Meeden Art recently sent me a 24 color set of their 12ml tubes of Artists Watercolors to try out. It is a remarkably low-priced set and I knew I would be very interested to see what colors were included in the set, and to give them a road test to see how they compare with the other paints I regularly use – Winsor and Newton, Old Holland, Daniel Smith and Kuretake being my paints of preference these days.

This set from Meeden costs $16.95 on Amazon. So obviously if we are looking for a really inexpensive paint which has got the intensity and mixing power we need, this can fit the bill.

I tested the paints and made a swatch showing how intense these paints are. You can see here that they are intense, and the selection of colors is good.,

I then tested them by painting three florals in my usual style. I was very pleased with the outcome all round. Mixing, color intensity, strength after drying, bleed and consistency are all good.

It used to be the case that if you paid less for paints, you definitely got less. They would be chalky, unable to produce bright colors, poor mixers and generally were good for nothing other than perhaps a child’s first steps into watercolor – although personally I don’t think they were even suitable for that.

But things have changed. This set from Meeden costs $16.95 on Amazon. That means each tube costs only 70 cents, for 12ml of paint. Which comes out at less than 6 cents a millilitre. Compare that with Paul Rubens, which at $80 for 36 tubes each containing 5ml works out at $2.25 a tube or 45 cents for each millilitre. That makes Paul Rubens seven times as expensive as Meeden.

But why would we need a really inexpensive paint at all? Well, one of the things that causes us to be inhibited about experimenting, using paint generously, washing off our brushes between strokes, and painting larger works is the cost of paint.

If we can find a paint that has good color strength, pure pigments, good consistency, fine particle size, quality binder and a good level of transparency and light-fastness, but that costs a mere fraction of the famous brands, we are going to be equipped to paint in a whole different way. With larger brushes, larger sheets of paper and plenty of paint, who knows what you might create?

Here are the paints and a few other Meeden products which I like and am happy to recommend. They also have a complete beginners kit at a ridiculously low price. Take a look here and then have fun exploring their website at www.meedenart.com where you can get a 10% discount as well as free shipping from their site.

Meeden Art Supplies

Use the code Diane10 on their website to get an additional 10% discount as well as free shipping.

24 tube Watercolor Set

$16.95

Containing all the essential colors to allow you to paint any subject, this set is particularly suited to painting florals and whimsical art. Includes a tube of black and white. 12 of the 24 hues are single pigment colors.

Lemon Yellow, Pale Yellow, Gamboge, Yellow Ochre, Orange Yellow, Scarlet, Vermillion, Crimson, Rose, Cerulean, Cobalt, Ultramarine, Prussian Blue, Pale Green, Sap Green, Deep Green, Pthalo Green, Violet, Pruple, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Black and White.

Watercolor Paint Brush Set (10 Pieces)

$19.95

• A well-made inexpensive set of brushes ideal for beginners.
• Good water-holding capacity and excellent points.
• Ideal for most types of watercolor painting.

Large Artist Porcelain Ceramic Palette

$39.95

• A large 32 well studio palette in high quality ceramic at a bargain price.
• Plenty of space in the central area for mixing colors
• Corner wells for many possible uses.

Ceramic Brush Wash Bowl

$24.95

• Elegant Ceramic Palette made from durable material, stain-resistant and easy to clean.
• Holds 600ml in two compartments.
• Heavy and stable for desk use.
• Can use for water or storage of brushes.

Watercolor Paper Block

$15.95

• Glued on all sides to keep flat
• 100% cotton, 140lb cold pressed
• Acid & Chlorine-free, archival paper
• 10 x 7 inches, 20 sheets per block
• Versatile for all media

Ceramic Mixing Palette

$14.95

• White glazed smooth porcelain surface
• Large 10 x 6 inch mixing area
• Durable and long-lasting
• Easy to clean, non staining, non absorbent

Round Ceramic Palette

$13.95

• 7 inch diameter round ceramic palette
• 10 wells for paint, 2 mixing areas
• Smooth white surface, non beading
• Easy to clean, durable and hard-wearing
• Space-saving and stable in use

Watercolor Painting Set

$34.95

• ALL YOU NEED to start WATERCOLOR
• 24 x 12ml MEEDEN watercolor paints
• 10 watercolor paintbrushes
• 20-sheet 10″x 7″ watercolor paper pad
• Flower-shaped ceramic palette

Field Easel for Plein Air Painting

$64.95

• Foldable and adjustable aluminium easel with carry bag
• Weight 2kg
• Includes drawing board and mixing palette