Are you a professional or beginner artist looking for the best watercolor paints?
We’ve researched and compiled a list of top watercolor brands that are perfect for both professionals and beginners.
Whether you’re just starting out with your painting journey or have been an experienced painter for years, these professional paints will help you create stunning works of art.
With our selection of professional quality paints, you can find the perfect colors to bring your artwork to life.
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Our carefully curated selection includes vibrant hues, subtle shades, and everything in between – so there’s something here for every type of artist.
Check out our list to find the best watercolor paints for your next masterpiece.
What Are the Best Watercolor Paints?
Here are our team's top picks for the best watercolor brands:
- Best Professional Watercolor Paints: Schmincke Horadam Watercolors
- Best Watercolor Paint Brand: Winsor Newton Professional Watercolor Paints
- Best Pan Watercolors: Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set
- Best Watercolor Tube: Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors
- Best Watercolor for Blending: Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors
- Best Watercolor Paint for Starting Artists: Holbein Artists' Watercolor Paint Tubes and Sets
- Most Pigmented Watercolor: MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set
- Best Watercolor Paint for Beginners: Van Gogh Watercolor Paint Set
- Best Watercolor Paint for Students: Grumbacher Academy Watercolor Paint Set
- Best Watercolor Paint Set for Kids: Crayola Washable Watercolor Set
Best Watercolor Paints for Professionals
1. Schmincke Horadam Watercolors
Key Features:
- Weight – 0.704 Ounces.
- Dimensions – 1 x 1 x 1 Inch.
- Volume – 38.4 ml.
- Size – 24 Half Pans.
- Special Feature – Waterproof.
- Surface Recommendation – Metal & Paper.
- Form – Powder.
- Age Range – Adult.
- Color – Assorted.
- Specific Uses – Pans.
- Package – Tube & Box.
Overview:
Are you an artist who needs a professional watercolor paint set?
Look no further than Schmincke’s Horadam Watercolor set. This metal box comes with 24 coloristically selected colors in half pans and an integrated mixing palette, giving you a large and balanced selection of colors to work with.
The 140 colors of this series boast brilliance, the highest light fastness, and yield, making them ideal for creating beautiful watercolor artworks.
With these paints, you can easily dissolve the colors and use them for all your painting techniques – from opaque to transparent styles. And when it's time to refill your pans, just grab some HORADAM AQUARELL tube color!
User Experience:
Schmincke Horadam Watercolors provide users with an impressive range of artistic possibilities.
The pigments are known for their intense color, high lightfastness, and outstanding covering power, which makes them ideal for a variety of creative projects.
They come in a wide range of sizes from 12 to 72 color pans, allowing users to build the perfect palette for their needs.
Pre-defined metal boxes are also available and offer a great basic set of colors with the option to customize later on.
For beginners, it's recommended to start with high-quality colors to minimize frustration and ensure that the paints can last years or even decades when stored properly.
With all these features, Schmincke Horadam Watercolors are becoming a go-to choice for watercolorists around the globe.
If you're looking to take your artistry to the next level, these paints could be just what you need.
The colors have been tried and tested by many professional artists over time, with plenty of positive feedback.
The vibrant pigments, lightfastness, and quality coverage they provide are especially praised by reviewers.
It's no wonder why these paints have become a favorite among watercolor artists of all levels!
If you're looking for quality watercolors that can bring your artwork to life, Schmincke Horadam Watercolors could be a perfect choice.
Pros
- High-quality pigments.
- Light-resistant colors.
- Long-lasting colors when stored properly.
- Available in different sizes and preselected metal boxes of 12, 24, 36, or 72 colors.
Cons
- More expensive than Academy Colours.
Overall Thoughts:
For professionals looking for a reliable and well-made watercolor set, Schmincke Horadam Watercolors is the way to go.
Moreover, they are also great for beginners who want to invest in a good set of watercolors from the start. The high-quality pigments and lightfastness will help keep frustration levels low and provide great results for years to come.
Get started with the Schmincke Horadam Watercolors.
What Is the Best Watercolor Brand?
2. Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolor Studio Set
Key Features:
- Weight – 15.5 Ounces.
