Articles
10 Best Watercolor Paint For 2024
Modified: December 28, 2023
Discover the top 10 watercolor paints for 2023. Enhance your artistic skills with these high-quality watercolor paints.
(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Storables.com, at no extra cost. Learn more)
Introducing the "10 Best Watercolor Paint for 2023," where art enthusiasts and professionals can discover the top watercolor paints that are sure to elevate their creative expressions. This expertly curated list showcases the finest watercolor paints, carefully selected based on their quality, pigmentation, vibrancy, and overall performance. Whether you are a seasoned painter or just starting to explore the world of watercolors, this comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision on the best watercolor paints to enhance your artwork in the year 2023.
Overall Score: 9/10
Express your creativity with the Prang Watercolor Oval Set. This set includes 8 vibrant colors that allow you to create beautiful watercolor paintings. The transparent, semi-moist paint has a long-lasting staying power. The high-quality binders, pigments, and dispersing agents in the formula make painting smooth and easy. The set comes with a brush and refills the matching Prang Watercolor Set. It is suitable for both adults and children, making it perfect for hobbyists and classroom use. The Prang Watercolor Oval Set is a classic choice that has been recommended for elementary schools since the 90s.
Key Features
- Express your creativity through watercolor painting
- Transparent, semi-moist paint delivers vibrant color and long-lasting staying power
- Refills the matching Prang Watercolor Set
- Exclusively cured formula for smooth, easy painting
- 8-color set includes red, blue, green, yellow, violet, orange, brown, and black
Specifications
- Color: Assorted Colors
- Dimension: 8.50Lx0.88Wx2.38H
- Size: 9 Piece Set
Pros
- Suitable for both adults and children
- High-quality paint with deep pigments
- Comes with a brush
- Refills the matching Prang Watercolor Set
- Long-lasting and washable
Cons
- No white color included
- May stain surfaces
The Prang Watercolor Oval Set is a classic and reliable choice for watercolor painting. With vibrant colors, a smooth paint formula, and long-lasting staying power, it allows artists of all ages to express their creativity. The set includes a brush and can be easily refilled, making it convenient for both beginners and experienced painters. The paints are of high quality and suitable for both adults and children. However, it’s worth noting that the set does not include a white color, and the paints may stain surfaces. Overall, the Prang Watercolor Oval Set offers great value for its price.
Overall Score: 9.2/10
Make your watercolor art come to life with vibrant colors. This watercolor paint set is ideal for both beginners and pros, perfect for coloring books, bullet journaling, sketching, lettering, and more. It comes in a portable tin box, making it convenient for travel. The set includes 48 colors, including metallic and fluorescent options, as well as a variety of accessories like watercolor paper, a water brush pen, sponge, black marker, swatch sheet, and flexible brush. The watercolors are non-toxic and conform to safety standards. With its high quality and comprehensive features, this ARTISTRO watercolor paint set is a great choice for artists, amateur hobbyists, and painting lovers.
Key Features
- High Quality Watercolor Paint Set
- Create On the Go
- Elegant Design & Giftable Box
- Non-Toxic
- Everything Included
Specifications
- Color: Multicolor
- Dimension: 8.07Lx3.70Wx1.65H
- Size: 1 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Vibrant and buildable colors
- Comes with a variety of accessories
- Non-toxic and safe for children
- Portable and stylish tin box
Cons
- Tin box may have some alignment issues
The ARTISTRO Watercolor Paint Set delivers vibrant and pigmented colors, making it perfect for artists and hobbyists alike. The portable tin box design allows for painting on the go, and the set includes everything you need, from brushes to watercolor paper. It is especially great for beginners with its comprehensive features and non-toxic formulation. The included metallic and fluorescent colors add a touch of uniqueness to your artworks. While the tin box may have some alignment issues, the overall quality and value of this watercolor paint set are outstanding. Unleash your creativity and enjoy the art of watercolor painting with the ARTISTRO Watercolor Paint Set.
Overall Score: 9/10
Unleash your creativity with the Cra-Z-art Washable Watercolors with Brush. This painting set is perfect for school projects, sign-making, or creating expressive paintings. The vibrant colors will inspire brilliant works of art. These all-purpose, water-based paints are easy to clean up and suitable for children ages 3 and up. The set contains 8 assorted colors in a convenient tray. Boost self-esteem, develop dexterity, and stimulate imagination with this non-toxic and safe watercolor set.
