Paul Rubens Qiaomei vs Meilaing "Pretty Excellent Tube Watercolor Showdown!

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

I southernize these names way too much in my brain lol. “May-lang” and “Chow-may” are pretty good evidence I would be heartily laughed out of Asia. Thanks for doing this!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I like it!

[@MaryYoungblood-xy8vg]

As someone who lived in Texas for 20+ years, I laughed a belly laugh at this.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

@@MaryYoungblood-xy8vg I’m Alabama’in this like whoa lol

[@MaryYoungblood-xy8vg]

I used to live in Pensacola Florida and they used to refer to us as "South Alabama". We used to go into Mobile all the time. We loved that area.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

@@MaryYoungblood-xy8vg did you ever go by Renfroe Pecans? My aunt and uncle own it :) I’ll be down in Fairhope at new years for a wedding.

[@natalierice6528]

I always learn so much about pigments and mixing when I watch your videos. I’d be hard pressed to say which tubes I would invest in to refill my Pretty Excellents someday. The 24 Qiaomei would probably be all the colors I need for refills in the Meilang pans. Thanks again for freely sharing your vast knowledge.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I totally agree!

[@marytesta3003]

This is a fantastic comparison. It seems like you can't go wrong at 35.00 a set. Thank you for doing this fair side by side. I loved you flat wall tree video🤣

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@CreativePhenomenonArt]

Why do I love these videos so much🥰🥰🥰 Honestly there are good colors in each set it’s kind of hard to choose one over the other but you made a really valid point in the beginning about the (show me), I know how it’s spelled but this is all I herd after a while😁, paints being a higher quality and more per tube. As always Lindsay thank you for keeping this art nerd company 🤗

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm happy to!

[@Obsidian_Iris_]

Thanks, Lindsey. I saw the redness in the M. Van Dyke Brown immediately; it showed up well via video. I would choose the PE pan set since they have more colors, more useful colors, don’t wear down as quickly, and cost less. I could see the difference in quality of the new PRQ tube set over the PE tube set but it’s not so great I’d spend $30 for them when I can put that towards my first Maria’s Gallery set.

[@sonyaoart]

It's interesting that both sets have some of the discontinued pigments. I'm tempted to get the Qiaomei set just for the PR206 and the PR88. Thanks for the comparison!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That pr88 is stunning!

[@sheilakaye9705]

Basically it looks like the Qiamei dried down for the most of them, with a smoother finish. Beautiful colors. 😮 54:54

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

I just love how well you compare paints and review them! It's as if I'm right there with you. Such great info with straight-up pro and cons!! It definitely saves me time and money! I'm in love with Mei Liang Pretty Excellent pans. I have the original set from 2020 I'm still working down, but brought a new one as I was running out of lemon yellow, sap green, permanent rose. I feel they are mostly the same. I also brought the 48 pan set to try out the glitters, which are very nice. I feel the pan are still great but a colors are slightly different than the original set I'm so use to using. Overall, I think I will just stick to the Mei Liang Pretty Excellent 36 pan set when it goes on sale as it's quality it great and it's just ready to go plus I can wash up the empty pans and use them for more professional tubes paints or homemade paints. I have the mission gold pure pigments 32 set and I'm still working and figuring out mixing with them. I have a beautiful shell pink that I can mix and full up an empty pan with. Thanks for all you hard work behind the scenes to make your video possible! I'm so appreciative of all that you share. ❤ it's a huge blessing to me!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@karlamae7700]

Yay! I've been waiting for this video Lindsay!! I just knew you were going to make it! I have both sets (pretty much all of Paul Rubens paints lol) Can't wait to watch it 😄 ❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yay! Thank you! You usually can't go wrong with their paint!

