There is this popular notion that painting is an expensive hobby. While you will certainly need a set of materials ranging from brushes to papers and paint, there are also affordable alternatives that you can choose, especially if you're still a beginner. One of these is watercolor paint, which is already a popular medium among artists and students alike.
Since watercolors are very accessible, there are a lot of variations that you can find on the market. They come in different types of packaging and are available in a spectrum of colors. To make sure that you purchase the best watercolor paint for you, feel free to read our buying guide and check out our curated list of the top 10 best watercolor paints that you can buy online.
Quick List - Top Watercolor Paints
Sennelier
Endless Color Mixing Possibilities
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Choosing the perfect watercolor paint means knowing what to look for in terms of its qualities. This might be overwhelming for those who are not familiar with art materials, but fret not, because this buying guide aims to guide you through the different factors to consider when buying watercolor paints.
Are you already a pro or are you still starting out? Before buying watercolor paints, assess your skill level first and buy the ones that match your expertise. If there is a kind of paint for professional artists, there's also a certain type of paint that is ideal for students.
If you're still practicing with watercolor painting, then it would be best to get familiar with student-quality paints first. They are the less expensive option, so you won't have to worry about spending too much on a hobby that you're still unsure about.
With that in mind, also manage your expectations when buying student-grade paints. This is because they are usually not as pigmented and they don't mix well with other colors.
On the other hand, if you are a professional painter, it might be worth investing in artist-grade watercolor paints. Artist-quality paints have richer colors and higher permanence ratings because of their high pigment concentration. This is their advantage compared to inexpensive watercolors that contain fillers and extenders in their formula.
Also, artist-quality paints are more vibrant and they include a wider range of colors that blend well. However, because of their excellent quality, they are a bit pricier, especially if they're from well-known brands.
Watercolor paints come in different types of packaging or container. You can find one that's stored in a pan, a tube, and bottles. This depends on whether they come in a powdered or cream-like form. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages- which you can find out by reading further.
Watercolor paints in pans are common, affordable, and easy to use. In fact, most of us are already familiar with them because we usually use this type of packaging in school. Each pan consists of compressed, dry pigments, also known as rectangular or circular cakes, that are "activated" when brushed with water.
Since it already comes with a built-in palette, watercolor paints in pans are easy to bring almost anywhere. Keep in mind, however, that due to their affordability, their pigments usually don’t really mix well. The watercolor pan is also prone to getting dirty or smudgy because the colors are so close to each other.
Watercolors in tubes use a cream-like formula that is highly-concentrated with pigment. This is the reason why compared to watercolors in pans, watercolor in tubes have a more vibrant color. Another advantage is that they usually contain more paint than the former, which can save you money in the long run.
The downside with watercolor paints in tubes is that they don't come with a palette. This means that you have to shell out money to buy a separate pan so that you can use your paints. Aside from that, they also dry out quickly and can't be reactivated with water again, so you can't really maximize the excess paint left on your palette.
Lastly, watercolors in glass jars are dye-based liquid formulas that are ready to be used right away. They are stored in jars or small glass bottles and come with a dropper, so you can easily transfer the liquid watercolor onto your palette. In terms of purpose, liquid watercolors are perfect for illustrations and calligraphy writing.
The only downside with this kind of watercolor is that the color fades over time due to weak permanence. Also, the colors tend to be duller especially when you combine them because they do not reflect light as regular watercolors do.
Aside from knowing the amount of paint you need, you should also decide on how many colors or which specific set of colors would you need. Whether you're buying them in pans, in tubes, or in jars, watercolor paints can come in individual colors or in sets.
If you're choosing pans, opt for those that have as many colors as possible. This is because powdered pigments don't really blend well and it's a hassle going back and forth and smudging your pan. On the other hand, if you'll go for cream or liquid formulas, then you can be practical and buy only the primary set of colors where you can mix and create other colors as you like.
