New Urban Sketching Palette! Roman Szmal Aquarius Half Pan

After using only these 12 watercolours for a month, I share some of my thoughts and sketches in this video. Hope it helps in some way if you are considering it.
If you'd like to support my little channel, please use my Jackson's art affiliate links below (it doesn't cost you anything extra)
Roman Szmal Palette
www.jacksonsart.com/roman-szm...
Roman Szmal Palette with Travel Brush
www.jacksonsart.com/roman-szm...
This is a well thought through palette. For a workable Urban Sketching palette, the greens and earths are key for me. From the selection of the convenience greens and the variety of greens that can be produced, you can tell it's carefully designed. The 4 earth colours are very balanced and each is beautiful to use in its own right. The Buff Titanium is rather new to me and arguably the only colour I wouldn’t have included in my own palette.
The palette allows a further 6 to be added to fine tune to your needs. To customise my own, I would add Goethite, Mars Black and a few varieties of convenience shadows. Przybysz’s Grey will definitely be one of them. There is a primary triad present for all your mixing needs (Quinophthalone Yellow, Quinacridone Magenta and Ultramarine Intense). As I personally prefer the power of a CMY triad, I would add Phthalo Blue GS.
The paints are richly pigmented with high lightfast properties, easy to rewet, lay down smoothly and are predictable and behaves as expected in wet work.
Overall, it’s a practical little palette and is reasonably priced. This could be a very good start-up palette for any genre.
Have a nice day and happy sketching!
Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored. Palette was sent to me for review. All opinions here are mine and based on painting exclusively with this palette for one month.
The colours swatched in this video are:
362 Quinophthalone Yellow
319 Pyrrole Scarlet
332 Quinacridone Magenta
254 Ultramarine Intense
226 Blue Sky
259 Shadow Grey
252 Sap Green Light
346 Aquarius Green
201 Buff Titanium
109 Gold Ochre
120 Italian Burnt Sienna
130 Cyprus Burnt Umber Deep
00:00 Introduction
02:38 Swatching Quinophthalone Yellow, Pyrrole Scarlet, Quinacridone Magenta
04:02 Swatching Ultramarine Intense, Blue Sky, Shadow Grey
05:20 Swatching Sap Green Light, Aquarius Green, Buff Titanium
06:38 Swatching Gold Ochre, Italian Burnt Sienna, Cyprus Burnt Umber Deep
08:02 Colour selection
08:52 Swatching Mixes
13:34 Artwork Showcase
#watercolour #art #colourtherapy #urbansketch

[@luneleaart]

Your videos are so beautifully filmed and edited and have such a calming effect 🤍 this is a first watercolour palette I have seen where I agree with all the colour choices, Iooks perfect for sketching and not just urban scenes

[@Papertude]

I fully agree, with 12 colours it's a challenge to be both universal and have some uniqueness! Thanks for your lovely comment. Happy painting! 💕

[@brianlin7420]

Hi, I discovered your channel while researching Roman Szmal colors (my favorite brand) and I was completely blown away by your artwork, which is incredibly gorgeous. I really enjoy your product review videos but would you also consider doing some tutorials on your art? I would love to know more about your techniques and approaches.

[@Papertude]

Thanks Brian for such kind praise, I'm very flattered! Roman Szmal is my best discovery of last year. Will certainly incorporate more process content in future videos. 🤗 Have a nice day!

[@obeahpantie]

Gorgeous video and very instructive-taught me a lot about color mixing ❤️

[@Papertude]

Thanks Suzanne, great to know my video helps in some way! Happy Painting! 🤗

[@markstrain8989]

Thank you for such lovely, inspiring, informative, and best of all, such soothing videos. Like a meditation message for the mind. Thank you.

[@Papertude]

Thanks a lot Mark, that's a very kind of you to send such nice words to me. I appreciate it. 🙂 Thanks for watching and I hope you have a great day! 🤗

[@Blick_Art]

Those color swatches are practically works of art on their own! That looks like a nice, efficient color assortment that you could take practically anywhere. Thanks for the peek inside your sketchbook, too- impressive!

[@Papertude]

Thanks for your very kind comment. Glad you enjoyed my video 🤗 All the best!

[@TheChildfreeCurlyGirl]

Beautiful filming, art, music...I just love everything!

