Imagine a world where your brush dances across the paper, leaving behind vibrant washes of color that glow with life. That’s the magic professional watercolor paints can unlock. But stepping into the world of artist-quality paints can feel overwhelming. You see so many tubes and pans, all promising brilliance, and wonder: which ones are truly worth your investment?
Choosing the right professional watercolors is a common hurdle for artists. You want paints that perform well, colors that stay true, and a palette that inspires. But the sheer variety can lead to confusion, wasted money on colors that don’t suit your style, and the frustration of not getting the results you dream of. This isn’t just about pretty colors; it’s about having tools that help your art truly shine.
In this post, we’re going to cut through the noise. We’ll explore what makes professional watercolor paints special and guide you toward making smart choices. By the end, you’ll understand the key differences, know what qualities to look for, and feel confident picking the paints that will elevate your artistic journey. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of professional watercolors!
Our Top 5 Professional Watercolor Paints Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Professional Watercolor Paints Detailed Reviews
1. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set
Rating: 8.7/10
Unleash your creativity with the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, Studio Set. This fantastic set offers a huge range of colors in a convenient package. It’s perfect for art students, hobbyists, or anyone who loves to paint with watercolors. You get 45 half pans of beautiful colors, all in a compact case that includes a handy mixing tray. Plus, it even comes with a brush to get you started right away!
What We Like:
- Great value for the price.
- A wide selection of 45 colors to choose from.
- Good transparency and vibrant colors.
- The colors mix well, giving you even more shades.
- The set is portable and easy to take anywhere.
- The included brush is a nice bonus.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some of the pigments are less expensive alternatives, which might affect the deepest hues for professionals.
- The included brush is good for beginners but serious artists might want to use their own.
This Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to explore the world of watercolor painting. It provides a vast palette at an affordable price, making art accessible to everyone.
2. ARTISTRO Professional Watercolor Paint Set for Adults – 48 Pigment-Rich Colors
Rating: 8.7/10
Discover the ARTISTRO Professional Watercolor Paint Set, a collection of 48 pigment-rich colors designed for serious artists. This set boasts XL pans filled with high-quality watercolors, perfect for creating stunning artwork with vibrant hues and smooth application. It’s made by professionals, for professionals, ensuring you get top-notch results.
What We Like:
- The 48 colors are incredibly vibrant and pigment-rich.
- Each pan is XL size, offering plenty of paint to work with.
- The watercolors blend beautifully and allow for versatile techniques, like smooth washes and layering.
- They don’t leave harsh edges when dry, which is great for soft effects.
- The set comes in elegant packaging, making it an ideal gift for any artist.
- It’s travel-friendly, compact, and includes a removable palette for painting on the go.
- The ASTM-I lightfastness means your artwork will stay bright for a long time.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some artists might prefer even larger pans for very extensive projects.
- While professional-grade, the price point might be a consideration for beginners.
This watercolor set truly delivers on its promise of professional quality. It’s a fantastic choice for artists looking to elevate their work with rich, lasting color and a smooth, enjoyable painting experience.
3. Grabie 100 Colors Watercolor Paint Set，Pack of 50 Regular
Rating: 9.3/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Grabie 100 Colors Watercolor Paint Set. This amazing set is packed with a fantastic variety of colors, including regular, metallic, macaron, and fluorescent shades, all housed in a convenient portable metal case. It comes with everything you need to start painting right away, making it perfect for artists of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
What We Like:
- An incredible 100 unique shades to explore, saving you time on mixing colors.
- High-quality, artist-grade watercolors that are bright, blend easily, and resist fading.
- 100% non-toxic and certified safe for use, meeting strict safety standards.
- A complete set with a drawing pencil, sponge, swatch sheet, and three water brush pens for on-the-go creativity.
- The sturdy, compact metal case makes it super portable for painting anywhere, anytime.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the selection is vast, some users might find a few shades are very similar.
- The included sponge is quite small and may not be suitable for larger projects.
This Grabie watercolor set is a vibrant and versatile art supply that truly lets your imagination soar. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a splash of color to their artistic adventures.
4. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set
Rating: 9.0/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set. This set features 20 essential starter colors, perfect for anyone just beginning their watercolor journey. You’ll get a fantastic range of hues to explore your creativity. The paints are made with good quality standards, offering bright, clear colors. They are also quite see-through, which is great for beginners learning how to layer and blend.
What We Like:
- A great selection of 20 colors to get you started.
- The colors are transparent, making them easy to learn with.
- These paints have good lightfastness, meaning your artwork will stay vibrant for a long time.
- They offer excellent tinting strength, so a little paint goes a long way.
- The set is budget-friendly, making quality watercolors accessible.
- It includes a good mix of bright colors and earth tones like Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some colors use less expensive alternatives to costly pigments, which might affect the intensity for experienced artists.
- The tubes are a bit small at 5ml, so you might run out of frequently used colors quickly.
This Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor set is a wonderful choice for aspiring artists. It provides a solid foundation for learning and experimenting with watercolors without breaking the bank.
5. Grabie 50 Colors Watercolor Paint Set
Rating: 8.7/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Grabie 50 Colors Watercolor Paint Set! This all-in-one kit is designed for everyone, from beginners to seasoned hobbyists, who love to paint. It’s packed with everything you need to start creating beautiful watercolor art, whether you’re at home or on an adventure.