- Dimensions – 10.71 x 4.8 x 1.18 Inches.
- Volume – 45 ml.
- Color – Set of 45.
- Form – Solid.
- Specific Uses – Pans.
- Package – Box.
Overview:
Are you an artist looking for the best watercolor brand?
Winsor & Newton Cotman Range of watercolors is crafted to the highest standards, yet kept at an affordable price point due to the substitution of pricier pigments with more cost-effective alternatives.
For any artist, these exceptional materials have it all – amazing clarity, desirable tinting strength, and supreme working properties.
Furthermore, this set contains 45 half pans within a compact case with a mixing tray so you can easily transport your paints wherever you go.
With this set, you’ll be able to create beautiful works of art that will last for years to come.
You won’t have to worry about low paint quality or fading colors; these paints are designed to stay vibrant and true-to-tone even after drying.
User Experience:
The Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolor Studio Set is a great choice for anyone looking for quality paints that can help create vibrant, beautiful paintings.
The set includes an excellent selection of half-pan colors, which are great for mixing to form unique shades and tones.
The paints themselves are easy to use and apply to watercolor paper, with a professional-looking result every time.
Reviews from users also suggest that the paints hold up well, with some even using hot glue to secure their pans in place so that they don’t fall out.
Pros
- The selection of half-pan colors is lovely.
- Paints are easy to use and vibrant in color.
- Comes with a larger palette for more painting options.
Cons
- Hot glue may be required to hold pans from falling out.
- All paints may need one drop of water each to set in their pans.
Overall Thoughts:
It looks like Winsor and Newton have created yet another fantastic set of watercolors.
Get started with the Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolor.
Best Pan Watercolors
3. Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set
Key Features:
- Weight – 1.05 Pounds.
- Dimensions – 12.8 x 7.91 x 0.67 Inches.
- Size – 1 Pack.
- Surface Recommendation – Paper.
- Form – Solid.
- Age Range – Adult.
- Color – 36 Colors.
- Specific Uses – Pans.
- Package – Box.
Overview:
Are you looking for the best watercolor pan set?
Look no further than the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set! This traditional Japanese watercolor is based on colors seen in nature, making them vivid and opaque.
With this set, you can easily create flat washes with smooth paint that dries with a slightly shiny finish.
Plus, its larger pans allow you to use both small and large brushes quite easily.
And it comes with a protective sheet that doubles as a palette mixer and color chart so you can swatch the colors yourself quickly.
Not to mention its beautiful packaging makes it an ideal gift for any artist.
Get your hands on this amazing watercolor pan set today and start creating stunning works of art! You won't regret it – this is truly one of the best sets out there.
User Experience:
The Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set comes in a lovely package, and the individual pans of paint are fairly large at about 1″x2″ in size.
The colors contained within the set are extremely pigmented, giving users vibrant and vivid results every time.
Additionally, the paints have a very smooth consistency and a buttery texture making them easy to work with.
As great as this set is, however, it is important to note that chipping or cracking can sometimes occur in the pans if they are not stored properly.
Furthermore, users may find that the white paint within the set is quite opaque – a definite plus. The black paint is also impressive, as it is the most opaque black you are likely to find in a pan set.
Finally, the iridescent colors contained within the set are simply stunning – sure to please even the most discerning of artists.
It's no wonder why this set continually receives glowing reviews from its users – with nearly a year of continued use, it's easy to see why this set is so loved.
Pros
- Lovely packaging.
- Huge amount of colors and sizes of each pan.
- The colors are very pigmented and smooth to work with.
- White is opaque.
- Black is the most opaque black when compared to other sets.
- Iridescent colors are amazing, smooth, and buttery.
Cons
- Chipping and cracking can occur, if they are not properly stored.
Overall Thoughts:
The ‘Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set' is definitely worth considering for those who are looking for a quality pan set.
Get started with the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor.
Best Watercolor Tube
4. Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors
Key Features:
- Weight – 2.46 Ounces.
- Dimensions – 3.38 x 3.75 x 0.63 Inches.
- Volume – 15 ml.
- Size – 0.17 Fl Oz (Pack of 6).
