Top 15 Best Watercolor Paints For Beginners and Professionals 2022

Watercolor paint is becoming more and more accessible to everyone because this art tool brings relaxation in artwork, suitable for both artists and students. With a number of vivid colors and the ability to mix colors, watercolor paint is one of the essential to promote creativity.

Watercolor paint is available in various quality ranges. Artist quality watercolor paint contains large amounts of finely grounded pigment to create a lively color and a substance to keep the color last longer.

Student quality paint has fillers and extenders to reduce the price and make it affordable for art classes. This kind of watercolor paint is also great for children to start learning drawing.

In this post, I share the best available watercolor paints in every quality range with you. There are a few styles that you need to be aware of to pick the right product. If you are ready, let’s start now!

Do You Know What Watercolor Paint Is?

Watercolor paints are made of water suspended pigments. They can be used as a tool to produce necessary paintings or create intricate works. Compared to oil paints or acrylic paints, watercolor paints do not contain harmful chemicals to your health because the paint is much thinner.

After using, you can wash the brushes with only water, which makes the cleaning much easier when you use watercolor paint instead of oil paints. However, watercolor paints need a special paper called a watercolor paper that will allow the paint pigment to stick to the surface as it dries up.

Watercolor Paint vs. Watercolor Pencil and Watercolor Marker

Although having many differences in texture and properties, these three drawing tools all deliver sharp lines and vivid colors to your painting. These types of art are suitable for all users, from adults to children, beginners, or professional artists.

I bring you some characteristics that help you to differentiate between three art tools.

Watercolor Paint

• Organize: Made of pigment suspended
• Packaging: Set of pans or tubes
• Feature: Best for small details and fine lines
• The time needed to dry? Yes
• Lightfastness: A quite good colorfastness
• Price: Quite expensive

Watercolor Pencil

• Organize: Made of the water-soluble core
• Packaging: Set of pencils
• Feature: Best to sketch and color the background
• The time needed to dry? No
• Lightfastness: Average colorfastness
• Price: Cheaper

Watercolor Marker

• Organize: Built from water-based pigments and oil-based ink
• Packaging: Set of pens
• Feature: Best to build distinct form lines and coloring large surfaces
• The time needed to dry? Yes
• Lightfastness: Average colorfastness
• Price: Quite expensive

Which is better? Watercolor paint or watercolor pencils? This video will bring you the answer:

Which Is the Best Watercolor Paint?

The best watercolor paints for coloring books are ARTEZA and GenCraft because they come with the sets with a wide range of colors and high color coordination. Besides, MEEDEN is known as a popular brand with good-priced products, so everyone can afford.

It is hard to know which product is best for you. Let’s see in this brief introduction about outstanding features that create the best watercolor paint?

• Best Overall: GenCrafts 48 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Bright colors. 48-watercolor palette. Bring amazing value. Durable and high-quality watercolor paint. Simply to use.”
• Best Budget: MEEDEN 42 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Beautiful blending and melting. Clear and crisp colors. Great watercolor paint set. Perfect size for travel. Affordable for anyone.”
• Best for Portraits: OOKU 36 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Rich layers. Good choice of colors. Nice presentation of the bag. Lightweight and a compact art kit. Includes sturdy metal box.”
• Best for Professionals: ARTEZA 36 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “36 highly pigmented colors. Ideal for gift. Professional watercolor set. Help to create colorful masterpieces. Metal box for the best protection.”
• Best for Adults: SHINHAN 30 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “30 vibrant colors in tubes. Essential colors. High degree of lightfastness. Reasonable price. Perfect for artists and professionals.”
• Best for Students: PAGOS 36 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Best for beginners and students. Easy to mix colors. Bring a smooth painting experience. High pigment concentration.”
• Best for Children: Crayola 8 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “8 classic colors in the watercolor set. Bright colors for kids. Include paintbrush to blend and mix colors. Best for school activities.”
• Best for Beginners: Winsor & Newton 14 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “High-quality standards. Excellent tinting strength. Good working properties. Come with a pocket brush and 14 Cotman watercolor half pans.”
• Best for Sketching: Kuretake 36 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Traditional Japanese watercolor paint. 36 vibrant and opaque colors. Apply to the surface quickly. Bring beautiful blending. Great for gift.”
• Best for Canvas: Art-n-Fly 40 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Artist watercolor paint set. Made from high pigment. Easy painting and layering. Bring long-lasting results. Non-toxic watercolor paint set.”
• Best for Wood: PANDAFLY 42 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Come in one water brushes and one palette. High-quality soluble colors. Ideal for professionals and crafters. Can work well on many materials.”
• Best for Tattoo Flash: Sakura 24 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Watercolor paint set with brush. Endless range of colors. Lightweight and compact design. Perfect for painting on-the-go. Plastic case for perfect storage.”
• Best for Coloring Books: ARTEZA 60 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Rich and pigmented colors. Have a matte finish. Thick and easy-to-dry paints. Non-toxic and safely be used for all ages. Individual tube.”
• Best for Face Painting: AEM Hi Arts 24 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “Comes in a sturdy box. High-quality, odorless watercolor paints. 24 tubes of watercolor paint. Spread smoothly and bring lively colors.”
• Best with Brush Set: E-Conoro 36 Colors Watercolor Paint
  “36 professional watercolor paints. Safe and non-toxic paints. Fine pigments. Excellent transparency. Perfect tinting strength.”

