Paletteful Packs is a carefully thematic selection of art supplies for artists of every skill level and all ages. Every box will include a variety of media. Products include paint, pens, pencils, brushes, markers, and more! There are 3 different pack options including:
- Petite Pack: 4+ artist quality supplies per box for $24.95/month
- Premier Pack: 5+ artist quality supplies per box for $35.95/month
- Young Artist: for ages 8 and up, 4+ items per box for $30.95/month
This review is for the Premier Pack.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out the review processes post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About Paletteful Packs
The Subscription Box: Paletteful Packs
The Cost: $35.95 per month + free shipping (save with longer commitments)
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!
CODE: FIRSTMONTH10
The Products: Carefully selected art supplies are provided to create a unique project
Ships: Worldwide
Paletteful Packs May 2019 Review
This month is all about Marabu Graphix Aqua Ink! Paletteful Packs Premier included all the supplies needed to create 15 beautiful 6 X 8 watercolor creations!
I love the way this content list is laid out. It lists the included items with details, tips for using the items, and retail values.
The back of the card has information about the May 2019 Paletteful Prompt. If you are so inclined, you can make a drawing/painting based on your interpretation of the prompt and post it to social media with the following hashtags: #palettefulprompt and #palettefulpacks.
Marabu Graphix Aqua Ink 15 mL Set of 8 - Total Retail Value $23.92 ($2.99 each)
Here we have the main item in this months box: a set of 8 super concentrated lightfast, pigment-based watercolor inks! Considering I have previously only used Crayola watercolors, I am no professional. That being said, these inks are AWESOME! I have never seen pigment like this in my life. You can use these with any watercolor technique: brush, sponge, drip pen, or even your fingers! And even when the paint is dry, the colors can still be dissolved with water for translucent effects. Not only do they paint beautifully, but they are each 15 mL, so they will last a very long time and the glass bottles are very nice!
Marabu Graphix Black Fineliner Set of 4 - Retail Value $6.99
Next up, we have these incredible black fineliner pens. The content list says these are ideal for illustrations, sketches, fine art, cartooning, and lettering. They are water-based, water-soluble, and low odor. There are 4 different nib sizes: 0.2; 0.4; 0.8 and a brush tip. I found these pens extremely easy to use and very professional. I used the brush tip on my flower painting, and was extremely happy with my results! I will for sure be ordering more of these!
Princeton Artist Brush Co. Velvetouch 6 Flat Brush - Retail Value $9.35 (found here for $4.67)
The next item in the box is this size 6 flat shader mixed media brush. The brush itself is made of a synthetic blend, while the handle is almost velvet to the touch for extra comfort. I found this brush very easy to use and very versatile, and honestly the best paint brush I have personally ever used.
Princeton Artist Brush Co. Velvetouch 3 Round Brush - Retail Value $7.95 (found here for $3.97)
Also in the box is a size 3 round mixed media brush. This brush is also made of a synthetic blend with a velvety handle. I found this brush to be perfect for small details, and very precise. I will definitely be hiding these brushes from the kids!
Here I have swatched each color of ink with both types of included brushes for a close up look at how brilliant these colors are!
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media 6 X 8 - Retail Value $5.29 (found here for $3.22)
The last item in the box was this pad of mixed media paper. This pad of paper is perfect for wet media performance and a dry media finish that works well for a range of mixed media applications. Each pad includes 15 heavy-weight 140 lb. sheets. Each sheet has a vellum finish and worked very well for watercolor. I pretty much soaked these pages and I didn’t have any trouble with ink bleeding through the paper. It is more like cardstock than paper and held up very well.
Project #1 - Watercolor Flower
For my first project, I decided I wanted to create some watercolor flowers. I used a pencil and loosely traced the shape of the flowers I wanted to create.
And then I just went for it! Like I said above, I don’t have much experience using watercolors, but I had a blast! The colors were so easy to use, and you really can’t make a mistake! Everything blended well and you could dab paint off if you went a little too crazy.
Another nice feature of these paints is that they dry pretty quick. Not so fast you can’t blend, but fast enough that I could finish this entire project in less than an hour. I waited until the entire paper was dry and then used the Marabu Graphix Black Fineliner brush pen and added my black details. I was pretty satisfied with my first finished painting!
Project #2 - Watercolor Butterfly
The next painting I wanted to try was one of a butterfly. I just typed in watercolor butterflies in my computer search engine and found a painting I wanted to try and recreate. I went ahead and sketched the outline, and got straight to work. I like that it’s a little rugged and messy looking.
Here is the finished project. It looks nowhere near as pretty as the original watercolor I was trying to recreate, but I was happy with my results! I can’t wait to paint more!
The Verdict: I am in love with Paletteful Packs! This is my second month and I am so happy with this subscription. I have received fun, high-quality art supplies to create finished pieces with each box. I also love that this box is for artists of all ages and skill level. I am definitely a beginner, but am loving trying out high-quality products that I otherwise would never have even heard of! I can’t wait for next month!
This subscription costs $35.95 a month plus free shipping. The content card shows a retail value of $53.50 in this box, which is what I found everything online for. This means you are saving over $15 by subscribing! I think this is a great deal, especially because you receive everything you need to create a project; in this case 15 paintings! Plus with the amount of paint in these jars, I will be able to paint for years to come!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You will receive the June box. There is a cutoff date of the 15th of every month to order the box for the coming month. If your order is placed after the 15th, you’ll receive the following month’s box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!
CODE: FIRSTMONTH10
Check out all of our Paletteful Packs reviews and the best arts & crafts subscription boxes of 2019!
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What did you think of Paletteful Packs May box? What would you create?
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