Winsor & Newton Pofessional Watercolour Field Box review

[@emmavjsketch]

I have one of these and love it! I always have drinking water with me anyway, so if I need more than the 35ml this one holds it’s no problem. I wear a sports wristband to wipe my brushes on while I’m painting, so I wrap this round the box during transit with my travel brush pouch in between.

[@isandjmom1]

Great tip!

[@evalikesred]

Hi, not sure if anyone mentioned it already, but you can buy a "telephone thumb ring" and get your old set back to 100% functionality. If you get one small enough it should fit right into that recess.

[@victoriaclark4893]

Piece of stepped electric wire twisted and formed into the holes would do.

[@tuyetcong-ton-nu1388]

Thanks for the review. I bought mine 20 years ago and I still love it. I just saw the BBC video of your Wainwrights in Colour story and it's fabulous! Sharing for sharing your journey. I look forward to getting the book. Blessings!

[@MedaHalmaciu]

I found a thin cigarette tin in the trash can in front of my apartment building and made my own pocker palette. It holds 18 half pans and a sponge and I can klip it to my sketchbook. I painted the lid white to use as a mixing area. Then I mostly use a Sakura koi waterbtush, but I also carry a Derwent spray bottle and a small plastic jar with a lid filed with water for when I have need to wash my brushes.

[@PeopleMakePictures]

I've had the blue one since 2003. I put my own colours in it. I take a portable n#12 brush. A spare small bottle of water. I took out the plastic water bottle and put a piece of masking tape to block the hole, so I can have a big wash area. Works a treat. Very good with A5 watercolour pads. I get a quick sketch done in 15 minutes.

[@suewilkinson910]

I love this little box. I've had mine for probably about 30 years! But mine is the dark blue like your new box. The worst thing about it is the brush, as you say it's useless for actual painting, but great for fine detail such as grasses etc. But the rest of the box is ideal. I always have some water with me to drink so it's easy to have plenty. When filling up with tube paints I've found my red remains sticky so I cut a piece of Yupo paper to place over the pans before I shut the flaps in to stop it sticking together. For such a dinky box it packs a big punch. Definitely swapped out the black and white though and added a Payne's Grey and a purple.

[@sarahisapeach2758]

Hey, I'm pretty new to art and I wanted to know why so many people find black and white useless?

[@suewilkinson910]

@@sarahisapeach2758 Because white acts as a filler, that's what it is really, just filler. If you mix it with other colours it makes them opaque and dull looking. Black is dull and dead looking. It's better to mix your own dark shadow shades from the colours you used in your painting. Colour mixing is a really valuable skill. There will be people on YT explaining colour mixing or you can often find simple books explaining colour theory. If you want to create a shadow for a red flower petal for example, you would mix up an indigo shade with perhaps some red in it and use that. It's more harmonious than just black.

[@sarahisapeach2758]

@@suewilkinson910 Ohhhh, I see. Thank you for telling me! It really helps as an aspiring artist.

[@suewilkinson910]

@@sarahisapeach2758 I was automatically thinking about watercolour paints and coloured pencils when I replied because that's what I use. But I expect the same goes for other mediums. If you buy a palette of pastel coloured watercolour paints (popular right now) you will notice that they are not as transparent as other watercolours and they have a chalky appearance when dry. That's the white paint in them. You can only make pastel shades of watercolour paint using white.

[@sarahisapeach2758]

@@suewilkinson910 Thank you for updating me on this, I use a lot of pastels in my work so this is helpful! Here's a cookie🍪

[@leikufu]

Incredibly comprehensive review and breakdown, thank you for your video! This was really helpful!

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you for watching and for commenting. Glad that you liked it.

[@mindfulnessjewelshk8667]

just bought this after your review, the artist one has been upgraded to replace ivory white with Payne’s grey. Of course I cannot hope to paint as well as you do but I certainly aspire to paint like you!

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Keep practising, it helps. I think that sometimes they chance some of the colours provided in the box, payne's grey is a good one to have instead of the white.

[@MentionBiscuit]

Thank you for making such a great video and review helpful for me. I have a portable painter because I like to be stealthy 🥷 when painting on transit but I might give this a try 😊 Happy New Year!! 🥳

[@michellemees8286]

Thank you Andy! Thank you for your time and hard work making these videos! I wanted to say that my husband made your Plein air box for me for Mother’s Day with the link I shared with him! I love it and it’s perfect for my needs! Cheers

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you Melissa. I love sharing stuff like this and enjoy making the videos. I will put more together soon. Glad that you found the plein air box idea useful.

