MeiLiang 48 PRETTY EXCELLENT WATERCOLOR REVIEW vs 36 Compare Paul Rubens. Lightfast Issues, Dye Test

[@KimberlyCrick]

Breaking news: Kim went off about lightfastness again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I may not be fun, but that's a small price to pay for helping to give fellow artists the information that paint companies are hiding. Wishing you all the best! Happy painting :D

[@starr-starr]

Hahhahaha. Honestly, I think it’s Too much to ask for lightfastness in these very cheap sets. I’m surprised that many of them perform as well as they do. But bad labeling is a bummer. And there is no requirement to disclose the use of fluorescent pigments or even white in watercolor paints, so I’m always appreciative of those companies that do! And I very much appreciate what you do to keep the rest of us informed!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

not boring at all! I recently bought the Aowin set of 36 from the same company and the colors and numbers were identical to pretty excellent but they had a metal tray and real half pans. the tin was the same style as what you reviewed (so was the 24 full pan PR student set) so it seems they are finding ways to repackage popular paint. I loved the blacklight trick. I never would have suspected neon dye in non fluorescent paint.

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

Wouldn't have it any other way!

[@palnagok1720]

The more technical stuff , the better....artists need to know their materials , rather than just squeezing shite out of a tube and hoping for the best. Cheers.

[@polgara28]

Believe me, the money you've saved us and the information you give us is much appreciated! ❤️

[@Nik.66]

I think we can officially say that you/your channel is THE most trustable and reliable source for lightfast ratings of watercolor in the entire community. I just don’t believe any lightfast rating any company gives or says until its confirmed by you/your channel. It’s unfortunate that so many WC companies are completely inaccurate and careless with LF ratings (especially when it comes to diluted pigments) but I’m so thankful for the work you do to get the actual truth on the matter out to us!!

[@painterlypotts]

It's really frustrating to see the misinformation get repeated. Even an indie paintseller was advertising her PR83 as lightfast- like what? Ma'am? Are we living in an alternate universe to you? You actually convinced me to change up my palette (or rather, divide it into two)- so now I have my favourite palette for sketchbooks and scans and a secondary, still lovely, palette made up from only lightfast pigments. It's served me well so far! Unforuntately shortly after buying some more paints from a jackson's sale, I remembered that the last unicorn existed and have done nothing but sculpt unicorns. I'm always a big fan of a sparklehorse unicorn. Maybe they all start like the rainbow delights and then fade in the sun as they age, and that's why we see white unicorns...

[@Shesvii]

You'd be surprised at the amount of handmade watercolour small business that use fugitive pigments and claim their paints are lightfast.

[@amyr.862]

I bought the original 36 set in 2020 when I decided I was going to learn something new if I was sitting in the house all day. It helped me figure out how to mix and what I like. That summer I put in my first order at Jackson's and went down the rabbit hole. It's definitely a gateway paint set and I still use it 😁

[@Dinky_Bunny]

I recently bought the Mei Liang 36 color palette to use with my sketchbook and found out its been updated. The paints now sit in individual half pans which are nested within a piece of molded plastic. While the 36 color set doesn't include pigment info, the new 48 color set has pigments listed in the color chart available on its Amazon listing (in the product images). The color names between the two sets vary but the codes are exactly the same so I was able match the pigments used in my smaller palette which was great. I don't know why they only included pigment info for the larger set but I was just happy to have the info at all.

[@urbangypsy69]

Since this set can be lifted/pried out of the cheap plastic and put into half pans, often overflowing the half-pans, it's nice to be able to move the lightfast colors out, add in ones from other sets or brands, and by placing small magnets on the bottom of the half pans, you can use this cute tin to build a very inexpensive, fully lightfast set to play in your sketchbook or for studies. There is a 40 - 50 half pan set with magnets for $6.99 on Amazon at this time and the remainder could be saved for future additions of paint from tubes. I don't own this set, but I have a very old set of Pretty Excellent in which the ONLY non-lightfast pigment was Turkey Blue! I did a one year, direct sun window and I live in the South with strong sunlight. Trust me, the reds should've faded and didn't. Not one change. I also own Paul Ruben's Pro grade from a lovely gift and they're very similar so perhaps they're made with the same binder, just newer, less expensive pigments to keep the price the same during a time when all art supplies seem to be skyrocketing. Either way, this set would make a fun gift for a beginner artist especially if the person gifting the set marked the fugitive colors. Thx for all the work you do to help artists with paints, both pro and student. I sell my art, so I buy pro paints in tubes only.

[@palnagok1720]

Keep on mentioning lightfastness...keep the bastards honest.Cheers.

