Hi there 👋 Here’s my practical guide to the best watercolors, from budget to premium, covering tubes, pans, and sets. You’ll find picks for all styles and levels, plus tips on mixing, handling, and building a pro palette.
Overview: Best Professional Watercolor Paints for Artists
Vibrant, affordable watercolor tubes that deliver smooth, clean color with quick activation and fun specialty options like pearlescents. Ideal for artists experimenting with new palettes or adding playful accents without investing in premium lines.
A true value watercolor brand that performs above its price. It's pigment-rich, reliable, and consistent across batches.
Great for artists who want professional-level results and open-stock flexibility without boutique pricing.
Balanced, trustworthy watercolor paints that mix cleanly and flow beautifully on paper.
Excellent for artists transitioning from student grade to professional paints, offering both control and luminous transparency.
Italian-made, minimalist palette focused on single-pigment purity and subtle flow.
Loved by artists who appreciate precise glazing, clean mixes, and gentle, natural luminosity.
Finely milled pigments and no ox gall create flawless control and crisp edges.
Perfect for illustrators and painters who want clean, even washes and predictable behavior in detailed work.
Honey-based binder gives these colors juicy saturation and effortless rewetting.
Ideal for expressive painters who love rich washes and organic flow in large, fluid pieces.
The gold standard for consistent, trustworthy watercolor paints with smooth handling, clear labeling, and superb lightfastness.
A dependable choice for professional studios and client work where predictability matters.
Innovative Aquazol binder delivers vibrant colors and great flow.
Perfect for modern artists, illustrators, and experimental watercolor artists who want bold colors.
Known for its wide pigment range and beautiful granulating colors that add life and texture to washes. A top choice for expressive painters who want to explore depth, personality, and the widest possible palette in the best professional watercolor paints category.
A consistent student line that allows beginner artists to learn watercolor techniques without frustration. Perfect for beginners and traveling artists who want reliable color in a compact, refillable tin.
At a very fair price and with bold, high-pigment colors, these paints feel far beyond “student grade.” Excellent for sketchbooks, practice, or travel kits where you want professional vibrancy on a budget.
Bright, modern palette with fun specialty options like glitter and metallic colors. Loved by sketchbook and journaling artists who want playful, expressive color in a stylish portable set.
Smooth, creamy traditional Japanese paints that rewet instantly and deliver glowing color. Ideal for illustration, calligraphy, and mixed-media work where you want a soft, opaque charm.
Honey-based formula makes these watercolor pans beautifully fluid, luminous, and easy to rewet. A favorite among artists who love delicate layering, gentle transitions, and sketchbook-friendly glow.
Meticulously poured for smooth activation and silky, transparent washes. Perfect for artists who want refined control, elegant mixing, and top-tier quality in a portable form.
Join Evolve Artist Program, the world’s simplest art training method with results guaranteed!
Best Watercolor Paints in Tubes
Tubes are ideal when you want flexibility, rich color, and full control. They’re what most professional artists use in the studio because they are easy to squeeze into pans, mix fresh, and rewet predictably for large washes or fine detail.
Budget Watercolor Paints in Tubes (great starts that don’t feel “student”)
Paul Rubens Artist Grade Watercolor Paint Set
|
Set of 24
|
Set of 36
|
Read my full review of Paul Rubens Watercolor Review (4th Generation Artist-Grade Watercolors)
Watch my video review of Paul Rubens Watercolors:
Why it’s great: Affordable, bright, and easy to handle. Their classic and pearlescent lines let you experiment with expressive color or metallic accents without overspending.
Where it can frustrate: Pigment information isn’t always consistent, and some colors lean slightly opaque.
Why artists love it: A good entry into artist-grade watercolor tubes, they are versatile for sketching, mixed media, or expanding a core palette with new tones.
Da Vinci Watercolors
A true value watercolor brand that performs above its price. It's pigment-rich, reliable, and consistent across batches.
Great for artists who want professional-level results and open-stock flexibility without boutique pricing.
Why it’s great: Reliable professional-grade paint at a fair price. Smooth texture, high pigment load, and solid lightfastness across the range.
Where it can frustrate: The range is more practical than experimental; it lacks unusual granulating pigments.
Why artists love it: Straightforward, dependable paint that performs beautifully in daily studio work so it’s a smart long-term value.
Rembrandt Watercolors (Royal Talens)
Balanced, trustworthy watercolor paints that mix cleanly and flow beautifully on paper.
Excellent for artists transitioning from student grade to professional paints, offering both control and luminous transparency.