[@susansacco7583]

I love these videos Lindsay! Thanks so much for the comparison. It’s cold and dark. Thanks for getting me going today 💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@brook2478]

Love your video dear Lindsay! In Chinese, “Liang” actually is pronounced as “Lee-un”, like un in uncle 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@Via_Von]

Thank you Lindsay! ♥️🤗 I love the Qiaomei set and that smaller case is perfect for my needs!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@ChantelleArts]

a fantastic swatch, i love how you've done it ❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, I believe that you do a wonderful job with your reviews and watching you compare brands is very familiar to me. I work quite the same. I know that you have many, many crafters on your channel, but I believe that if a person has a desire to create lasting art or learn how watercolors can work. Working with better quality supplies is the best thing to do. I have tried several times over the years to cut corners and paint always seems to be first place most try to save money. Cut rate paper is a disaster just waiting to happen! I even stopped swatching on wood pulp paper! Now I know that people get afraid to “use up” expensive paint, but quality paints just last longer. This is what surprised me about DaVinci paints superior quality paints that are affordable for most Artists! Yes, they now sell 8ml tubes. I am still going to buy the 15ml tubes as the value for my money is better! I did buy a “set” of 37ml tubes for a class that I was setting up for a local senior center, I got porcelain plates from a local thrift store and 12 colors placed around the plate made the best starter palette for a Free class presented by the center. They paid for all of the supplies and I donated my time for 3 sessions and if anyone was interested in advanced classes the senior center would provide me a place for classes and I would charge only $20.00 USD for the class and I still had the remaining paint from the 37ml tubes after setting up 25 palettes! I did provide information for everyone that took the class on what to buy if they were interested in investing in their own set of supplies. I did get a great deal on brushes with a coupon for the set I used from Joanne’s and several people did go buy the brushes! Even before the 3 classes were over! Geez sorry I guess my button got pushed by another commenter! Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas and techniques!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I guess I haven't seen the comment yet. I think that the quality of budget paint has vastly improved over the years, especially the offerings from Paul Rubens. Also people are curious and like to try new things. It's all good:)

[@MaryYoungblood-xy8vg]

I like the Bee Paper. I did my World Watercolor Month paintings on it.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Lindsay 💜

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@JulieTorrens]

Thank you Thank you! I always walking away from your videos learning so much. Thank you for explaining with such clarity. I appreciate your videos very much.❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome

[@berolinastrassmann]

I enjoy listening to you talk about paint 😂. You consider each colour in such way that I always learn something. Not Too bad that these colours are not available open stock. As you, I don't like buying on Aliexpress) . Whenever I bought such big sets I used some colours up really fast and never touched others. I switched to buying individual tubes to suit my needs. I have a 12 half pan set of P.Rubens set I like (pink tin 🩷) and plan to reuse the tin with other tube paint when the time comes.

[@jennw6809]

Wow, PR88 is Thioindigo violet, a discontinued pigment! DaVinci has some old stock and sparingly doles it out in some of their mixes. This reminds me of an older Paul Rubens set that had PB17 which is also practically unheard of now except in handmade watercolors.

[@theresapalmer7892]

I love the mei liang pan 36 best for art Journaling and card making and I use Daniel Smith when trying my hand at fine art.

[@quinnpark8257]

Hi Lindsay, thank you for the review! I feel that you have great collection of budget lines, would you consider doing a "tier list" or a "top 5"? I would especially love seeing how they compare to cotmans or van goghs!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmKtd3qHZrqsqrssi=CZnJFy2oivJ1o04K that was before the tubes came out but I think the pan versions are there.

[@madhabitz]

On my screen, the Rubens Transparent Red Iron Oxide feels similar to what I'm using as a replacement for the Quin Nickel Azo Gold pigment that is going the way of the dinosaur in my acrylics palette (lots of people in mourning). It's one of my staples. So having said this, it seems like there might be the luminous yellow bits in the Mei Liang, so maybe that will work as well. Edited to clarify this parag): I'm interested in comparing the Paul Rubens student grade (pans) with the set of the 4th gen, and these new Qiaomei set (also student?). I just received the set of artist grade and think I am going to like them a lot.... though I actually adore the Mei Liang Pretty Excellent ones (those are killer for the price) as well. I have spent weeks playing with the Mission Gold, high pigment load, paints, so the lighter pigment load of the Rubens was disappointing at first. Now, two days in and beginning to get the feel for them, I think I am getting the hang of them. As always, very helpful for my journey to figure out watercolor ...... though you and a few others are not good for my spending habits. One day I am so completely content with the paints and supplies I have, then the next day it turns on a dime and the 'gotta have it!' sets in. :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I hear ya!

