Review of Viviva Travel Paint Kit and Spring Paint Pans

[@mariac4602]

Wow! Such a thorough and comprehensive review! And I love that you asked such good questions regarding the paints. Thank you.

[@denises9455]

I love how you do a honest review in-depth of products.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@susansacco7583]

I love when you get into weeds about paper and paint! Thanks Lindsay!💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think it's important because we all like different things and I want people to get supplies they will enjoy and use

[@susansacco7583]

Yes, so nice of you.💕

[@ArtsiRosi]

The difference of that paint on the Viviva paper vs the Arches is INSANE!!!! I would NEVER have thought they were the same exact paint! I love the portfolio! PS: I have been tossing around a top-bound spiral sketchbook with student paper (probably Fabriano which I love). I was thinking of a fun size to doodle. May need this size too.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's a nice size

[@CharlotteLWilliams]

Wow, the difference between regular watercolor paper & the ink paper sketch book is extreme. Thank you for the review.

[@andreaizumoto9180]

That cork pallet actually does look kinda cool. My travel pallet is my OG Cotman sketchers pocket box that I put an old pop socket on the back to make it easier to hold. I love the style of your work on that new sketchbook! That was a great paper review.

[@cloverrabbit5622]

Thanks for sharing the travel paint kit video. I actually like the way your little bird turned out on the Viviva paper! I live near a walking trail and it would be fun to have a little travel paint set with me while I'm one with nature... haha

[@MPetrovich23]

Wow the difference between the dried paints on the two different papers is like night and day!!! I gotta say I like them both for different reasons. The muted one has its own appeal but the one on the Arches paper really POPS!!! I love that one!!! You do such beautiful work you can tell you’ve been painting for a long time. I love to see what you’re going to do next. Stay safe and keep on creating.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@Via_Von]

Thanks, Lindsay!! I always appreciate your in-depth look at products and the steps you take to get information about them. I was gifted a large set of Viviva's sheets and got a custom cover for it from the company. They pack such a punch of colour!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Fun!

[@BeckyTregear]

I’m glad you’ve done this review because I’m on Viviva’s mailing list and have been seeing these products advertised a lot lately. But since it is Autumn where I am, I don’t need the Spring set right now, lol 😂. I like the look of the little portfolio set though, it’s cute! It’s interesting how the colours behave so differently on the two papers.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think it will be nice for car sketching

[@starshinesoldier]

It’s great that Viviva is so open about admitting that they out source their pan paints! I was very curious when I saw them come out last year. Thank you for your honest and detailed review Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are welcome!

[@jenniefrench1338]

@@thefrugalcrafter yes thank you. I remember that cellphone looking palette where the colors opened out and the top of the “phone” or it opened and you could pull out the colors and mix them on the top. I stripped all the paint out and replaced it with professional paint and it made the greatest plein aire palette. I think it held 36 colors and I even included some of my Holbein gouache. Well I ended up gifting it to another artist but it was totally worth it. I couldn’t have paid that for an empty palette and it held at least a half pan per color. That was awesome Lindsay!

[@djhadaverde]

Hey! Our Detective of Colours made it again! It's just another Superior watercolour rebranding, it's ok! Hahaha! Nothing bad to say about them, nice for sketching and playing. Thank you very much for this honest review about the paper as well. I have a similar paper block that has the same strange sizing-coating that I hate for watercolours hahaha. They look so bad and strange on this paper. I love your reviews and I loved your "nightmare cat" as well ;)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Honesty is the way to go and I was so relieved that Viviva was honest with me when I asked if these were Superior. They have my respect.

[@djhadaverde]

@@thefrugalcrafter Yes! It's a honest and respectable brand, and their 100% cotton sketchbooks are pretty good for watercolor painting.

[@stanky6261973]

Great review, Lindsay! Cute sets, but, I don't think I'd use them enough I love my portable painter, too! I bought it after you spoke so highly of it and you were right, again :). Tfs.

[@Linda-qq5mg]

I love the expression on the crab! Your reviews are always so thorough! Thanks Lindsay.😊

[@sheillaallen2538]

I like eco friendly cork palette and the whole portfolio set up. Would make it easy to take and paint on the go.