Top 15 Best Watercolor Paints Comparison Table

To make it a little easier for you, I have put together a list of 15 of the best watercolor paints on the market today in this comparison table. Follow me!

Top 15 Best Watercolor Paints Reviews

Watercolor paint comes in a wide range of colors with many choices, so if you’re not sure which paint set to buy, my following top best watercolor paints reviews will give you detailed information so you can get the paint that meets your need.

1. GenCrafts 48 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best Overall)

I can say that GenCraft watercolor paint is one of the best art set I have ever used. This item comes with 48 assorted that are all arranged scientifically in the palette, bring you the convenience and confidence when drawing.

All paints in the collection are made from highest-quality and non-toxic materials that will not cause chemical smell when using. The bonus watercolor pens have ideal nylon paintbrush tips, which will allow wide and beautiful brushstrokes for your painting.

Moreover, the individual pans that contain the individual colors can be removed simply, bringing the cleanliness and convenience when you want to reuse the palette.

Key Features:

• High-value watercolor paint
• 48 vibrant colors
• No leaks and no hassle
• Easy to paint
• Convenient storage case

Product Specifications:

Brand	GenCrafts
Number of brush pens	Two
Watercolor paper included	15 sheets
Packaging	Pan

For more information about this watercolor paint set of GenCraft, click this link:

2. MEEDEN 42 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best Budget)

This is an excellent portable watercolor paint kit from MEEDEN with 42 vibrant colors along with a water brush and a palette of mixing paints. With a compact and lightweight design, this item can be easily slipped into your travel bag or backpack for outdoor painting sessions.

The watercolor paint collection features the packaging for easy to hold, bring a comfortable feeling when drawing for hours. At the bottom of each layer, there are color maps useful for selecting colors.

This art painting set is an ideal drawing kit for adults and kids because the set is sturdy and stylish that can be brought to work, school, and travel painting. Plus, the set can be a perfect gift for any special occasion in the year because the price is very reasonable and suitable for any art lover.

Key Features:

• 44 rich colors
• Non-toxic materials
• Dry quickly
• Fading-resistance
• Outstanding pigments

Product Specifications:

Brand	MEEDEN
Number of brush pens	Four
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

A great video of MEEDEN set of 42 watercolor paint from the manufacturer, click here now:

3. OOKU 36 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Portraits)

The OOKU watercolor paint package comes in 36 bright and striking premium colors. These colors included in this set will bring great effects to your painting and your artwork.

These paints in this collection are simple to dilute, give you the smooth movement on the drawing face. With the deep, long-lasting layers of color luster and high transparency, your artwork will become a living and soulful painting than ever.

36 colors with high contrast, this set watercolor paint brings the realistic effects for your paintings, which makes portraits more soulful and attractive.

The set is elegant, compact, and lightweight because it comes with a sturdy metal box and bag that makes this painting set perfect for traveling. You can carry this watercolor kit anywhere for your painting.

Key Features:

• 36 brilliant watercolors
• Perfect watercolor paint set
• Compact and handy
• Long-lasting colors

Product Specifications:

Brand	OOKU
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	10 sheets
Packaging	Pan

4. ARTEZA 36 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Professionals)

You can start making colorful masterpieces straight away with 36 vivid colors and a water brush pen in this ARTEZA watercolor paint set. ARTEZA has long been one of the best brand that is chosen by a lot of professional artists, and this set will be able to conquer any painter, even the most fastidious artists.

The packaging of this set is so durable and strong that you will never worry about the breakage. Each color is held scientifically in each cake, help to protect the full of fresh color and for organizing easily.

