Early Access: What Comes Around Goes Around- Paul Rubens Round Watercolor Block Review (Patreon)

What Comes Around Goes Around- Paul Rubens Round Watercolor Block Review

Round Watercolor Papers: Paul Rubens Watercolor Paper: Paul Rubens Watercolors: Shownotes: Full Shownotes Here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vg9wl05GJMv7YRP7mgzrxy5-ztbWQtm3QCHpVNhVtPM/edit?usp=sharing Includes comparison to Mairtini Watercolor Rounds Purchased from AliExpress Other options available: Cottonrag 300gsm (approx 140lb) Block bound Cold press 20 pages 10.5x10.5 Mud Test: Day 1: This paper seems like it should be able to handle a lot of water, but I do notice some seepage where there's a gap in the glue. Somes to be the same paper as the rectangular blocks. Lovely to paint on seems like it can take a lot of pigment and color, and allows for soft, diffused, granulated blending. No real buckling or kipping, glue seems to do a good job holding the paper taut. Maybe a SMIDGE where there's a gap in the glue After drying out overnight: Dries nice and tight. A slight ring around the circumference- maybe glue where I removed the cover sheet. Colors dry fairly bright and vibrant. Day 2: Went in with a lot of water and a lot of pigment- no prewash first, just a bunch of saturated color, and it takes it like a champ. Even when adding in opaque colors, they diffuse rather than turning to mud. Even while wet, you can see the first layer of color, which means this paper is probably great for glazing. On such a small pad, watercolor is a bit of a challenge, so I'd recommend working with a smaller brush than what I'm using here. Paper puffs up a bit, but does a great job holding tight. Day 3: Colors dry misty and vibrant (in the best way), the opera ros4e over Prussian blue is gorgeous. Paul Rubens knows hows to make a w/c block, that's for sure. Dried flat, no real peeling, although there's some initial seepage from day 1 where there's a gap in the glue. Some reworking relifting with the Prussian and some of the more opaque colors. The worst thing about this paper is water control around the edges. Removal: Fairly easy although not perfect, some of the past page is impossible to remove from the block itself The Fieldtest: Day 1: Coneflower Using the Qor Mini Palette, similar to what I used with the Mairtini fieldtest. Also opted to paint a flower (echinacea) because you can never have too many flower illos or something. Does not take masking fluid well AT ALL. I did try to allow it to dry fully before application and after, but it MIGHT have still been damp during removal, I'm willing to allow for user error. Tore the paper up pretty badly. Once paper is wet it stays wet for a while, similar to Shizen and Stonehenge. And while it's wet and open, it's a bit more prone to damage and overworking. Merits a second chance, since it was really humid, and since my fieldtest opinion and mudtest opinion differ so greatly. Next morning Fully dry, dried flat, looks way better Removed it from the block, no real issues with removal, no paper remaining around the edges Day 2, Rose Using Paul Rubens Watercolors It's a hot day out today, not particularly humid, and there was no rain. If you can control the humidity (don't paint on a rainy day, have the AC on, the dehumidifier running) the paper stays open for nice wet into wet techniques and doesn't get TOO pulpy, but you do have to be careful about water control, esp on this smaller size It does stay wet and open for a longer period of time though, which can make a painting this small more of a challenge. There is some difficulty in removing the paper from the pad, it does leave some paper residue. Pros: Paul Rubens 100% cotton watercolor paper- handles for the most part like the bigger block, and takes layering well. Loves granulation- lots of little nooks and crannies Block bound means it's less likely to buckle Handles wet into wet like a champ The format is a lot of fun, I love round watercolor pads Cons: While the paper is a quality paper, water control is a challenge on such a small pad, and over-saturation is far too easy. Water also tends to pool along the edges of the paper Removing it from the block cleanly can be a challenge, it wants to leave paper behind which is difficult to remove Long open time can be a boon or a bust, depending on how you paint The Verdict: I would probably really like this in a larger size, so in the future, I'll probably just order the bigger one. That would make it comparable to the Magnani 1404 Toscano, and if it were more accessible, would probably be more affordable and a great alternative. Music: Sweet Relief- Zachariah Hickman Sunset Dream- Cheel Sunny Travel- Nico Staf Summer Symphony- Sir Cubworth Pop in Gold- Freedom Trail Studio PluckandPlay- Kwon No Starlight Dey Beat- Nana Kwabena MydNyte- Noir et Blanc Vie National Express- Dan Bodan Dance for the Wind Trio- Sir Cubworth Bike Sharing to Paradise- Dan Bodan 8 Bit Dreamscape Lovely Afternoon Breeze Morning Mandolin Finding Me Friday Fugue- Trevor Garrod #Watercolor #PaulRubens #Watercolorpaper