎉🎉🎉

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks and have a nice trip!

[@thecraftyrn]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you

[@lisathaviu1154]

I recently swatched a new Da Vinci set and decided to get a magnifying glass. Even with glasses, the printing on the labels was ridiculously small!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's ridiculous, I use a magnifying lamp to read them!

[@ravenoctober9936]

Do you know if they will come out with a pastel only paint set? Its sometimes nice to have those convenience colors.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I don't know but the old 52 set is 40% off so it's about $25 if you want to snag it for the pastels. I like the Derwent pastel set of 12 and the shinhan pwc tint set best myself.

[@TwilightAngel_89]

I still use the original paints I bought after watching your video 😄good set

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's such a great set!

[@TwilightAngel_89]

@@thefrugalcrafter it is 😄

[@craftykat]

I love the Pretty Excellent set; I have an older one and the colors are lovely. I think it's great that they are coming in half pans now. I have to check you channel to see if you've compared the Mei Liang with the actual Paul Rubens; I'm wondering if it's worth it to get the new Paul Rubens if I already have the Mei Liang?

[@cindyhorton6980]

Me too!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I haven't done a video on that, but they are very similar. PR has some interesting cadmium and colbalts you won't find in PE sets but hey are not hugely different. I'd say if you have used up most of your PE set it would be worth a splurge I to the artist range. If you still have a lot left I'd recommend adding a few intersting colors from another range. The Daniel Smith sticks are a nice complement, I put a chunk of cobalt teal,serpentine genuine and sodalite in my 24 PR palette and it was a nice add. Also maimeri blu's Potters Pink is great! A true cerulean blue would be a nice add too!

[@ChantelleArts]

ooooh that's a big palette!! 🥰

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It really is!

[@amyx231]

I think we’ve hit overload. 😂. I’m having trouble seeing the difference between some colors. I’m more than happy with 24 and 36 sets. 😅. My current working set is the Cotman…16 color set i wanna say, plus a few other colors to round it out. I think I’ve settled on 24 colors being the sweet spot.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good point!

[@nicoletheknightowl7560]

Have you ever compaired the preety excellent to the 5th gen paul rubens? Like you did with the qor tubes and pans? Might be nice to see if its worth saving up for the higher quality or not.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I haven't but I think the main difference between the meiliand and PR artist grade is that the artist line will offer more pricy pigments like cadmium and colbalts and they are more concentrated. I found the new tubes by PR cleaner than the new pans in the artist line however I found the meiliand tubes less quality than meiliang pans (but the qoimei tubes were nicer and the same orice per ounce.) Honestly, the quality is very close, you just miss out on certain colors and effects in the meliang line.

[@cindyhorton6980]

I totally agree with u on the tin, not a fan of it. But the watercolors are great! I wonder how long before the tubes to this set will come out....

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It probably depends on how well the pan set sells to determine if enough people will want refills (although with 52 colors you are unlikely to run out soon)

[@donnap5106]

I am a beginner. Would you recommend one set over the other? I have done acrylics and pastels so have plenty of those supplies! Lol. Thanks for your info. Can't wait to get brave enough to do your teachable classes I bought.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, definitely, the newer version is better in my opinion (honestly tho, the 36 set has everything you need at $20 vs $35 unless you want the extra pack ins)

[@AlliListArt]

Morning Lindsay, I love the Paul Rubens Range. My fav sketchbook is the pink Paul Ruben's one and he has them in different sizes too (also in black but black anything rarely enters my home! lol) x I'm going to have to disagree with u on not liking the deeper tins...…I love them...….. I take ALL the inserts out and then I can put half pans and full pans on both sides of the tin and it closes perfectly with the little clasp. (I off course add magnets to the pans) This new set is defo an upgrade with the proper pans, I will defo purchase when I'm getting low on three quarters of the pan colours. Thank u for a fab review and the comparison's, u always go in depth for us and it so appreciated X Love Alli (UK) XXX

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's a good idea, I wasn't sure the tin would handle the extra weight of both sides filled with pans.

[@blueviolets2022]

Nice hair! 😂 Thank you so very much for doing this, artistic, curious, creative minds need to know!! 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

My pleasure 😊

[@NinaQueena]

I would prefer if the camera angle was much closer to the swatches

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sorry, I will post close up photos of the swatches on my blog thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com tomorrow!

[@StephanieLMedina89]

I am enjoying the colors but im not sure if its just me but i royally hate the metal racks the pans come in when theyre individually wrapped

[@rachelanne5060]

Hi Lyndsay! Thank you! I bought the 52-set with the blue box and just swatched them. I really like them. I see them as being pretty opaque, is that just me or do you or anyone else see them that way? Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The first version with the pastels has many opaque colors but the new version looks quite sheer to me. Which version did you get?

[@le2382]

They’re pretty, and excellent, but I will be strong and I will not give into temptation 😂 I have enough watercolors to last a lifetime. Other than that, I really enjoyed your review. 😂❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I understand:)

[@vaninafernandez3043]

I'm curious, does the tray fit in the old slimer tin?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It does!

[@sparkingfires4038]

Do you recommend the 36 or 52? It seems like there's a lot of redundant colors in both sets, which makes me a bit wary of purchasing since I'm a beginner.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The 36 set I plenty I think

[@marytesta3003]

I got the 48 set just for the tin😅

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆 🤣 😂

[@flychk1229]

I like the color palette. I am sticking with my original set because I will be found someday in the future buried under tubes and pans of paint! Hahahahaha!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good luck!

[@flychk1229]

@@thefrugalcrafter Well...as I am prone to do, I broke down and just got the Derwent Line & Wash set because...well, I wanted to try it and I NEED it for the Michael's class, right??? Hahaha

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, I have no plans to purchase these paints, yet I am enjoying this relaxing video! I have recommended the Art Whale watercolor paints from a different video of yours, at $1.66 a tube that price is very hard to beat! I am thinking that in this set the multiple colors being so close to one another is for when you use up one, you can still use this set as the colors are so similar, Ex: that you can just use the purple lake after the mauve is gone. I am watching so you get the time watched for your channel and not necessarily for purchasing information.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@ErinEnoArt]

My head is spinning😳

[@JessicaCEP]

Love to see the new things, but I don’t need them. :)

[@patticake5311]

I watched your entire swatching and review, and I really enjoyed it. Btw, I emailed Lightwish, who confirms that the newest of these sets does not contain oxgall, so yay for us vegetarians.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh thank you! Many Asian brands omit oxgall because of the traditional method of painting on rice paper.

[@KJayPlays]

I have several pro grade palettes, I don't paint much anymore (I sew more now) but I am still SO TEMPTED to get the 32 set just cause it's cute and great value 😂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It is!

[@SilentC0sm0s]

Are they non toxic and vegan? I cant find any information

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm not sure, I always assume any set product is toxic and treat it that way.

[@SilentC0sm0s]

@thefrugalcrafter ok thanks :) i found watercolor tubes from sakura koi on ebay and they say they are non toxic but i cant find more to buy in tubes. I usually collect white nights but recently read they contain H351 and i am concerned because i dont know what it is and if its maybe even toxic to breathe in.. i love watercolor but im really strugling now :/

[@leonnehaaijman4709]

That pen in the new set doesn't want to stay put, does it? 😂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No! I don't like the top plastic, I think I need a better system.

[@wanderingstar5673]

🙂