You’ve probably noticed that not all watercolor supplies deliver the same results. Whether you’re struggling with muddy colors, paper that tears under wet washes, or brushes that shed bristles mid-stroke, your tools matter more than you’d think. The right equipment can transform your technique overnight. So what’re the seven supplies that serious artists won’t work without?
Quick Overview
- Professional-grade watercolor paint sets with 100 colors deliver superior performance and wider color ranges compared to student-quality alternatives.
- Compact watercolor sets in protective tins provide lightweight portability while keeping supplies organized for artists working on-the-go.
- Slim watercolor paper pads in 5″x7″ format fit easily into backpacks, enabling convenient mobile painting sessions.
- Brushes with collapsible or shortened handles maximize portability and efficiency for traveling artists without sacrificing functionality.
- Certified supplies meeting ASTM D-4236 and EN71 safety standards ensure non-toxic formulations and consistent quality performance.
| Grabie 100 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Carrying Case |
| Best Comprehensive Set | Safety Certification: ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliant | Primary Use: Watercolor painting with accessories | Portability: Compact carrying box, lightweight | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Artecho 48 Colors Watercolor Cake Set with Brushes |
| Best For Beginners | Safety Certification: ASTM D-4236 compliant | Primary Use: Watercolor painting, card making, illustration | Portability: Travel-friendly pan design | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Taotree Watercolor Paint Set 100 Colors with Brushes |
| Best Overall | Safety Certification: ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliant | Primary Use: Watercolor painting, sketching, travel art | Portability: Lightweight portable tin box | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Watercolor Paper Pad 5″x7″ 64 Sheets 140lb |
| Essential Accessory | Safety Certification: Acid-free, suitable for all levels | Primary Use: Watercolor and mixed media painting | Portability: Pad format for easy transport | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| ARTISTRO 100 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Palette & Brushes |
| Best Travel Kit | Safety Certification: ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliant | Primary Use: Watercolor painting for all skill levels | Portability: Lightweight compact case | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Artist Tape for Watercolor Paper (4 Pack) |
| Professional Must-Have | Safety Certification: Acid-free | Primary Use: Watercolor paper protection and masking | Portability: 4-pack rolls, portable | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Grabie 50 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Brushes |
| Best Starter Set | Safety Certification: Not suitable for children under 12 | Primary Use: Watercolor painting for beginners | Portability: Portable metal case | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Grabie 100 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Carrying Case
If you’re looking to minimize time spent mixing custom colors, the Grabie 100 Colors Watercolor Paint Set is your ideal choice. You’ll access 100 unique shades—50 regular watercolors, 35 metallics, 10 macarons, and 5 fluorescents—guaranteeing the need for extensive blending. The high-quality pigments deliver bright, rich colors with excellent transparency and tinting strength. You’ll appreciate the fade-resistant, durable formulation that blends easily and maintains its vibrancy. The compact carrying case measures just 8.19 x 4.93 x 1.38 inches and weighs 14.9 ounces, making it perfectly portable for travel or outdoor sessions. You’ll also receive practical accessories: a drawing pencil, natural sponge, swatch sheet, and three water brush pens. Safety-certified to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards, this set verifies you’re working with 100% non-toxic materials.
- Safety Certification:ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliant
- Primary Use:Watercolor painting with accessories
- Portability:Compact carrying box, lightweight
- Paint Quality:High-quality modern pigments, fade-resistant
- Included Accessories:Pencil, sponge, swatch sheet, 3 water brush pens
- Color Options/Quantity:100 colors (50 regular, 35 metallic, 10 macaron, 5 fluorescent)
- Additional Feature:High transparency, excellent tinting
- Additional Feature:Fade-resistant and durable formulation
- Additional Feature:Natural sponge included accessory
Artecho 48 Colors Watercolor Cake Set with Brushes
The Artecho 48 Colors Watercolor Cake Set stands out as an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned artists who want quality supplies without breaking the bank. You’ll appreciate the travel-friendly pan design that fits easily into your bag, making it perfect for painting on the go. The set includes three brushes, so you’re ready to start immediately. You can use these water-soluble, washable pigments for card making, illustrations, calligraphy, and various painting projects. The colors are carefully selected to give you versatility in your work. Since the pigments conform to ASTM D-4236 safety standards and are acid-free and non-toxic, you can use them confidently around children. Best of all, if you accidentally get paint on your clothes, you’ll wash it out easily without frustration.