[@justacatwhocantype]

The Superior company is taking over the world, there is no escaping it! 😂 It's a good choice though. Definitely one of the better affordable watercolors. I have their 48 halfpan set, and I do like it and would even buy it again. Not something I would choose for serious work that I plan on investing a lot of time or effort into, but definitely a good choice for fun and play.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, its tough to beat and a solid way to go until you can open an in house factory.

[@justacatwhocantype]

@@thefrugalcrafter Absolutely. And I must admit that I quite like the fact that so many companies are using the Superior paints, as this prevents me from buying a bunch of different watercolor sets to try out. No need to buy and try something that I already own. 😁

[@justacatwhocantype]

@Grace's Art You've probably heard of them at some point without knowing it. They make the watercolors for goodness knows how many different student, craft and instore brands around the world.

[@traceyallen5977]

Great review, Lindsay! You always find the coolest art supplies. I really love the soft look of the first bird painting. It reminds me of Edith Holden art. Someone may have already suggested this, but storing your credit card scrapers in the extra slots was my first thought...

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!

[@gerriebell2128]

The way the paints don’t lift much makes me wonder if they are “chemically” similar to Inktense paints. I’ve seen another artist use these but they didn’t comment on the paint much. Thank you for giving such a thorough review and analysis.

[@stellawella33]

I've been a fan of Viviva since I found them (somehow??) a while ago. I did just buy the spring set because I really like their cork pans. I also plan to refill it with similar colors from tubes from some other brand as they run out. I haven't purchased the travel set because it doesn't seem like it will fit my needs and habits. But I did wonder about the paper because they didn't have many specifics other than something to the effect of it being "our ivory" paper which I think means it is the same type of paper as their Ivory sketch pads. I did just buy some of their ivory sketch pads recently to use for drawing with fountain pens and maybe with gouache. The sleeve on the sketch pad describes the paper as "Lessebo Design Paper, 240gsm (120 lbs), Hot Pressed, and Acid free". So if it's the same paper then it's definitely intended to behave like hot press pulp based paper. There is no indication of any cotton content so I assume there is none.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Huh, intersting. It's an odd paper. It kinda reminds me of a stone paper I used once and it didn't buckle when wet so I wonder if their might be some content like that.

[@SheilaLandry]

What a nice little travel set. I was surprised to see how thin the paint was! But they do go far, I suppose. The entire setup is really cool. I enjoyed seeing you show everything. Thank you!

[@TerrieJohnson731]

I ordered the A6 and the Spring palette! Finally get to try them! I need a travel set that is very compact and complete for taking to chemo treatments. I've been carefully feeding the want monster! The Funto is a definite NO for me, and I got all this for 58.00. 18 more and so much more. Thanks for the review!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I hope it makes the treatments fly by. Take care, and I'm sending positive , healthy vibes your way!

[@yelsyels]

I have a ton of water colours! need to play with them! Sometimes you can have too many arty ideas! I feel I have to much to do but not enough time left to do it!

[@christinaedwards3900]

I found the same accordion palette on ebay - I ordered it to check it out since it was only $10. Also ordered Vivivia's palette to support them - I've loved their stuff since the original crowdfunding back in the day.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Enjoy:)

[@marlbboro8091]

Rather buy Viviana than Superior because I love Vivivas ethos. I love the cork idea.❤️

[@marytesta3003]

Thank you Lindsay! Really want to try the paper paint pad.

[@AnnieNoodle]

That flippy flippy flippy open pallet is just super neat! Too bad it's discontinued. Or maybe that's agood thing. Not like I need more paints!!

[@patticake5944]

Love this!

[@marlbboro8091]

Wanted to buy the cork set and sketchbook after watching another YT, but needed a Lindsay review first.

[@annettefournier9655]

Looks convenient and compact. I just don't work and play well with water brushes. I have tried. When one comes with a set I just give it away. Thanks Lindsay 💜

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have a drawer full 😆 great for workshops tho!

