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But with so many available brands, what are thebest watercolor setson the market?
And what to look for when selecting watercolor paint?
You may not even notice much difference to begin with, and it will be lighter on your wallet.
Photo:Victoria Bilsborough
This depends on your style and what you are attempting to achieve.
This is because certain minerals are simply rarer, and thus more expensive.
If you are looking for something with full coverage, you might consider gouache.
Photo:Bench Accounting
We have a full guide to thebest gouache paintto get you started.
Not familiar withwatercolor transparency?
Craftsy has a great introductory method for testing your paint.
Staining will also become a factor when layering colors, as non-staining watercolors can become muddy when mixed.
Tubes, by contrast, are filled with liquid paint.
The oval half-pans come in a durable plastic case that is ideal for transport.
Prang| $4.38
All of the colors are semi-moist and transparent and come with one brush.
From Burnt Sienna to Yellow Ochre, you’ll have all the colors you oughta get started.
Creatives can stash this pocket-size set in their bag and use it foren plein airpainting like the Impressionists.
Winsor & Newton| $18.69
It comes with 12 tubes of watercolor paint to get you comfortable with mixing color.
It’s no wonder, as they are made by the respected Royal Talens brand.
They blend well and work with all of the watercolor techniques.
Raphaël| $17.49
They dry quickly and the colors remain vivid after they are dry.
The durable plastic case also features an inner lid designed for mixing paints.
The set contains three warm and three cool primary colors from Daniel Smith’s 240+ color collection.
Sargent| $6.79
It comes with 24 half pans, a mixing tray, and an elastic strap for field painting.
Good transparency means that it’s easy to create a glazing effect, and colors are clear and bright.
Its high-quality pigments and economical price make it an excellent set for students and professionals alike.
Van Gogh| $38.81
Grumbacher Academy Watercolors Set of 12 Tubes
Grumbacher| $72.98
Grumbacheris a favorite brand among professional watercolorists.
It also includes a camel-hair watercolor paintbrush so you’re free to get started straight away.
This set of 24 contains a range of colorful 7 ml tubes with excellent lightfastness.
Kuretake| $29.50
These 15 ml tubs contain a large amount of paint, featuring professional-behaving granulation and lightfastness.
With a high pigment load, this professional watercolor paint is known as a great value.
More expensive than other brands, Winsor & Newton has remained popular for overall quality and smooth consistency.
Daniel Smith| $37.80
The colors are rich, vibrant, and heavily pigmented.
If you prefer pans, they also have thatoption, as well as the student gradeAkademie Aquarellline.
All of these high-quality half-pan shades are packaged conveniently inside a wooden box for easy transportation.
Sennelier| $38.95
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tube or pan watercolors better?
There are pros and cons to both.
Pans, which are only activated when touched with a wet brush, are great for their portability.
Daler-Rowney| $27.78
Tubes, by contrast, are filled with liquid paint.
How do I choose a watercolor set?
Do you need specific watercolor brushes?
Holbein| $116.84
Synthetic brusheswhich are made from nylon or polyesterare the more economical option.
Not only that, but they are also easy to clean and maintain their shape after significant usage.
The downside is that they do not retain as much water.
Grumbacher| $72.98
Natural brusheswhich are made from animal hairare usually the go-to utensil for professional watercolorists.
Although they are overall more expensive, they hold more paint and can produce pleasing effects.
Mijello| $54.31
ShinHan| $98.80
M. Graham| $144.53
Winsor & Newton| $76.99
Sennelier| $64.11
Schmincke| $81.11
Utrecht| $264.53
Rembrandt| $157.47
Lukas| $192.99