[@Papertude]

... and I also love ❤ your comment! Thanks for dropping by! 🤗

[@d.v.7494]

Your videos are so soothing. I watch them to calm my anxiety before going to sleep.

[@Papertude]

Awww, thanks, and I am so happy to hear my video helps in any little way. Sweet dreams 🤗

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

LOL! I got all anxious when you started swatching on the pad and not on your homemade luggage tag pieces! I don't know why, I was like "BUT WHERE ARE THE LUGGAGE TAGS!" 🤣🤣 Then you pulled them out for the mixes and all was right with the world again.🤣🤣❤

[@Papertude]

🤣🤣Oh dear, you are too funny! Didn't know I built a trademark of luggage tags 🤣 It was supposed to be relaxing, not an emotional rollercoaster! 😄 Your comment brightened my day immensely! 💕🤗

[@ms.rocketscience4924]

Your videos are so beautiful and relaxing💕 Thank you for sharing your sketchbook, it really helps to see how the palette works together in real life. I think this is a nice palette for urban sketching and I may “need” to buy one.

[@Papertude]

It's hard to be "well" behaved in January, isn't it? 😂 My need list is out of control already. 😃

[@Chloe-zr9lk]

beautiful paintings!

[@Christine__D]

What a beautiful video. Lighting, swatches, music, everything is perfection!

[@Papertude]

❤️ Thanks Christine, for your kind words and letting me know you enjoyed the video! Have a nice day! 🤗

[@deeniefirebird]

Your artwork is wonderful and I love your comments and the ideas for colour mixing. I think I'm becoming slightly addicted to your swatching videos, they seem to help my anxiety.

[@Papertude]

Watercolour helps me release my stress too! Delighted to hear my swatching vids help relax you in some way. Sending you a hug! 🤗

[@ladyhollman9534]

Very nice, as usual. It’s good to see Szmal making it clear the colors USk’s need are there and of course, of high quality. Tbh, most portable palettes today are made for urban sketching & students. Small & portable with half pans. Primary & basic Earth colors combined. Take them outside and quickly add some color to your “sketches” with small sized brushes. Sketchbook, out and about, on a trip, etc … no time for a bunch of mixing or washes. I need certain colors at the ready. Kudos to Szmal! For home or the studio; tubes. (Exception, ones that say botanical or portrait.) 😊

[@Papertude]

Good that you point out most split primary palettes with a few earth tones will do the trick for urban skethers. When I'm out, I also have no time or patience to do detail. Mostly, I just do monotone to capture the lighting and maybe some main color blocks, then add finishing touches at home if necessary. Thanks for your comment, your insight is truly appreciated!

[@writingraven3314]

Wow! Your urban sketches are absolutely beautiful. The colors are also beautiful.

[@Papertude]

Aww, thanks for your kind warm comment 🤗

[@anjapinkau3737]

Your sketches are gorgeous! Great skills! And they illustrate nicely what this palette has to offer. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@Papertude]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed my sketches. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. Have a great weekend!

[@susanavenir]

I rely on Roman Szmal pans so it was a delight to see them come to life in your hands! Your sketchbook is so full of treasures.

[@Papertude]

Thanks Susana - you're very kind. Aquarius watercolours are one of my best finds of '22. I heard they're coming in tube form soon! Something to look forward to. 🤗

[@deetee-uk]

Was looking ar reviews for these paints and came across your channel. Really good review and I love your artwork 🙂 Just bought this set and the jane blundell one too

[@Papertude]

These two are really great sets. I'm constantly reaching for them all the time! Thanks for using my link and letting me know you're enjoying my videos. Hope you have great fun when the paints arrive! 😊 🤗 Happy painting!

[@tigerlily62]

Such stunning art, showcased beautifully. 👏👏👏❤️

[@Papertude]

Thanks Sue! ❤️🤗

[@asthepaintflows]

Beautiful art work!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this channel. Blessings.

[@Papertude]

Thank you! 🤗

[@SarahNotSara]

Your artwork is stunning! Thank you for discussing the colours in detail and for the lovely, relaxing way you edited your video. Very professional and soothing.

[@Papertude]

Thank you Sarah 🤗 Lovely to hear you're enjoying all the little details! Your comment is very appreciated.