- Safety Certification:ASTM D-4236 compliant
- Primary Use:Watercolor painting, card making, illustration
- Portability:Travel-friendly pan design
- Paint Quality:Water-soluble, washable pigments
- Included Accessories:3 paint brushes
- Color Options/Quantity:48 vibrant colors
- Additional Feature:Water-soluble, washable pigments
- Additional Feature:Suitable for card making
- Additional Feature:Safe for clothes washing
Taotree Watercolor Paint Set 100 Colors with Brushes
For artists, hobbyists, and beginners seeking an extensive travel-ready solution, Taotree’s 110-piece watercolor set delivers impressive versatility in a compact tin box. You’ll get 50 regular colors, 35 metallic shades, 10 macarons, and 5 fluorescent options, plus three water brush pens and detail brushes. The high-concentration pigments blend smoothly, dry quickly, and resist fading. You’ll appreciate the transparent palette and color swatch sheet for reference. At just 15.5 ounces, this non-toxic, eco-friendly set conforms to safety standards, making it ideal for outdoor sketching and capturing beautiful moments anywhere. The 4.7-star rating confirms its reliability for daily creative work.
- Safety Certification:ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliant
- Primary Use:Watercolor painting, sketching, travel art
- Portability:Lightweight portable tin box
- Paint Quality:Finely ground pigments, fade-resistant, washable
- Included Accessories:3 water brush pens, 3 detail brushes, palette, sponge, swatch sheet
- Color Options/Quantity:100 colors (50 regular, 35 metallic, 10 macaron, 5 fluorescent)
- Additional Feature:Elevated pigment concentration formulation
- Additional Feature:Transparent palette included
- Additional Feature:4.7 out of 5 stars
Watercolor Paper Pad 5″x7″ 64 Sheets 140lb
Whether you’re just starting your artistic journey or refining techniques you’ve mastered, you’ll find this 5″x7″ watercolor paper pad invaluable. With 64 sheets of 140lb cold-pressed paper, you’ve got plenty of surfaces for experimentation. The acid-free composition guarantees even pigment absorption and color retention, while the weight prevents warping that frustrates artists. You’ll appreciate its versatility—it handles watercolor beautifully but also accepts acrylics, oils, inks, pastels, and mixed media. The convenient pad format keeps your supplies organized and portable. Whether you’re sketching concepts or creating finished pieces, this pad delivers professional-quality results without straining your budget.
- Safety Certification:Acid-free, suitable for all levels
- Primary Use:Watercolor and mixed media painting
- Portability:Pad format for easy transport
- Paint Quality:N/A (paper product)
- Included Accessories:None (paper only)
- Color Options/Quantity:N/A (paper product, 64 sheets)
- Additional Feature:Reduces warping and bending
- Additional Feature:Suitable for wet/dry media
- Additional Feature:FSC certification, worldwide shipping
ARTISTRO 100 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Palette & Brushes
Artists of all skill levels—from curious beginners to seasoned professionals—will find everything they need in this exhaustive set. You’ll get 100 richly pigmented watercolor pans that blend seamlessly, delivering smooth changes and strong coverage for both basic and advanced techniques. The included mixing palette and brush pens mean you don’t need additional tools to start creating immediately. The lightweight case keeps all shades secure while remaining portable enough for outdoor work, classes, or travel. Non-toxic and certified to safety standards, this set gives you professional-quality paint in a compact, durable box designed for daily use.