[@annettefournier9655]

@@thefrugalcrafter Good to know. Thanks. I might start saving them then. 😃

[@jacquelineturbitt5509]

My daughter just gave me some paints she has had for years...on the back it says "the original and only Nicholsons PEERLESS TRANSPARENT WATER COLORS the world famous self blending water colors" she has done beautiful artwork with them and I look forward to trying them with the Neurographic Art I have been drawing. The size of the paint sheets is 2.5 inches x 6.34 inches...The colors sheets last for a long time...I don't know much about them...10 years ago the price from the art shop was $24.95...I am going to have to do a bit of research on them...I generally use water color pencils (Staedtler) because it is all I can afford BUT for my birthday I am going to get some Derwent water color pencils...Wow I feel like a real artist talking about paint this way...Thanks for the great reviews it helps me a lot as a new water color artist... HUGS from a COLD Nova Scotia

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The colorsheets are very similar to peerless.

[@bonnerdebbie]

Thanks for the info, great review.

[@MissJanaMac]

Thank you so very much Lindsay for stating these spring colors are from superior❤though knew what you were doing when you chose the name frugal crafter😊 however, I must admit I did buy from Viviva because I like to help out & give back to the little family owned small businesses. Are their color sheets & original cork pans also sourced through Superior or only the spring cork pan set?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Just the thin cork pans.

[@jillbartos8893]

This looks very cool LIndsay! I love watching videos of travel palette setups. Do you think a business card size palette (like the Art Toolkit pocket palette, it's 1/4" thick) could fit in the slot where the color sheets go? That would make this more versatile. The palette could be clipped open to the folio while painting. I like that cork palette, too. Thanks for sharing!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think it would be too thick to close the folio. Maybe if you had a thinner sketchbook.

[@ohbli_oh]

Well done spotting it’s superior paint Detective Lyndsay 🧐👀

[@FannaTurano]

Hey Lindsay! I've missed some of your videos due to work, but wondered if you ever showcased those big pink wc brushes yet? I'm intrigued! Appreciate it! Fanna Turano Denver, CO

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Do you mean the set I designed? They haven't been released yet!

[@marytesta3003]

You designed brushes😮 Can't wait to meet them!

[@FannaTurano]

@@thefrugalcrafter Oooh, didn't know YOU designed those big pink brushes from a few weeks ago on your "weird rocks???" tutorial? YES! I want them, can't wait to hear about them, BUY them!! Congrats!!

[@sueallen952]

Hi Lyndsey I've just ordered thetravel set from amazon and it says its pu synthetic leather, don't know if that's the same as vegan leather? It was £29 (uk pounds)

[@gilashroot8697]

It looks like so much fun. I was excited because you had spoken about painting outdoors. So I was hoping this would work. The paints look beautiful on your regular paper. They are so vibrant. I love your roses and bird paintings. Thank you for the informative video. Are paper palettes better for travel painting or something like watercolour pencils? Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Honestly I think it depends on what you like. I don't care to use markers or watercolor pencils outdoors but some people love it. It Took me a bit to get used to flipping through the viviva colorsheets but now that im used to it I really enjoy it especially for painting in the car. If I am going out in my kayak or for a longer session I prefer my portable painter original.

[@ArtistInNewHampshire]

That muted bird on the tablet paper reminds me of when I painted watercolor on Claybord- it was not spreadable but sank in immediately. I still liked the result, but it felt more stylized that I preferred. Alternatively, there’s a “new” style of paper called mineral paper (I’m thinking clay? ). I tried to use a journal made with it, and really disliked the feel of the pen on the surface. I threw it away.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's what this paper feels like!

[@ArtistInNewHampshire]

I can say, I did a casual portrait of a woman and her cocker spaniel, the paint’s behavior was usable, but less enjoyable than I’d like. I decided I would add a fine black Pigma line around portions, and the result was highly reminiscent of the vintage reading books (50’s/60’s” “Fun With Dick and Jane”. ) I would caution people, if they see the paper, to not spend much on a trial writing pad of it. The actual “Claybord” is substantial for art, although not much for correcting errors, and as mentioned, it sucks up the paint to a remarkable degree. Thank you for being our scout and companion in our journey to art enjoyment! 🤗

[@2Peachcobler]

What is the different between hot press and cold press?

[@justacatwhocantype]

Cold press is textured and typically a more absorbent watercolor paper, hot press is very smooth and the paints tends to sit more on top of the paper. And they are called that because of the way they are made.

