What Watercolor Brands Are Really Best?

Psst! Want the TL;DR? 

• The difference between cheap supplies and expensive supplies is real
• High quality, 100% cotton paper is better
• High quality, low filler paint is essential
• Love what you do

 

So. You’ve been practicing for a while now. Your watercolor painting has improved, you can work faster and more accurately. The pictures in your head are looking closer and closer to what actually ends up on the paper. 

But you’ve hit a plateau. 

That’s when the Googling continues. The one thing that keeps popping up in the search results is something boring. Something suspiciously simple. 

Paper. And. Paints.*Dun, dun, DUN*

Why it Matters

So, wait, does it actually matter? Surely the difference between cheap supplies and professional supplies isn't sooo great. 

It actually is. It really, really, really is. 

The thing is, most people think the difference lies in the colors, and that “better” paint gives you better colors. While there can certainly be a difference, it's not usually major and it's not the reason quality supplies are worth the investment. The reason is because of how the paint and paper react together. 

The Paper

 

Below is an example of Winsor and Newton paint on three different kinds of paper: Arches, Artistro, and Master Works cold-press.

 

 

As you can see, the paint behaves completely differently depending upon which paper you use. The Arches paper produces even, opaque layer of paint, while the others (Artistro especially) give blotchy, cloudy layers. 

Another key factor of paper is, rather obviously, you want it to soak up the paint. Arches is fantastic with this, aiding the even distribution of the pigment. The cheaper brands, on the other hand, aren’t soaking up the colors at all. The Artisto (off brand) even seems almost resistant. 

 

The Paint

 

So, you know how when people talk about the concept of “filler” in food or writing, it’s never a good thing? The same is true for paint. 

Paint is necessarily made up of two things: pigment and a binder. But when cheaper brands try to offer cheaper products, they have to use cheaper materials to lower production costs. This means less of the pigment, and more fillers. It’s the fillers, the extra, unnecessary stuff, that makes the difference between good paint and bad paint. 

It’s also why the cheaper the watercolor paint, the grittier, chalkier texture you’re going to get, resulting in uneven distribution, cloudy washes, and poorer color mixing. 

I’ve labeled the Black and Payne’s Gray from two different palettes - Windsor & Newton and Artistro - because I think it shows most obviously the differences between high quality and low quality paint. 

And Now For a Disclaimer 

 

I want to get one thing straight really quick - Painting can be done with the most expensive materials, or the cheapest junk from the Dollar Tree. The important thing when you’re a beginner is just to paint, and to fall in love with it. And if falling in love means getting professional quality paints to keep from hindering your progress, then go for it! But if it means working with what you have and painting anyway, then go for that too. 

 

I love my Artistro set, because it’s the palette that first made me fall in love with watercolor (thanks, Mom!). I love my Winsor & Newton palettes because they help me reach places I just can’t with cheaper paints. 

As for the paper, different effects aren’t necessarily bad. You just need to practice on the kind of paper you plan on using for finished pieces, otherwise you’ll be in for a surprise when you go from designated “practice paper” to a different “official paper.”

 

Conclusion Time!

 

I hope this post (maybe) cleared some things up for both beginner artists and experienced ones about what watercolor brands are best. In the case of paint and paper, you really do get what you paid for, but your artistic goals and budget are ultimately the deciding factors.

 

Until next time!

Lydia