[@catbraunwell6450]

You are so lucky. I asked my husband to make me one and he’s in construction and would definitely not find it very hard but he doesn’t think I do plein air enough so he won’t make me one… Sigh

[@JPKeslensky]

Thanks for this informative look at your W&N Field box. I have one as well and it is ideal for its designed purpose which is as an always at hand painting / sketching kit. It's not meant for large paintings but rather for quick sketching and capturing the moment anytime anywhere. For larger plein aire palettes for use with a portable tripod easel like the one you showed us how to make, in another one of your other great videos, I might suggest the Mijello Fusion Palettes which are airtight and leak proof and come in several sizes ( 18, 24, or 36 wells) with large mixing areas. They are super packable and inexpensive. The pocket field box can't be beat for it's designed purpose, the Fusion Palettes are for when you might need to mix larger washes in the field for larger paintings. Also, the Alvin Heritage palette is an almost identical version of the Fusion Palette. As always your videos are the best. Thanks.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you for that reply. I agree, this box is ideal for quick and simple sketches. Thanks for the heads up about those other palettes, a quick look and the fusion ones look great.

[@alisonjames8082]

I also have this box. Great tip about putting paper towel in the water cup!

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you Alison.

[@scooterkev6978]

Andy when your holding palette and pad you can only see half the pad!. I do agree the smaller more convenient the set up the more likely to use it. Which is why i take a6 pad a waterbrush with light purple wash in it and a waterproof gel pen.Thats everything its got to fit in patch pocket and not anoy me when on scoot. Love winsor field set tho as its self contained complete and perfect when on hols and can sit down somewhere.

[@johnhayes5438]

Very polished presentation Andy, thanks a lot ...

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you John

[@susandymock769]

I've just bought one for my travels but had to watch your video to see how to open it. 😄

[@alejandrasantillan146]

Just bought one! I didn’t notice the thumb ring! Thank you!

[@craftykat]

Mine just came in today. Unfortunately, the little hinge that holds the lid on the water bottle is broken on mine. I"m hoping Winsor and Newton will replace that piece.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thats a shame Kat, hopefully they will send you a new one.

[@jadexxiv6373]

I started out with the same field box. And like you, I lost the thumb ring. I now have a wire in there that works well enough, but also bought a new one recently when I found a Cotman field box for $28 (I just wanted a new box). I’ve also used a Portable Painter. I like the two water cups on it. No thumb hole though and no water container included. It’s meant to fit over your thigh when you sit down and paint. The other field box I have is from Holbein. It’s larger than the Winsor and Newton but has two brushes, two water cups, a water container, and a thumb ring. I don’t know why but it looks like they have stopped producing them. I am also now constantly asking my husband to make the plein air box that you have before our summer trip. Last year I used an Open Box M, but that works better for oils than it does for watercolor. I really like the shelf with holes cut out for water cups, or at the very least, a spot where I can hook on my small triple brush washer. Thank you for making your watercolor videos! I love them since I’m constantly trying to figure out better setups for field painting.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you for your comment Jade.

[@johnburland8946]

Very interesting to see this Andy and how you work with this out in the field.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks John

[@catbraunwell6450]

I’ve been looking at this little box for a while but I have to say I have the portable painter and I love it because I often use it when I’m just sitting down on a bench or on a rock and it balances on my leg the way it is designed. I highly recommend that you look up the portable painters. I have the standard size one but I’m contemplating getting one of the minis as well to keep in my backpack for emergencies ha ha ha. Thank you for your tutorial

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi Cat, apologies for the delay in replying. I looked at the Portable Painter but as I dont sit down to sketch very often to put it on my thigh I didnt think that design suits the way I work.

[@BillyBoySoul]

As always informative Andy, This review along with others in regard to the The Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Field Box have been of great help Thank you! That said I have just ordered one from Amazon a few pence less than £30 more than worth the price in my view, so thanks again Andy.

[@moma-b]

3:15 Raw sienna is more transparent, right?