[@2Peachcobler]

@@justacatwhocantype thanks, you’re a pretty smart cat! I always wondered but I didn’t know. Now I do.

[@dawnrano132]

Lindsay I’ve been thinking about trying my had at oil pastels. What brand would you recommend for a total beginner? One that’s fairly decent and works the way it supposed to so I wouldn’t get turned off just because the product didn’t work well. I hear that Paul Rubens are pretty good. I thought it would be better to ask someone that has experience with different product brands.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I like Paul Rubens. Mungyo gallery soft oil pastel is really good. You can also go with Cray pad and honestly crayola is pretty good.

[@dawnrano132]

@@thefrugalcrafter you so sweet. Thank you so much. It’s funny because whenever I think about buying and trying a product I always come to you on KZbin because I know your all about honesty. It’s quite refreshing. There is not a lot of honest people left anymore. I’m 55 and I don’t have time for games.

[@marlbboro8091]

Nightmare cat made me laugh so hard, we just don’t see enough nightmare art on YT, we should especially as most of my art looks like that.

[@twizzle1710]

Do you still have the name of the lady and man from India who were making their own watercolor paints? I can't remember right now. Their website was closed for re-construction up through February.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Viviva is from India. Thats the only one I can think of

[@twizzle1710]

@@thefrugalcrafter Nope, we had that really neat 1/2 pans from the woman and her husband. et me look around

[@starshinesoldier]

@@twizzle1710 did you mean Masha’s watercolors? She makes the watercolor paints and her husband makes the wooden palette.

[@twizzle1710]

I found the paints from Arkaar Creation again on another channel. You might like them, Lindsay. I was quite taken by them from the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYWuenpor9Bsfdk&lc=UgwwRgvuxxo37wpA74F4AaABAg.9XdwLN0BnOr9XeSKQxLw1F

[@twizzle1710]

@@starshinesoldier They were swatched on another channel. I was quite taken by the watercolors in the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYWuenpor9Bsfdk&lc=UgwwRgvuxxo37wpA74F4AaABAg.9XdwLN0BnOr9XeSKQxLw1F The website is under reconstruction right now. Boo.

[@PhoenyxAshe]

Is it weird that I'm actually a bit more interested in the bookmark? One of the one downsides of the Viviva sets is the need to keep flipping back and forth. Totally a me thing, but the strictly booklet style format (and if I remember from earlier today, refills are sold as a sort of sticker?) tends to be more of a distraction. I do have a similar collection of paints like this, from their competitor and predecessor, Peerless. They sell their paint mostly in full (about 2" x6") or off cut sheets that can be trimmed and arranged to an individual's needs. I've made two folder-style palettes out of cardstock with strips of paint on one side, and a piece of packing tape down on the other to act as a mixing plate - not unlike that bookmark. Much as I love the company, though, Peerless does not sell anything like this kit. Would it be weird to buy the kit and put one of my own palettes in it? I think it'd be weird...

[@staceydailey6394]

That thin piece in the pan.... I was truly surprised at how little is there. I mean, watercolor goes a long long way but if this was your only set? Idk but it doesn't seem like enough. Price is ok, but for around the same price you can get a small set of paul rubens, that will last 10 times longer. Still, the cork is a inventive idea, we all know it's good with fluid, plus if you drop it in the lake while painting, it will float so you can still retrieve it!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes! I've dropped a pallet in the drink before 😆

[@molliannstocks1709]

"Vegan leather"? you mean "vinyl'??

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It would have to be something like that.

[@justacatwhocantype]

There are different kinds of vegan leather. Usually it's something like polyutherane or vinyl (PVC) but there are also types that are made from plant materials like cork, leaves, etc.

[@molliannstocks1709]

@@justacatwhocantype Thanks for your reply - I was not aware of that - I just figured it was similar to calling a used car a "pre-owned vehicle" !

[@wulfseig1864]

Great review of the products but it's not for me. Doesn't check any of my creative process boxes. TFS.

[@impish22]

yikes... sounds totally overpriced... eek.. so much out there that is a much better buy... thumbs down on this..

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think it will be worth it to some but not others just like anything. You have to know where and how you like to work. I had nice trapper keeper flashbacks tho, I loved those things!