- Form – Solid.
- Age Range – Adult.
- Color – Multicolor.
- Package – Tube.
Overview:
Are you an artist who needs the best watercolor tube set?
The manufacturers of the DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors make over 240 colors. This is the largest range of watercolors from any manufacturer.
It includes unique colors like PrimaTek and Luminescent Watercolors that capture luminescent colors in nature that regular watercolors can’t.
The Essentials Set has six 5ml tubes with three cool primary colors and three warm primary colors to get you started painting right away.
Mixing these 6 essential colors will give you a huge range of other beautiful shades for your artwork – from landscapes to still lifes to portraits.
And DANIEL SMITH's selection of these 6 perfect hues, makes mixing easy so you can focus on creating your masterpiece.
User Experience:
The Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors are highly sought-after by artists for their high quality and vibrant colors.
Many users have praised the Phthalo blue color for its beautiful, almost turquoise hue that is incredibly strong and can stain paper. It is also very difficult to lift off the paper with water once it has been applied, making for a stunning effect.
Furthermore, the six colors included in this set mix together to create any color you may need and users have suggested adding two more, such as Burnt Sienna or Quinacridone Gold to make a perfect landscape palette.
In addition, Pyrrol Red replaces Cadmium Red and is less opaque which many users prefer over the old Cadmium Red and Hansa Yellow to Cadmium Yellow Lemon.
Pros
- Phthalo blue is a vibrant almost turquoise color and very strong.
- Can get any color by mixing the six provided colors.
- Pyrrol Red replaces Cadmium Red and is less opaque.
- Hansa Yellow replaces Cadmium Lemon Yellow.
Cons
- Colors may require additional pigments for desired mixtures (Burnt Sienna, Quinacridone Sienna, Yellow Ochre or Quinacridone Gold, Raw Sienna).
Overall Thoughts:
All in all, these watercolors have been highly recommended by many users and are worth your investment.
Get started with the Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors.
Best Watercolor for Blending
5. Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors
Key Features:
- Weight – 1.1 Pounds.
- Dimensions – 12.75 x 1.25 x 5.25 Inches.
- Volume – 7 ml.
- Size – 0.23 Fl Oz (Pack of 36).
- Surface Recommendation – Paper.
- Age Range – Adult.
- Color – Assorted.
- Specific Uses – Pots.
- Package – Tube.
Overview:
Are you in need of the best watercolor for blending?
Look no further than Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors.
This innovative formula contains no thickening agents and is created from the finest pigments available, giving you excellent dispersion and color uniformity with minimal wet-to-dry shift and excellent light fastness.
Simply shake the tube so that the contents mix well before use to get started.
With Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors, you can achieve beautiful blends of colors without any hassle or mess.
You’ll be able to create stunning works of art with ease thanks to this superior-quality product.
User Experience:
The Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors are highly appreciated by users for their wide range of colors, with 36 wells in the palette.
The paints boast rich and vivid pigmentation, perfect for creating vibrant works of art.
Many customers appreciate the convenience of having all their favorite colors in one place without having to invest in an expensive ceramic palette.
The paints also dry quickly, which is great for artists who like to work with a wet-on-wet technique.
Despite some users mentioning that the paint beads up in the first few mixes, once they are broken in they stick perfectly with no beading and produce beautiful results.
Related: Samplize Review
Pros
- 36 wells which can be customized to the colors used most often.
- The paint sticks perfectly with no beading after a few mixes.
- Convenient to have all of your favorite colors in one place without investing in a costly ceramic palette.
- Mijello paints, especially Burnt Sienna, are gorgeous.
Cons
- The palette may bead up during the first couple of mixes.
Overall Thoughts:
All in all, this set of watercolors makes it easy for everyone to create amazing art.
If you are looking for a great set of colors, the Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors are worth considering.
Highly recommended!
Get started with the Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors.
Best Watercolor Paint for Starting Artists
6. Holbein Artists' Watercolor Paint Tubes and Sets
Key Features:
- Weight – 5.3 Ounces.
- Dimensions – 6 x 0.2 x 3 Inches.