Staining refers to the ability of the watercolor paint to penetrate or seep through the fibers of the paper. Non-staining means that the pigment can easily be scraped or scrubbed off from the paper using a sponge. Sadly, this feature is not indicated on the label and you would need to test out your watercolor paint to know which category it belongs to.
If you're a beginner, there's really no need yet to know the difference between staining and non-staining pigments. This specific feature can only come in handy later, especially when you want to apply watercolor techniques such as layering and lifting.
Watercolor is known for its transparency- or its ability to let light pass through the paint and reflect back. Watercolor paints can either be transparent or opaque.
Meanwhile, lightfastness refers to the ability of the dye or pigment to withstand exposure to light and humidity and retain its original color. Both of these features are important if you want to apply certain techniques, or preserve your artworK.
Transparency and lightfastness are usually indicated on the label. A white square denotes transparent pigments while a black square indicates opaque pigments. For lightfastness, you can look for the ASTM rating of the watercolor, which ranges from Very Poor (1) to Excellent (8).
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sakura Koi Watercolor PocketField |60-Color Set | ![]() | Paint, Brush and Mixing Trays for an All-in-One Kit | |
2 | Sennelier La Petite Aquarelle Fine Student Travel Box|24-Half Pan Set | ![]() | Endless Color Mixing Possibilities | |
3 | Shin Han PWC Extra Fine Artists’Watercolor Tubes |Set A | ![]() | Learn How to Blend Colors | |
4 | Prang Semi-Moist Watercolors|8-Color Oval Set | ![]() | Watercolor Cakes for Complete Beginners | |
5 | Art Philosophy by Prima Concentrate Watercolors | ![]() | Concentrated Watercolor for Calligraphy and Illustrations | |
6 | Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolours|Half Pan | ![]() | Personalize Your Own Watercolor Pan | |
7 | Faber-Castell Watercolor Tubes|12-Color Set | ![]() | Vibrant Watercolor Paint for Your Kids | |
8 | Grumbacher Academy Watercolor | ![]() | Made With Finely Ground Pigments | |
9 | Art Ranger Liquid Watercolor | ![]() | Liquid Watercolors for Easy, Hassle-Free Painting | |
10 | Art Philosophy by Prima Watercolor Confections Pan Set|Complexion | ![]() | Earth-Tone Colors for Making Portraits |
Not an expert in blending colors? Fret not, because this watercolor pan from Koi probably has all the colors that you need. It's perfect for beginner and skilled artists, especially those who need a wide variety of pigments. The colors included in this pan have varying transparency and permanence, making it ideal for applying different watercolor techniques.
Making it an all-in-one kit, this watercolor set also includes two 9-ml water brushes- #6 medium and #2 small and two palettes or mixing trays- the reverse side of the top lid and a separate removable tray. It also comes with two built-in sponges for dabbing excess water from brushes.
From a well-known brand, Sennelier, this watercolor pan can be your next go-to art material. It features 24 half pans or cakes, so the color blending has endless possibilities. The dry powdered pigments can be activated with water and are stored in a white plastic travel box
This set is made in France and comes with an elastic strap, so you can hold the palette with one hand while painting. You'll also get a mixing tray and extra compartment for storing your brush. Overall, this is a great watercolor pan if you want something portable and easy to use.
Want to create masterpieces with colors that don't fade away? Then this watercolor tube set from Shin Han is for you. It includes high-quality pigments made from gum arabic that guarantees depth, clarity, and consistency. The 6 colors available in this set are: permanent red, permanent yellow light, viridian hue, cobalt blue, permanent violet, and burnt sienna.
You can use these basic colors to learn how to blend in order to get other shades that you want. Meanwhile, what sets this apart from other watercolor paints is its superior lightfastness that resists fading. It also offers exceptional transparency.
If you're a complete beginner, then this watercolor cake set is for you. It features 8 oval pans of primary and secondary colors, plus black and brown. It is non-toxic and easy to activate- with its semi-moist and wax-free pigments. Laying down the paint will be smooth and relaxing.
