How to buy high quality watercolor paints?
First of all I want to say that I don’t believe that the quality of paints plays a great role when you are a beginner. You don’t need to purchase the most expensive artist-grade materials. Instead, I would recommend starting with mid-range student-grade watercolors that are more affordable and still have nice quality. As you progress in your watercolor journey, you may want to invest in higher quality materials to take your work to the next level.
The two main levels of watercolor supplies are student and artist (or professional) grade. The main difference between these two grades is the quality of the materials used in their production, which affects the performance, durability, and appearance of the finished artwork.
Student-grade watercolor supplies are typically less expensive and designed for beginners or hobbyists. The quality of the pigments used in these watercolors is generally lower, and they may contain more fillers and binders to reduce the cost. Student-grade watercolors may also have lower lightfastness ratings, meaning that they may fade over time. The most popular student series are Cotman from Winsor & Newton and Van Gogh from Royal Talens.
On the other hand, artist or professional-grade watercolor supplies are designed for experienced artists who require high-quality materials that offer superior performance and durability. These watercolors are made from high-quality pigments, which provide intense, vibrant colors that are more lightfast and resistant to fading over time. Professional-grade watercolors may also have a higher pigment load, meaning that the color is more concentrated, and they may contain fewer fillers and binders.
What to look at when you choose watercolor paint?
Pigmentation
Watercolors commonly contain one or two pigments, and three pigments is a rare occurrence. The specific color of a watercolor can be identified by its indicator name, such as P.G.7 for emerald green pigment. You can find these names on the paint package. The less number of pigments you see on a pan or a tube, the better.
Lightfastness
Lightfastness is a crucial factor to consider when selecting watercolors as it determines the longevity and vibrancy of your artwork. It is the measure of how resistant the pigments are to fading over time. When purchasing watercolors, it's important to pay attention to their lightfastness ratings. This information is usually denoted by terms like "good" or "excellent," or sometimes by Roman numerals or asterisks (*).
Brand
Look for reputable brands that are known for producing high-quality watercolors. Some popular watercolor brands include Winsor & Newton, Schmincke and Rembrandt.
Price
The price of watercolor paint can vary widely, and it is important to find a balance between quality and affordability. From my experience the best paints with reasonable prices are White Nights and Schminke.