Why it’s great: Balanced flow and color strength, excellent for clean mixing and layering. It behaves consistently and has solid open-stock availability.
Where it can frustrate: Fewer dramatic granulating options compared with boutique brands.
Why artists love it: Predictable, professional paint that’s easy to trust for finished artwork and commissions.
Value Watercolor Paints in Tubes
Maimeri Blu Watercolor Paints Sets
Italian-made, minimalist palette focused on single-pigment purity and subtle flow.
Loved by artists who appreciate precise glazing, clean mixes, and gentle, natural luminosity.
Why it’s great: Single-pigment focus and refined Italian formulation make for luminous, subtle color. Beautiful transparency for glazing and botanical detail.
Where it can frustrate: Slightly restrained flow may feel controlled if you prefer big, loose washes.
Why artists love it: Clean, elegant paint that rewards precision and intentional color mixing.
Holbein Artists’ Watercolors
Finely milled pigments and no ox gall create flawless control and crisp edges.
Perfect for illustrators and painters who want clean, even washes and predictable behavior in detailed work.
Why it’s great: Exceptionally smooth consistency and no ox gall, givesyou complete control and even washes. Excellent for line-and-wash, design, and precise illustrations.
Where it can frustrate: Controlled flow means it won’t spread widely in wet-in-wet techniques.
Why artists love it: Professional reliability with a polished, clean feel make it ideal for artists who like accuracy and balance.
Professional Watercolor Paints in Tubes (my studio picks)
M. Graham Watercolors
Honey-based binder gives these colors juicy saturation and effortless rewetting.
Ideal for expressive painters who love rich washes and organic flow in large, fluid pieces.
Why it’s great: Honey-based binder gives rich, saturated color that rewets instantly and stays luminous. Perfect for fluid, expressive painting styles.
Where it can frustrate: The honey formula can stay soft in humid environments so store store your palettes flat.
Why artists love it: Smooth, full-bodied watercolor paint that delivers consistent depth and clarity without extra effort.
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolors
The gold standard for consistent, trustworthy watercolor paints with smooth handling, clear labeling, and superb lightfastness.
A dependable choice for professional studios and client work where predictability matters.
Why it’s great: Trusted by professionals for decades, these paints are balanced, predictable, and clearly labeled. They provide excellent lightfastness and classic handling across a refined range.
Where it can frustrate: Less adventurous pigment selection than Daniel Smith or QoR.
Why artists love it: The benchmark for consistency, they are ideal when you need reliable color and behavior in client or exhibition work.
QoR by Golden
Innovative Aquazol binder delivers vibrant colors and great flow.
Perfect for modern artists, illustrators, and experimental watercolor artists who want bold colors.
Why it’s great: Uses an Aquazol binder for stronger pigment load and more vivid color than most traditional paints. Brilliant for expressive, modern watercolor work.
Where it can frustrate: Intense tinting strength can overpower delicate mixes if overused.
Why artists love it: Exceptionally vibrant color and energy, perfect for artists who experiment with watercolor in new ways.
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors
Known for its wide pigment range and beautiful granulating colors that add life and texture to washes. A top choice for expressive painters who want to explore depth, personality, and the widest possible palette in the best professional watercolor paints category.
Why it’s great: Wide pigment range with standout granulation, transparency, and lightfastness. It’s the most expressive line for texture, depth, and creative mixing.
Where it can frustrate: Some pigments are very strong so they are easy to overdo if you’re heavy-handed.
Why artists love it: Versatile, professional color that inspires experimentation, from landscapes to abstract work, it handles everything beautifully.
Some of my art done with Daniel Smith watercolors.
Best Watercolors in Pans
Pans make painting portable and simple. They’re perfect for sketchbooks, classes, travel, or plein-air painting because they are quick to set up, easy to maintain, and consistent from first brushstroke to last.
Watercolor Pans Budget Picks (great starts that don’t feel “student”)
Winsor & Newton Cotman (pans)
A consistent student line that allows beginner artists to learn watercolor techniques without frustration. Perfect for beginners and traveling artists who want reliable color in a compact, refillable tin.
Why it’s great: It’s a dependable starting set for learning watercolor techniques. Compact sets are ideal for travel or classroom use.
Where it can frustrate: Lower pigment load and slightly flatter glazes compared to the pro lines.
Why artists love it: A great beginner set that teaches proper watercolor control and can be upgraded color by color.
White Nights (full pans)
At a very fair price and with bold, high-pigment colors, these paints feel far beyond “student grade.” Excellent for sketchbooks, practice, or travel kits where you want professional vibrancy on a budget.