- Safety Certification:ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliant
- Primary Use:Watercolor painting for all skill levels
- Portability:Lightweight compact case
- Paint Quality:High-pigment, blendable, strong coverage
- Included Accessories:Mixing palette and brush pens
- Color Options/Quantity:100 richly pigmented colors
- Additional Feature:Seamless blending, smooth transitions
- Additional Feature:High-pigment formulation included
- Additional Feature:Mess-free, non-toxic design
Artist Tape for Watercolor Paper (4 Pack)
If you’re tired of damaging your precious watercolor paper when removing masking tape, this 4-pack of artist tape is your solution. The acid-free crepe paper won’t discolor your artwork or react with paint, keeping your pieces pristine. At 0.4 inches wide with 592 feet total length, you’ll have plenty for multiple projects. The unique adhesive holds paper securely without tearing delicate surfaces upon removal, and you can reposition it endlessly without leaving sticky residue. Its cream-colored, slightly transparent design lets you see artwork edges beneath it, helping you maintain perfect borders every time. You’ll focus entirely on creativity rather than worrying about damage.
- Safety Certification:Acid-free
- Primary Use:Watercolor paper protection and masking
- Portability:4-pack rolls, portable
- Paint Quality:N/A (tape product)
- Included Accessories:None (tape only)
- Color Options/Quantity:N/A (tape product, 4 packs)
- Additional Feature:No damage upon removal
- Additional Feature:Repositionable without sticky residue
- Additional Feature:592 feet total length
Grabie 50 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Brushes
The Grabie 50 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Brushes stands out as an ideal choice for beginners looking to explore watercolor painting without overwhelming complexity. You’ll appreciate the 50 semi-transparent colors that cover all artistic styles, giving you versatility from your first brushstroke. The set includes six premium brushes in sizes 3/0 to 3, eliminating the hassle of purchasing supplies separately. You’ll blend colors effortlessly using the integrated mixing tray, streamlining your workflow. The portable metal case makes transporting your supplies simple, whether you’re painting outdoors or traveling. This exhaustive starter set removes barriers to entry, letting you focus on developing your technique rather than sourcing individual components.
- Safety Certification:Not suitable for children under 12
- Primary Use:Watercolor painting for beginners
- Portability:Portable metal case
- Paint Quality:Semi-transparent watercolor paints
- Included Accessories:6 premium paint brushes, mixing tray
- Color Options/Quantity:50 essential colors
- Additional Feature:Six premium paint brushes
- Additional Feature:Integrated mixing tray included
- Additional Feature:Semi-transparent watercolor paints
Factors to Consider When Choosing Watercolor Painting Supplies
When you’re selecting watercolor supplies, you’ll want to evaluate the color range and pigmentation quality to guarantee you can achieve your desired artistic results. Consider how portable and practical the storage options are for your painting lifestyle, whether you’re working in a studio or carrying supplies on the go. You should also confirm that any set you choose meets safety standards and comes with useful accessories like quality brushes that enhance your painting experience.
Color Range and Selection
Because you’ll want to create unique color combinations through mixing and blending, choosing watercolor supplies with a wide range of hues, tones, and transparencies is essential. Most artist-quality sets include primary colors, secondary colors, neutral tones, and specialty options like metallics or fluorescents—all formulated with high-quality pigments that deliver superior transparency, lightfastness, and tinting strength.
The number of pans or tubes in a set directly reflects color variety. Larger sets generally offer broader spectrums, giving you more creative possibilities. However, you don’t necessarily need every color available. Instead, curate your palette thoughtfully. A well-selected collection streamlines your painting process while inspiring exploration and experimentation. You’ll uncover that quality matters more than quantity when building your watercolor arsenal.
Paint Quality and Pigmentation
Your watercolor paintings’ success hinges on understanding pigment quality and formulation. When you’re selecting paints, you’ll want to prioritize high-quality options with finely ground pigments that offer exceptional transparency and blending ease. The pigment concentration and purity directly impact your paint’s vibrancy, richness, and lightfastness—determining how long your artwork remains vibrant.