[@wigglypaw]

Oh man Lindsay… I can’t find the Qiaomei paints anywhere!!!!! Do you have a link? I bought the Paul Rubens pan set on your reccomendation and I love them. I also bought the MeiLiang pan set for sketches. I just bought the Rubens as gift for DGS. Is the Qiaomei a Paul Rubens like this comparison video?

[@AprilRoseNW]

Question … I’m very much a beginner so this might be an obvious answer… I have the Meilaing paints and love them . If I were to buy the Qiaomei tubes and fill the Meilaing pallet with Qiaomei as it gets low , would they mix together ok or would they make a mess because some of the pigments aren’t the same?

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

They’d be fine :) if you mix too many different pigments of differing opacity it might get “muddy” but that just means it may be more opaque and/or a little duller depending on which pigments. But I’d be honest with you, I’m over a year in watercolor now and I still use my Mei lang paints a ton - the first set I bought, and none of the colors are scraping bottom (this is the 36 set with full half pans, not the newer one). I would honestly say if you get to the point you need to refill, try an artist grade one. Even just one tube. Da Vinci has amazing prices on 8oz tubes which will refill a half pan at least twice I think. That’s the awesome thing about the artist grade paints (and I am a hobbyist, not a professional!) is that you don’t have to buy a set. Just buy 2 to try. Or 5. Get 1 Windsor and newton (their cobalt green is beautiful!) and 2 schmincke and 1 Sennelier (blick has great prices!) it’s actually quite fun to try out the different brands :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It wold be totally fine. If you go by color # most pigments are the same, just less filler in the QIAOMEI

[@AprilRoseNW]

@@mostlyvoid.partiallystars Thank you so much for such a complete and quick reply .

[@AprilRoseNW]

@@mostlyvoid.partiallystars Oops I got my reply in the wrong spot 😂😂 Happy Holidays❄️

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

@@AprilRoseNW you too!

[@samanthawiktorowski7325]

Are the 36 count tubes of Meilaing and the 36 count tubes of Paul Rueben sold on Amazon of equal quality? Thank you! Love your videos!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

There are several sets. Meiland is simular to their student grade set in the blue box. The black tibes in the black box are much better (they are $79 I think) the qoimei are in between the two IMHO.

[@nadeaner.cowley513]

Great video! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for watching!

[@sandrashaw8343]

I'm a card maker and love using watercolours on my cards. I see a lot of card makers using Mijello gold watercolour. I have the Meiling pan set. Do you think it's worth investing in the Mijello gold? Thank you for your help, Sandra

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's really up to you. They are not going to do anything different than what you have, but they are more pigmented.

[@sandrashaw8343]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you

[@angellie5367]

Hi Lindsay, which set is better: 36 meiliang or 24 Marie masters by lightwish please?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'd say that they are both good. The maries masters are a bit better in the sence that the colors each have different personalities (textures and transparencies) so they are more like professional western watercolors. I have reviews if both sets if you want to compare. Honestly, I prefer the meilang pans the best.

[@janawright1715]

Thanks for the video, always appreciate your insight and efforts in bringing us honest reviews. Strangely, I’m gonna go with the Meilang set, I also collect watercolor, one more set won’t hurt, right? 😳

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Have fun!

[@Grognardlass]

Thanks for this. How do you think meilaing would compare to the new(ests) release by Paul Rubens? Curious if there is much of a difference between them. So many new premade pallets are on the market now, and I greatly appreciate the work you put into getting down into the nitty-gritty of each. This was just a thought. I know it’s a project. I get it, lol. Well, have a good day!❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Do you mean their latest pan or tube set? The 4th Gen Paul rubens tubes are their finest watercolors in my opinion. The newer pan sets seem the dame as the pink box ones to me.

[@Grognardlass]

@@thefrugalcrafter yes, the. 4th gen tubes. Would there be a dramatic difference between them. Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hmm, have you used Schimke watercolors dried from tubes? That is what the 4th gen are like. A bit more translicent. I don't know about dramatic tho.@@Grognardlass

[@Grognardlass]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you.