[@NinaQueena]

Your art is stunning 🤩 👌 I really hope that you ll soon load a new video up 😅

[@Papertude]

Thanks Nina 🤗

[@dkstamberose]

Your videos and swatches are such an aesthetic treat! You really show case the art supplies in their most lovely states! I am so glad the tin allows us to nicely add 6 additional pans!

[@Papertude]

Yes, the space to customise is great to have. I always check to see if pans fit well or if the space is just for a travel brush. Thanks for your lovely comment ❤🤗

[@attorneycarissa]

I just bought this last week and I'm super excited to get it. Beautiful paintings! I really appreciate your discussion of color mixes and explainations of colors in each painting.

[@Papertude]

Thank you! Hope you have great fun with the new colors! 🤗 I added a few extra colours to my one and bring this on all my trips! Love it. Happy Painting!

[@lisaannef]

Your work is beautiful ... very inspiring!

[@Papertude]

Thank you 💖 Delighted to hear you liked it! 🤗

[@PurevsurenByambasaikhan]

I am literally crying because it is so beautiful: the filming, the music, the drawings, the coloring. ❤

[@Papertude]

Awwww, that's very sweet of you. Your kind words made my day! 🤗😘

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

WOW, you are so talented! I love the paintings you did with this pallet. I don't have this pallet, but I do have their travel pallet that has some of the same colors. It is also a well balanced pallet. I don't know when, but they are also coming out with paint in tubes, per a video I saw with Jackson's and Roman Szmal. ❤️

[@Papertude]

Thanks MaryAnn, it's exciting to hear tubes are coming. Will check out the video. Have a nice day! 🤗

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Beautiful love your sketch books. Thank you for this beautiful video.

[@Papertude]

🤗 Thanks Alicia, you're very kind. I'm so lucky to have supportive viewers like you ❤️

[@erickn]

Beautiful colors and very balanced color selection. Your filming, editing and sketches are, as always, a pleasure for the eyes and delightful for the soul🙂

[@Papertude]

Thanks Erick ❤I feel very spoiled for your lovely kind comment❤🤗

[@markdonovan1540]

Excellent quality paints and an great value-for-money price range. This palette is perfect for urban sketching or any watercolour painting in general. I love the quality and delicate nature of your illustrations, it's beautiful artwork.

[@Papertude]

Thanks Mark! 🤗 Indeed, it's a great little multi purpouse palette.

[@MsMoniqueWilson]

Your swatching videos are so beautifully soothing. And I love your artwork!

[@Papertude]

Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it Monique! 🤗💕

[@CassandraParsons-tb7ww]

You are an amazing artist!

[@Papertude]

Aww, glad you like my little works! Thank you! 😊 🤗 🤗

[@barbariska757]

Your sketching touch is delicate and strong at the same time. Lovely.

[@Papertude]

Thank you for your kind words about my sketch. Glad to hear you enjoyed! ❤️🤗

[@Sparklove1]

Thank you for highlighting the mixing colors, explaining how to add how much color, and tips. I'm still learning watercolors and that helps a bunch for my understanding of it!! Also another lovely video in general ❤️

[@Papertude]

Thanks Lisette, for your appreciation and I'm delighted to hear my video helps. Enjoy your watercolour journey!🎨Happy painting! 💕🤗

[@iadenicole931]

Such beautiful work! I love your videos; they are so relaxing with your choice of music and your calm presentation of things. Excellent.

[@Papertude]

Thanks Iade Nicole, I appreciate your generous and kind comment very much ❤ All the best 🤗

[@jdane2277]

Love the sketchbook and what a thoughtful palette. Thank you

[@Papertude]

Thank you!

[@greekveteran2715]

Loved the sheeps! All great paintings,you're a perfectionist like me!

[@Papertude]

Lol, only perfectionists can spot the telltale signs of perfectionists. Much appreciated and cheers! 🤗

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

Such a beautiful video!! Thank you. 💚

[@Papertude]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it! 🤗

[@chokoladas]

Lovely set i love roman szmal

[@lzal9204]

I saw individual half pans of Roman Szmal on the Jackson’s site this morning.

