Gather ’round, my fellow Magpies — in this video I unbox and properly play with the MeiLiang 48 Pearlescent Watercolor set (full pans), because the big question is: can there be TOO much shine? I swatch the colours, test how they activate, and then take them into an actual little sketchbook painting so we can see what they do beyond looking pretty in the palette. Pearlescents can be tricky: they can read super bold in a swatch, then disappear when you glaze, or they can take over a painting if you’re not careful — so I’m looking at how usable they are, not just how sparkly they look. I also chat about where these kinds of paints actually shine (yes, pun intended): accents, details, and “special effect” moments, rather than trying to make an entire painting out of pure shimmer. I’m using my Arrtx A5 hot press sketchbook for today’s tests, and I share a few practical tips for keeping pans workable (including my continuous mister bottle, which is basically a studio staple for me). If you love colour experiments, swatches, and honest art supply reviews, this one is a very shiny rabbit hole.