The watercolor style in painting appeared in the Middle Ages. However, eminent artists did not recognize him for a long time, considering the technique to be too simple, and drawing with watercolors was the lot of rich idlers. Only at the end of the 19th century did the technique gain popularity. Schools, clubs were created, various directions were developed. And of course, the mass production of paints began. Today, the counters are full of colorful boxes and tubes. How to choose the best watercolor paints for artists?
Content
Criterias of choice
It is rather difficult to talk about which paints are better or worse. Quality products for professionals are expensive. It does not always make sense to overpay, for example, for a kit for a student or a first-grade art school student. But, there are some points worth paying attention to.
- Number of colors. For children and novice artists, 6-12 shades will be enough.
- Palettes or tubes. Palettes are more suitable for small jobs, as well as for those who are just making their first attempts to paint. Economical and quite practical. There is only one thing, the cuvettes are small, when working with a brush, the purity of the shades is gradually lost. Therefore, having slightly filled their hand, artists switch to tubes.
- Base or bonding material. Today honey, tree resin, water-soluble adhesives are used. Honey is usually bought for children. Inexpensive and, in principle, wash well if the child gets dirty on his clothes.
- Packaging. It is better to initially give preference to packaging made of good plastic, metal or wood. It will not come out much more expensive, but the set will last longer. An important point is the ability to rearrange the cuvettes, to buy them as needed. But, this is for those who are serious about drawing. For school, they choose boxes where the cuvettes are firmly fixed, or the paints are simply poured into the recesses and dried.
According to the form of release, there are solid in tiles, semi-liquid in cuvettes, liquid in tubes. They choose depending on skill and financial capabilities.
TOP-14 watercolors
Below is a small rating of popular products. It should be noted that we are not talking about professional models. Rather, it’s about what people who paint for fun can choose.
For painting on fabric
Drawing on fabric, as a hobby or design of things, has been known for a long time. But painting in a watercolor style with smooth, slightly blurred transitions between colors has become popular recently. Since we are not talking about paintings, but about painting T-shirts, bags, which are widely used in everyday life, it becomes clear that paints must have certain characteristics. Experienced artists, by the way, have more than one set in my arsenal.
Marabu Textil
Not a bad option for both beginners and experienced artists. The palette consists of 32 colors. More suitable for painting on light-colored fabrics. You will have to tinker with the dark ones by completing several layers. For beginners, a fairly liquid and light consistency is important. The paints are easy to mix. Lay flat on the fabric without forming lumps.
Advantages:
- Wide range of colors;
- Juicy and bright shades;
- Can be used for painting on cotton and linen materials. And also in working with wool and fabrics containing up to 20% synthetic fibers;
- Easy to apply;
- Does not need to be diluted with water;
- Does not change the structure of the material;
- It is fixed at a temperature of 150 degrees on synthetic and woolen fabrics;
- Products can be washed at 60 degrees and ironed from the wrong side;
- The drawing retains color for a long time. The top layer does not crack during operation.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for working with dark materials, require several layers, pull the fabric and make it stiff;
- To get a contrasting picture, you need to use contours. Or wait until the completed section dries up, and only the stream starts to work in a different color.
It is sold as a set of 6 basic colors and a brush for 600-650 rubles, as well as in individual shades. Jar cost: 180-200 rubles.
Sunny
The company "C-Kreul" has long established itself as a manufacturer of excellent goods for creativity. There are also paints for painting on fabric in her portfolio. The Sunny line is a material for working with light canvases. The main difference and advantage for which this series is appreciated is that it is absorbed into the fabric, and when it dries, it forms delicate, deep shades. At the same time, the fabric does not become rigid. And the picture itself does not crack even after repeated washings.
Advantages:
- Excellent consistency, does not spread when working;
- Perfectly suited for creating drawings in the style of watercolor;
- You can work with a brush or through a stencil;
- Does not change the structure of the fabric;
- Large palette of 36 colors;
- Sold in volumes of 20 and 50 ml;
- Can be mixed with almost all of the company's lines, including metallic or 3D paint;
- Dries quickly;
- After fixing the pattern, products can be washed at temperatures up to 60 degrees.
Disadvantages:
- When working on colored fabrics, the final shade on the fabric sometimes does not match the initial color;
- When dry, the color is slightly darker.