- Volume – 5 ml.
- Size – Pack of 12.
- Form – Solid.
- Age Range – Kid.
- Color – Assorted.
- Package – Tube.
Overview:
Are you a starting artist looking for the best watercolor paint?
The Holbein Artists' Watercolor Paint has you covered. This set includes 12 colors in 5 ml tubes, including Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Crimson Lake, Chinese White, Ivory Black, Cobalt Blue Hue, Permanent Green #1, Prussian Blue, Permanent Yellow Light, Viridian Hue, Yellow Ochre, and Vermilion Hue.
These paints are transparent professional watercolors that will make your artwork stand out from the rest.
With these high-quality paints, you’ll be able to blend colors like a pro and create stunning works of art.
The vibrant colors will bring life to any painting or drawing project you take on.
They’re easy to use so even beginners can get great results with minimal effort.
User Experience:
The Holbein Artists' Watercolor Paint Tubes and Sets offer a unique experience for artists of all skill levels.
The paint is highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way.
The paint re-wets incredibly well and layers nicely for maximum color control.
With these features, it's no wonder why users are raving about this product.
One thing to note is that the set includes black – though some may prefer Payne's Grey or another alternative.
Pros
- Smooth, buttery texture.
- Highly pigmented.
- Wonderful transparency and layers well.
- Re-wet really well.
- A steal for artist-quality paints.
Cons
- The tube size is small.
- Included black which isn’t as commonly used.
Overall Thoughts:
Overall, the set is an excellent value for any watercolorist. It's a great product for beginners and experienced users alike.
Get started with the Holbein Artists' Watercolor Paint.
Most Pigmented Watercolor
7. MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set
Key Features:
- Weight – 8.8 Ounces.
- Dimensions – 9.2 x 3.8 x 1 Inch.
- Volume – 60 ml.
- Size – 1 Pack.
- Special Feature – Non-Toxic, High-Pigmented, No Chalky.
- Surface Recommendation – Metal.
- Age Range – Adult, Teen & Kids.
- Color – 36 Colors.
- Specific Uses – Water Coloring Paint.
- Package – Box.
Overview:
Do you want to have the most pigmented watercolor paint set?
Look no further than the MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set. This high-quality set is made with Arabic Gum that increases gloss and transparency, giving your artwork a vibrant look.
The colors are highly pigmented, mix well, and don’t leave any chalky or grainy feel after drying.
In addition to the above, it comes in a sturdy metal case with an easy-to-open/close lid and even includes a brush.
Not only is this paint set great for creating beautiful works of art but it’s also non-toxic and safe to use.
It makes the perfect gift for family members, friends, or anyone who loves painting.
And if you're not satisfied with your purchase, the vendor guarantees resolution so you can shop worry-free!
User Experience:
The MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set is a great choice for both experienced and beginning artists alike.
Experienced artists love the vast array of shades offered and appreciate the transparent overlay sheet that names the colors, allowing for easy refilling of exact shades. As a result, it's a great addition to any existing color palette.
For the beginner, these paints are pigmented and easy to use. Comparable to mid-range watercolor sets, they offer good value for money.
Additionally, each set comes with a booklet that provides color names as well as boxes available to swatch each shade of color – added bonus!
With all these features, it's no wonder that MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set is quickly becoming a favorite of artists everywhere.
Pros
- A huge array of shades of color.
- A transparent overlay sheet names the colors easily for refilling half pans.
- Pigmented and easy to use.
- Comparable to other mid-range watercolor sets.
- Comes with a booklet containing color names and boxes available for swatching each shade.
Cons
None identified.
Overall Thoughts:
All in all, the MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set is an ideal choice for both experienced and beginning artists.
Whether you're looking to upgrade your existing set or want to give something special as a gift, this paint set won't disappoint.
Get started with the MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set.
Best Watercolor Paint for Beginners
8. Van Gogh Watercolor Paint Set
Key Features:
- Weight – 12.3 Ounces.
- Dimensions – 9.24 x 5.24 x 1.49 Inches.
- Volume – 10 ml.
- Size – A Set of 20.
- Surface Recommendation – Plastic.
