2018 What Is the Best Watercolor Paint for Elementary Art Classroom
Comparison Student Grade Watercolor Brands
Several watercolor manufacturers produce ii lines of paints—a student series aslope their more expensive and usually more extensive line of professional or artist paints. I've long been curious about the differences betwixt the two, and so I thought it was time to put student grade watercolor brands to the test and compare several affordable sets.
Several years ago, I briefly tested a major brand of student form watercolors. I was very pleased with them so I've often recommended that brand to readers, students, and beginners. Withal, I've learned a lot since then so I thought it was fourth dimension to retest my initial impressions to see if there was a some other budget watercolor set that could beat information technology.
Lately I've been experimenting with four different brands of student grade paints: Cotman, Daler-Rowney, Sennelier, and Van Gogh. Just similar their professional counterparts, I've constitute that each brand is dissimilar and some perform better overall than others.*
Below, I share my opinions and curt review of each of these brands along with several factors to consider before purchasing student grade watercolors. And then let's dive into the showdown!
*I say this all the fourth dimension, merely I truly believe that at that place is no perfect brand of watercolor pigment and results of each brand or color vary per user. Regardless of my reviews, ever choose the pigment or pigment that works best for y'all.
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Educatee vs Artist Grade Watercolors
When comparing student grade watercolors to artist or professional person grade paints, I've noticed a few fundamental differences. If you're serious well-nigh watercolor, these can apace become major hindrances to the enjoyment of painting. All the same, educatee grade watercolors exercise have their uses, and I can think of several instances where one might prefer educatee paints.
Student course watercolors tend to exist less expensive then a quality prepare can be a good choice for someone on an extremely tight upkeep. Student class paints may also exist useful for someone who only wants to sketch, putter, or journal, or a fine choice for the occasional painter or a beginner who wants decent paints but doesn't need a $200 prepare... at least not yet.
Of course, the just i who knows what will piece of work for you is YOU, merely when it comes to student versus artist form watercolors, at that place are several things to consider.
Student form watercolors lack a variety of pigments.
Many pigments are also expensive for student grades' toll point, and then manufacturers tend to rely on a few mutual, inexpensive pigments to create a multifariousness of colors. (In pupil class, you'll meet a lot of hues which is lawmaking discussion for "not the real thing.") Considering of this, the color selection isn't every bit varied, more than brighteners or extenders are added to enhance the colors, and many of the colors lack the excitement (granulation, flow variance, etc) of artist class paints.
A make'due south pupil grade and artist grade watercolors often have similar characteristics.
I've tested and painted with all of the creative person series of the brands featured in this review, and each brands' painting personality is very apparent and fairly consistent in both lines. If yous enjoy painting with a pupil grade line, it may be worthwhile to check out the brand's artist grade watercolors or vise versa.
Student grade paints can't and won't perform similar the pros.
Watercolor manufacturers invest the most money, time, and testing into their creative person grade lines. Because student paints lack a lot of the higher class pigments, flow agents, and fillers (aka ingredients) that give creative person grade paints their characteristics, pupil grade watercolors won't perform like the pros.
Artist form paints should dilute and mix hands on demand and as well flow and mix beautifully on paper while retaining their value. In comparison, educatee grade paints often won't dilute or menses nearly too and have more of a tendency to fade, blossom, and turn muddy in mixes. Besides, student form color choices, tube sizes, pan and prepare options, etc, tend to be more than limited.
Educatee grade paints were created to get an artist going, non to bear him or her through a lifetime of painting, so y'all may get bored with student grades' lack of options and performance. Just for the occasional painter and beginner, high quality educatee sets will often work surprisingly well.
If you're interested in comparing several superlative brands of professional or artist form watercolor paints, please see my overview. If you'd similar to jump right into artist form paints, I've got information on building your own here or I also recommend Da Vinci's 12-color travel set or my 18-color Scratchmade Palette.
