Watercolour is the most rewarding paint to learn at home — cheap to start, easy to clean up, hard to master. Here is what to actually buy at three price points.
Best to start — Camel Student Water Colour Cakes (12)
The set most Indian kids first touch in school. Cake form, water-soluble, decent pigment for the price. Get this for any new painter under 12.
Best step-up — Camlin Artist Water Colour Tubes (12)
Tube watercolours give richer pigment and you control how thick the wash is. The 12-tube box is a good first artist-grade investment.
Best premium — Brustro Artists’ Water Colour Pan Set
Half-pan format (travels well), strong pigments, professional palette. Pair with Brustro 300 GSM cold-press paper.
Best portable — Mont Marte 24-Half-Pan Travel Box
Folds flat, includes a built-in palette and water brush. Perfect for plein-air sketching.
What you also need
- Round brushes: size 4, 8, 12 (synthetic is fine to start)
- Flat brush: size 8 for backgrounds
- 300 GSM cold-press watercolour paper
- Two water jars (one to clean, one to wet)
- White ceramic palette
- Paper towel or rag
Full watercolour collection + brushes at Statbo.