- Form – Solid.
- Age Range – Adult.
- Color – Plastic Pocketbox of 18 + 2.
- Specific Uses – 18 Pans & 2 Tubes.
- Package – Tube.
Overview:
Are you a beginner looking for the best watercolor paint set?
The Van Gogh Watercolors has you covered. These paints feature brilliant, transparent, and intense colors with high tinting strength.
Most colors are rated with the highest degree of lightfastness +++ (100+ years under museum conditions) and they’re easy to work with and mix.
They are proudly produced in Holland with stringent quality control for a consistent experience every time you purchase them.
With Van Gogh Watercolors, you can create beautiful works of art that will last for generations to come.
You won’t have to worry about your paintings fading or losing their vibrancy over time – these paints are made to stand the test of time.
User Experience:
The Van Gogh Watercolor Paint Set is an excellent choice for watercolor painting. The travel palette included in the set has great quality and is roomy enough for a brush.
Additionally, the set comes with a #6 round brush of decent quality.
The pigmentation of the paints is superb and allows for a beautiful wet-on-wet flow.
Furthermore, the paints re-wet effortlessly and you can buy refill tubes when these run out.
The pigment coding is a bonus to the convenience it offers – no need to write each color individually.
Single and two pigment colors make this set versatile enough for any occasion.
Also, the lightfast ratings are excellent.
For those who are worried about chalky paints, don't be – this set is not at all chalky. It glazes and lifts well too.
The only con some may find with this set is that pigment buildup can leave a shiny look to finished work, similar to how too much color pencil would look.
Pros
- The travel palette is of the highest quality and conveniently stores a brush in its compartment.
- This product comes with an excellent #6 round brush for your convenience.
- Outstanding coloration.
- Re-wets effortlessly.
- Beautiful wet-on-wet flow.
- Can buy refill tubes when these run out.
- The pans come coded for you!! They’ve printed the color number so you don’t have to write each one individually.
- No mixes with more than 2 pigments.
- Great learning, and a mixable set without muddy colors.
- Excellent lightfast ratings.
- Not at all chalky.
- Glazes and lifts well.
Cons
- Pigment buildup can leave a shiny look to the artwork.
Overall Thoughts:
All in all, this set is an excellent choice for beginner and experienced painters alike. The quality of the paints is certainly worth the price.
Highly recommended!
Get started with the Van Gogh Watercolor Paint Set.
Best Watercolor Paint for Students
9. Grumbacher Academy Watercolor Paint Set
Key Features:
- Weight – 1 Pound.
- Dimensions – 10 x 8 x 1 Inch.
- Volume – 7.5 ml.
- Color – Assorted.
- Package – Tube.
Overview:
Are you a student looking for the best watercolor paint set?
Look no further than the Grumbacher Academy Watercolor Paint Set. This portable set is perfect for field or studio use, and it comes with 12 vibrant colors, two brushes, an instruction booklet, and a carrying case.
Its palette has 12 color wells, 3 mixing wells, and 1 large wash area to help you create beautiful works of art.
With this set in your hands, you’ll be able to express yourself like never before. You can mix colors to get just the right shade or texture that will make your artwork stand out from the rest.
And with its easy-to-follow instructions included in every package, even beginners can learn how to master watercolors quickly and easily.
User Experience:
The Grumbacher Academy Watercolor Paint Set contains a range of artist-grade watercolors in a convenient, portable carrying case.
The set includes twelve Academy watercolors such as Chinese White, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light Hue, Cadmium Yellow Deep Hue, Thalo Blue, Sap Green, Viridian, Payne's Gray, Ultramarine blue, and Yellow Ochre Hue.
From the set, you'll receive one round detail brush and a flat wash brush with red sable bristles. Furthermore, it features a palette stacked with 12 color wells, 3 mixing wells plus 1 great-sized area for washes.
Users of the Grumbacher Academy Watercolor Paint Set have praised its portability, the range of colors included, and their quality.
Pros
- Contains a variety of colors for field or studio use.
- Comes with 12 Academy watercolors, brushes, and a palette.
- Includes an instruction booklet and carrying case.