Inside the box lid, the is a large color chart that will give you the convenience when selecting the color. The color palette is also arranged by matching contrast, gives the artists an accurate color perception.

Key Features:

• 36 unique colors
• Decent colors
• Nice packaging
• Full of fresh and non-toxic materials

Product Specifications:

Brand	ARTEZA
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

A useful review about this set of ARTEZA watercolor paint, click this link to know:

5. SHINHAN 30 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Adults)

The color range in this watercolor paint set has been carefully chosen to help bring your paintings the vivid and highly pigmented colors. All the colors are also simple to mix to create endless colors.

With the pure pigments and high-quality color, this collection of watercolor paint brings the high lightfastness to your painting, protects your artwork from the sunlight, suitable for adults in the outdoor painting tours.

This set of ShinHan watercolor paint meets all of the discerning artist’s criteria, including the luminosity and adhesiveness, so that you will have the greatest experience when painting without any worry.

With elegant packaging, this set can be a great gift for friends and family members. The individual tubes of color are also ideal for storage, keep the paint stay safe in the box for a long time.

Key Features:

• 30 lively colors in the tube
• 5ml tubes
• Pure pigments
• Clear and rich colors

Product Specifications:

Brand	ShinHan
Brush pens included	No
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Tube
The capacity of the tube	7.5 ml

This video will bring you the review about SHINHAN set of 30 watercolor paint, click here for your information:

6. PAGOS 36 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Students)

The PAGOS set includes not only 36 lively colors but also one professional watercolor brush, a pencil sharpener, a drawing pencil, and ten watercolor paper sheets. All of them are enough for the students to bring school for art classes.

The set is lightweight, robust, simple to hold with the packaging of the metal case. This can be used as a travel watercolor set when you want to go out for landscape painting.

Every painting is focused, and colors are vibrant and vivid, even on the paper or on any painting surface. The colors provide you with smooth experience in painting with a strong concentration of pigments and vivid reflection.

Key Features:

• 36 fundamental watercolor paint
• Lightweight and sturdy tin box
• Bright and vivid colors
• Eco-friendly materials

Product Specifications:

Brand	PAGOS
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	10 sheets
Packaging	Pan
Customer service	100% money back guarantee

7. Crayola 8 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Children)

If you are finding a gift for your child’s birthday, this Crayola set watercolor paint is the perfect choice for you. This set will give your children creativity in art because they can freely paint with eight colorful paints.

Thanks to the special formula, the eight classic watercolors in this set can be washed easily from skin and fabrics. For many more possibilities, the children may use the provided paintbrush to blend and match colors.

All the colors are made from safe materials that are verified to be suitable for children. So that, let your children play with this set in the craft room and creative projects.

Key Features:

• Kids set of watercolor paint.
• Classic colors
• Safe and non-toxic
• Smooth paintbrush

Product Specifications:

Brand	Crayola
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

If you are worry because this Crayola set only has eight colors, this video is a great way to help you mix the colors:

8. Winsor & Newton 14 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Beginners)

Winsor & Newton is the band that always provides products with great quality for any purchaser. And this product is a collection of watercolor paint that meets the high-quality requirements but is still at a reasonable price.

This set contains a mixing palette in the lid that will be a great help for your drawings. You can mix and blend comfortably on the lid without using any other object, which is not only convenient but also very economical.

The range of Winsor & Newton watercolor paint has a more consistent quality than the range of other watercolor paints, and this helps beginners when they want to start drawing because there is less to know about each pigment.

Key Features:

• 14 basic colors
• The original version of watercolor paint
• Affordable product
• Excellent clarity

Product Specifications:

Brand	Winson & Newton
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

You are a beginner and want to start with watercolor paint; this video is available to bring you some tips:

9. Kuretake 36 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Sketching)

Kuretake watercolor paint is a typical Japanese watercolor item that uses colors made of nature, which makes them vibrant and long-lasting. The pans in this set are also a plus because they are carefully filled with smooth, non-granulated paint and dry with a slightly shiny finish.

Once dry, the paint colores with this item will not leave rough edges, helping flat-washes easy to achieve, and are easy to layer or shade with correct technique. With the thin brush strokes, you can sketch simply whenever an idea pops into your head.

There is a cover sheet inside this watercolor paint set that not only protects the pans from shifting but also be a palette mixer. Furthermore, each box has a color chart that helps you can choose the colors and easily pick them.

