Paletteful Packs Watercolor Unboxing and Mermaid Art Tutorial

Unboxing Paletteful Packs: Watercolor Tools for Mermay Art

As an artist exploring subscription boxes, I recently tested Paletteful Packs' watercolor offering—a curated set promising creative potential. For artists seeking quality supplies or Mermay inspiration, this unboxing reveals what's inside and how these materials perform in action. The package contained four key items ideal for aquatic-themed creations, though missing one critical tool for illustrators.

Inside the box:

• 15 watercolor postcards (perfect for daily Mermay challenges)
• Royal Talens Van Gogh 12-pan watercolor set with removable pans
• Silver Black Velvet "Wee Mop" 3/8-inch oval brush
• Strathmore 400 Series cold-press watercolor paper (12 sheets)

The standout feature? The Van Gogh palette's innovative pan system lets you customize colors. Using the included tool to pop out pans feels surprisingly satisfying—though I noticed thinner plastic might compromise long-term durability. While the brush's unusual fluffy shape initially confused me, practice revealed its strength in creating soft washes ideal for mermaid tails.

Testing Watercolor Performance and Palette Features

Before painting, I assessed the pigments' behavior and mixing potential—critical for any watercolor artist. Swatching revealed:

Pigment Quality and Color Range

The Van Gogh set includes 12 professional-grade colors:

• Chinese White
• Paynes Gray
• Permanent Lemon Yellow
• Permanent Red Light
• Ultramarine Deep
• Sap Green
• Yellow Ochre
• Azo Yellow Medium
• Madder Lake Deep
• Cerulean Blue
• Viridian
• Burnt Sienna

During testing, Yellow Ochre proved exceptionally versatile for skin tones when mixed with blues and reds. However, Ultramarine Deep appeared slightly granulated—something to note for smooth washes. The set lacks a true vibrant purple, requiring mixes like Madder Lake Deep and Cerulean Blue for aquatic hues.

Brush Functionality and Limitations

The oval "Wee Mop" brush holds substantial pigment but offers minimal control for fine details. Through experimentation, I found it excels at:

• Large wet-on-wet backgrounds
• Soft blending in mermaid scales
• Gradient sky washes

For precision work like facial features, I needed a pointed round brush—not included. This gap highlights how artists should supplement subscription boxes with their trusted detail brushes.

Creating a Banana-Themed Mermaid: Step-by-Step Process

Combining the Paletteful Pack supplies with personal expertise, I developed this approach to thematic mermaid art:

Conceptualization and Sketching

I followed Sea Lemon's 30-Day Fruit Art Challenge, selecting banana as my theme. Key design decisions included:

• Mimicking banana curves in the tail's silhouette
• Transforming peels into a crop top with "princess seams"
• Creating hair from banana bunches with textural age spots

After thumbnail sketches, I transferred the composition to Strathmore paper. Pro tip: Tape all edges to prevent buckling—a step many beginners skip despite the 400 Series' 140lb weight handling washes well.

Strategic Color Limiting and Mixing

Using only three core colors avoided muddy results:

1. Banana flesh: Chinese White + Azo Yellow Medium
2. Peel: Yellow Ochre + hints of Burnt Sienna
3. Shadows: Paynes Gray + Sap Green

I layered light washes, reserving white areas early. The removable pans proved invaluable here—I popped out frequently used colors for quick access during intense painting sessions.

Refining Details and Final Touches

Since no liner pen was included, I used water-soluble sepia pencil for definition. This improvisation yielded unexpected benefits:

• Warmer lines complemented the yellow palette
• Pencil marks blended into washes for organic textures
• Adjustable opacity via water activation

Final touches included spattering Sap Green for aquatic depth and adding a "Blubfish" companion with Madder Lake Deep accents.

Art Subscription Box Value Analysis

Paletteful Packs delivers mixed value for watercolorists:

Pros:

• High-quality paper and reputable paint brand
• Unique brush type encourages technique exploration
• Removable pans support customization

Cons:

• No fine liner pen for illustration work
• Limited color range requires supplementing
• Higher price point than buying core items separately

Compared to ScrawlrBox (mentioned in the video), this kit excels in paper quality but lacks drawing tools. For Mermay participants, the postcards are a thoughtful inclusion—though 15 sheets won't cover a full 31-day challenge.

Actionable Watercolor Tips and Resource Guide

Immediately improve your next artwork:

1. Limit your palette: Choose 3-5 colors maximum per piece to maintain harmony
2. Test removable pans first: Ensure plastic frames won't crack before travel
3. Exploit brush uniqueness: Use oval brushes for organic textures like scales or foliage
4. Layer pencil over washes: Add details after paint dries to avoid graphite muddiness
5. Embrace "happy accidents": Transform watercolor blooms into seaweed or bubble effects

Recommended upgrades:

• Liner pens: Sakura Pigma Micron (waterproof, archival ink)
• Expanded pigments: Daniel Smith PrimaTek set for unique oceanic hues
• Brush alternative: Da Vinci Casaneo Round—maintains point while holding wash capacity

What aspect of watercolor blending do you find most challenging when painting fantasy subjects? Share your experience below—I'll suggest personalized solutions!

Final verdict: This Paletteful Pack excels as a creative catalyst but requires supplementing for complete illustration workflows. The included supplies successfully created a whimsical banana mermaid, proving their potential in skilled hands.