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10 Best Watercolor Paints 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set 48 Colors, Professional-quality art supplies for artists adult painting sketching, Non-Toxic, Made in Japan
The Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set offers professional-quality watercolor paints that are ideal for artists and serious hobbyists. With 48 colors, this set provides a broad color range, ensuring you have plenty of options for your artwork. The paints are in pans, which is convenient for mixing and using with both small and large brushes, thanks to their larger-than-average size. This flexibility is a significant advantage for various painting techniques.
Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,333
Quality (Student vs. Professional)
Form (Pans vs. Tubes)
Color Range
Most important from
10269 reviews
#2
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 12 Colors, 8ml (0.27-oz) Tubes
The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set is a solid choice for both beginners and hobbyists looking for quality at a reasonable price. The set includes 12 vibrant 8ml tubes, which cover a good range of colors necessary for various projects. One of its strengths is the good transparency and tinting strength, allowing users to create beautiful washes and layers in their artwork. Additionally, the paint is rated AA and A for lightfastness, meaning your artwork will retain its vibrancy over time, which is a significant plus for any artist.
Rating
9.8
Quality (Student vs. Professional)
Form (Pans vs. Tubes)
Color Range
Most important from
1819 reviews
#3
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 20 Colors, 5ml (0.17-oz) Tubes
The Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set offers 20 essential colors in convenient 5ml tubes, making it a solid choice for beginners or hobbyists exploring watercolor painting. These paints fall into the student-quality category, which means they provide good color and transparency but use some more affordable pigments to keep costs lower than professional-grade paints. The tube form is handy for mixing and controlling paint amount, especially for those new to watercolors.
Rating
9.5
Quality (Student vs. Professional)
Color Range
Most important from
2195 reviews
Top 10 Best Watercolor Paints 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set 48 Colors, Professional-quality art supplies for artists adult painting sketching, Non-Toxic, Made in Japan
Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set 48 Colors, Professional-quality art supplies for artists adult painting sketching, Non-Toxic, Made in Japan
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Professional
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Pans
Color Range: 48 colors
Transparency: Opaque
Chosen by 1333 this week
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 12 Colors, 8ml (0.27-oz) Tubes
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 12 Colors, 8ml (0.27-oz) Tubes
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Student
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Tubes
Color Range: 12
Lightfastness: AA and A
Transparency: good
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 20 Colors, 5ml (0.17-oz) Tubes
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 20 Colors, 5ml (0.17-oz) Tubes
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Student
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Tubes
Color Range: 20 essential colors including primaries, earths
Lightfastness: Strong
Transparency: High
Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour Paint, 0.47-oz Tube, Burnt Sienna
Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour Paint, 0.47-oz Tube, Burnt Sienna
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Professional
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Tubes
Lightfastness: AA
Transparency: Transparent
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint, 21ml (0.71-oz) Tube, Chinese White
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint, 21ml (0.71-oz) Tube, Chinese White
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Student-grade
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Tube
Color Range: Chinese White
Lightfastness: ASTM I
Transparency: Opaque
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ARTISTRO x HANNAH M.P Professional Watercolor Paint Set Limited Edition with 24 colors in Bamboo Wooden Box (6ml XL Pans) - 2 Brushes, Watercolor Paper, Mixing Tray - Watercolor Set for Professionals made by professionals
ARTISTRO x HANNAH M.P Professional Watercolor Paint Set Limited Edition with 24 colors in Bamboo Wooden Box (6ml XL Pans) - 2 Brushes, Watercolor Paper, Mixing Tray - Watercolor Set for Professionals made by professionals
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Professional
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Pans
Color Range: 24 colors
Schmincke - HORADAM AQUARELL Color Box with 24 Finest Watercolors, 74424097, Black Metal Box, Painting Set, Premium Watercolors, 24 x 1/2 Pans
Schmincke - HORADAM AQUARELL Color Box with 24 Finest Watercolors, 74424097, Black Metal Box, Painting Set, Premium Watercolors, 24 x 1/2 Pans
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Professional
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Half pans
Color Range: Bright yellows, reds, blues, greens
Lightfastness: Very good
Transparency: Transparent and opaque colors
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, Studio Set, 24 Whole Pans
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, Studio Set, 24 Whole Pans
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Student-grade
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Pans
Color Range: Wide range of common shades
Lightfastness: May fade faster in strong sunlight
Transparency: Good transparency
Windsor & Newton Artist Watercolor 5ml 24 Color Set
Windsor & Newton Artist Watercolor 5ml 24 Color Set
Quality (Student vs. Professional): Professional
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Tubes
Color Range: 24 colors
Lightfastness: Colors remain vibrant over time
Transparency: Beautiful layering effects
#10
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Buying Guide for the Best Watercolor Paints
Choosing the right watercolor paints can greatly enhance your painting experience and the quality of your artwork. Watercolor paints come in various forms, qualities, and colors, and understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting watercolor paints, along with explanations to guide you through the process.Quality (Student vs. Professional)Watercolor paints are generally categorized into student and professional (or artist) quality. Student quality paints are more affordable and are suitable for beginners or those practicing their skills. They contain less pigment and more fillers, which can affect the vibrancy and permanence of the colors. Professional quality paints have a higher concentration of pigment, offering richer colors and better lightfastness (resistance to fading over time). If you are a beginner or on a budget, student quality paints are a good starting point. However, if you are looking for the best performance and longevity in your artwork, investing in professional quality paints is recommended.
Form (Pans vs. Tubes)Watercolor paints come in two main forms: pans and tubes. Pans are small, solid blocks of paint that are activated with water, making them portable and convenient for travel. They are ideal for those who paint on the go or have limited space. Tubes contain liquid paint and offer more flexibility in mixing colors and adjusting the paint's consistency. They are suitable for larger works and for artists who prefer to have more control over their paint application. Consider your painting style and where you will be painting when choosing between pans and tubes.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors available in a set or brand of watercolor paints. A basic set typically includes primary colors (red, blue, yellow) and a few secondary colors (green, orange, purple). More extensive sets offer a wider range of hues and shades, allowing for greater versatility in your artwork. If you are just starting, a basic set with essential colors is sufficient. As you gain experience and develop your style, you may want to expand your palette with additional colors to achieve more complex and nuanced effects.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the measure of how resistant a paint color is to fading when exposed to light. This is an important factor if you want your artwork to maintain its original appearance over time. Paints with high lightfastness ratings are less likely to fade, ensuring the longevity of your work. Manufacturers often provide lightfastness ratings on their products, with ratings such as ASTM I (excellent) and ASTM II (very good) being the most desirable. If you plan to display or sell your artwork, choosing paints with high lightfastness is crucial.
TransparencyTransparency refers to how much light passes through the paint, affecting the layering and blending of colors. Watercolor paints can be transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque. Transparent paints allow underlying layers to show through, creating a luminous effect and are ideal for glazing techniques. Semi-transparent paints offer a balance between transparency and opacity, while opaque paints cover underlying layers more completely. Your choice of transparency will depend on your painting techniques and the effects you wish to achieve. Transparent paints are great for delicate washes and layering, while opaque paints are useful for bold, solid areas of color.