Why it’s great: High pigment strength and generous pan size for the price. Offers a surprisingly professional feel despite its affordability.
Where it can frustrate: Some colors are very staining or overpowering in mixes.
Why artists love it: Excellent value for practice, study, and travel and easy to refill, easy to trust.
Paul Rubens (pans)
Bright, modern palette with fun specialty options like glitter and metallic colors. Loved by sketchbook and journaling artists who want playful, expressive color in a stylish portable set.
Why it’s great: Vibrant watercolor with a smooth rewet and elegant packaging. Includes playful specialty options like metallic and shimmer paints.
Where it can frustrate: Transparency varies between colors, and some mixes behave more like gouache.
Why artists love it: Creative, accessible, and fun, they are great for sketchbooks and decorative work.
Kuretake Gansai Tambi
Smooth, creamy traditional Japanese paints that rewet instantly and deliver glowing color. Ideal for illustration, calligraphy, and mixed-media work where you want a soft, opaque charm.
Why it’s great: Creamy, traditional Japanese formulation that reactivates quickly and lays down bold, luminous color.
Where it can frustrate: More opaque than other transparent watercolor so blending may behave differently.
Why artists love it: Unique aesthetic and texture that suit illustration, calligraphy, and stylized mixed-media paintings.
Professional Watercolor Paints in Pans (my travel picks)
Sennelier L’Aquarelle (pans)
Honey-based formula makes these watercolor pans beautifully fluid, luminous, and easy to rewet. A favorite among artists who love delicate layering, gentle transitions, and sketchbook-friendly glow.
Why it’s great: Honey-based formula with luminous transparency and fast rewetting. Beautifully responsive and forgiving for layering or quick studies.
Where it can frustrate: Lacks the granulating texture of some other lines.
Why artists love it: Effortless glow and softness so perfect for sketchbooks, travel, and delicate layering.
Schmincke Horadam (pans)
Meticulously poured for smooth activation and silky, transparent washes. Perfect for artists who want refined control, elegant mixing, and top-tier quality in a portable form.
Why it’s great: Highly refined, transparent pigments with perfect rewetting. Every color feels deliberate, clean, and balanced.
Where it can frustrate: The subtle flow may feel reserved if you like dramatic movement.
Why artists love it: Exceptional control and clarity, so ideal for detailed work and professional results in compact form.
Best Watercolor Brands
| Brand | Properties | Why It’s a Favorite Among Artists |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Smith | Huge range, single pigments, granulating options, high lightfastness | Known for vibrant, reliable pigments and unique textures. Artists love it for expressive work, especially landscapes and textured washes. |
| Schmincke Horadam | Highly transparent, smooth rewetting, subtle granulation | Praised for its buttery feel and clean color mixing. Great for fine detail, botanical work, and controlled layering. |
| Winsor & Newton Professional | Classic pigment choices, consistent quality, strong lightfastness | Long-time studio staple. Trusted for dependable handling and a well-balanced color selection without surprises. |
| M. Graham | Honey-based, rich pigment load, soft texture, easy to rewet | Favored for juicy, saturated colors that flow effortlessly. A go-to for painters who like bold washes and quick activation. |
| Sennelier L’Aquarelle | Honey-based, luminous color, gentle flow | French-made and loved for its luminous, glowing quality. Ideal for sketchbooks, travel, and delicate layering. |
| QOR by Golden | High pigment load, synthetic binder (Aquazol), intense flow | Great for bold, modern work. Super vibrant and responsive in wet techniques—loved by illustrators and abstract artists. |
| Holbein | No ox gall, smooth application, precise control, vibrant tones | Clean and controlled. Excellent for artists who prioritize edge control, flat washes, and minimal blooming. |
| White Nights | Affordable, full pans, bold color, student/pro hybrid | Surprisingly strong performance for the price. Loved for vivid mixes and easy lifting, especially for practice and travel. |
| Da Vinci | Professional-grade, smooth texture, reliable pigments | Great value and consistently high quality. Often praised by US-based artists for being budget-friendly without compromise. |
| Maimeri Blu | Single pigments, subtle flow, Italian-made | Minimalist and refined. Preferred by artists who want clean mixes and a focused, thoughtfully curated palette. |
| Rembrandt | Balanced flow, medium granulation, moderately priced | Solid professional line. Liked for its smooth performance and accessible transition from student to pro paint. |
| Paul Rubens | Vibrant colors, affordable, glitter & classical options | Up-and-coming brand known for bright colors and fun specialty paints. A favorite for creators who like to experiment. |
How Should You Choose the Best Watercolor Paint?