Key Features
- Encourages creativity and inspires brilliant works of art
- Boosts self-esteem and develops dexterity
- All-purpose washable watercolor paints for easy clean-up
- Non-toxic and safe for ages 3 and up
Specifications
- Color: Assorted
- Dimension: 3.50Lx0.75Wx9.25H
- Size: 1 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Vibrant colors with a good variety of basic colors
- Watercolor paints that clean up easily
- Safe for kids and popular among students
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Some complaints about cracked cases
The Cra-Z-art Washable Watercolors with Brush is an excellent choice for young artists. With vibrant colors, easy clean-up, and a non-toxic formula, this watercolor set provides a safe and enjoyable painting experience. The variety of colors and the convenient tray make it suitable for various art projects. While there were a few complaints about cracked cases, the quality of the paints remains unaffected. Overall, this watercolor set offers great value and is highly recommended for kids and students alike.
Overall Score: 9/10
The Upgraded 48 Colors Washable Watercolor Paint Set is a versatile and high-quality paint set suitable for kids, adults, beginners, and artists. With 48 vibrant and easy-to-dissolve colors, you can create beautiful paintings that truly express your creativity. The set comes with 3 wooden brushes that have soft nylon hair and don't shed. The removable transparent lid can be transformed into a palette, making it convenient to use. It is lightweight and easy to carry, allowing you to paint wherever inspiration strikes. The non-toxic and safe formula makes it ideal for children. Overall, this paint set offers great value for the price and is perfect for learning color theory and mixing.
Key Features
- 3 IN 1 Perfect Paint Set
- Safety and Quality Online Simultaneously
- Easy To Carry
- Upgraded Set
- What You Get
Specifications
- Color: Multicolored
- Size: 4 Piece Set
Pros
- Vibrant and easy-to-dissolve colors
- Comes with 3 high-quality wooden brushes
- Portable and lightweight design for convenience
- Non-toxic and safe for children
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Brushes are limited in size and paint capacity
The Upgraded 48 Colors Washable Watercolor Paint Set is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable paint set. With a wide range of vibrant colors and high-quality brushes, you can unleash your creativity and create stunning artworks. The non-toxic and safe formula makes it perfect for children as well. The portable design allows you to paint on-the-go, capturing every beautiful moment in your life. While the brushes could be larger, they still provide a satisfactory painting experience. Overall, this paint set offers great value for the price and is suitable for beginners and experienced artists alike.
Overall Score: 9/10
The Watercolor Paint Set offers a wide range of 48 vivid colors that are perfect for kids, adults, students, and beginners. The paint set includes a brush refillable water brush pen and palette, making it convenient and portable for painting on the go. The watercolors are non-toxic, washable, and dry fast, providing a safe and enjoyable painting experience. With high-quality pigments, the colors are vibrant and easy to blend, allowing for endless creative possibilities. The set is suitable for various art activities, such as sketching, journaling, and scrapbooking. Overall, it is a well-designed and versatile watercolor paint set that receives positive reviews for its quality and performance.
Key Features
- 48 vivid colors with high transparency
- Portable and lightweight design
- Includes brush refillable water brush pen and palette
- Non-toxic, washable, and fast-drying
- High-quality pigments for vibrant colors
- Suitable for kids, adults, students, and beginners
Specifications
- Color: Watercolor Colorful
- Size: 1 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Vivid and beautiful colors
- Convenient and portable
- Easy to blend
- Non-toxic and washable
- High-quality pigments
- Suitable for various art activities
Cons
- May mold if stored without drying properly
- One of the brushes may break easily
The Watercolor Paint Set provides a comprehensive selection of vibrant colors, making it a versatile choice for artists of all skill levels. The convenience of a refillable water brush pen and a sturdy plastic box adds to its appeal, allowing for easy storage and portability. The high-quality pigments deliver excellent color saturation and blending capabilities. Despite minor drawbacks, such as the possibility of molding if not dried properly and one brush’s fragility, this paint set offers great value for its price. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this set provides a fantastic opportunity to explore the world of watercolor painting and unleash your creativity.
Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set is a versatile option for beginners and experienced artists alike. With 20 essential colors, this set provides a great starting point for watercolor painting. The Cotman colors are known for their high transparency and outstanding lightfastness. These watercolors offer excellent tinting strength and good working properties. The set is formulated to create a uniform consistency, making it perfect for new users. With Chinese White, Lemon Yellow Hue, Cadmium Yellow Hue, and many other vibrant colors, you can explore a wide range of artistic possibilities. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, this watercolor paint set offers great value and convenience.
Key Features
- 20 essential starter colors for beginners
- High transparency and outstanding lightfastness
- Good tinting strength and working properties
- Uniform consistency for new users
- Can be used with Winsor & Newton watercolor mediums
Specifications
- Color: 20 Colors
- Dimension: 10.12Lx5.65Wx0.73H
- Size: 12 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Bright and beautiful pigments
- Excellent quality watercolor paints
- Great value for money
- Good texture and color
- Vibrant colors that hold their hues
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- Tubes are smaller than expected
- Limited color variation
- Some colors are too sheer
The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set is a fantastic choice for both beginners and intermediate artists. The set offers a wide range of vibrant colors with excellent lightfastness and transparency. While some users may find the small tube sizes to be a drawback, the overall quality and value for money make up for it. The watercolors have a good texture and blend well, allowing artists to create beautiful paintings. However, the limited color variation and sheer quality of some colors may not appeal to all artists. Overall, this watercolor paint set provides a great starting point for artists looking to explore the world of watercolor painting.
Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Watercolor Paint Set is a vibrant and versatile art supply that is suitable for both kids and adults. It includes 48 unique colors, a paint brush, a water pen, and a palette. The paints are made with high-quality pigment powder, ensuring that they are easily soluble in water and create beautiful, transparent colors. The set is non-toxic, washable, and quick-drying, making it safe and convenient for various art activities. The portable design allows for easy storage and carrying, making it perfect for on-the-go painting. With its vibrant colors and excellent fluidity, this watercolor paint set is a great choice for beginners and experienced artists alike.
Key Features
- 48 vivid and unique colors
- High-quality pigment powder for easy blending
- Non-toxic, washable, and quick-drying
- Portable and lightweight design for on-the-go painting
Specifications
- Color: Watercolor Colorful
- Size: 2 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Vibrant and transparent colors
- Easy to blend and create an endless range of colors
- Non-toxic and safe for all ages
- Portable and convenient for outdoor sketching
- Suitable for various art activities
Cons
- Some customers experienced mold issues
- Brush quality could be improved
The Watercolor Paint Set offers a wide range of vibrant and transparent colors that are easy to blend and create beautiful artwork. It is a versatile and portable art supply suitable for both beginners and experienced artists. While some customers experienced mold issues and the brush quality could be improved, overall, this paint set provides excellent value for its price. Whether you’re sketching outdoors or enjoying leisure art activities at home, this watercolor paint set will inspire your creativity and allow you to express yourself with beautiful and vivid colors.
Overall Score: 8.5/10
The AROIC 36 Colors Watercolor Paint Set is a perfect choice for adults, children, and beginner artists. With 36 bright and rich colors, this watercolor set allows you to create a variety of painting styles. The set includes 10 nylon brushes and 6 refillable water brushes, ensuring convenience, durability, and easy cleaning. The watercolor paints are safe and non-toxic, making them ideal for children. Everything in the set has been carefully selected to ensure high quality. Customer satisfaction is a top priority for AROIC, and they provide excellent service. Overall, this watercolor paint set offers a great value for both beginners and experienced artists.
