How to Choose the Right Watercolor for You

Your Guide to buying the best Watercolor

Overview

A watercolor buying guide is a great resource for those looking to purchase watercolor supplies and materials. It provides an in-depth look at the various types of watercolor, their qualities, and the best ways to use them. This guide will also discuss the different types of watercolor brushes, papers, and accessories, as well as provide advice on how to care for and store your materials. With this guide, you’ll be sure to find the right watercolor supplies and materials to create beautiful pieces of art.

Key features

  • Type of Watercolor Paint - Watercolor paints can include liquid, tube, cake, or pan. Liquid is the most commonly used and especially for beginners. Tube paints have more concentrated pigment and are ideal for blending and layering colors. Cake paints come in solid blocks and require mixing with water. Pan paints are similar, but pre-mixed with water and come in small, portable pans for convenience.
  • Paint Quality - The quality of the paint should be considered when buying watercolor. High-quality paints will provide vibrant color and more accurate mixes. Lower quality paints may be cheaper, but the pigments will be less vibrant and it may be more difficult to achieve desired colors.
  • Paint Brushes - It's important to select the right brush for watercolor painting. Natural hair brushes will hold more water and allow for more blending, but can be expensive. Synthetic brushes are budget friendly and still provide good control and color.
  • Paper Quality - Quality paper is important, as cheap paper can be too thin and cause buckling or warping when water is applied. Higher quality papers can also hold more water and pigment, resulting in more vibrant colors.
  • Watercolor Palette - Palettes provide a convenient way to store and mix colors. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some including built-in wells and mixing areas.

See the most popular Watercolor on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Variety of Uses: Watercolor is suitable for a variety of projects, including fine art, illustrations, calligraphy, and more.
  • Simple to Get Started: It is easy to get a simple watercolor setup with minimal supplies or investments.
  • Versatile Color Range: Watercolors offer a wide range of colors and shades that can be blended and layered easily.
  • Less Waste: Watercolor requires less materials compared to other mediums, making it more economical in the long run.
  • Transportable: Watercolor supplies are relatively lightweight and compact, making them convenient to carry around.
  • Unique Effects: Watercolor produces unique effects such as gradients, glazes, and washes that are not possible with other mediums.

Cons

  • Price - Watercolor paints are typically more expensive than other types of paints due to the quality of the materials used and the complexity of painting with them.
  • Complexity - Watercolor paints require more skill and practice to achieve the desired result compared to other types of paints.
  • Staining - Some of the more intense colors used in watercolor painting can be difficult to remove from clothing, surfaces, and skin, and may require special cleaning methods.
  • Transparency - Watercolor paints are known for their transparency when applied, as well as their ability to blend and mix colors easily, making it difficult to control the end result.

Best alternatives

  1. Acrylic Paint – A fast-drying, water-based paint that comes in a variety of colors and can be used to create a wide range of painting styles.
  2. Gouache Paint – A type of paint made with pigment and gum arabic, giving it a thick and opaque texture.
  3. Ink – A colored liquid used for drawing or writing, typically made from pigments suspended in a liquid.
  4. Colored Pencils – A drawing tool composed of a colored lead core encased in a protective wood or plastic sheath.
  5. Charcoal – A black, grey or brown combustible material made from charred wood.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Paint Brushes - A range of paint brushes used for various watercolor techniques.
  • Watercolor Paints - Watercolor paints come in tubes and cakes and provide vibrant colors.
  • Palettes - A palette is used to mix colors and store paint for use.
  • Papers - Watercolor paper is typically thicker and more absorbent than regular paper.
  • Pencils - Pencils are used to sketch out a design before painting.
  • Pencil Sharpeners - To keep pencils sharp for sketching.
  • Erasers - To erase pencil marks and make corrections.
  • Spray Bottles - Used to apply water and achieve a certain effect.
  • Palette Knives - Used to mix colors and apply them to the paper.
  • Sponges - Can be used to apply paint and create interesting textures.
  • Masking Tape - Tape can be used to mask off areas and create interesting shapes.

Common questions

  1. What type of paints should I buy?

    It depends on the type of project you are looking to create. Watercolor typically comes in either tubes or pans. Tubes are best for concentrated colors, while pans are ideal for larger projects.

  2. What types of paper should I use?

    Watercolor paper is best for watercolor painting. It is designed to absorb the water and pigments, and prevent buckling. You can also use other papers, such as drawing paper, but the results may not be as good.

  3. What brushes should I use?

    Brushes come in various shapes and sizes, but you should opt for a brush with a pointed tip in order to paint fine details. Natural hair brushes are best, as they hold more water than synthetic brushes.

  4. Where can I find the best paints and supplies?

    The best place to find high quality watercolor paints and supplies is at an art store or online. Be sure to read customer reviews to get an idea of the quality of the products.

Trivia

One interesting fact about Watercolor is that the town used to be a popular destination for Civil War soldiers. During the Civil War, the town was known as Camp Watson and was used as a Confederate Army encampment. After the Civil War, the town began to develop and the scenic beauty attracted many summer vacationers. The town has long been a popular destination for art lovers who come to enjoy the natural beauty and the creative vibe of the town. Watercolor is home to several art galleries, live theatre and music venues, and an array of unique restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Today, Watercolor remains a popular destination for those seeking an artistic escape, perfect for a weekend getaway or an extended stay. Source: https://www.watercolorresort.com/area-guide/town-of-watercolor/

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.