[@Papertude]

Thanks for the info, seems they're also on promotion right now too! www.jacksonsart.com/search/?q=roman%2Bszmal%2Bpan&___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=04df4d434d481c5bb723be1b6df1ee65

[@E4Alabbasy]

If I didn't own a set already, I would've bought this instead of their basic one. I love the color choices and how it looks to mix them

[@Papertude]

Yeah, I prefer this one too. Maybe can add the ones you like from here to tweak the basic set if there's space. Happy painting! 🤗

[@ShellyColours2]

Loved this video... I might try this palette... cheers!

[@Papertude]

Have fun if you do! ❤🤗

[@MarekBad64]

Great review! Thanks

[@Papertude]

Thanks Marek! 🤗

[@betsybirge7934]

Thank you so much for this review. I have just purchased this set (not received it yet), but I'm really looking forward to it! Also - had to subscribe to your channel!

[@Papertude]

Thanks Betsy, it's a great everyday palette - you really won't go wrong with this one. Hope it arrives quick and you have fun painting! 🤗

[@zetsuboucrimsie]

My heart skipped a beat when I saw that Aquarius green)

[@Papertude]

I feel you, only true colour lovers understand! 💚

[@MrMoghal]

a wonderfully thorough review - thank you! How sturdy is the tin box for the palette?

[@sequinb7155]

I am glad I came across you video. Thank you for sharing it. Added bonus was you sketchbook. Such a beautiful work. Would you mind telling which sketchbook have you used. I am really struggling to find a good spiral bound sketchbook.

[@Papertude]

I missed your comment somehow. Thanks for liking my video. I have the same problem finding a good spiral bound sketchbook. The one you see in the video is one I made myself. I often buy big sheets of paper and cut them down to size, then use a manual spiral binding machine. Hope that helps 😊 🤗

[@sequinb7155]

@@Papertude wow! It's a perfect sketchbook. Maybe you could upload a video for making one. That would be so useful.

[@Papertude]

Sure. will add the idea to my list! 😊😊

[@helenkoomen4020]

Beautiful video of my fave watercolor brand. Excellent value for price. Hadn't seen the travel set yet. What is the beautifull book you are working in?

[@Papertude]

Ageed, the performance is great for the price. The sketchbook is one I bound myself using offcuts from large watercolour sheets. It's slightly shy of A5. The cover is backboard from an Arches pad.

[@MrFabriciusalmeida]

How I love watching your videos! They are so harmonious and peaceful… and your paintings are absolutely beautiful!!!! Congratulations. Now I have a question, do you think the Aquarious Ultramarine Intense is less granulating than Schmincke’s Ultramarine Finest? Which one do you consider the least granulating and the closest to real Ultramarine?

[@Papertude]

A lot of handmade Ultramarine in the market has heavy granulation. Roman Szmal's one has very even and fine particles, which I like in sketch work. Beside Schmincke's Ultramarine Finest, visually there is no difference in both the colour and the granulation. At the extreme limit, Roman Szmal's one is tiny tiny bit more red. As the delivery system is different they behave slightly differently in mixes. You certainly don't need both ... unless you're collecting 😉 Always love your kind comments! 🤗

[@MrFabriciusalmeida]

@@Papertude , thank you so much for answering 🙏🏻

[@NataKirilLove]

Очень красивые рисунки

[@Papertude]

Большое спасибо 🤗

[@lizcharalambous9150]

Beautiful video, thanks for sharing. Do you think extra full pans would fit in the centre or just half pans?

[@Papertude]

Hi Liz, I just checked. Roman Szmal full pans fit nicely. In total, I can fit 3 full pans and 1 half pan. Hope it helps! 🤗

[@lizcharalambous9150]

@@Papertude thank you so much for your reply you are very kind.

[@koskey06]

Your art is AMAZING!! What do you use for your line work before you add color? Is it a fountain pen?....if so what kind of ink? Thank you.

[@Papertude]

Thank you! 🤗 I used pentel brush for the figure studies and the rest are with copic multiliners or fountain pens. The ink is Rohrer & Klingner Sketch Ink. Hope that helps!

[@piotrh5193]

Piękne pozdrawiam.

[@fhcreates]

Do you make your own sketchbooks?

[@Papertude]

I missed your question somehow! Yes, I often use offcuts from big sheets of watercolour and bind them like this. 🤗

[@phillipstroll7385]

What I don't understand is why is this called an urban palette. These are the only colors needed to paint anything in the world. People are so gullible.