The cost of one jar is 150-300 rubles, depending on the volume.
Javana OPAK
One of the best compositions for working with dark fabrics, according to artists. The consistency is thick, while easy to apply, creating a dense layer. Suitable for almost all types of fabric, except synthetic ones. The palette has 18 shades.
Advantages:
- Bright colors that will not fade or fade over time;
- It is fixed both with an iron and by air drying for 3 days, it is important for products such as bags, wallets, sneakers that are difficult to iron;
- There is a possibility of creating a "skin" effect;
- It is possible to wash products in a washing machine at modes up to 40 degrees inclusive.
Disadvantages:
- Red, black, and yellow fabrics require multiple coats;
- Changes the structure of the fabric. When designing knitwear, it should be borne in mind that at the place where the pattern is applied, the fabric stops stretching.
Like the previous version, it is sold in glass jars of 20 and 50 ml. Cost: 210-330 rubles.
Fluorescent watercolor
Most often it is bought for children or aspiring artists. The denser texture allows you to quickly fill your hand using the painting technique. Bright, as they are also called acidic, colors will interest children. However, there is difficulty in creating smooth transitions and blurry outlines.
Set of 6 colors from the Luch factory
Budget watercolor from a Russian company for the smallest ones who are just taking their first steps in creating masterpieces of artists.
Advantages:
- Bright colours;
- A small palette that allows you to focus the child's attention on a particular shade;
- Good texture;
- Dense, no need to make several strokes;
- Dry quickly;
- The set includes a tassel;
- Compact packaging. Fits easily into a backpack.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for amateur artists;
- There is no place for mixing shades.
The cost of the set is 50-60 rubles.
Fluriki
The Gamma company decided to please little artists with an excellent set of watercolors with 20 shades. The main feature is the creation of fabulous drawings that change color depending on the lighting.
Advantages:
- Rich palette;
- Bright colors;
- Adheres well to paper after complete drying. Does not fade;
- Compact packaging;
- Large amount of watercolors in cuvettes.
Disadvantages:
- It should be carefully diluted with water. Otherwise, the texture becomes liquid and loses its brightness;
- No brush or palette to mix.
The cost of the set is quite budgetary - 100-110 rubles.
Orange sun
An interesting palette from the Gamma company will suit artists who have already taken their first steps in painting. It includes 24 cuvettes with watercolors in warm and at the same time bright colors. There are silver, gold watercolors and several metallic colors.
Advantages:
- Not a bad choice of colors;
- An excellent set for both a student and an art school student;
- Dense texture;
- Well applied to paper without forming lumps;
- Does not spread;
- Dries quickly.
Disadvantages:
- A rather fragile plastic box;
- Lack of a brush and a section for mixing shades in the set.
One package of watercolors will cost 250-270 rubles.
Pearlescent watercolor
Watercolors with pearlescent shine are appreciated by both beginners and professionals. With its help, you can create truly magical drawings. Many people use it as a basis.
A set of 12 colors from the Luch factory
A budget set that was developed for schoolchildren. But he really liked the real artists. Because paints mix well with many professional formulations, allowing you to experiment with colors and shades.
Advantages:
- Interesting colors;
- Provides room for imagination;
- Suitable for both beginners and pros;
- Can be used as a base or primer;
- Easy to apply without spreading or forming lumps;
- The image looks great on paper, shimmering in different shades.
Disadvantages:
- Unfortunately, a little watery with a lack of pigmentation. For brightness, you need to apply more than one coat of paint.
The cost of the set is more than democratic - 70-90 rubles for a set of 12 colors.
Pearl colors
Professional watercolor paints from the German company Finetec. They are often used by restorers or calligraphy artists.
Advantages:
- Excellent quality;
- Interesting palette of shades;
- Economical consumption;
- Strong packaging to protect the cuvettes from damage.
- Easy to use.
Disadvantages:
- Amateurs attribute to the disadvantages the cost of 1500-1700 rubles. But, professionals consider it quite appropriate.
Honey watercolor
Its smell, and some people know its taste, have been known since childhood. The most popular option for schoolchildren. Budget paints with a large palette of shades. They are called honey because honey acts as an element that holds the colored pigment to paper. Watercolors are not in demand among amateurs and professionals, due to low transparency and dirty tones when mixed.
