The more I paint, the more I realize I have go-to colors I reach for again and again. Instead of having tons of paints in a palette that don’t ever get touched, I decided to streamline my colors and just add the ones I regularly use.
There are so many different options for watercolor paints at all different price points and I always recommend just starting with either what you already have on hand or picking up the best quality set you can find in your price range. I have a few of my favorite beginner sets picked out for you on the Watercolor Supplies page.
I painted with an inexpensive set of cake watercolors for years before switching to tubes. Tubes of paint are more expensive, but also more saturated, better quality paints that offer truer colors, better translucency, and mix well. I paint pretty much exclusively with tube paints now. I mainly reach for Winsor and Newton and Holbein. I haven’t done a ton of experimenting with different brands and qualities of paints, but I can say I’m really happy with the professional grades of both of these brands.
I thought it would be fun to share with you the exact colors I use and how I set it up!
This gorgeous palette is from Sylvan Clayworks. It is handmade and beautiful in person and I was SO EXCITED when I finally got one! They are restocked every couple of months and sell out in minutes so make sure you join the Sylvan Clayworks email list to be notified first when the restocks happen. I have the medium palette.
I like an assortment of all colors – reds, peach, yellows, browns, greens, blues, and black and have picked my very favorites to put on my palette. With just a few colors, you can mix almost every other color and I really do love the process of mixing so it works well for me to just have a few options.
P.S. The way tube paints work … you just squeeze out a little bit on a palette (a dinner plate works great!) and let it dry overnight. To use, just activate the paint with water, mix directly on your palette and when you’re done painting for the day, just let it all dry. You can reactivate with water or wipe it off with a wet paper towel if you need more room to mix. You can see below what one of my older palettes looks like:
Isn’t it pretty?
Okay, back to the current colors on my palette:
favorite paint colors
Winsor & Newton Alizarin Crimson
Holbein Permanent Yellow Light
On my color sheet, you can see the last one is called Shadow. This is just my little custom mix of very watered-down black + burnt umber.
Out of all of these colors, my VERY favorites are Yellow Ochre, Olive Green and Payne’s Gray.
I hope this is helpful! Any questions about watercolor paints? I’m always happy to answer!
I had NO idea I was supposed to squirt some out and let it dry over night!!!!
I’ve been squirting a little out and painting right away.
Learn something new every day.
I forgot to put my question in my previous comment!
When I’m done with my little water color, it’s not flat.
After it dries I put it under a heavy book to flatten out.
Am I using too much water? Is this normal?
Mine are not completely flat either – but I also don’t paint all the way to the edges very often. So it could be the style of your watercolor if you are painting on the whole piece of paper. A couple of options: try a different paper (look for something even thicker than what you are currently using). Try using less water. Search “stretching watercolor paper” to see if you might want to try before painting. Try using a paper block (The sheets are attached together sort of like a notepad and it keeps the paper flat while painting.
I hope this helps!
Hi Emily, where and how do you have things printed. I want to use some of my paintings for cards. I would like to have prints made. Thanks, and info would be really helpful. Kathy
We have our prints made locally at a print shop so search around in your area to find a print shop where you can look through their paper samples and choose what you like best!
Try googling “iron watercolor paintings” or something like that for specifics. I had several really rippled paintings. Placed painting between designated bed sheet and steam ironed. Flattened beautifully! Guess it makes sense because I use cotton watercolor paper.
What a gorgeous tray!!
What did you use when you painted every day for a year? Did you use a journal or separate pieces of paper?
I painted on separate pieces of paper. I like to paint small and so each piece is 5.5 x 4.25.
Hi Emily! I am new to water colors. I have been doing a lot of research about where to start and what to use for paints etc. Your website has been one of the most forthcoming and informative that I have seen so far. Thank you for sharing your experience so freely. Your help is very encouraging. Just thought you should know.~Nina
I’m so glad you are finding it helpful!