What We Like:
- A fantastic selection of 50 vibrant watercolor colors. You just need water to make them come alive!
- It includes six good quality detail paint brushes. These brushes have fine tips for precise work, not cheap substitutes.
- The case has a built-in tray. This makes it super easy to mix your own custom colors.
- This set is perfect for beginners. It has everything ready to go so you can start painting right away.
- The sturdy metal case is great for carrying. It keeps everything neat and tidy for painting anywhere.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the colors are vibrant, some lighter shades might require a few layers for full opacity.
- The brushes, though good quality, might be a little small for very large washes.
This Grabie watercolor set truly makes painting accessible and enjoyable. It’s a fantastic way to explore your creativity with a complete and portable art studio.
Choosing Your Perfect Watercolor Paints: A Guide for Artists
Watercolors are a wonderful way to create beautiful art. They are bright and easy to use. If you want to paint like a pro, you need good watercolor paints. This guide will help you pick the best ones.
Key Features to Look For
When you buy watercolor paints, some things make them better.
Pigment Quality
- High Pigment Load: This means the paint has a lot of color. More pigment makes your colors brighter and stronger. You can make light colors by adding water. You don’t need as much paint when it has a high pigment load.
- Lightfastness: This tells you how well the color lasts in the sun. Colors with high lightfastness won’t fade over time. Look for ratings like “Excellent” or “Very Good.” This is important if you want your paintings to stay bright for years.
Binder Quality
- Gum Arabic: Most professional watercolors use gum arabic. It’s a natural tree sap. It helps the paint stick to the paper. It also makes the paint flow smoothly. Good binders make your paint easy to control.
Granulation
- Granulating Colors: Some pigments naturally create a textured look when they dry. This is called granulation. It can add interesting effects to your paintings. Non-granulating colors dry smoothly. Both are good, but it’s a matter of what you like.
Important Materials
What else do you need for watercolor painting?
- Paper: Good watercolor paper is thick. It can hold a lot of water. It won’t buckle or tear. Look for 100% cotton paper. It’s the best.
- Brushes: You need good brushes. Soft brushes are best for watercolors. They hold a lot of water and paint. Synthetic brushes work well. Natural hair brushes are also great.
- Palette: This is where you mix your colors. A ceramic palette is good because it’s easy to clean. Plastic palettes also work.
- Water Containers: You need two containers. One for rinsing your brush. One for clean water to mix with your paint.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make watercolor paints better or worse.
- Single Pigment vs. Multiple Pigments: Paints made with one pigment are usually better. They are brighter and easier to mix. Colors made with many pigments can sometimes look muddy.
- Brand Reputation: Well-known brands often use high-quality ingredients. They have a long history of making good paints. This can be a good sign.
- Price: Professional paints cost more. This is because they use better ingredients. Cheaper paints might have less pigment. They might fade faster.
User Experience and Use Cases
How do professional watercolor paints feel to use?
- Smooth Application: Good paints spread easily on the paper. They blend nicely. You have good control over your strokes.
- Vibrant Colors: The colors are rich and true to their name. They don’t look dull. They pop on the paper.
- Versatility: You can use professional watercolors for many things. You can paint landscapes, portraits, or abstract art. They work for detailed work and washes.
Here are some common ways people use professional watercolor paints:
- Fine Art: Artists use them for creating paintings to sell or display.
- Illustration: Many illustrators use watercolors for books and magazines.
- Hobby Painting: People who paint for fun enjoy the quality and ease of use.
- Sketching and Travel: Small sets are great for painting on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Watercolor Paints
Q: What makes professional watercolor paints different from student grade paints?
A: Professional paints have more pigment. They are also more lightfast. This means the colors are brighter and last longer.
Q: Is it worth spending more money on professional watercolor paints?
A: Yes, if you want the best results. The colors are richer. They mix better. Your paintings will look better and last longer.
Q: What does “lightfastness” mean for watercolor paints?
A: Lightfastness is how well a color resists fading when exposed to light, especially sunlight. High lightfastness means the color stays bright.
Q: Should I buy watercolor paints in tubes or pans?
A: Tubes are good for mixing large washes of color. Pans are convenient for travel and small studies. Both are used by professionals.
Q: How do I care for my watercolor paints?
A: Keep them out of direct sunlight. Make sure they dry completely before closing the case. Clean your palette regularly.
Q: What is “granulation” in watercolor?
A: Granulation is a texture that appears when certain pigments settle into the paper’s texture as the paint dries. It creates an interesting effect.
Q: Can I mix different brands of watercolor paints?
A: Yes, you can usually mix different brands. However, it’s best to stick to one brand for a specific painting to ensure consistent results.
Q: How many colors do I really need to start with?
A: You can start with a basic set of 12-24 colors. This will give you a good range to mix many other shades.
Q: What is the best type of paper for professional watercolors?
A: The best paper is 100% cotton watercolor paper. It’s strong and can handle a lot of water without damage.
Q: How can I tell if a watercolor paint is good quality?
A: Look for high pigment load, good lightfastness ratings, and a reputable brand. Reviews from other artists can also help.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.