10 Best Watercolour Paints

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour 'Complete Travel Tin', with its 24 half pans, is a solid choice for both beginners and experienced artists seeking a portable and comprehensive set. One of the primary strengths of this product is its use of high-quality artist pigments, which results in vibrant and intense colours that enhance the vibrancy of any artwork. With excellent luminosity and a wide range of colors, this set is designed to cater to a broad spectrum of artistic needs.

Despite being marketed as 'student grade', the high pigment concentration gives the paints strong colour payoff, which can sometimes rival more expensive artist-grade options. The set includes a variety of shades, from bright yellows and reds to deep blues and greens, providing a versatile palette for diverse projects. Furthermore, the transparent nature of these watercolours allows for easy layering and melding of colours, a crucial factor for creating depth in watercolour paintings.

There are some limitations to consider. While the set includes a generous 24 colours, it may not contain all the specific shades a professional artist might require, potentially necessitating the purchase of additional individual pans or tubes. Additionally, the Cotman range, being student grade, may not offer the same level of lightfastness as some higher-end products, which could affect the longevity of the artwork if exposed to sunlight over time.

The portability of the travel tin is a notable advantage, making it easy to take this set on-the-go for plein air painting or for convenience when traveling. This feature, combined with the relatively affordable price point, makes it particularly appealing to art students and hobbyists. The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour 'Complete Travel Tin' is a practical and user-friendly set that provides a good balance of quality and affordability for a wide range of users.

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Studio Set offers a solid entry point for beginners and hobbyists who want quality paints without the high cost of professional-grade watercolors. These paints use fine art pigments but at a lower concentration than their professional range, which means the colors are transparent and consistent but a bit less intense. The set includes 45 half pans, which are great for travel or casual painters since they dry well and stay usable over time. Lightfastness ratings of AA and A mean the colors are quite durable and won’t easily fade, which is reassuring for paintings you want to last.

The color range is broad and includes popular shades, with extras of five commonly used colors. Being pans, the paints are convenient and neat, but if you prefer squeezing out colors or mixing larger amounts, tubes might be better. The included round brush adds value, though older versions don’t have it.

This set isn’t aimed at professional artists who need the richest pigment load and deepest transparency, but it’s a dependable choice for learners or casual painters looking for quality, ease of use, and a versatile palette.

The Kuretake Gansai Tambi 48-color set is a professional-grade watercolor paint collection that blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with vibrant, nature-inspired colors. These paints are known for their vivid, opaque finishes and smooth texture, which sets them apart from typical granulated watercolors. The pans are larger than usual, allowing comfortable use with both small and large brushes, which is great for varied painting styles.

Uniquely, the pigments can be diluted for watercolor-like effects or used more thickly like gouache, offering versatility in how you work with them. The colors dry with a slight sheen and maintain good brightness, reflecting a strong pigment concentration and balanced transparency. With 48 carefully chosen colors, this set covers a broad spectrum, giving artists ample options to mix and create. The paints come in pan form, which makes them convenient and portable, and individual pans can be replaced when used up. The packaging is simple yet elegant, making it a thoughtful gift for art lovers.

The slightly opaque and shiny finish may not suit artists looking for very transparent, traditional watercolor effects. For those seeking a rich, versatile set with a unique Japanese flair and quality suitable for both watercolor and gouache techniques, this is a solid choice.