Watercolor painters can always use better paint, better paper or a better brush, and the difference shows in every painting. That makes them one of the easiest artists to shop for: pick one of those three and step up a level from what they use now. This guide is sorted by what each gift does.
For other crafts, see our gifts for crafters.
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Quick picks
- The big gift: Winsor and Newton Professional travel tin.
- Lots of color: Winsor and Newton Cotman 45 half pan set.
- Something different: Kuretake Gansai Tambi 36 colors.
- Better paper: an Arches cold press block.
- For painting on the go: Pentel Aquash water brushes and a palette tin.
Paint sets
Our guide to the best watercolor paint sets compares student and artist grades in more detail.
Winsor and Newton Professional Travel Tin
The Winsor and Newton Professional complete travel tin holds 24 pans of the brand’s artist-grade watercolor in a lightweight metal box with a detachable palette and lid that come apart for cleaning. It works indoors or out, and it is the step up for someone painting with student-grade paint.
Winsor and Newton Cotman 45 Half Pan Studio Set
The Cotman 45 half pan studio set is Winsor and Newton’s student range, with good transparency and tinting strength, in a compact case with a mixing tray. Forty-five colors give a lot of range.
Kuretake Gansai Tambi and Daniel Smith
Kuretake Gansai Tambi, 36 colors is traditional Japanese watercolor, made in Japan, with vivid, opaque, non-granulating color in pans much larger than usual, so big brushes fit. It comes gift-ready with a palette sheet and a color chart. For a painter who mixes their own colors, the Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing Set has 15 hand-poured half pans, 15 empty half pans and two travel cases, made in the USA.
Paper
Paper makes a big difference in how watercolor behaves. The Arches 9 by 12 inch cold press block is 140 lb, 100% cotton paper, glued on all sides so it stays flat while wet, with Arches’ gelatin sizing and no optical brighteners. Our guide to hot press, cold press and rough paper explains the textures.
Brushes
The Princeton watercolor floral set is five short-handle synthetic brushes, including a petal brush, an angle shader and three rounds, chosen for painting flowers. Our guide to the best watercolor brushes covers shapes and sizes.
For painting on the go
- Pentel Aquash water brushes come in a pack of four with assorted tips. The barrel holds water, so they can paint anywhere without a cup, and a squeeze controls the flow.
- The MEEDEN 24-pan palette tin is an empty metal tin with 26 removable half pans and enamel mixing areas, for building a custom travel palette from tube paint. Our guide to watercolor palettes and travel kits has more options.
- The MEEDEN portable tabletop easel is a beech wood sketchbox with a storage drawer and a leather handle. It folds into a 16.5 by 14.5 inch case and adjusts to 33.5 inches high.
How to choose
If they paint with a student set, an artist-grade set or a block of Arches paper is the upgrade they will notice most. If they already have good paint, look at brushes, a travel kit or an easel. For a beginner, our guide to watercolor painting for beginners explains what to start with.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a watercolor artist?
Better paper, an artist-grade paint set or a good brush. All three are used on every painting. Water brushes and a travel palette are good smaller gifts.
Is Arches paper worth it as a gift?
It is 100% cotton and glued on all sides, so it handles water and stays flat while wet.
Student or artist grade paint?
Student paint, such as Cotman, is a good way to learn. Artist-grade paint, such as Winsor and Newton Professional or Daniel Smith, is the step up for someone who paints often.
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