Cons
- Small tubes of paint may not last long in frequent use.
- No chisel tip brush is included for wide strokes/details.
Overall Thoughts:
The set is perfect for artists who need to travel with their paint supplies or those looking for an affordable starter set.
With its instruction booklet, this watercolor set will help even beginners get started creating beautiful watercolor paintings.
If you're looking for a fun and portable watercolor set, then the Grumbacher Academy Watercolor Paint Set is worth trying out.
Get started with the Grumbacher Academy Watercolor.
Best Watercolor Paint Set for Kids
10. Crayola Washable Watercolor Set
Key Features:
- Weight – 2.72 Ounces.
- Dimensions – 0.75 x 2.38 x 9.25 Inches.
- Volume – 0.02 Cubic Feet.
- Size – 1 Pack.
- Special Feature – Washable.
- Surface Recommendation – Fabric.
- Form – Solid.
- Age Range – Kid.
- Color – Assorted.
- Specific Uses – Other.
- Package – Can.
Overview:
Are you looking for the best watercolor paint set for your kids?
Take a look at the Crayola Washable Watercolor Set. This set includes 8 classic colors and a paintbrush, so your little ones can dive right in.
These paints are washable from skin and clothing, making them perfect for classrooms and craft rooms. And with its safe and non-toxic formula, it’s recommended for ages 3 & up.
With this amazing watercolor set, your kids will have hours of creative fun as they explore their artistic side. They will be able to create beautiful works of art that will last for many years.
User Experience:
The Crayola Washable Watercolor Set is highly appreciated by users for its quality and convenience.
The set includes a variety of colors and a brush, allowing for better coverage when painting.
The colors are vibrant and the paint easily washes out of clothes and other surfaces with just water and a cloth.
Users also appreciate that the paint lasts a while and that each pack comes with a new brush.
Parents love how it's water-based and easy to clean up, so they don't have to worry about their kids making too much of a mess.
With the Crayola Washable Watercolor Set, art-making has never been easier!
Pros
- Lasts a while.
- Comes with a new brush.
- Easier to clean than acrylic paint.
Cons
None Identified.
Overall Thoughts:
In a nutshell, the Crayola Washable Watercolor Set is a great choice for kids who want to accessorize their art projects while avoiding the mess of oil or acrylic paints.
The set comes with an array of vibrant colors that can last for quite some time, and each pack includes a new brush so that the painting experience can be tailored to the user.
Clean-up is a breeze since it is water-based.
If you're looking for a mess-free option that allows kids to explore their creativity and express themselves through art, then this product is for you.
Get started with the Crayola Washable Watercolor Set.
What Is Watercolor Painting?
Watercolor painting is the art of applying pigments to a surface with water-based media such as gum Arabic, glycerin, and honey.
Watercolors are typically used for fine art painting, illustration, design, and decorative arts.
The colors range from very transparent tints to opaque and semi-opaque colors that can be used as a glaze or over an underpainting.
Watercolor paintings have a luminous, light quality that is impossible with any other art medium.
Watercolor paints can also be mixed to create layers of color and texture in the painting.
The watercolor artist has many different effects available in his or her work.
What Are Professional-Grade Watercolors?
Professional-grade watercolors are high-quality, finely milled paint specially created for professional artists. These paints are made with higher concentrations of pigment and finer grinds of pigments than student-grade paints, resulting in superior color saturation and vibrancy.
Professional-grade watercolors provide a richer range of colors and shades and allow artists to layer colors more easily.
The paints are also more resistant to fading, making them a great investment for any serious artist.
With professional-grade watercolors, you can create truly beautiful works of art that will last for years to come.
What Makes a Good Watercolor Painting?
Watercolor paintings are known for their unique and vibrant colors, which create an overall feeling of softness and luminescence.
For a successful watercolor painting, it is important that the artist considers composition, color harmony, and values carefully.
Composition is essential in creating interest and impact in a painting. It includes the organization of elements like line, shape, color, and texture. It is also important to consider the principles of design like contrast and balance when planning a composition for a watercolor painting.