[@deniserogers4898]

Thank you Andy, from South Africa, I agree with all your comments, I have three of these sets. I love them. Great if you are sitting in the lounge painting family members watching t.v. Sad to hear the ring broke, I thought I had broken the ring on one of my sets, but it had just come off, and I stretched it open gently and re-clipped it on. Pse. Do a KZbin, painting outside, using the set. Enjoy.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi Denise, thank you for the comments. Sadly I lost the thumb ring when it broke so I didnt get a chance to try and fix it. There is a film on my channel about painting outside with this set-up here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKaWiJxora-prtk and I plan to film more in the future.

[@imrozgill9711]

wow what a neat little tip to hold the box so harmoniously with the pad ❤ i am a beginner and will this way with fabercastel box .. i just love field plus travel box .. its like opening hidden tresure every time i slide out those mixing trays.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Everyone has their own way of doing things so if you have found my way helpful to get you on your journey then thats great. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@LazyStory]

This is the first video I have seen from you. Good voice, nice review, hope to find more similar videos from you.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you for that kind comment, glad that you enjoyed the film. Do check out my channel for more videos.

[@chrismarriott6132]

Thanks, Andy - that’s very helpful. I use an 12 half-pan metal paintbox from Jackson’s Art, and fill the pans from tubes. I use the centre space between the two rows of pans for a cut-down pencil for sketching. I have a small wallet of 4 travel brushes from size 10 to 2, which is really useful. For water I use a collapsible cup and just fill it from a water bottle. Works for me!

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks Chris. I have just checked that palette out, it looks pretty good. Personally for quick sketches I like the W&N idea of having the water storage and cup all in one. I have another setup for more considered sketches which involves a collapsible cup and a roll of brushes.

[@katarinaholik]

P.S. I added two more halfpans, phthalo green b.s. and some violet. phthalo is so strong and great for mixing all sort of greens, I feel it's more important than sap green. Purple I put to try incorporate violet shadows, but I still haven't got used to using violet. the sponge I keep in the lid.

[@thomasjuracek2406]

Andy- very nice video. I have an 8 half pan box from Schmincke. I added four additional half pans, so it is now 12 like the W&N box you have. Mine is smaller, with only two mixing areas. But it does have a water pot and holds some water, so in that regard it is very similar to the one you are using. I just started really testing my palette choices for colors and learning how to handle it (albeit in the studio so far). Yours looks very nice.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi Thomas, thanks for the comment and the heads up about the Schmincke box. I have just had a look at it here on YT, it looks very good, many of the features are similar and being made of metal it is probably very robust. A fair amount more expensive but great quality. Thanks for the info.

[@pantalonious3984]

You brush bristles are so much smaller that mine is, my set came with more of a #1 almost a #2 depending on the brush manufacturer your using for size comparison. I truly enjoy this set as well. I use it for my serious painting and use more of a “novelty” style palette fr practice and sketchbook working,but with decent student grade paint inside of it.

[@kitu-brazilieru]

Great review, thank you 🙏🏻

[@isaac6965]

Gracias por compartir el vídeo, me ha servido de alluda para saber la diferencia entre el profesional y el de estudiante, la verdad que a simple vista se ve compacto práctico y de buena calidad.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Gracias por mirar y por tomarse el tiempo para dejar un comentario. Es apreciado.

[@deniserogers4898]

P.s. I also use this set while painting on the beach. I use a Hannemuhle 8 x 5" pad which I have found to be the best I have worked on so far.

[@palomaa6883]

Good review! I use the portable painter, which you can place on your thigh while sitting down and stays there. So you also need a portable stool or some kind of rock or place to sit on.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi, thanks for watching and commenting. I did look at the portable painter but decided against it as I quite often sketch standing up and it would have been quite awkward to hold.

[@Pebblesmas]

Thx so much, just bought this one.

[@danpost4755]

Very nice review! I recently purchased one of these sets, but I haven't used it yet. I appreciate your insights.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks for watching!

[@gavinengelbrecht5534]

On my shopping list 😊

[@jameslocigno1779]

I have this box too. I am interested in what you replaced the yellow ochre, Chinese white and Ivory black with?

[@katsmith8263]

8:27 I created one for myself: a business card holder with eyeshadow tin cans. There is nothing more portable than this!

