January '24 Upcrate Unboxing | Hope You Feel Painterly

#upcrate #subscriptionbox #artsupplies
A new year, a new batch of subscription boxes!
The first Upcrate of the year has landed, so it's time to don the review hat and dig deep into January's surprise supplies...
Fancy an Upcrate? www.upcrate.art/
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[@KitarraChaosWeaver]

Wow! Upgcate starting the year strong1 I am impressed. Good paint, good paper, great artist, supplies go together a+.

[@TheColourCave]

Yep, I feel like Upcrate get a gold star this month!

[@Mirrigold]

That's a smashing box, especially for people without any existing watercolour supplies. Re hot press paper, I like Jackson's own brand as it's not too expensive for the rare times I want to work on hot press.

[@TheColourCave]

That's two votes for Jackson's... and wouldn't you know, conveniently I need to place an order with them...

[@blackrose538]

I also own a full studio set of the Cotman watercolour paints. It was a birthday gift from my brother :) and I do enjoy using the paints very much. So, lovely box, I'd say :)

[@JessicaSzempruch]

That looks like a mighty fun box indeed. I love playing around with watercolors, though I am definitely not an artist by any stretch of the imagination. The Cotman paints are more expensive in the US for some reason, so I have been using Daler Rowney Aquafine, and really like it. I am also a hot press paper gal, and Arches makes good hot press paper.

[@joloveseyart]

Reasonably priced hot pressed paper is Art Gecko's. I like it as a paper too.

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Gem, I am wondering why there is no Yellow Paint? Ok your question on paper: I have tried a lot of different brands of papers and Arches is simply one of the BEST! Now I like to save money everywhere I can so I have purchased the House brands and found most to be very good! The Killimonjarro papers from Cheap Joe's is a wonderful paper it is made by Fabriano and I am willing to bet the Jackson's House paper is a similar white label paper from a very good manufacturer! I honestly cannot tell the difference in the Fabriano papers and Cheap Joe's, Other than the PRICE! Blick's has a very fine paper too! BE sure to get the 100% cotton paper, this is true for every brand! I avoid the "studio brands" as most of those have a wood pulp content. I just got a delivery from TEMU and the Baohong 100% watercolor papers are good. I did not love them, as they are all from blocks and I like buying sheets so I can cut them up into smaller sizes. I did really like the 14.9" x 5.1" blocks something about the long blocks were just FUN! I also got a couple of 9 x 12 Meeden blocks for very little cost from Temu, but both are available from Amazon but at a higher price too! Thanks for going through this box with us and I look forward to seeing more from you! I hope you record your paper adventures and pass your learning along to ALL!

[@artsykristy]

Hi Gem! I love LOVE the Paul Rubens 100% cotton hot press watercolor paper! It's really affordable too! I hope this helps!

[@TheColourCave]

Thanks Kristy. Watercolour Misfit Carrie mentioned in one of her videos she likes this paper - might be a contender!

[@oxheysarah]

That looks like a nice box. I like the Jacksons own brand watercolour blocks come in a good range of sizes and good quality. Have fun and happy new year 🎉

[@TheColourCave]

Thanks for the info!

[@Kelly1-KAM]

Thank you for another great video. I’ve never been a fan of the Cotman watercolours, I just find them really boring to use, I think it’s because they are just no where near as vibrant as professional paints and I just love really granulating watercolours, which these don’t do much. I loved Gouache too, but due to the re-wetting qualities, and that fact that I love acrylic paints, my favourite ones are the acrylic gouache, they’re the perfect balance between the two, they look and feel like gouache, but they dry permanant. In terms of paper, I also love hot press and 2 papers I’ve been using for years which are very affordable (especially the first brand) are Langton (the red book is the hot press) -really cheep papers and absolutely no issues with, and Bockingford -a little more expensive, but so lovely to use. I’ve never used very expensive papers like Archers and Fabriano, I keep meaning to try it but haven’t gotten round to it, mainly because I love working with watercolours in the Etcher everyday sketchbooks. These books are lovely to paint in.

[@TheColourCave]

Thanks for your comment! I have bought a few cheaper brand papers to try now that people have suggested them - and the Langton is one of them! I really like their cold press paper, so thought I’d give it a bash. Looking forward to trying it out. Can highly recommend the Arches paper if you are looking for something a bit more ‘special’.

[@ColzoArt]

Gem! This box is a really lovely rounded box. Surprised there wasn’t a yellow in the colour selection like a set of primaries, but it’s a really pretty selection… might need to get my Cotman studio palette out after watching this!

[@ColzoArt]

Also - happy burns night to ya!

[@WaitingInTheWeeds]

That box looks good fun. It's so nice to see a set of supplies which go together well.

[@elisecharlenefineart]

HI Gem, I know that you like the cotman paints, but if you feel like trying a different brand, can I suggest Roman Szmal. Jackson's Art Supplies have them on sale for 4 dollars for a whole pan. They are less expensive than W&N Cotman. I would say they are on the level of Schminke Watercolors! You will love them!!

[@TheColourCave]

I've heard good things about the Szmal paints. I'm not really in the market for them just now, but I will bear this in mind. 😊

[@Mirrigold]

@@TheColourCave Roman Szmal are my No2 brand after my A Gallo handmade paints :) Have overtaken Schmincke at the top!

[@8386charlie]

Welcome back indeed 😊

[@TheColourCave]

👋

[@Thia-saurus]

I was surprised when I opened the box this month, though I have not even unwrapped the paints yet 😅 after the last few boxes this one was quite refreshing. let's hope it stays that way! watching you play with colors is always fun :) thanks for the unboxing, Gem-Gem ❤

[@michelleh9685]

Hi Gem, Harry has received her parcel with harry & friends in Australia lol

[@TheColourCave]

Great news! Glad it arrived safe - enjoy!

[@CreativePhenomenonArt]

That paper shows promise. January subscription boxes have been known to be……..🤢,but I must say, What a fun box.

[@emisaurushex]

Is the shipping/tax/customs quite expensive on these since Brexit? I’ve always been a bit wary of ordering things from overseas lately in case I get surprise fees 😅

[@TheColourCave]

I've never paid customs on one of these boxes (I'm not sure if it's covered because of the number of boxes going en masse to the UK or Upcrate have another arrangement), but I can't speak for shipping - I took my subscription out a long time ago when it was free worldwide - I think that has changed now. You won't get any surprise fees though, you'd be notified of shipping when you take a subscription. In general, ordering from the EU is expensive, slow and sometimes problematic but Royal Mail charge a flat-rate handling fee of £8 if your item has been stopped at customs, but that isn't guaranteed on every package. This is why I started stocking Julia's paints in the shop! Paying extra tax only applies to packages over £135. Hope this info helps :)

[@emisaurushex]

@@TheColourCave that does help, thank you! I might give them a go, a little self care treat ☺️