[@joshuatrevino4743]

Ooh I love it when you analyze these sets and talk about the misrepresentation of info. I saw this set on Amazon the other day, and noticed a review claiming they were identical to Paul Rubens! I couldn't help but scoff, there was no way these were at Paul Ruben's quality level. I have nothing against fugitive paints or pigments / dyes being used, the problem is when the company tries to hide it or pass it off as being lightfast. Beautiful artwork as always, and super cool to see the swatches under the UV Light! Thanks for sharing!

[@shadowguard3578]

You make pigment and lightfastness interesting and we get to see your lovely artwork! Thank you. 🤩

[@TouchoftheClouds]

I've learnt so much about lightfastness because of you and your videos, it's helped me so much- I'm always thankful, especially when you highlight a brand or pigment which is problematic. I can't do my own tests so it's good to know what to avoid. Plus, your artwork is always lovely to see!

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

Showing us the black light over the swatches was really great - thanks for that. I love the salt you put on the unicorn. I do love my Pretty Excellent and my Himi Miya sets. The paint is really enjoyable to use and behaves in ways that I expect. I will mark on my swatch sheet the fading colors, however, when I take them out of my window next time so that I will have an easy reference on fugitive versus lightfast when I'm painting with the sets. Thank you for this great review. I feel like I need to go back and re-watch every single video you've put out now that I'm so much more interested in pigments and lightfast information. 😊

[@amortlepsg]

Thanks for the review. Not complaining about lightfastness info, especially considering the weird AOWIN ratings. I own the previous one in 24, I think it's good set for experimenting and I wish I had it when I learned watercolor. I use mine essentially for travelling since it's surprisingly sturdy for its price and I can put all my essential paint brushes inside. I'm not the kind of person who says "I'll buy it for the tin" but I really like this one, I'll probably use it as a replacement for my already half empty palette. If I have a complaint with Mei Liang and Paul Rubens it's that it's very easy to make a dent in these paints. They probably like water too much or maybe it's my climate, I'm not sure. Still a good set, love the mica addition.

[@KimberlyCrick]

I have to agree with that temptation to buy this set for the tin... It's pretty, feels sturdy and has a ton of room - I bet another row could fit in (probably more than 60 half pans, or leave space for brushes and pens) if that bulky plastic ice-cube style tray was removed. What's really great is it's almost completely flat on the bottom so it could be used with magnetized pans :)

[@knackability7098]

I have Paul Ruben's a love them but I have the Meiling's for making cards, mostly backgrounds or coloring stamped images.. And I don't worry about playing with these because they don't cost much. I figure so many people just end up throwing a card away and don't frame them or hang them on the wall. Thanks for the review. 😊

[@nanschifris8734]

Thanks so much for all the time, work and thought you put into these videos! The information you share is always clear, helpful and thorough and I really appreciate that.

[@eileencollins3126]

I thought this is a good review, and appreciated the lightfastness rant! Your experience with the portrait for a family member made it very real. Thanks for all the info in this video. I now want to get the blacklight and check out what I have!

[@inconspicuous-nobody]

I had to order this one too for those gorgeous mica pans. It's going to be my third Pretty Excellent set. I ordered my first one in early 2018 when they still had pans glued inside the plastic and ran under the name BGLN (and I noticed the paint quality has also changed a bit since then, plus one of the purples/violets used to be a BEAUTIFUL 2-tone separating color). Sad to hear deep violet got the ax this time. For the price, it is still by far the most enjoyable student quality set I've found. I have a good variety of watercolors, but this is what I keep reaching for. They're also great mixed with white and used as gouache thanks to the price point. Just top notch value for money and what I recommend to any semi-serious art friends starting out (the less serious ones do better with the less pigmented candy color sets). If I ever win the lottery, I'm getting that 48pan Paul Rubens mica set 👀

[@reneaclark7689]

I got this set for several of my teen niece and nephews as gifts. They loved them. I agree I think dyes should be disclosed.

[@starvingartistscollective]

I have the original 36 set for my 'fun' palette. One is enough. Thanks for this review Kimberley!