Well-milled pigments are essential because they enable smooth, consistent application while minimizing grittiness or unevenness. You’ll notice the difference immediately when you’re working.
The binder type, particularly gum arabic, greatly influences how your paint handles and performs. Professional-grade watercolors deliver a wider color range and superior performance compared to student-quality alternatives, making them worth the investment if you’re serious about your work.
Portability and Storage Options
Whether you’re painting en plein air or sketching during travels, portability matters immensely. You’ll want to invest in a sturdy watercolor set housed in a compact tin—these cases protect your supplies while remaining lightweight enough for any adventure.
Compact palettes with built-in mixing areas and secure pans maximize efficiency without consuming precious space. Pair these with slim watercolor paper pads that fit easily into your backpack or carrying case.
Consider brushes with collapsible or shortened handles; they’re game-changers for mobile artists. If you’re seeking ultimate convenience, versatile accessory kits bundle essentials like water brushes, mixing trays, and sponges into one portable package.
Choosing the right storage solutions means you’ll never sacrifice quality painting experiences due to logistical constraints.
Safety Standards and Certifications
When selecting watercolor paints and supplies, you’ll want to confirm they conform to established safety standards like ASTM D-4236 and EN71. These certifications indicate that manufacturers have rigorously tested their products and deemed them safe for both children and adults.
Look for “non-toxic” labels on packaging, which validate the formulations don’t contain harmful chemicals. This verification safeguards your health during extended painting sessions and prevents accidental exposure to dangerous substances.
Verifying safety certifications isn’t just about personal protection—it also guarantees the integrity of your artwork. Certified supplies maintain consistent quality and performance, helping you achieve reliable results. By prioritizing certified watercolor paints and supplies, you’re investing in both your well-being and your artistic practice.
Included Accessories and Tools
A quality watercolor kit sets you up for success by bundling brushes, palettes, sponges, and water brushes into one cohesive package. The tools included directly influence your painting’s versatility and performance.
As a beginner, you’ll benefit from all-encompassing kits offering varied brush sizes and types. This range lets you experiment freely and uncover your preferred techniques without additional purchases. Conversely, experienced artists typically prefer selecting individual tools that match their specific painting style and methods.
Consider portability and storage carefully. You’ll want accessories that fit your workspace and travel needs. Compact kits with organized compartments serve mobile artists well, while studio-based painters might prioritize tool diversity over space efficiency. Evaluate what combination of included accessories aligns with your current skill level and artistic goals.
Price and Value Proposition
Since watercolor supplies span a wide spectrum from budget student sets to professional-grade materials, you’ll need to align your spending with both your skill level and artistic ambitions. Consider your intended use first—casual hobbyist work doesn’t demand the same investment as professional artwork. Quality supplies cost more upfront but deliver superior color vibrancy, performance, and longevity that justify the expense. Evaluate what you’re getting: the number of colors, brush variety, paper quality, and accessories included. These factors determine real value beyond price alone. Beginners benefit from affordable starter sets, while serious artists gain from premium paints and papers that enhance their work. Match your budget to your commitment level for ideal results.
Skill Level Compatibility
Your artistic experience should directly influence which supplies you select. If you’re starting out, you’ll benefit from starter sets featuring limited color palettes and basic accessories that won’t overwhelm you. As you develop your skills, you’ll want more expansive color selections and specialized tools that give you greater creative control.
Paint quality matters more as your abilities advance. Professional-grade paints offer superior handling properties and pigment load, allowing you to achieve nuanced effects beginners won’t need yet. Consider where you’ll paint too—studio work demands different portability than plein air painting. Finally, prioritize non-toxic formulations regardless of skill level, especially if you’re teaching children. Accessories like quality brushes, palettes, and water containers streamline your setup and enhance your workflow at any experience level.
