Premier Pack December 2022 - Sennelier Watercolor: What to Know

Review: Premier Pack December 2022 — Worth it for Travel Watercolorists?

Looking for a compact, ready-to-go watercolor kit that still feels premium? Many of us struggle to balance portability with quality: student kits are easy to carry but fade fast, while pro-level supplies are bulky and expensive. The Premier Pack December 2022 from Paletteful Packs aims to solve that by pairing Sennelier watercolor minis with reliable paper, brushes, and a Prismacolor accent pencil — all priced at a mid-range $42. I tested it with sketchbook sessions and short plein-air trips to see if it actually delivers.

What’s included

• Sennelier Aqua Mini Set (assorted half-pans)
• Strathmore Watercolor Travel Pad (travel-sized)
• Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress Pad (small pad)
• Robert Simmons Watercolor Brush #6 Round
• Robert Simmons Sapphire 1/4″ Oval (flat/oval brush)
• Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil — Cloud Blue
• Vendor: Paletteful Packs — Price: $42 (as listed)

Material & Quality

• Sennelier Aqua Mini Set: Sennelier watercolors are known for their honey-based binder and rich pigmentation. The minis rewet reliably, deliver vibrant color straight from the pan, and blend smoothly on the palette. Being minis, pigment variety is limited, but the quality per pan is noticeably higher than generic student pans.
• Strathmore Watercolor Travel Pad: Compact and paper that holds light washes well. Strathmore’s travel pads are designed for portability with decent weight (commonly around 140 lb/300 gsm) and a consistent surface that takes rewetting without immediate buckling for sketch-to-finish studies.
• Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress Pad: A good partner for textured work — coldpress gives tooth for granulation and layering. Paper feels sturdy and accepts glazes and lifting reasonably well for small-format paintings.
• Robert Simmons Brushes (#6 Round & 1/4″ Oval): The Sapphire line (synthetic or synthetic/sable blends) has good snap and point retention. The #6 round is versatile for washes and detail; the 1/4″ oval is excellent for laying controlled washes and soft edges. They clean up without splaying if cared for.
• Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil (Cloud Blue): A smooth, creamy wax-based pencil that works great for accenting watercolor pieces, adding fine details, or layering over dry washes.

Real-world Experience — Pros & Cons

Pros

• High pigment payoff from the Sennelier minis — colors feel richer and more vibrant than typical travel student sets.
• Excellent portability: the kit’s components are travel-friendly without feeling toy-like.
• Paper selection gives two useful options: a smooth travel pad for quick studies and a textured coldpress pad for more finished small works.
• Brushes perform reliably for both washes and details; they hold water well and reset to a point.
• Prismacolor pencil adds a pleasant pop for skies or accents, useful for mixed-media sketches.
• At $42, this pack hits a sweet spot for hobbyists wanting a taste of professional-grade pigments without buying full tubes/pans individually.

Cons

• Limited palette: minis mean fewer color choices — you’ll need to plan mixes or bring extra pans for broader palettes.
• No travel palette/case included for mixing on the go; you’ll need a small tray or a field palette.
• Paper sizes are small — great for sketches, less so for larger works. If you prefer big washes, this pack will feel constrained.
• Brush selection is useful but minimal; if you like a wide range of sizes, expect to supplement later.
• The Prismacolor pencil is a single accent color — nice touch, but optional depending on your workflow.

“A compact kit that leans pro in pigment quality while staying travel-ready — ideal for sketching sessions and short plein-air trips, but not a full studio replacement.”

Quick Comparison

Who is this best for?

• Travel and plein-air painters who want richer pigments without carrying full-size tubes.
• Hobbyists and intermediate artists ready to upgrade from student kits to something noticeably better.
• Gift-givers looking for a thoughtful, ready-to-use art pack for a creative friend.
• Art journaling and mixed-media lovers who appreciate a textured coldpress and a color-accent pencil.

Final Verdict

For $42, the Premier Pack December 2022 is a well-curated, travel-friendly bundle that leans pro in the places that matter most: pigment quality and brush performance. It’s not a full studio kit — expect to add a palette, a few extra pans, or larger paper if you need them — but as a grab-and-go setup it delivers more joy and better results than most entry-level travel sets.

Ready to try it?

If you’re buying through our shop, check the cart for occasional exclusive offers — use code PALETTEPACK10 for a limited-time 10% off (terms may apply). It’s an easy way to test whether stepping up to Sennelier minis changes your travel painting game.