Key Features:

• 36 bright colors in the set
• Made in Japan
• Traditional Japanese watercolor paint
• Beautiful packaging

Product Specifications:

Brand	Kuretake
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

You are going to have an outside art class and don’t know which set is ideal. Don’t worry; I have this video for your need:

10. Art-n-Fly 40 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Canvas)

With this watercolor paint set from Art-n-Fly, you will have a great art item to support you for quick drawing and highly pigmented, bring vibrant color for your painting, and long-lasting results.

The set with 40 colors will create stunning works of art. This item is best for use with paper projects or on canvas since the paint dries quickly and has a high color retention on the canvas, makes your canvas painting more lively without fading. Besides, watercolor paint can also be great for drawing, sketching, Sumi-e, etc.

Last but not least, this set is packaged with a stylish plastic box, which can be a perfect present for children on Christmas and Birthday.

Key Features:

• 40 artist-quality colors
• Long-lasting watercolor paint
• Rich pigment
• Economical set

Product Specifications:

Brand	Art-n-Fly
Number of brush pens	Two (different sizes)
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan
Customer service	Free money back guarantee

11. PANDAFLY 42 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Wood)

This set comes with 42 high-quality colors that are vivid and well water-soluble, simple to mix colors. The pigments are solid and compact, help the brushes move on paper in water, and bring vivid colors for every painting. This collection is suitable for both beginners and professionals.

For left and right-hand painters, this set can be fit both. Besides, the compact packaging makes it easy to carry and bring this item anywhere. With 42 vivid colors, you can paint in every genre, from landscape sketches to portraiture details.

This paint type allows you to adjust the dryness or wetness while painting; therefore, it can be easily adapted to many painting surfaces, especially wood.

This art painting kit is ideal for adults in coloring works and children in school projects. Plus, the watercolor paint collection will be the most appreciated gift for any artist or for anyone who loves painting.

Key Features:

• Set of 42 assorted colors
• Portable and great travel watercolor paint set
• Wide range of colors
• Strong and long-lasting colors
• Modern packaging

Product Specifications:

Brand	Pandafly Art Supplies
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

For more images about this set of Pandafly Art Supplies watercolor paint, please watch this video:

12. Sakura 24 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Tattoo Flash)

If you want to catch every moment in life in a painting, then these drawing kits are ideal for your choice. This watercolor paint collection is great for taking along because of the compact and durable packaging.

The kit is lightweight and fairly priced, help any art lover can own one set. This item also comes with a bonus watercolor paintbrush that brings you the feeling of fast blending in the color palette.

It can be said that this is one of watercolor paints that come with the highest color grip I have experienced. The colors will retain their durability and luster for a long time after drying, so this set is suitble for tattoo flash that need a high lightfastness.

With a lightweight and elegant design, this set can fit in the handbag or large pen case, simple to bring to school. And the extremely long color adhesion helps your artworks be kept from time to time.

Key Features:

• 24 lively colors
• Half pan watercolors
• Lightweight and affordable
• Great travel set

Product Specifications:

Brand	SAKURA
Number of brush pens	One
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

How to paint with a watercolor set of SAKURA, click here and you will get the information:

13. ARTEZA 60 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Coloring Books)

Are you looking for a watercolor paint set that is both high-quality and professional enough for your art? The set of 60 colors from ARTEZA will conquer you. This set is built with numerous colors that can meet all your painting needs and coloring books.

The set helps you draw a thick paint that can bring maximum coverage as possible for a high colorfastness. However, the thickness of the paint doesn’t make it difficult to dry; the colors are all dry easily but will be reactivated with water.

With the individual packaging of each color, now you can bring the colors you want for your need without bringing all the set. This may be the best convenience that this collection brings to customers.

Key Features:

• 60 vivid and pigmented colors
• Quick-drying
• Individual labeled for each tube
• Safe materials with ACMI certified

Product Specifications:

Brand	ARTEZA
Brush pens included	No
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Tube
Customer service	Refund or Replacement

Watch this video for a great review about ARTEZA set of 60 watercolor paint:

14. AEM Hi Arts 24 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best for Face Painting)

You deserve a clean, odorless, and non-toxic watercolor set like this item of AEM Hi Arts. With a smooth application, this set works well with new artists and professionals, both children and adults.

This watercolor paint package comes with 24 colors, a palette, three brushes, and 20 sheets of watercolor paper in a compact, durable box. The paints will not have a chemical scent, and they can spread easily and have vivid colors that will give children hours of enjoyment in painting.

In addition, these colors are all odorless and do not a chemical smell, making them very safe and suitable for those who are sensitive to chemical odorants.