[@coloredcarol8074]

Love the artwork! Reminds me of Lisa Frank

[@KimberlyCrick]

OMG I used to collect Lisa Frank stickers when I was a kid, rainbow animals evvvvvveryywheree :D

[@MelanCholy2001]

I still feel so blessed to have had Mean Sister Artist guidance and gifts for Covid Lockdown last year (15 months!) since I can't use oils. I've learned so much (dang, sounds like I'm writing a eulogy!) Thanks for the answer on the PR83. I knew from oils that it wasn't lightfast but some you really can just paint away and get a digital copy (and I have several permanent alizarins; I'll try the one you rec'ced! from DaVinci)! I have to say, wc is so different than oils (our childhood lessons) and I have pictures I painted on last year on quality paper, but soon got "some surprises" in months 1-3. Reds, oranges turning hideous shades of muck for the botanicals and ducks, and the paints were solid brands (minus primafakes). *Sorry, just noticed I was half-asleep when I wrote this and the text was garbled!* 😱 When you're just learning, and you're working hard on doing glazing and even simple washes, and you get a pile of paintings and go back and look over work you LIKED and see it trashed out due to fugitives, it is heart-rending! 💔😭 [End edit] BUT I think it sounds fantastic to get some of these cheaper sets probably AFTER we get an 'intermediate' level of transparent mixing and techniques. I nearly gave up when "good" (pro) paints on the arches "turned" after a few months. I'd send the digitals to friends and go back and look, and there were clearly huge differences. Lightfast ratings are important when starting out in a new medium. Thank you!

[@Maki-zf5wm]

Extremely useful content. I bought this set and discarted all fugitive pigments thanks to the video and your website.

[@AnnieNoodle]

Yay! I legit whooped when I saw you had a new video out! Also, I would not have thought to question LF ratings given by companies if you didn't put out these videos. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you do! Also I LOVED my bird painting, and the packaging made my day!!! You're the best!

[@KimberlyCrick]

Yay! I'm so glad the bird made it to you safely and thank you again for your support :D

[@patjones467]

I'm a new subscriber via Lindsey Weirich. I am self taught through books (way before KZbin). I actually appreciate the pigment info you provide. I have the Wilcox guide from 2001 ( ?) . I would love to see a similar guide with so many new paints available. Light fastness may seem like an unnecessary thing until the first time you see your own work affected by it! I'm so happy to have found your channel! Thank you for your hard work.

[@KimberlyCrick]

Thank you :) If you're interested in more modern pigment info and lightfast tests, I put all of my swatch cards, paint reviews and a pigment database (where the cards are organized by color/pigment code) making it easier to compare many brands of the same color at www.kimcrick.com/

[@LaraCroft2169]

Wonderful due diligence

[@roden70]

Thank you for your thorough reviews and the lovely art pieces.

[@tradingpostfarms]

I really appreciate all the work you do to provide us with such valuable information. I don't have the meileng set but I have the paul rubens pro 12 color, and 24 color Mica set. As well as the himi set, and use those less expensive sets as a supplement along with my higher end DS and MGraham, qor, etc. This does help to stretch my more expensive pigments, and allows me more freedom to just play.

[@Jlalode]

Thanks for all your lightfastness videos. I wish you could do tests with the Sennelier watercolors. Their info is confusing. For example, they rate phthalo turquoise both very good (***) and good (ASTM, II).🤔

[@KimberlyCrick]

I recently finished a 1 year test of Sennelier's full range. There wasn't much in the way of bad surprises. I've got over a dozen brands lined up to review, just not enough time to cover them all very quickly. It's likely that some of the weirdness is because the stars are their own assigned ratings, but the LFI format is the ASTM for that particular pigment code. This can be really confusing when they quote an old outdated ASTM rating (like LFIII Helios Purple - Magenta PR122 - which deserves 3 of 3 stars since it performs as a low LFI to high LFII with only minor dulling around BW6-7 test timing). The old published rating for ASTM was so low because some 1990s test did poorly, so ASTM published the rating as LFIII for PR122 as a pigment. Any paint company can quote those publications regarding the pigment number on hand, without a current test of their actual current product. It's a bit of a headache that there are so many rating systems. Some places in the world prefer ASTM LFI-V, some want star systems - out of 3 or 5 which gets even more confusing, and personally I'd rather everyone switch to Blue Wool Scale BW1-8. Phthalos can have a minor dulling over time, but are generally very strong respectable pigments that fall into that low LFI to high LFII. Both PG7 and PB15 are considered lightfast for artist use (LFIII, IV or V typically being considered unacceptable for fine art) so I definitely wouldn't worry about Phthalo Turquoise - it's a very strong color :)

[@Jlalode]

@@KimberlyCrick Thank you so much for these clarifications. Looking forward to other lightfastness videos.

[@phyllisd3705]

I like the Kuratake Gansai Tambi set for beginners (The 36 and 48 pan sets both have at least 3 metallic colors).

[@djhadaverde]

I have the classic one of 36 half pans and I love it for sketching and practicing, colour studies and so on. Undisclosed fugitive colors and fluo dyes are also a "common thing" in some very known artist grade brand from the USA we all know well ;) I do not expect rigourous pigment info and super lightfast in a student-crafty grade paints, for sure, so if you use it for sketching, practicing and playing arround, it's really ok. Even if you scan your art, this is a good option I guess. Thanks for this video, Queen of Pigments! A pleasure, as always.

