I’m finally opening a watercolor gift box that’s been sitting in my studio way too long—an advent-style mystery watercolor set from Denise Soden (In Liquid Color) that originally came out in 2023… and yes, I’m cracking it open in 2025. In this video, I do a first look at the 12 mystery watercolors, swatch and test them in my sketchbook, and then start painting with them right away. I’m treating it like a little “forgotten treasure” challenge: what can I create when I limit myself and really get to know each color? This is also my attempt to catch up on World Watercolor Month energy by painting as much as I can with what’s in the box—mostly using one color at a time so I can see what each paint does on paper. I talk through my process as I go, make notes in my sketchbook, and focus on the practical stuff you actually want to know: how the paints behave, how they look when diluted vs. stronger, and whether they feel like colors I’d reach for again. If you love mystery boxes, watercolor testing, and sketchbook-friendly painting ideas, this one’s for you.