As Good as the Big Brands?! Paul Rubens Artist Watercolor Set Review

Today we are taking a look at Paul Ruben's artist watercolor set! As their fourth generation artist-grade watercolors, these paints are marketed as being a step above their previous offerings, meant to produce transparent and vibrant colors that allow for clean glazing and mixes - all for a reasonable price. I tested them out over a series of sessions and gathered my thoughts for this review. Can they withstand thick washes and layers without muddying? Are they comparable to the big watercolor brands? And do French words really add an extra flavor to paint names? Let's find out!
Although Paul Rubens offered a free set for review purposes, all opinions in the video are my own.
If you're new, be sure to SUBSCRIBE and turn on the notification bell to catch all my future videos! Your support means the world.
Paul Rubens Professional Watercolor Set (5mL, 24 or 36 set):
🌟 DISCOUNT CODES: 🌟
36-color set(US): XR9XLRN2
24-color set(US): IAT2Y3QE
36 and 24 set(UK): QQTFJ9KF
36-color set(CA): 7XOZ7LJ7
US: bit.ly/459DOsY
UK: bit.ly/3M9WBM8
CA: bit.ly/3WdwybK
EU: bit.ly/3MyP37e
Website: bit.ly/3FeA4eY
Paul Rubens Instagram: / paulrubensart
~~~
🎨 MATERIALS USED 🎨
PAPER:
- Stongehenge Aqua Coldpress, 100% Cotton,180lb/300g
- Fabriano Artistico Coldpres,s 100% Cotton, 180lb/300g
PAINT:
- Winsor & Newton Watercolors (Yellow Ochre)
- Daniel Smith Watercolors (Naples Yellow, Perylene Red, Perylene Maroon, French Ultramarine)
BRUSHES:
- Art Secret Squirrel Brush (artsecretshop....)
- Rubens watercolor series 777 brush
🎵 MUSIC USED 🎵
Mushroom's Life - Chillpeach | • Video
Jelly Bun - Chillpeach | • Video
A Little Bit - Chillpeach | • Video
Mesmerize - Chillpeach | • Video
Possessive - lofilow | • [no copyright music] '...
🌻 FIND ME AT 🌻
Instagram: / boxesofsheep
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/box...
✉️ Email: [e-mail]
#watercolorpainting #artsupplies #watercolorart #watercolorpaints #paulrubens

[@juleeahlman]

You mentioned about the quin maroon and quin rose looking switched… I thought exactly the same thing. It bothers me every time I look at my swatch sheet to check.I just realized you are reviewing the 24 set and I have the 36 set. It has sap green and pyrrole red (warm red) They have some stunning colors in this set. I was so happy to see the cobalt turquoise, the translucent turquoise and I’m over the moon for the trans orange.for the colors added in 36 set, i feel like it was totally worth the price increase. I have some really nice palettes like Daniel Smith and Winsor Newton, but lately I’m loving this palette. Thanks so much for your review.

[@jeannes]

That cobalt turquoise dark is everything

[@boxesofsheep]

Isn't it? I'm so disappointed they don't do singles; I would buy tubes of it.

[@Ltchg]

Your videos are beautiful. I got detached from traditional art but theres always the will to go back, especially to watercolor. Something about physically seeing all those beautiful colors merge together, It’s good for the mind.

[@boxesofsheep]

Thank you! I sometimes worry that once I dive into digital art I won't ever look back on watercolor. But there's definitely something deeply special about dipping brush into actual paint and seeing the colors on paper.

[@nanovega5054]

Today I finished my lightfastness test for this set. Some colors showed some fading but what shocked me is the burnt sienna beacause it lost all its red undertone and turned into a yellow color .By the way your painting are beauiful and full of energy.

[@ArtbyPatrickPetruccello]

Thank you for the tip

[@beverlyully7886]

Good to know. Personally I will still use the other colors and use another brand of burnt sienna. Thanks for the heads up. No one wants to ruin a painting if a color is problematic.

[@SuzyMoon864]

Actually, M Graham’s Naples Yellow is made of PBr24 alone. Lovely art.

[@boxesofsheep]

Oh I didn't know, thank you! I'll need to check it out.

[@Scattycatartwork]

A beautiful review, very inspiring. I really love your brushes too :)

[@ArtbyPatrickPetruccello]

Thank you for the review...looks like a nice inexpensive set to stash in my jeep without worries of them getting damaged or stolen.

[@katfyte]

Great review. I may pick up a set.

[@tommylee6741]

Love this video!!!👍🏻

[@kathleenstoin671]

Both sap green and burnt umber are included in the 36 tube set, along with Payne's gray and raw umber, to name a few. In my opinion, it's worth the extra money to get those colors. I suppose you could add colors from other paint lines, if necessary.

[@aleidadiaz2261]

Very talented. Strong color work. Do you sell your work? I’m assuming yes, since you discuss lightfastness.

[@charliefoxtrot6017]

As well as pigment concentrations, lightfastness, granulation, opacity etc, a criteria that should be included for review is country of origin and the ethics/morality of supporting the economy of such countries. Same with papers, particularly as as countries like china persecute groups, detaining them for slave labour in their cotton industry. Purchasing chinese paints and papers when there are many alternative available is pretty much like buying blood diamonds when you actually take the time to think about. Shop responsibly?