Color harmony is another key element in a successful watercolor painting. The artist must carefully choose colors that create an aesthetically pleasing combination. This can be achieved by understanding the color wheel and how to combine different colors for a desired effect.
Finally, values are an important factor in creating a successful watercolor painting. Values refer to the lightness or darkness of hues, and they help create depth and dimension in a painting.
To achieve good values in a painting, the artist must understand how to mix and layer paint to create the desired intensity of color.
By keeping these elements in mind, an artist can create a beautiful watercolor painting with vibrant colors and luminosity that will stand out from the rest.
With practice and patience, anyone can create stunning watercolor art.
Watercolor Paints Need Watercolor Brushes
Watercolor painting requires precision and skill, two elements that can be greatly improved with the use of the correct brushes.
Watercolor paint is a tricky medium to work with as it reacts differently to different tools.
Regular acrylic or oil-based brushes will not have the same effect as watercolor brushes, which are specifically designed for use with water-soluble paints.
Make sure you have some watercolor brushes on hand so you can use them to their full potential.
You don't want to be a painter who needs to get things done but is forced to use the wrong tools.
Get the right brush for your works of art and show off your artistic power with a little help from the right watercolor brushes.
After all, a brush is only as good as its bristles.
How to Choose the Best Watercolor Paints
Selecting Your Watercolor Paint
Watercolor painting is an art form that requires the right tools to achieve the desired results.
When it comes to selecting watercolor paints, there are a few key factors to consider.
First, the type of pigment you choose will determine how intense and vibrant your painting will be.
There are two types of pigments used in watercolor paints: organic and synthetic.
Organic pigments are much more intense, while synthetic pigments can be less vibrant.
Depending on the type of painting you're doing, different types of pigment may be better suited for your project.
Second, the quality of the paint is also important.
Professional grade paints use pure concentrated pigments while student grade paints often use fillers and synthetic pigments. Professional grade paint is more expensive but provides a better quality painting experience.
Finally, you will need to consider the cost of your watercolor paint material.
Some brands have more expensive watercolor paints than others, so it’s important to compare prices before making a purchase.
It's also important to think about the quantity you need, as some specialized paints may be cheaper in larger quantities.
How Can You Tell If Watercolor Is Good Quality?
To ensure your water-coloring projects come out looking perfect, you should consider the following criteria when selecting watercolor paints.
Pigmentation is the most important factor in assessing the quality of watercolors. Good paint should have a good balance of pigments and must be lightfast. You should be able to distinguish between the different pigments used in the paint and their relative strengths.
Lightfastness is also essential when selecting watercolor paints. Paints that are not lightfast will lose intensity and color as they are exposed to sunlight, so it’s best to buy lightfast paint.
Grease paints are not often used in watercolors, but they can be useful for creating textured effects or adding layers of color. Grease paints have a high concentration of oil and wax, and they remain stable when mixed with water.
Finally, transparency is an important part of watercoloring. High-quality paints should be transparent enough to allow the artist to achieve subtle gradations of color and light without sacrificing vividness or intensity.
When considering the quality of watercolor paints, keep these criteria in mind. Quality materials are just as important as skill when it comes to creating beautiful works of art.
FAQs
Is Schmincke Better Than Winsor and Newton?
Schmincke watercolors are widely acclaimed by professionals for their high quality and vibrant colors. They are considered to be one of the best watercolor brands available, with many artists preferring Schmincke to Winsor & Newton due to its superior pigment load.
The color is incredibly vibrant compared to WN's, and it tends to last longer.
The biggest difference between Schmincke and Winsor & Newton is the fact that Schmincke uses Gum Arabic as a binder, which makes the colors more transparent, allowing for more light reflection and giving a greater depth of color.
Whereas Winsor & Newton uses honey as a binder, making their paints thicker and opaque.
Overall, it's hard to say which brand is better; both have their advantages and disadvantages.
However, if you're looking for vibrant colors with an extra bit of depth and clarity, Schmincke may be the way to go!
It all depends on what kind of results you're looking for in your watercolor paintings.
What Are Watercolor Pans?
Watercolor pans are small, cylindrical-shaped containers of watercolor paint that can be used for painting. They usually come in a variety of sizes and colors and are convenient for taking with you on the go.