Key Features
- Rich Colors
- Multiple Brushes
- Safety Guarantee
- Perfect Gift
- High Quality Service
Specifications
- Color: A-36 watercolor Fountain pen
- Dimension: 9.44Lx0.66Wx11.80H
- Size: 1 count (pack of 1)
Pros
- Vibrant and beautiful colors
- Convenient and durable brushes
- Safe and non-toxic for children
- High-quality selection of materials
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Water in some brush pens upon arrival
- Weird color layout in the palette
- Colors may appear more pastel when dry
- Some colors not filled properly
- Refillable brushes can be difficult to open
The AROIC 36 Colors Watercolor Paint Set is a fantastic choice for both beginners and experienced artists. With its wide range of vibrant colors and durable brushes, it offers endless creative possibilities. The set’s non-toxic nature makes it suitable for children as well. While there may be some minor drawbacks like water in brush pens and color inconsistencies, these are overshadowed by the overall quality and value of the product. AROIC’s commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in their high-quality selection and excellent service. Whether you’re painting for pleasure or pursuing a professional career, this watercolor paint set is a reliable and enjoyable companion.
Overall Score: 7.8/10
The Amazon Basics Watercolor Paint Set Tubes is a versatile and affordable option for beginners or budget-conscious artists. The set includes 24 easy-to-squeeze tubes of paint in a range of rich and vivid hues. These watercolor paints possess good transparency and excellent tinting strength, allowing for easy mixing and blending. The set comes in a convenient storage/gift box and is designed for better use on watercolor paper. While some tubes may leak during transit and the consistency of the paint can vary across colors, overall, this paint set offers good value for the price. It's a great option for those looking to experiment with watercolors or explore their artistic skills.
Key Features
- Watercolor paint set for better use on watercolor paper
- Includes (24) 0.4-ounce easy-to-squeeze tubes of paint in 24 assorted colors, plus a storage/gift box
- Rich, vivid hues can be easily mixed and blended together
- Watercolor paint possess good transparency and excellent tinting strength
Specifications
- Color: 24 Colors
- Dimension: 9.02Lx8.27Wx0.79H
- Size: 1 count (pack of 1)
Pros
- Wide variety of vibrant and diverse colors
- Easy to mix and blend
- Good pigmentation and coverage
- Affordable option for beginners or budget-conscious artists
Cons
- Some tubes may leak during transit
- Inconsistent paint consistency across colors
Overall, the Amazon Basics Watercolor Paint Set Tubes provides a budget-friendly option for individuals looking to explore the world of watercolors. With its range of vibrant colors and easy-to-use tubes, this set is suitable for beginners or artists on a budget. However, it’s important to note that there might be some issues with tube leakage and inconsistent paint consistency. If you’re willing to overlook these minor drawbacks, this paint set offers good value for the price. Whether you’re a beginner looking to experiment or a seasoned artist looking for an affordable option, the Amazon Basics Watercolor Paint Set Tubes is worth considering.
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Experience the joy of watercolor painting with the Mr. Pen Watercolor Paint Set. This set includes 40 pieces, featuring 36 vibrant colors and 4 brushes. The easy-to-hold paintbrushes and washable formula make it perfect for artists of all ages. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, these non-toxic watercolors are ideal for creating beautiful paintings, craft projects, or exploring different techniques. Crafted with safety in mind, Mr. Pen watercolors meet rigorous safety standards. With a high customer rating of 4.7/5, this watercolor paint set is a great choice for adults, kids, beginners, and artists.
Key Features
- 36 vibrant colors and 4 brushes
- Easy-to-hold paintbrushes
- Washable formula for easy cleanup
- Safe and non-toxic
- Ideal for a wide range of artistic endeavors
Specifications
- Size: 2 Count (Pack of 1)
Pros
- Wide range of brilliant colors
- Durable and easy-to-hold paintbrushes
- Maintains vivid colors and easy to clean off surfaces
- Safe and non-toxic, meeting rigorous safety standards
- Ideal for artists, students, and crafters
Cons
- None mentioned
The Mr. Pen Watercolor Paint Set offers a fantastic selection of vibrant colors, making it a great choice for artists of all levels. The inclusion of brushes and the easy-to-hold design further enhance the painting experience. With its washable formula, cleaning up is a breeze. The fact that it is safe and non-toxic adds peace of mind for users of all ages. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this watercolor paint set provides endless possibilities for creativity. With high customer satisfaction reflected in its impressive rating, the Mr. Pen Watercolor Paint Set is definitely worth considering.
Watercolor Paint Buyer's Guide
Things to Consider
- Quality: Look for artist-grade watercolor paints as they offer better pigmentation, color intensity, and lightfastness compared to student-grade paints.