Comparison of Student Grade Watercolor Sets
At that place'due south a ridiculous number of cheap watercolors floating around arts and crafts aisles, so when I gear up out to compare student class paints, I knew that I needed a few guidelines. Nearly no-name watercolors aren't worth my time or yours. Since I was ill of sorting through junky paints, I devised 3 rules for a set to qualify for testing.
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A pupil brand had to be made by a company that also produces artist class.
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The company had to disclose pigment info. (In that location's one exception; details beneath.)
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A set up of 12 had to exist less than $25.
To requite these paints the all-time chance of survival, I painted with all of these sets on creative person quality 100-percent cotton fiber watercolor newspaper and used only high quality Kolinsky sable brushes. I too tested for added brighteners with Canson Mi-Teintes blackness paper.
I've reviewed and listed each brand in alphabetical guild below. Click on the brand's swatch photo to enlarge.
Review Tips:
- Each of the sets that I tested included a minuscule travel brush. Since I don't enjoy using tiny little brushes and that's not what this article is about, I ignored those.
- If a set showcased a high level of brighteners in more than than 75-percent of its colors, I ranked it heavy ; 50 to 75-percent earned a rank of moderate ; less than 50-percent ranked light .
- Bronzing is a visible sheen on the surface of dried paints that can be an indication of besides much folder; farther diluting the paint volition unremarkably mask this issue.
Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Box
Cotman is Winsor & Newton's student line and these popular watercolors are offered in a wide variety of sets and individual tubes. My favorite arrangement is the Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Box, a handy and highly portable 12-color set housed in a very sturdy case.
[A notation on pricing: Arts and crafts stores frequently toll this set for $thirty or more than. Don't pay that much unless you accept a decent coupon. Due to contempo EU trade agreements, many European brands prices went up, but this set should yet cost less than $25.]
The pigment data is not on the box or insert but is located on the individual pan wrappers. Each of these wrappers has to be removed earlier use which is a bit of a pain. (Be careful not to discard pigment info along with the wrapper!) Also, the pans are very loose then I used a bit of adhesive putty to secure them.
Right after unboxing, the surface of Cotman's pans didn't inspire conviction. Thankfully, painting with them did.
When I first removed the wrappers, Cotman's paint surfaces appeared rather sketchy. And I don't mean that in a good manner. The surfaces lacked uniformity, and I was worried that the credible roughness would exist an indicator of grainy, washy paints. Out of the four sets tested, these are the but paints manufactured in People's republic of china, so yep, I was concerned.
My fears were totally unfounded. Cotman pans rewet and dilute easily, and the colors are flowy and glowy on paper—choice characteristics for watercolor. Colors are softer and more even than all of the other sets I tried. The colors aren't washy but they don't vibrate off the page, and the paints also allow gentle layering. Cotman is probably the closest I've come to artist grade consistency, movement, mixing, granulation, and behavior.
Winsor & Newton watercolors are known for their softness and transparency, and almost of Cotman'due south colors showcase these attributes. Although Cotman performed extremely well on cotton watercolor paper, I didn't think these characteristics worked likewise when journaling on standard papers—even on the good stuff.
However, Cotman is the student grade watercolors that I tested a couple of years ago, and my good impressions of them remain potent. You can learn more about Cotman watercolors at Winsor & Newton'southward website or download a Cotman colour nautical chart hither.
P.South. If you lot're interested in Cotman, the travel bag is really nifty and a great gear up for beginners, travel sketchers, and nature journalist .
Price paid: $13
Current colors available: 40
Case Size: five" due west 10 ii.5" h ten .75" d
Example Weight: 3.three oz / 95 gm
Replaceable/removable pans: Yep
Brighteners: Light
Bronzing: None detected
Manufactured: China
Verdict: Even after testing many other student grade sets, the Cotman Pocket Box is nonetheless one of my favorites. Every bit long every bit the quality remains the same, I have no qualms standing to recommend these educatee grade paints. However, I retrieve Cotman works best for a budding or budget-minded watercolorist instead of a bullet journalist.
