My Favorite Watercolor Sets (and What I Actually Use!)

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I was recently asked by one of my Patrons about what watercolors I recommend, and it made my realize that I actually do have some big opinions about the type of watercolors I swear by. So I thought I would elaborate on my answer to her with a full on blog post all about watercolor! 

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into watercolor or looking to level up your supplies, today I’m sharing my all-time favorite watercolor sets—from beginner-friendly options to high-end artist palettes. These are the paints I reach for regularly, and I’ll share a few pros and cons of each to help you decide what might be the best fit for you.

First- let's discuss tubes vs. pans:

Tubes vs. Pans: Which One Should You Buy?

If you're new to watercolor or even just upgrading your stash, you might be wondering: Should I buy tubes or pans? Here's a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of each to help you decide based on your needs and painting habits.

Watercolor Tubes

Pros:

• Cost-effective in the long run – Tubes give you more paint for the price and can last a long time if stored properly

• Ideal for larger pieces – You can squeeze out more pigment for juicy washes and bold color

• Easy to refill empty pans – You can create your own custom palette by squeezing tube paint into empty pans

Cons:

• Less convenient on the go – You'll need a palette or surface to mix on, and tubes can get messy if you're not careful

• Can dry out if left open too long – Though you can rehydrate them, it’s something to watch out for

Watercolor Pans

Pros:

• Super portable – Great for travel, sketchbook work, or painting outside

• Low mess, easy setup – Just add water and you’re ready to paint

• Pre-set color selections – Many sets come with thoughtfully curated palettes

Cons:

• More expensive per ounce – You get less paint overall compared to tubes

• Less flexibility in color customization – Unless you build your own pan set from scratch

$ Kuretake Watercolor Set

Find it here on Amazon

This set gives you a lot of colors for the price, and the pigment quality is genuinely impressive. The paints are vibrant, rich, and super smooth to work with.

Pros:

• Affordable for the number of colors included

• Excellent pigmentation and color range

• Great for studio work or painting at home

Cons:

• The set is fairly large and bulky—not ideal for art on the go

• It doesn’t come with a very functional mixing palette, so you might want to use your own

Still, for the quality and price, this one is a solid win for beginner to intermediate artists.

Winsor & Newton Cotman ($)or Winsor Newton Professional Watercolor Set ($$)

When it comes to classic, reliable watercolor brands, Winsor & Newton is always at the top of my list. I personally use their Professional Watercolour Compact Set when I’m traveling or painting on location—but if you’re just starting out, the Cotman series (which is their beginner brand) is a fantastic entry point. If you choose the professional set, the pigment is going to be incredibly rich and vibrant, where as the Cotman has a bit more binder and less pigment, making the color not quite as rich. 

Why I love them:

• Professional-grade pigments are super consistent and vibrant

• Compact set is perfect for sketchbook travel or painting on the go

• Cotman line is more budget-friendly but still totally capable

• 

Above is my travel Winsor Newton Cotman set. 

  Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolor

If you’ve never tried liquid watercolors before, let me introduce you to the insanely vibrant magic of Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus line. These are fine art, lightfast, liquid watercolors that come in dropper bottles—and the color payoff is out of this world. They’re incredibly pigmented, flow beautifully, and a little goes a long way.

Why I love them:

• Unmatched vibrancy—seriously, they glow

• Ready to use straight from the bottle (no re-wetting needed). You just need to have a palette to drop them in. 

• Mix beautifully and layer like a dream

If you love bold color or want to experiment with something new, this set is definitely worth a spot in your stash.

 

💎$$$ Daniel Smith or Schmincke Watercolors

Let’s talk luxury. It took me years to work up the courage (and budget!) to buy a set of Daniel Smith watercolors—but oh my goodness, they are stunning. I'm talking the crème de la crème. The pigmentation, the creaminess, the way the colors flow… it’s dreamy. That said, these are definitely a splurge.

What to know:

• Daniel Smith paints are known for their intense pigments and specialty colors (like granulating hues!)

• Schmincke is another high-end brand in the same tier—although I haven’t tried them personally, many professional artists swear by them. According to their website in 2022 they were awarded the title "Brand of the Century" 

If you’re ready to invest in a serious set, this is the Daniel Smith watercolor pan palette 
I personally own

Final Thoughts

You don’t need the fanciest paints to make meaningful, beautiful art- I promise you. In fact, the photo above one of the first watercolor paintings I ever did with incredibly cheap student grade watercolors. But having the right supplies for your season of creating makes all the difference. Whether you’re painting from your kitchen table, your sketchbook in a park, or a full-on studio, I hope this list helps you find a watercolor set you’ll truly love.

If you’re looking for more guidance with watercolor—or just want some extra encouragement to make more art—I’d love for you to check out my Patreon! I share tons about my process, favorite materials, behind-the-scenes tips, and I even host two live painting sessions each month with my Sketchbook Buddies Tier for added support and creative community. I

 also offer several pre-recorded workshops, including my popular Watercolor Pet Portraits class, which you can explore right here. Whether you're just starting out or want to deepen your practice, there’s a place for you in our little art club. 💛

Ok I think that's all for now! Do you have a favorite set of watercolors I didn’t mention? Leave a comment—I love learning what other artists are using!