Also, it comes with its own brush and a cover that also serves as a mixing tray for easy blending and painting. You are guaranteed that this product comes from a trusted and well-known brand. Prang has been in the arts & crafts business since 1882, and has produced authentic watercolors with "uncompromised quality."
From Art Philosophy, this liquid watercolor is perfect for hassle-free painting. It comes in a 15-ml bottle with a pipe head or dropper, which allows you to easily transfer paint to your own palettes. With this, you can forget about activated powder pigments or squeezing out paints from tubes as you can simply carry the bottle anywhere and use the paint right away.
Since this watercolor paint features a pure, concentrated formula, you also won't have to worry about the pigment being too diluted or dull. In fact, you can choose among a wide range of colors- from the brownish Wood to Bright Pink. You can also easily mix and blend colors to get the shade that you prefer.
From Winsor & Newton, these individual watercolor "cakes" are perfect if you want to customize your own palette. You can choose from the available colors to curate your empty pan. These colors include Aliz Crimson Hue, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cad Red Pale Hue, Cad Yellow Hue, Cad Yellow Pale Hue, Chinese White, Sap Green, and Ultramarine.
The only downside with this product is that it is significantly more expensive for its quantity at 1.5 ml per piece. For its quality, however, many would say that it's justified as Windsor & Newton paints guarantee pure, high-quality pigments ideal for professional artists.
If you're looking for an affordable watercolor tube set for your kids to try, then this Faber-Castell set is for you. It is non-toxic and includes a wide range of colors, packaged in 12 easy-to-squeeze tubes. The watercolor paint comes in a cream-like and highly concentrated formula that you can dilute with water.
The 5 ml quantity per color is recommended for beginners who are just practicing with small artworks. The only downside with this, as in all watercolor tubes, is that it doesn't come with a paintbrush or even a palette for mixing. Overall, expect vibrant colors that will surely make the colors of your artworks pop!
These watercolor tubes are a practical option if you're only looking to buy a specific color. Grumbacher Academy Watercolors are highly concentrated and pigmented, giving you vibrant colors that can be diluted with water to increase the quantity.
Each tube contains 7.5 ml of artist-grade and non-toxic paint. These watercolor paints are made with finely ground pigments. You can choose from 10 color options including Alizrin Orange, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cad Red Deep, Carmine, Charcoal Gray, Chinese White, Cobalt Blue, Emerald Green, and Golden Yellow.
From Art Ranger, this liquid watercolor is reliable and easy to use. Simply apply as many drops as you would need on your palette or directly on your paper and start painting right away. The consistency of the pigment is ideal for brush application and you can either use it in full strength or dilute it with water.
One of the best things about this product is that it will likely take a long time before it completely runs out, considering that each bottle contains 120 ml of liquid watercolor. These are available in regular colors, which are pigment-based and lightfast, and in fluorescent colors, which are dye-based.
If you like painting portraits or if you want to learn how- then this Watercolor Confections "Complexion" Pan Set is a must-have. It features 12 earth-tone colors that you can blend to get that perfect shade of skin. It is very portable too as the watercolor pans are stored in a rectangular, metal palette that is easy to carry around.
Additionally, most of the colors in this pan are rated "excellent" in terms of lightfastness or the ability to retain their original color. Aside from the Complexion set, you can also check out other color palettes from the Watercolor Confections line such as Vintage Pastel, Terrain, Tropicals, Currents, and Woodlands.
Trying out different tools and kinds of paint for your artworks is advantageous- you can explore new techniques and be able to practice with more color combinations. Check out the links below for more buying guides and product recommendations about other art essentials that you might find useful.
Author: Katrina Balingit
No. 1: Sakura Koi|Watercolor PocketField |60-Color Set
No. 2: Sennelier|La Petite Aquarelle Fine Student Travel Box|24-Half Pan Set
No. 3: Shin Han|PWC Extra Fine Artists’Watercolor Tubes |Set A
No. 4: Prang|Semi-Moist Watercolors|8-Color Oval Set
No. 5: Art Philosophy by Prima|Concentrate Watercolors
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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