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10 Best Watercolor Sets
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Buying Guide for the Best Watercolor Sets
When it comes to buying a watercolor set, it's best to approach your choice by thinking about how you'll use it. Watercolors are often used for painting, sketching, card-making, and more. There are many types available, from student-grade to artist-grade, so knowing your purpose will guide you in making the best choice. Consider how portable you need your set to be, what kind of paper or surface you'll be painting on, and whether you'd like your colors to blend easily or remain vivid and bright. Familiarizing yourself with the key specs will make it much easier to select a watercolor set that matches your creative goals and style.Type of Paint (Pan vs Tube)This refers to how the paint is packed in the set—either as solid cakes in pans or as more liquid paint in tubes. Pan sets are compact, easy to carry, and convenient for quick painting as you just activate them with water. Tube sets contain more concentrated paint and allow you to extract as much as you want, making them great for larger work and mixing big washes. Beginners or those looking for portability might prefer pans, while those who want more control and do larger projects often like tubes.
Number of ColorsThe number of different colors included in the set can range from just a few to over thirty. Smaller sets are portable and great for minimalists who like to mix their own colors, while larger sets offer a wider palette and save mixing time. If you like experimenting and want the convenience of having rare shades ready to use, a bigger set might suit you. If you value simplicity, or if you want to learn more about mixing colors yourself, a basic set will do fine.
Pigment Quality (Student vs Artist Grade)This spec reflects how pure and vibrant the colors are. Student grade paints use more fillers, so their colors might not be as strong, but they're affordable and forgiving for practice and learning. Artist-grade paints use higher-quality pigments, offering intense colors and better mixing results. Beginners might start with student-grade to reduce waste while they learn, but those who want maximum color impact or need their work to last longer will prefer artist-grade.
LightfastnessLightfastness shows how well the colors resist fading over time when exposed to light. If you’re creating artworks that you plan to display or sell, high lightfastness is important to ensure your paintings don’t lose their color. Casual hobbyists or those painting in sketchbooks may not need to worry as much, but anyone who wants their artwork to endure should look for sets labeled with good lightfastness ratings.
PortabilitySome watercolor sets are designed to be used on the go, with compact cases, built-in mixing areas, and even small travel brushes. If you plan on painting outside or traveling with your set, consider how easy it will be to carry and clean up. If you mostly paint at home, portability is less important, so you can focus on other features.
Re-wettabilityThis describes how easily dry paint can be activated with water after it has dried on your palette. Good re-wettability is important if you like to revisit and reuse dried paints, as it makes your set last longer and allows for fewer wasted materials. If you prefer to mix fresh paint each time or use tubes only, this might matter less.