Great watercolor paint should wet easily, mix cleanly, and dry with the color and transparency you intended. Use these quick criteria to match paint to your style and paper.
Grade, Pigment Load & Lightfastness
Artist-grade paints carry more pigment and fewer fillers—richer color, smoother washes, cleaner mixes.
- Look for: clear pigment codes (e.g., PB29), ASTM I/II or brand LF ratings, strong tinting strength.
- Watch out for: vague “hue” colors without codes, weak or chalky tints.
Transparency/Opacity & Staining
These control glazing, edge quality, and liftability.
- Transparent: glow in glazes, clean overlays.
- Opaque/semi-opaque: cover well but can dull layered work.
- Staining: hard to lift (great for crisp edges).
- Non-staining: liftable for corrections/soft clouds.
Granulation & Particle Character
Pigment size affects texture and atmosphere.
- Granulating colors (ultramarine, some earths) create natural texture.
- Non-granulating pigments give sleek, flat passages.
- Tip: mix a granulator with a smooth color for subtle sparkle.
Binder & Additives
The feel comes from more than pigment.
- Gum arabic is standard; honey/glycerin boost rewetting and flow; ox gall/surfactants increase dispersion.
- Watch out for: overly syrupy paints that flood edges or separate in the pan.
Rewetting, Flow & Control
You want predictable activation and movement.
- Look for: fast rewetting (especially in pans), even flow, edges you can control.
- Watch out for: hard, reluctant pans; paints that bead up or create blooms too easily.
Color Range & Palette Design
A smart small palette beats an oversized tin.
- Core set: warm/cool yellow, red, blue, a deep neutral, and 2–3 earths.
- Add convenience mixes (e.g., sap green) only if they save time.
- Prefer brands with open stock so you can replace favorites.
Tubes vs. Pans
Pick by workflow.
- Tubes: economical for big washes; squeeze into wells/pans to dry.
- Pans: portable, tidy, great for sketchbooks; test rewetting speed.
Mixing Behavior & Glazing
Paints should mix without mud and glaze without lifting.
- Look for: single-pigment colors where possible (cleaner mixes), smooth 2–3 layer glazes.
- Watch out for: multi-pigment mixes that turn dull fast.
Labeling, Consistency & Quality Control
Good labels save headaches.
- Look for: pigment code, transparency, staining, granulation, LF rating.
- Watch out for: batch-to-batch color shifts.
Value & Tube Size
Buy what you’ll actually use.
- Whites/opaques: you’ll use less—small tubes are fine.
- Studio colors: get medium tubes; compare price per ml.
- Student grade: fine for practice; expect more fillers and less LF data.
Safety & Studio Practicalities
- Look for: non-toxic/AP seals when teaching or working with kids.
- Ventilate lightly; avoid eating over your palette; dispose of rinse water responsibly.
3-Minute At-Home (or Store) Test
- Make a flat wash – should be even, no streaks.
- Pull a graded wash – look for smooth value falloff.
- Glaze a second layer after drying – shouldn’t lift or turn muddy.
- Lift test: erase a small area with a damp brush/towel—note staining.
- Mix test: combine two primaries to a neutral – check clarity, not sludge.
Starter Palette (small, versatile)
- Warm/Cool Yellow: Hansa Yellow Deep + Hansa Yellow Light
- Warm/Cool Red: Pyrrole/Scarlet + Quinacridone Rose
- Warm/Cool Blue: Ultramarine + Phthalo Blue (GS)
- Earths: Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre
- Neutral: Payne’s Gray or mix from complements
Choose based on how you paint: if you glaze and layer, favor transparent, staining colors; if you lift and soften edges, lean non-staining and mix in a few granulators for texture.
Other articles in the Watercolor, Acrylic Paints, Gouache, and Oils series:
- Best Watercolor Sketchbook
- Best Watercolor Pencils
- Best Watercolor Paper
- Best Watercolor Brushes
- Best Oil Paint Sets for Artists
- Best Oil Pastels for Artists
- Best Palette Knives and Pallete Knife Set
- Best Gouache Paint Sets
- Best Artist Inks
- Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paint for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paper and Canvas for Artists
- Best Easels for Painting
Lies diesen Beitrag auf Deutsch 🇩🇪 : 🎨 Die besten Aquarellfarben für Künstler
Lis cet article en français 🇫🇷 : 🎨 Les meilleures aquarelles pour les artistes
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
