I started doing watercolor in the summer of 2025. It was a new hobby I picked up but didn't want to overspend. I started with a lot of value and beginner sets and am currently branching out on some better tools. Honestly, some of the value items crea...
Sections
5
Paints
Paper
Pens
Other
Books
Paints
This is a great beginning set of watercolors
Prang® Watercolor Pan Set
How GORGEOUS are these metallic colors??!
Full Tutorial Set 1-5 Mini Pan Size
If you prefer to mix your own colors, winsor & newton is a reputable brand
Winsor & Newton™ Cotman Water Colours™ 20 Color ...
If you prefer to mix your own colors but need something budget friendly, you can head to Ocean State Job Lot to find these paints. They are not available online.
Phoenix Artist Water Colour Set, 18 Piece
The ceramic plates are much better than plastic for mixing your colors
7" Round Palette Porcelain by Artist's Loft®
Cheap set of paints to get you started (great if you don’t like to mix to get the color you need)
36 Color Watercolor Paint Value Pack by Artist's Loft™ Necessities
The beginner kit I use - very cheap and no frills
36 Color Watercolor Cake Set by Artist's Loft™ Necessities - Michaels
A travel set of quality paints
Winsor & Newton™ Cotman Water Colours™ Brush Pen Set
Paper
Great beginners paper pad to practice watercolor
Level 2 Watercolor Pad by Artist's Loft
Once you have perfected your technique and want to move on to producing art, I like this Canson paper. I prefer the lay flat pad over the wire ring - it’s easier to rip out.
This holds the watercolor well and I prefer this because it’s not as textu...
Canson® XL® Watercolor Pad
Travel sketchbook
Mooliwe 4 Pcs Watercolor Travel Journal 5x5
Pens
These pens are amazing on dark surfaces. I use them when I need to add fine detail on black or gray.
Sakura Soufflé Pen Cube Set of 16 - Assorted Colors
I love my micron pens so much! The tips are sturdy (ie no fraying) and they are waterproof
Pigma® Micron® Fine Line Black 6 Piece Pen Set
I will find any excuse to use a posca market pen on my art. great for adding text or fine details on top or under your work
Uni Posca PC-3M 16 Color Fine Tip Paint Marker Set
Dream pen set - the gellyrolls work great with watercolor!
SAKURA Gelly Roll Gel Pens Gift Set, Smooth Gel Ink with Special Effects, 74 Pens - TikTok Shop
Other
Masking fluid to keep the negative space on your work white
Miskit Liquid Frisket
I use a spray bottle to activate my paints
Colorful Plastic Spray Bottles, 10-oz.
washi tape to get crispy lines
5 Rolls Box of Fruit Pattern Washi Tape for Journaling and Scrapbooking
I’ve been scanning my work and creating prints from them. The price point is wonderful and it is great quality
Perfection V39 II Color Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner
I like to make cards and these envelopes are perfect (will also link in brown)
Michaels Product Page - 10241133
Envelopes I use for my cards (also linked this in white)
Michaels Product Page – 10291253
Books
A cute book to get you started
Emily Lex Studio Watercolor Workbook
Ocean themed tutorial
Watercolor with Me in the Ocean|Paperback
I have used this one to learn techniques on flowers