- Transparency: Consider the transparency of the paint as it affects the layering and luminosity of your artwork. Transparent paints allow the layers underneath to show through, while opaque paints offer more coverage.
- Color Range: Choose a watercolor set that offers a wide variety of colors to suit your artistic preferences and needs. A diverse range will allow you to create a broader spectrum of art pieces.
- Pigment Load: Opt for paints with a high pigment load, which means they contain a higher concentration of pigments. These paints are vibrant and provide better coverage on your paper.
- Lightfastness: Check for the lightfastness rating of the paints. This indicates how resistant the colors are to fading over time. Choose paints with high lightfastness ratings to ensure the longevity of your artwork.
- Packaging: Consider the packaging of the watercolor set. Compact and portable sets are great for outdoor or on-the-go painting, while larger sets may include a wider range of colors.
- Brand Reputation: Research the reputation and reviews of different watercolor paint brands. Established brands often have a track record of producing high-quality paints.
Types of Watercolor Paints
- Tube Watercolors: These paints come in metal tubes and are highly pigmented. They are great for artists who need larger quantities of specific colors.
- Pan Watercolors: Pan watercolors have a dry, solid form within a palette. They are convenient for artists who prefer a more dry application or who want a set that is easily portable.
- Liquid Watercolors: These watercolors come in bottles or dropper containers and are highly concentrated. They can be diluted and used like traditional watercolors or used directly for intense colors.
Watercolor Paper
- Weight: Consider the weight of watercolor paper. Heavier weights (300gsm or higher) are more durable and can withstand water and multiple layers of paint without warping.
- Texture: Choose between textured and smooth watercolor paper based on your preferred artistic style. Textured papers allow for more interesting paint effects, while smooth papers are better for detailed work.
- Acid-Free: Ensure that the paper is acid-free to prevent yellowing and degradation over time.
- Size: Select the paper size based on your preferred artwork dimensions. Common sizes include 9×12 inches, 11×14 inches, and 12×16 inches.
Brushes
- Quality: Invest in high-quality brushes with synthetic or natural bristles, depending on your preference. Good brushes will hold water, pigment, and maintain their shape over time.
- Sizes: Get a variety of brush sizes to suit different painting techniques and areas of your artwork. Common sizes include round brushes (sizes 2-12), flat brushes, and detail brushes.
- Shape: Consider the shape of the brush tip. Round tips are versatile and commonly used, while flat tips are great for broad strokes and washes. Experiment with different shapes to find what works best for you.
Techniques and Tips
- Wet-on-Wet: Apply wet paint onto wet paper to create soft, blended effects.
- Dry Brushing: Use a drier brush for a textured or grainy appearance by applying paint to dry paper.
- Glazing: Apply multiple transparent layers of paints to create luminosity and depth.
- Lifting: Remove or lighten paint by gently dabbing with a damp brush or sponge.
- Masking: Use masking fluid or tape to preserve areas of the paper from getting painted.
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different watercolor techniques and mixed media to discover unique effects and styles.
Read more: How To Store Watercolor Paintings
Frequently Asked Questions about 10 Best Watercolor Paint For 2024
Artist-grade paints have higher-quality pigments, better transparency, lightfastness, and offer a wider range of colors. Student-grade paints are usually more affordable but may have lower pigment quality and lightfastness.
Stretching your paper before painting or using heavier-weight watercolor paper can help minimize warping. You can also tape down your paper to a rigid surface or use a watercolor block, which has adhesive on all sides to prevent warping.
Yes, watercolor paints can be used in combination with other mediums such as ink, colored pencils, and pastels to create mixed media artworks. Experimenting with different combinations can lead to unique and interesting results.
While watercolor paints are generally safe to use, it’s recommended to avoid ingesting or breathing in the pigments. Wash your brushes and hands thoroughly after painting, and ensure proper ventilation in your workspace.
Store your paints in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keeping them in a sealed container or palette with wells will help prevent them from drying out.
Was this page helpful?
Trust Storables.com for unbiased and honest product reviews. Our reviews are rigorously assessed by our Expert Board Contributors and adhere to strict Editorial Standards. We ensure that each review is transparent and trustworthy, helping you make informed purchasing decisions.
0 thoughts on “10 Best Watercolor Paint For 2024”