Key Features:

• 24 Color Watercolor Paint Set
• Sturdy and non-toxic set
• high-quality, odorless watercolor paints
• One-year free replacement warranty

Product Specifications:

Brand	AEM Hi Arts
Number of brush pens	Three
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Tube
Warranty	One year
Customer service	30-day money back guarantee

I don’t think you want to miss this video of the review about AEM Hi Art watercolor paint set 24:

15. E-Conoro 36 Colors Watercolor Paint

(Best with Brush Set)

Express your creativity with this professional quality watercolor paint that has been created to offer the vibrant color, strength, and permanence.

This art kit comes with 36 colors so that you can select the color following your favorite need. Plus, the materials that make these paints are all non-toxic and certified safe for users.

One special thing that not all watercolor paint sets have that is the bonus set of 10 brushes, which is included in this purchasing. This collection is really economical for people who can’t spend a lot of money on painting.

Key Features:

• Professional watercolor paint set
• Non-toxic and odor-free
• Rich and vibrant colors
• 36 watercolor cakes

Product Specifications:

Brand	E-Conoro
Number of brush pens	10-piece set
Watercolor paper included	No
Packaging	Pan

How to Buy the Best Set of Watercolor Paint?

Are you looking for a professional watercolor paint set to go or just want a classic one to try painting? You still need to know the following things before you start to pick the right item.

The Range of Color

The better thing about watercolor paint than other types of art is that you can mix the colors to expand your color range without investing in a wide variety of colors.

Therefore, if you just start your painting or you are choosing a watercolor pant set for your children, you might want to purchase the set from 8 to 12 colors to test before spending a big amount on the big size set.

However, single pigment colors will be more vibrant and uniform than mixed colors; that is why the professional artist always needs the big set with the range from 48 to 60 colors, even wider. This will depend on your style and what you are trying to do.

Pan or Tube?

The packaging of watercolor paint is either in small tubes or in solid pans. The pans are activated only when touched by a wet brush, are very convenient to store and carry outside. However, you can only take a small amount of pigment each time, so the pan is not suitable for large-scale projects.

Conversely, the paint that is kept in the tubes is liquid paint. This packaging makes it easier to mix colors and paint in a wide area. Because each tube contains each color, you can bring the colors you want instead of the set.

What is the difference between watercolor paint of pan and tube? This video is great to bring you the answer:

The Brand

The brand is one of the most important factors to help you choose a good product. Now there are a number of brands that I believe will bring you high-quality products at reasonable prices.

ZenCrafts

GenCrafts is the place where you can feel satisfactory and excited about the art tool because this brand gives you the greatest painting tools yet at a fair price.

ARTEZA

Being a famous brand for its products such as colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and watercolor paint. The quality of all products is certified and suitable for children to professional artists.

SHINHAN

Most of the products from SHINHAN have a very luxurious and beautiful design that is ideal for gifts on any occasion. But the price is also a bit higher than other brands, so the brand may be great for those with better economic conditions.

Winsor & Newton

Winsor & Newton is the brand that will deliver high-quality watercolor paint sets with a wide range of colors. These colors often have high lightfastness that makes your artwork last for a long time.

Other Features

• Lightfastness

Lightfastness is an indicator of how often a particular paint, when exposed to light, can fade or discolor over time. The watercolor paints are graded with the ASTM scale. Higher lightfastness means that your painting will not fade over time so that what you need is to choose the watercolor paint set that has a high lightfastness.

• Bonus item included

For beginners or students, this factor is very important. Some sets will come with brushes, palette, or even papers for drawing, which are convenient and economical to those who are not professionals. In contrast, to the artists, the bonus items are not very important, because all they need is quality.

FAQs

Too many products with a lot of choices may make you confused about what you want to buy. Overlook the following FAQs for more information to look for the right watercolor paint!

My Top Pick

Choosing the right watercolor paint is crucial because you will need this item to enjoy the painting time. No matter whom you are: a beginner just starting with watercolor paint or professional artist with years of experience, you should not pick a hurry to go wrong with this art tool.

However, don’t waste too much time determining which set is the best. Think about the consistency and characteristics of the paint that you need, and consider my reviews for the right choice.

The above article has brought my discussion of the 15 best watercolor paints for sale today closer to you. To me, I have felt in love with GenCrafts 48 Colors Watercolor Paint since the perfect color and the great lightfastness that this set brings.

I hope all the information is useful to you. Don’t worry if you still have questions, let me know in the comment and follow me to get the answers. Thank you, and have a good day!