[@Rainne3]

Would the qiaomei be a better choice than artwhale? There are quite a few colors in artwhale that are kind of gummy or weak. Also all the browns mixed with black. No rose color. About the same price. I wonder if artwhales quality went down.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The Qiaomei is very consistent, I say it's as good I not better than the older art whale set I have. My colors were not weak or gummy so maybe something changed. That's a pity.

[@Rainne3]

It could be user error though. Perhaps I’m not used to paint without dyes? Meilang is vibrant but I think some colors are enhanced with dyes. I was able to get a vibrant red today by layering.

[@jennw6809]

Wait. According to the tubes, they used PO49, genuine original quin gold, in the Hooker's Green? That must be a misprint. Although, it wouldn't be a Paul Rubens product without some pigment mistakes :)

[@bookishindian]

Watching this and hearing/seeing the difference between some of the tubes and pans in terms of patchiness/ scaliness reminds me that I experienced something similar with la petite sennelier tube paints.. . They seem to have some kind of filler which I don't think the pan paints would have. Kind of disappointing

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's a bummer, I wondered how they were. I actually liked the pans although some artists were unhappy with them.

[@bookishindian]

@@thefrugalcrafter yeah... it's too bad. Though I must say that it's more apparent with some colors vs. others, similar to your experience with the tube paints above... I guess it's easier to get filler into tubes than it is to get it into pans! 😆

[@lindaperry5770]

Have you ever done a swatchmon Roman Szmal? I love them, but the only place I have found them is Jackson’s.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No, I only have 2 colors from them.

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Thank you so much!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You're welcome!

[@stewarth]

Are the Qiaomei tubes suspiciously similar to Cotman tubes?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The paint is much nice than cotman. Cotman is made by Phoenix for Winsor & Newton, not Paul Rubens.

[@jia-zm4kt]

Do they have a sheen? Could you recommend some matte student grade watercolor paints?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

There isn't a sheen if you use them like watercolor but if you paint them think they will. Derwent inktense and derwent pastel warercolorscare totally matte, even thick. You might like them.

[@hiddenshadow2105]

If you have Meiliang pigment information from tube / other sets, is it possible to, please, post it somewhere?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think I have scans on my blog. The amazon listing should have them too.

[@hiddenshadow2105]

@@thefrugalcrafter I'd greatly appreciate it as Amazon ones (that I can find) are very difficult for me to read.

[@hiddenshadow2105]

@@thefrugalcrafter I looked all over your blog but unfortunately cannot find any pigment information for Mei Liang - if it is there, may I ask for a link; and Amazon listing for 24 tubes has only 17 of the same paints as in 36 half-pan set.

[@NavyAssassinOnBLAST]

Helpful tip: using a sewing needle to puncture the seal on your paint releases the pressure without creating a huge opening for paint to gusg out. Then follow up with an awl, leather needle or thumb tack to pry the seal from the tube opening. #ActuallyAutistic #math #prodigy 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'll try that, thanks!

[@alexserra9605]

Waitbthat palette reminds me an awful lot of the new mijello palette sets ... Hmmm 🤔

[@thefrugalcrafter]

How so? The black surround where the pans sit or the color selection?

[@simfimpim]

Excellent video. But next time you do one of these, zoom in.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Noted!

[@berolinastrassmann]

On mislabeling and typos: they are a big company this indicates quality control is lacking. These days translation using AI is not an issue and I would expect correct copy and exact labels for a product aimed at such massive audience. I can cut some slack to a handmade product where there is a one-person-does-it-all operation. But big companies should resoect their customers enough to get their act together.

[@patti3d]

Bless you.

[@markyteo]

This is crazy... All the supposed discontinued pigments, PR206, PR88 and PO49... Where do Paul Reubens source their pigments? Lol.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Not sure, they may have purchased remaining stock or maybe their info is wrong.

[@jessbutterfly1934]

How to solve the problem of which paint set to go with? Girl Maths by both then you have all the variations !!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