Daler-Rowney Aquafine Mini Travel Prepare
Daler-Rowney produces three lines of watercolor: their professional form chosen Artists' Watercolour, an Aquafine student grade, and a "value" watercolor range called Only (which I programme to avoid). I'm not very familiar with this brand just their Aquafine pan sets come in a lot of options including a 12-colour gear up, merely to save money I went with the ten-color set. [Note: Prices fluctuate on these sets and then be certain to store around earlier purchasing.]
Although I similar the ready's tin, the case doesn't include what I would consider pans. Instead, the somewhat smallish pigment cubes are housed in a flimsy plastic insert. However, the insert is removable and the tin is decent; see tips for refurbishing it here. I had a slight bit of problem mixing on the metal surface (paint beads galore!) but I resolved this effect with a light scrubbing.
My first impression of Aquafine watercolors was skilful. All but 1 of the colors are single pigment, and it was a nice surprise to find Prussian and Ultramarine in a student set instead of the predictable Phthalos. However, my initial swatches stale streaky and I struggled with inconsistencies while painting—some colors painted out potent while some were very weak; some rewet easily and some didn't.
Aquafine watercolors accept some flow but likewise a trend to bloom, which can be frustrating for beginners. Afterward multiple attempts to find my happy identify with these watercolors, I finally gave upward. At that place'southward nothing horribly wrong with them, but nothing very bonny about them either.
There'due south no paint information on the packaging but Daler-Rowney shares it at their website where you can larn more near Aquafine watercolors and download a colour nautical chart.
Cost paid: $11
Current colors available: 48
Case size: 4.v" w x 3.75" h x .5" d
Example weight: three.iv oz / 96 gm
Replaceable/removable pans: No
Brighteners: Moderate
Bronzing: None detected
Manufactured: Berkshire, England
Verdict: Out of the agglomeration, the Daler-Rowney Aquafine set tin be the most affordable and offers the virtually colors, merely I found these watercolors finicky and rather unremarkable. However, if y'all want a lightweight tin or are a fan of Daler-Rowney's artist watercolors, you may enjoy them.
Sennelier La Petite Aquarelle Watercolour Travel Box
Sennelier'southward La Petite Aquarelle line is marketed equally their student course paints, but it'south very easy to confuse the proper noun, packaging, and paints with their artist grade L'Aquarelle. Though many artists profess that these two lines are the same, at that place are color differences. Also, I think Sennelier's artist class paints are smoother (though I'll admit this could just exist psychological).
If they are the same, it'due south a brilliant marketing scheme because La Petite is a more economical albeit more limited choice. Repackaging at a lower cost tin can gain Sennelier a new audience, merely I'll cut right to the chase and country for the record:I don't recommend these paints.
Sennelier says that their creative person line contains twice as much pigment equally their student line. Tin can you lot approximate which one is which?*
Later purchase, I was extremely dismayed to discover that Sennelier doesn't share pigment information for their La Petite paints. Had I known this, I would never have bought these considering I want to know what'due south in my stuff. Non simply does this information help me to be a better painter but it likewise enables me to handle paints responsibly.
For example, what if my cat or child drank my pigment water? And I recollect 307 Cobalt Blue Hue is actually Ultramarine, just how can I know? Shame on Sennelier for this omission!
Since I believe it'south essential for an artist to know what they're painting with, I repeatedly reached out to Sennelier—twice regarding this issue and too several times in the past regarding other issues. I've never received any response. As best I tin tell, Sennelier's customer service is nonexistent.
*Sennelier artist form is on the left & educatee grade is on the right.
La Petite watercolors rewet hands and menses really well simply are highly variable; some colors are extremely weak (like Burnt Umber and Cobalt Blue Hue) and some are extremely strong (like Deep Green and Main Blue). Near of the colors are nicely transparent, but for some odd reason I had a hard fourth dimension cleaning Sennelier watercolors from my brushes.
Also, the instance is beefy and the colors are close together which causes constant accidental mixing. (Contamination is easily apparent in the lead photo.) There aren't whatever pans so the paints must be completely used or removed to reuse the box. The hinge is very flimsy, and the case sometimes has trouble remaining flat during use.