[@GaryPollard-o3c]

Very good content and I have bought one.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you for watching and for commenting. I hope that you get good use out of the box

[@lynnbarclay4241]

Thanks for such a comprehensive review!

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you Lynn

[@katsmith8263]

7:20 use a glue gun to ctreate division for color mixing

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Good idea :)

[@melissabridge5687]

So excited to find this. I though it only came with cotman colors, but the pro one is on Amazon in US.I was happy to see it did not come with white.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you Melissa. I think that the colours can vary with the field box but in the main they come with the colours shown. I wonder which colour you got intead of the chinese white?

[@melissabridge5687]

@@AndyBeckTeesdale I will let you know it should be here on Thursday!

[@melissabridge5687]

@@AndyBeckTeesdale well I recieved it last night... it had chinese white and black. Not pictured or mentioned in the description list of colors. I will replace them with Paynes grey and DS Quin Magenta. I feel the same way about yellow ocre. But l love Quin Gold from Daniel Smith. So I think I will switch that out too. I can't wait to get out and paint this week end! Again thank you. !

[@ladyjillanna]

Great that it comes with the pans filled. I personally am a fan of the Portable Painter’s design as it has a lot of functionalities like its saddle shape when (quickly!) assembled which allows it to be settled on one’s lower thigh when painting and a double ended travel brush. The Micro Portable painter is fantastic to pop into a pocket with a post card sized sketch book. Adding a petite jet water brush and golf pencil to the small carry bag and the whole kit including the journal fits in my jeans pocket and my jeans are fitted not baggy!

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks for watching and for commenting. I looked at the Portable Painter but it's not often that I sit down to paint on a fairly level surface where my thigh is level to put the unit on.

[@katarinaholik]

I have this set and it works great for me. although I do use a glass jar of water because my kid often paints with me so I need more water, a block and a small cotman pocket set for her to use. for me this field box, a sketchbook and a bamboo roll with my brushes is enough.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks Katarina, its great to hear that you share painting time with your kid :)

[@GKganesan]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thank you for watching and commenting

[@FilthySoapCore]

Im a big fan of those waterpaint brushes that hold water And releases when you squize Its so easy for a quick watercolor sketch

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi, yes, I have those, they are great for outdoor sketching

[@grahamekellermeier8280]

Great vidio I have a few coatman sets, just bought a small set of pro watercolour Xmas special was a good price.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks for the comment Grahame. The Cotman colours are good but the pro watercolour are a step up. Even better when you get them at a good price. Have fun.

[@danmamo5849]

Great video thank you.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks for watching and commenting, its appreciated.

[@blakeellis9171]

My job has a lot of free time so this is great for painting there

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Yes, I gotmine from our local store. You can get them online but not easy to get just one or two. They usually come in packs of 6 or more.

[@madasaboxofrogs]

Thank you. I have the same set and I love it! I wonder whether Winsor & Newton would send you a replacement thumb ring, to clip in. May be worth an ask 😊

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks Nicola, god idea, I will ask them.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Do you use this field box? Perhaps you use another version for sketching in the outdoors, let me know, I will be interested to see what folk use and prefer.

[@AdaraFiregin]

Does anyone know when the grey version of the field box was first launched? I just bought a second hand field box, with the grey cover and 12 unopened half pans in original packaging, still made in England. I think my box might be from the 90s as the packaging seems quite dated and very different from the ones that are sold today. I would be thankful for any tips.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Not sure when they were first launched, I seem to recall that I had mine from the mid 1990's I think. Maybe worth dropping an email to Winsor and Newton? They may able to give the correct answer.

[@berolinastrassmann]

@@AndyBeckTeesdaleThis is very useful. Good to know! Thank you.

[@layonart8380]

Excelent review

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Glad you enjoyed it Layton

[@paulfogarty7724]

Nice clear presentation. My thumbring soon broke too. I'm also left - handed but I simply grip the box by the water bottle in my right hand and no problem. Far too expensive an item to buy a new one every time that flimsy thumbring breaks. The pan's will stop rattling after a few uses as they become sticky ( a petty complaint in my opinion ).. my pan's are practically fossilized in there...I just top them up with tubes. Btw I've seen Prince Charles use the grey one like your old one.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

I suppose I got so much into the habit of using the thumbring I missed it so much when it broke. Not a problem though as I have kept the old one in the car and use it for doing quick sketches so its not redundant. Thanks for the comment though.