Set of 18 flowers from the Luch factory
An inexpensive set of watercolors with a large selection of colors, mostly warm shades, will be an excellent helper for a child in drawing lessons.
Advantages:
- Wide range of colors;
- Mixes easily and helps you find new options for pure and transparent shades;
- There is a brush;
- Convenient packaging with a transparent lid;
- Lies well on paper;
- No unpleasant chemical odor.
Disadvantages:
- Tiles sometimes spill out of the nests.
The cost of packaging is 90-100 rubles.
Erich Krause
A well-known German brand specializing in the production of stationery and art supplies. Among her products are numerous lines of honey watercolors.Although they are presented in the budget segment, it is easy to find kits among them with regular, neon and pearlescent paints. The number of colors and the form of packaging also differ. There are models with a brush and a palette for mixing colors.
Advantages:
- A large assortment;
- Excellent quality;
- Pleasant consistency;
- The paints are well typed on the brush and lie flat on the paper;
- Saturated shades.
Disadvantages:
- Is that the high cost compared to analogues. For a set of 12 colors, you will have to pay 150-200 rubles.
Miracle paints
An interesting set for schoolchildren from the Gamma company who are just starting to draw. With 24 base colors and many shades, he will quickly learn how to match tones and build compositions. The next step will be the transition to professional watercolor.
Advantages:
- Excellent color range, where the same amount of dark and light tones;
- Plenty of room for imagination and daring experiments. Watercolors mix well. The tones are clean;
- Does not blur or flow;
- Dries quickly;
- Drawings are bright and lively. And they remain so for a long period of time;
- Sold with a brush.
Disadvantages:
- For the skill level for which the watercolor is designed, it has not been identified.
The cost of the kit is about 300 rubles.
Watercolor sets with brush
In principle, any set of watercolors from any price segment can be purchased immediately with a brush. Moreover, many artists who have passed the entry level prefer to select brushes separately. So to speak, so that it fits well in the hand. Packages are valued not so much for the brush itself as for the place where it can be placed.
Connector
The German company "Faber-Castell" has been making goods for artists for over 250 years. They started by releasing pencils. Today the portfolio includes markers, crayons and of course paints. Watercolor "Connector" is perfect for art school students who are starting to master painting.
Advantages:
- Transparent and lightfast;
- Excellent blur and blend easily;
- Suitable for practicing various techniques in painting;
- Dense and at the same time light texture, strokes lie flat, the pigment does not smudge or spread;
- Convenient packaging with three tiers, a palette on the lid and the ability to rearrange the cuvettes;
- Can be used at home, in the studio, in the open air;
- The box is easy to clean.
Disadvantages:
- They are rarely on sale. Most often, you have to buy through an online store.
An expensive option for beginners, albeit very convenient. The cost is within 1000-1200 rubles.
Van gogh
The Royal Talen company is known in many parts of the world. Her assortment includes watercolors for amateurs and professionals. It is made from the smallest grinded particles with gum arabic. Acacia juice is used as a bonding agent in production. Thanks to a natural component, watercolor is perfectly washed out with water, while maintaining a dense texture and excellent pigmentation.
Advantages:
- Lightfast;
- The transitions from saturated to blurry shades are clear and smooth at the same time;
- When mixing tones, there are no messy shades;
- Drawings are bright, juicy;
- Convenient brush;
- Place for mixing on the second half of the lid.
Disadvantages:
- Small range of shades. Only 15. But there is room for imagination.
The advantages include a completely democratic cost for a semi-professional watercolor for painting. Packaging costs 1200-1400 rubles.
Artist
A chic set from the English company "Winsor & Newton". Convenient bamboo case containing 12 paint tubes, a functional palette, 2 brushes, a pencil and a sketch pad. It will be an excellent gift for artists. Indeed, with a compact set, you can create both at home and outdoors.
Advantages:
- Excellent quality;
- Complete set and original design;
- The paints are dense and at the same time transparent, mix well and wash away with water. Thanks to this, from 12 basic colors, you can create a myriad of shades;
- Great gift idea.
Disadvantages:
- Of course, the cost is 9,000 rubles. But, professionals talk about a very modest material consumption. The set will last for a long time.
The choice of watercolors is huge today. There would be a desire to master the technique. In stores there are paints for beginners and professionals. And also for working in different techniques. Budgetary and expensive. Imported and domestic.