[@heidicook2395]

Thanks!

[@lesleypickard9732]

Really appreciate your reviews. They are always so helpful

[@lenimagrove8517]

Merci pour toutes vos vidéos auxquelles je suis abonné. J'ai réussi de grandes aquarelles nuancées, délicates et colorées avec Meiliang seul, ou + White Nights (PR122,PR209, PB29, PB15:3, PY150 et 151 suivant quelques uns de vos conseils sur votre site), accrochées aux murs loin des fenêtres. Je n'ai jamais réussi l'équivalent en finesse avec Van Gogh et Schmincke Akademie, pourtant réputées et très belles, mais qui laissent des traces non souhaitées malgré tous mes soins. Il faut beaucoup de temps pour les apprivoiser et cela fait perdre en plaisir. Un grand merci à vous !❤❤

[@tinylite4964]

Breaking news! Kim is wasted on art and should be either a CSI tech or a spy........😂 brilliant video, even this paint peasant listened intently! Thanks for another set of terrific artwork!

[@karenfishman2671]

The are fun and convenient to use in coloring books, especially for the price.

[@KimberlyCrick]

I agree, coloring books are a perfect use for these and they really can't be beat for the price :)

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

What I have learned in life is buyers beware. I started wc painting with a cotman set and have purchased a few bargain paints only to use in sketchbooks or practice. All other paintings I do with professional reputable paints. I am tempted thou to buy the 48 doodlebug set as its only $15.

[@krisyoungsteadt9139]

Excellent video, Kimberly!

[@crossqueen]

Wooow sooo pretty painting Awsome presentation,,,, good Shearing,,,,, and wait for your next videos,,,, lot,s of LOVE from (Rongwala)....

[@mydogeatspuke]

Look how pretty the tin is though. Grr. I refuse to buy another set of these paints that won't get used just for another tin. But it's so pretty.

[@UNKUHNOODLES]

Excellent breakdown of colour science!!! My eyes usually glaze over when listening/watching to these kinda videos... I almost did a spit-take when you whipped out that black light!!!!!😜😜😜😜 Keep up the great work!!!!!!!

[@janesmith1917]

So much good information ☺️

[@spiritsjoy]

Oh my goodness, i am so sorry about the family painting. Did you use the Older Pretty Excellent? Which paints lied to us?...please let me know.

[@stshnie]

I don’t think Kim mentioned what brand she used for that painting - it could have been any brand.

[@janesmith1917]

I'm getting when my set of 36 runs out I like the shine

[@weavingandcraftingwithsarwar]

Very nice creativity

[@jennw6809]

If Pretty Excellent made some kind of synthetic PO 49 I will eat my hat!! Now we finally know your lightfastness backstory!

[@NanaBeth1]

Saved my from a purchase. Means more $'s for Prodigal Sons-thank you!

[@KimberlyCrick]

I'm so happy with my Prodigal Son's paints, even the rare weirder pigments that are fugitive - because they are very unique and he is so willing to be completely honest about what the ingredients are and what to expect. Heck you've gotta be confident to be willing to use my swatch cards with all the info in the sale listings lol. I've been so frustrated with these other companies that lie on their products!

[@fuzzydragons]

i like colours but def wouldnt use them for anything but practice pieces

[@selahr.]

I’m disappointed at the lying about lightfast ratings. It’s just not necessary.

[@ohbli_oh]

Turkey Blue 😂 Daniel smith could learn a thing or two about naming their paints.

[@stshnie]

Hi there fellow cat lover! I’ve always thought that the word ‘turquoise’ derived from ‘Turkish’. I’ve just checked the description of turquoise (the gemstone) on Wikipedia and that does seem to be the etymology so Turkey Blue is fine - and nicely descriptive of the colour.

[@waymire01]

Just my opinion. I'd rather have a few good paints than that entire box. You can get perfectly lightfast pigment based paint for as little as $3 a tube, which in most cases would give you two or three half pans each.

[@lenimagrove8517]

Je ne partage pas entièrement votre avis : il faut beaucoup de temps pour apprivoiser les DS, Schmincke, Winsor&N, sans parler de la crainte à cause de leurs prix ; alors que l'on réussit en 2 mois de travail soutenu avec beaucoup de plaisir des aquarelles nuancées, délicates et lumineuses avec Meiliang tout seul (+ parfois, 4 bons pigments de White Nights). La Meiliang coule bien, est souple pour toutes techniques, elle favorise énormément l'apprentissage et les résultats sont là. Il suffit d'accrocher aux murs loin des fenêtres pour les conserver quelques années🙂