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Watercolor Paints

10 Best Watercolor Paints 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

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

Winsor & Newton

10.0 score

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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
10.0
Chosen by1,248
Quality (Student vs. Professional)
Color Range

Most important from
2070 reviews

Quality (Student vs. Professional)
The paints deliver excellent quality with vibrant and long-lasting colors that require only a small amount to create impressive artwork.
Color Range
The color selection is well-rounded and versatile, making it easy to mix shades and achieve the classic transparent watercolor effect.
#2
10.0 score

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

Winsor & Newton

10.0 score

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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
10.0
Quality (Student vs. Professional)
Form (Pans vs. Tubes)
Color Range

Most important from
1818 reviews

Quality (Student vs. Professional)
These watercolors are on a whole new level compared to basic sets like Crayola.
Form (Pans vs. Tubes)
The tubes might seem small, but the paint is highly concentrated, so only a tiny amount is needed.
Color Range
The variety of colors is impressive, and a little paint goes a long way.
Transparency
The opacity of the colors can be adjusted by varying the amount of water added.
#3
9.8 score

Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour Paint, 0.47-oz Tube, Burnt Sienna

Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour Paint, 0.47-oz Tube, Burnt Sienna

Winsor & Newton

9.8 score

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The Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour Paint in Burnt Sienna is a solid choice for artists looking for high-quality watercolor paint. One of its standout strengths is the quality; being a professional grade, it offers a wide choice of pigments known for their permanence and rich color. This specific product has an excellent lightfastness rating (AA), meaning it resists fading when exposed to light, which is crucial for artists aiming for long-lasting artwork. The paint comes in a 0.47-ounce tube, making it convenient for both indoor and outdoor use and suitable for various painting surfaces, primarily paper.

Rating
9.8
Quality (Student vs. Professional)

Most important from
158 reviews

Quality (Student vs. Professional)
Winsor & Newton's Burnt Sienna is a staple for professional artists, praised for its reliability and vibrant color.

Top 10 Best Watercolor Paints 2025 in the United States

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Slide 1

U.S. Art Supply

U.S. Art Supply 133-Piece Deluxe Ultimate Artist Painting Set with Aluminum and Wood Easels, 72 Paint Colors, 24 Acrylic, 24 Oil, 24 Watercolor, 8 Canvases, 44 Brushes, 4 Painting & Sketch Pads & More

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#1

Winner

10.0 score

Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5

Winsor & Newton

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

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Chosen by 1248 this week

Sponsored

Slide 1

U.S. Art Supply

U.S. Art Supply 133-Piece Deluxe Ultimate Artist Painting Set with Aluminum and Wood Easels, 72 Paint Colors, 24 Acrylic, 24 Oil, 24 Watercolor, 8 Canvases, 44 Brushes, 4 Painting & Sketch Pads & More

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#2

10.0 score

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Winsor & Newton

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

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#3

9.8 score

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Winsor & Newton

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

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#4

9.6 score

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Kuretake

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

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#5

9.3 score

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Winsor & Newton

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint, 21ml (0.71-oz) Tube, Chinese White

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Related Products

#6

9.0 score

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Winsor & Newton

Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Paint Set, Lightweight Sketchers' Box, 12 x 5ml Tubes

Quality (Student vs. Professional): Professional
Form (Pans vs. Tubes): Tubes
Color Range: 12 colors
Lightfastness: Resists fading over time
Transparency: Excellent transparency

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18% OFF
#7

8.7 score

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ARTISTRO

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

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#8

8.4 score

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M. Graham & Co.

M. Graham 1/2-Ounce Tube Watercolor Paint, Quinacridone Rose (33-156)

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#9

8.1 score

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ARTEZA

ARTEZA Watercolor Paint Pens, 24 Watercolor Brush Pens with Flexible Nylon Brush Tips, Paint Markers for Artists, and Beginners

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5% OFF
#10

7.9 score

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ARTEZA

ARTEZA Watercolor Paint Set, 12 Metallic Watercolor Paints, Glitter Watercolor Paint in Half Pans, Travel Watercolor Set

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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.

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