Painting with watercolour: these products are fun

I prefer to paint my drawings with watercolours. That way I can experiment and leave things to chance. Finding the right colours for me wasn't that easy. For years, I have sworn by those from Schmincke.

They combine all the important characteristics of good watercolours: they are easy to mix, apply evenly and I hardly have to make any effort to achieve beautiful gradients. However, they are also very expensive and not everyone wants to spend so much money on paints right away.

I have therefore rummaged through the depths of our range and dug out and tested a wide variety of watercolour paints. You'll find a product for many applications here - so you can spend more time painting and less time researching.

This is my selection:

• Pelikan: the child-friendly one
• Caran d'Ache: the opaque one
• Faber-Castell: the comprehensive one for travelling
• Pebeo: the round one for on the go
• BlockX: the extravagant one

The different colours in the practical test

When assessing the colour boxes, I focused on various points. The packaging should be robust and practical. I also want to be able to replace the colours for the sake of sustainability. When painting, opacity and luminosity play an important role, as does mixing.

In addition to the price, the yield of the colours is also important. A paint box can be cheap. However, if I need a lot of colour for my painting, I can paint more with expensive but high-yield paint.

Pelikan Mini Friends: the child-friendly ones

The pots are large and can be removed individually from the colour box. However, they dry very slowly. You cannot replace the colours. The size means they last a particularly long time.

There are eight colours included and a bristle brush that is not recommended. This is because it absorbs too little liquid and scratches both the colour and the paper.

The colours do not cover evenly, but are strong and creamy. As the colour selection does not consist of basic colours, they cannot be mixed beautifully. Instead of a bright violet, I get a dirty colour. The colour gradients are surprisingly beautiful. The price is okay at just under 13 francs or euros.

Pro:

• Colours can be easily removed
• creamy
• Powerful colours
• Price

Contra:

• mixed colours look dirty
• uneven colour application
• Suppositories dry slowly

Recommendation: for small children

Caran d'Ache watercolours: the opaque ones

This set consists of eight colours, but is also available with 15 colours. As with Pelikan, the pots are large. They are also easily interchangeable. Included is an opaque white and a watercolour brush.

The special thing is that it is gouache. If you mix this paint a little creamier, it covers particularly well compared to normal watercolour paint. It is therefore also suitable as a supplement. It has a beautiful luminosity.

Gradations and gradients are more difficult thanks to the opaque quality and the result therefore appears heavier than with watercolour. The price of just under 19 francs or euros is reasonable.

Pro:

• covering
• vivid colours
• Suppositor interchangeable

Contra:

• Gradients and gradations are difficult
• Result looks heavy

Recommendation: for opaque, luminous pictures or as a supplement to watercolours

Faber-Castell watercolours: the comprehensive set for on the go

The set from Faber-Castell consists of 24 colours. Thanks to the included brush with water tank and a sponge, the colour box is easy to use on the go. The set is also available in a size of 12 or even 48 pots. There is plenty of space for mixing in the lid, but the colour cannot be washed out easily afterwards due to the plastic.

It's a shame that they're not individually wrapped sachets, but small blocks in a large package made of thin plastic. This means I can't sort or swap them as I wish. You can still refill the colours: with the liquid paint tubes from the manufacturer from the same series.

I find the colours themselves convincing. They have a great luminosity and are easy to colour together. Gradients are also relatively easy to create. However, they usually only really cover with the second coat. I think the price of 22 francs or euros is fair.

Pro:

• Crackling colours
• blends well
• great brush and sponge included
• Price

Contra:

• Colour pots cannot be exchanged
• Not very opaque

Recommendation: practical for travelling and as an introduction for hobby artists

Pebeo fine watercolours: the round for on the go

The small round format is perfect for travelling. It also comes with a high-quality travel brush in French style, i.e. bound with wire. The 12 cells are in large plastic packaging and cannot be rearranged or added to. However, as with Faber-Castell, there is the liquid version if you want to refill the pots. The packaging offers little space for mixing colours.

The colours are strong, but can also be gradated well. Blending is similar to Pelikan and sometimes leads to dirty-looking colour tones, especially with violet. Colour gradients are also difficult to achieve. The price of just under 21 francs or euros is fine.

Pro:

• Crackling colours
• great brush included
• handy size

Contra:

• Colour pots cannot be exchanged
• Do not mix well
• Colour gradients difficult
• too little space for mixing

Recommendation: favourable entry-level version for at home

BlockX jewellery watercolour box: the extravagant one

The colour box is well thought out. It is small but can still be easily opened for mixing. The 16 pots can all be easily replaced: You can simply remove the aluminium rails in the box to replace the colours. They are labelled on the underside so that you know exactly which colour to replace. A small felt bag is also included as a cover.

The colours are bright and can be easily graded and mixed with each other. The opacity is also excellent. You only need a little colour for a natural look. I can therefore vary well. These watercolours can be used to paint beautiful gradients. However, applying the colour evenly takes some practice. However, the price for the high-quality set is also high: it costs just under 110 francs or euros.

Pro:

• vivid colours
• high-quality packaging
• Suppositories are interchangeable
• beautiful colour gradients
• lots of space for mixing

Contra:

• Handling the colour requires practice
• expensive

Recommendation: for experienced and professional painters - also great as a travel set

What's next?

Have you found a set that meets your requirements? Then it's time to start painting. If you need a nudge, our colleague Natalie has a wonderful guide for you. Here she introduces more colours as well as brushes and paper. She also explains how to find a suitable subject. Have fun!

If you can recommend any other watercolour brands, please let me know in the comment column.