Paul Rubens Watercolor Paint 36 Colors - Rich, Highly Pigmented Set

In this review the Paul Rubens Watercolor Paint 36-color tube set is assessed as a practical, affordable option for artists who want strong, blendable colors without specialty studio pricing. The biggest reason to consider this set is the balance between pigment intensity and workability: each 5ml tube delivers a clear, transparent wash that mixes predictably and keeps color intensity when layered. For students, hobbyists and painters experimenting with palettes, this kit offers a useful range and reliable performance for everyday watercolor applications.

Key Features

• 36 Vibrant Colors: A broad selection of hues provides versatility for landscapes, studies and mixed palettes so artists can experiment without immediate dyeing or mixing gaps.
• High-Quality Gum Arabic: The extra-fine Gum Arabic increases gloss and transparency, producing smoother washes and improved rewetting performance when working wet-on-wet or glazing.
• Highly Pigmented Formulas: Ultra-pure pigments deliver strong color payoff and reduce the likelihood of muddy mixes, which makes layering and graduations easier to control.
• Kid-Safe and Acid-Free: Non-toxic and acid-free composition means the set is appropriate for students and classroom use while remaining simple to handle and store.
• Good Mixability: The paints blend and dilute cleanly, giving painters predictable color mixing behavior for both subtle tints and saturated strokes.

Who It's For

The set is best for beginner to intermediate watercolor painters, art students and hobbyists who want a comprehensive palette in portable tubes for practice, plein air work or classroom projects. Its 36 colors reduce the need for constant color mixing and let users explore combinations quickly.

Advanced professional artists who require archival-grade, single-pigment specialty paints or who demand exhaustive lightfastness documentation may prefer to source individual professional-grade pigments instead. However, for general studio work and learning techniques this set covers most common needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong pigmentation gives vivid washes and good coverage from small amounts of paint.
• Excellent blendability and continuity for mixing smooth gradients and glazing.
• Transparent, glossy finish aided by quality Gum Arabic enhances the look of layered washes.
• Affordable kit size with 36 distinct colors is convenient for students and hobbyists.

Cons

• Color realism varies by shade; some users report that a few hues are less true-to-life than expected.
• Tube size is small at 5ml each, so frequent painters may run through popular colors quickly.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Paul Rubens 36-color watercolor tube set is a strong value for students and hobby painters seeking a wide palette with good pigment strength and mixing behavior. It delivers reliable transparency and gloss thanks to quality Gum Arabic and performs well for everyday practice, study and casual plein air sessions; professionals needing single-pigment archival certainty may opt for separate premium pigments instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these paints suitable for beginners?
Yes, they are non-toxic, acid-free and designed to be easy to mix and use, making them well suited to beginners and students.

Do the tubes rewet well after drying?
Yes, the Gum Arabic formulation increases solubility and rewetting, so dried paint can be reactivated reliably.

Will this set replace professional artist-grade paints?
It provides good pigment intensity and mixability for most uses, but artists requiring certified lightfastness and single-pigment options may still prefer professional-grade tubes.