Deplorable for the artist rant, but unless Sennelier comes make clean virtually what's in these paints [*notation: see update beneath], I recommend skipping these. Yous tin view Sennelier's express information on La Petite watercolors at their website.
Price paid: $16
Current colors available: 24
Case size: 4.875" w x 3.75" h x 1" d
Example weight: 4.9 oz / 138 gm
Replaceable/removable pans: No
Brighteners: Moderate
Bronzing: Yep
Manufactured: French republic
Verdict: When I finally plant a sweet spot with La Petite (pro tip: skip Sennelier'southward actress-strong Phthalos and mix using Payne's Grey), the remaining colors performed very well. Just no paint information, uneven color application, and messy paints make my La Petite set too frustrating to recommend. Regardless, if you love Sennelier or think you may like these...
* Update! After my review posted, a very kind reader who has La Petite tubes reached out to me. Pigment data is printed on the tubes! Much thanks, Paul, for this information. Main Yellow (PY74); Orange (PY83/PO73); Primary Cherry (PR254/PR188); Rose Permanent (PV19); Principal Blueish (PB15:three); Cobalt Bluish Hue (PB29); Deep Dark-green (PG7); Green Yellow (PG7/PY74); Yellow Ochre (PY42); Burnt Umber (PBr7); Payne's Greyness (PB29/PBk9); Titanium White (PW6)
Van Gogh Pocket Box
When I first dipped my castor into the Van Gogh Pocket Box and began painting test swatches, I immediately thought, "Ah ha! I recognize these paints." Van Gogh watercolors swatch out extremely similar to Rembrandt, a brand that I reviewed more than a year ago. My initial impression makes sense because both brands are produced past Purple Talens.
The Van Gogh case is then heavy and bulky that I'm not certain information technology qualifies as a "pocket" box, and the plastic sticker overlay left a permanent residual. Ick. But the case is very roomy with a fantastic, pop-out expandable mixing surface. My large brushes really enjoyed the spacious, flat wells.
Oops! Van Gogh watercolors stay semi-moist, and so even if I secure the pans, there's no guarantee that the pigment volition stay put.
The example also seems very durable. While testing, the box suffered a rather nasty spill and survived intact. However, Van Gogh watercolors stay semi moist and so several colors didn't survive the fall. Since I've struggled with sticky paints before, this makes me leery of traveling with Van Gogh.
The watercolors themselves rewet very easily and pigment out extremely bold and opaque. When my swatches displayed a white residue, I immediately became suspicious of brighteners. My tests revealed that Van Gogh is absolutely saturated with them, probably more and then than whatever other brand that I've tested. This doesn't mean they're bad watercolors, only it does explain Van Gogh's vivid opacity.
I like to build watercolor paintings in gentle layers, just Van Gogh doesn't get for that. This watercolor likes to go downward stiff and exist left lonely, but I did enjoy using them like to gouache. The opacity and lack of flow also allow these paints to hold together ameliorate than traditional watercolor on inexpensive, colored, or kraft papers making Van Gogh a fine option for bullet and/or Bible journalers.
You can acquire more nigh Van Gogh watercolors at Royal Talen's website or download a Van Gogh color chart here.
Price paid: $23
Current colors available: 40
Case size: five.five" w x 3.75" h ten .875" d
Instance weight: 5.2 oz / 149 gm
Replaceable/removable pans: Yes
Brighteners: Heavy
Bronzing: Aye
Manufactured: Netherlands
Verdict: Though Van Gogh is the most expensive set in the agglomeration* and prices take gone up since my tests, the example is very functional and these aren't bad watercolors… if Van Gogh suits your painting style. If you want ane-stroke boldness with very trivial flow, Van Gogh may be a good identify to brainstorm. Also, Van Gogh now offers a handy dot card. [*For serious savings, shop Van Gogh's tubes instead of their pans.]
Source: https://www.scratchmadejournal.com/blog/comparing-student-grade-watercolor-brands
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