Last Updated on November 8, 2025 by Dee
Buying watercolor supplies for someone can feel overwhelming if you’re not a painter yourself. There are so many brands, brush types, and paper weights that it’s easy to overthink it.
Here’s the good news: beginners don’t need fancy. They need solid, reliable supplies that won’t frustrate them while they’re learning how to paint with watercolor. These gifts hit that sweet spot—quality enough to get good results, affordable enough that you won’t wince at the price tag.
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Beginner Watercolor Paint Set
Start here. A good beginner set has enough colors to mix anything, pans that last forever, and pigments that actually blend smoothly.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set (12+ colors) – Around $25-35. Great starter set with palette included.
Alternative: Arteza Watercolor Paint Set (12 colors) – Around $18-25. Budget-friendly with good pigment quality.
Watercolor Paper Pad
Paper matters more than people realize. Cheap paper warps, pills, and makes even good paint look muddy. Cold-press watercolor paper is the beginner-friendly choice—it has a slight texture that’s forgiving.
Cold Press Watercolor Paper Pad (140 lb) – Around $12-18. Canson XL or Strathmore 400 Series work well.
Round Watercolor Brush Set
Round brushes are the workhorses of watercolor painting. A few good ones in different sizes handle most techniques—washes, details, everything in between.
Watercolor Brush Set (synthetic, various sizes) – Around $15-30. Look for synthetic brushes that hold water well.
Portable Watercolor Palette
A folding palette with wells for mixing and slots for paints. Perfect for beginners who want to try painting outside or just keep their desk tidy.
Folding Watercolor Palette – Around $10-15. Aluminum or plastic with airtight lid.
Water Brush Pens
These are game-changers for beginners. The brush holds water in the handle so you don’t need a cup. Great for travel or quick painting sessions.
Water Brush Pen Set (3 sizes) – Around $11-18. Pentel Aquash or Sakura Koi brands.
Masking Fluid
This rubbery liquid protects areas you want to keep white. Paint over it, let it dry, peel it off—pure white paper underneath. Beginners love this trick.
Masking Fluid with Applicator – Around $8-12. Winsor & Newton or Pebeo brands.
Watercolor Travel Kit
For the painter who wants to sketch outdoors or take supplies on trips. These compact kits have everything in one small case.
Portable Watercolor Travel Set – Around $18-30. Look for metal tins with 12+ colors and built-in palette.
Fine Mist Spray Bottle
A fine mist spray helps rewet paints, blend colors on paper, or create soft atmospheric effects. Simple but super useful.
Fine Mist Spray Bottle – Around $3-8. Refillable with adjustable nozzle.
Watercolor Mixing Guide
A printed color wheel or mixing chart takes the guesswork out of learning color theory. Especially helpful for beginners who don’t know which colors make brown.
Watercolor Color Wheel / Mixing Guide – Around $6-10. Laminated versions last forever.
Natural Sea Sponge
For lifting paint, creating textures, or softening edges. A small natural sea sponge does things a brush can’t.
Natural Sea Sponge Set – Around $8-15. Multiple sizes for experimenting.
Watercolor Sketchbook
A bound sketchbook with watercolor paper built in. Perfect for practicing or creating finished pieces without loose sheets everywhere.
Watercolor Sketchbook (140 lb paper) – Around $12-20. Spiral or hardbound, cold press paper.
The Bottom Line
Watercolor beginners need supplies that make learning easier, not harder. These gifts cover the essentials without breaking the bank. They’ll get used immediately and appreciated for months.
If you’re shopping for other creative types, I’ve got more recommendations in my gifts for artists who draw guide and thoughtful artist gift ideas.