[@paulfogarty7724]

@@AndyBeckTeesdale Hi Andy.. I was thinking of fabricating a new thumb ring from thick wire. I actually like those old grey ones - my one is the Ultramarine blue one. I think it's about 10 years old now.

[@Annie-zd7mx]

I've heard it said that the Cotman Series, as in that set, are not as good as the Winsor and Newton Professional series pans (not as much pigment, not as creamy to use etc. What do you think?

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi Annie, as I say in the film, when I originally bought the box some years ago it did come with Cotman paints which are not a good quality as the professional paints which come with the boxes now. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@JayNathanWatercolor]

Great review Andy. I've looked at this box a number of times but something has always put me off buying it. I think it is the shallow mixing space and useless travel brush that you talked about. I also had doubts about how durable it would be but seeing as you have had your first version for so long it must be pretty sturdy? I use a Frank Herring palette at the moment. It's the 12 full pan version but I have chopped bits out and added other bits to create 7 giant wells and 2 full pans. Works perfectly for my purpose and is great if you paint with large brushes.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi Jay, thanks for the comment and the insight to the box that you use. I personally think that having the water container attached on the W&N field box is a great advantage if you want something "all in one". However the Herring box is not too much money so ideal for customisation as you have done (Y)

[@JayNathanWatercolor]

@@AndyBeckTeesdale Ah yes having the water bottle and pot is very useful. Have you seen that Jackson's are going to be releasing a new edition of the old Frazer Price travel palette?

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

@@JayNathanWatercolor I am sure that if they do release it then it will be very popular, the original versions are really collectable.

[@ChrisB-gv3rv]

Thank you

[@katsmith8263]

You could buy the phone ring for your old box

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Not sure what you mean by a phone ring Kat?

[@TheBadasscinema]

Really starting to like this. Do you know if it holds schmincke full size pans as well? They should be normed shouldn't they? Great video, thank you!

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Hi, thanks for the question, I would have thought that the schmincke half pans would fit but not certain.

[@emmahaslam1905]

You'll be able to find yourself a new thumb ring for your older pallette in a mobile phone accessories shop.😊

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks, that's a good idea.

[@bobcat1097]

The ring also broke, I asked my friends to print 3 pieces on a 3D printer and everything is fine

[@melissaamyx2196]

This is the perfect little travel palette! Also, completely off topic but I desperately want your book, Wainwrights in Colour. Can you ship to the USA?

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thanks Melissa. You may be able to order the book via Amazon. If not then drop me an email to [e-mail] and we can get one shipped to you direct.

[@paulfogarty7724]

I notice they're now making these boxes in a white plastic. I bought one but regretted it on closer inspection. It's badly warped. The pallets are twisted in every direction, the main foldout hinge is bowing badly, and when folded theres a huge gap on the bottom corner as the plastic is warped upwards. Very sloppy. W& N should really have recalled these boxes. So hang on to your Tardis blue and old grey one. The quality is far superior.

[@moulinherve8374]

I started with a small palette Daler Rowney aquafine , then I discovered this one and the colors Winsor and Newton artist. She is 5 years old, still in good condition, I have never found anything more convenient to carry with a small notebook (10x15 cm). I replaced some colors of course. Your video highlights the practical aspects.

[@3F34N1M4T3S]

Same here. The winsor and newton was definitely an upgrade from daler rowney in my opinion.

[@celinem8456]

I have a grey one and what broke on mine is the small plastic bottle - the plastic separated at the cap level. Not the end of the world - it’s now just a mixing surface but still a bit disappointing.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thats a shame about the water bottle, I find that a very useful part of the setup. I wonder if you got in contact with the company they might send you a replacement. I don't know where abouts you are but you could contact them via this link? www.winsornewton.com/uk/

[@celinem8456]

@@AndyBeckTeesdale thanks! I’m in Canada but I’ll give contacting W&N a try.

[@budakart]

Mr Abdy, come to al Islam n success. May I ask how do u use Payne's gray?

[@HalfbloodPrince-v1n]

Green

[@janiephipps]

Winsor & Newton are always have yet to offer a bad product. In my experience, they are always out of my price range but you get what you pay for.

[@jayjohnson3724]

Dead simple is best.