Pan paint is much more concentrated than the tube, meaning that a little bit goes a long way.
This makes it ideal for painting small details, as well as larger projects that may require greater amounts of paint.
Which Is Better Watercolor Tubes or Pans?
Watercolor tubes and pan paints offer vastly different advantages for the watercolor artist.
Tubes are great for convenience, allowing you to quickly and easily mix different colors without having to worry about contamination or running out of a particular color.
They’re also ideal for larger paintings that require precise control over the amount of paint used.
However, tube paints are more expensive than pans.
Pans, on the other hand, offer a much more economical solution for watercolor painting.
They’re great for smaller works that don’t require an exact amount of color and can be easily replaced when necessary.
They also come in small sizes- perfect for carrying with you wherever you go.
Ultimately, the choice of which watercolor medium is best comes down to your personal preference and style.
Both pans and tubes have their advantages, so take some time to experiment with both and find out which one works best for you.
How Do You Use Liquid Watercolor Paints in Tubes?
Liquid watercolor paints in tubes offer a vibrant, unique, and versatile way to create stunning art pieces.
To get the most out of this type of paint, it’s important to understand how to use them effectively.
When using liquid watercolor paints in tubes, always start with a clean surface and use an artist's palette to mix the paint.
Add a small amount of water and start adding the pigments to create the desired color. Don’t forget that more water yields lighter colors, while less water will produce darker hues.
Once you have mixed up your color, it’s time to apply it to your paper or canvas using a brush. It’s best to use a large brush, as it will allow you to quickly spread the paint and create fluid lines.
When layering colors, go from lightest to darkest to get the most vibrant results possible.
Using liquid watercolor paints in tubes is an exciting way to create masterpieces of art that could only be dreamed up in your imagination.
Related: The Best Acrylic Paint Thinners
What Are Good Watercolor Paper Brands?
Two of the best watercolor paper brands are Strathmore Watercolor Paper Pad and Artisto Watercolor Pads.
Strathmore’s paper is professional grade and consists of 12 sheets of 140 lb cold press watercolor paper, while Artisto’s pads offer a pack of 3 (90 sheets) spiral bound, acid-free paper with unique designs that make it easier to create a variety of colorful artwork.
Both offer high-quality, acid-free papers to help ensure your art lasts for years.
Which Watercolor Brand Is Expensive?
Rembrandt Watercolor Paints is an expensive watercolor brand. It is known for its quality and bright pigments. The paints come in tubes, pans, and liquid form, so they can be used with a variety of techniques.
Rembrandt Watercolors Paints are also archival-quality, which makes them ideal for illustrations or art pieces that will last a long time.
What Are Good Cheap Watercolors?
Good cheap watercolors include MozArt Supplies Watercolor Paint set, and MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set.
Each of these sets offers quality pigments with a variety of colors in compact palettes at reasonable prices.
What Are Primary Colors
Primary colors are the three colors red, yellow, and blue that form the foundation of any color palette.
By combining these three colors in various proportions, an infinite number of other colors can be created.
When used in art and design, primary colors allow for a broad range of creative possibilities.
What Really Is The Difference Between Student and Professional (Artist) Grade Watercolor Paint?
The differences between student and professional (artist) grade watercolor paints go beyond the more obvious price difference.
In terms of quality, artist-grade paints are generally more pigmented and vibrant, offering a richer and smoother flow of pigment with greater color intensity.
Professional artists may also prefer the finer particle sizes available in artist-grade colors, as these provide a smoother texture and more even coverage.
Student-grade paints often contain less pigment, which can result in less vibrant colors.
Additionally, they may have coarser particle sizes that make them harder to blend and spread evenly on the paper.
Conclusion:
No matter if you are a professional artist or just a beginner, the right watercolor paints can make all the difference in your artwork.
With so many brands available, it can be difficult to know which ones will provide quality and value for money.
We have compiled this list of top watercolor brands that offer both professionals and beginners great results with their painting projects.
From high-end luxury sets to affordable student-grade products, there is something here for everyone's needs.
