Watercolor choices for college class?

Question

Hey artists I need your help picking out watercolor sets for a college class!
What is good quality for the price listed? I need good quality products but I am also a broke art student and I will be using this product for the next 2 years.
They do need to be out of the products listed.
Thanks!

http://www.dickblick.com/items/00319-1009/
http://www.dickblick.com/items/00330-1029/
http://www.dickblick.com/items/00325-1009/
http://www.dickblick.com/items/00326-0039/

Answer 1

I like the last one (Sennelier) because of the paint color selection and the versatility of the palette included. This is the best quality for the price. If you continue to paint, this little travel palette will last for years and give you a great deal of satisfaction.

The other sets do not have a palette which you can cover and use session after session without squeezing out paint each time. The first, (Winsor-Newton) is very good but like the next two, doesn't have a palette, just a mixing area. The middle two are student quality and you will have to use more paint.

Answer 2

Avoid Cotman at all costs even though it is cheaper, the quality of color is not good because they use a lower pigment ratio. I would take the Winsor Newton (great quality paints). Grumacher is okay but not as good. Anything that says student on it is going to be cheaper and less quality. I don't like buying sets because you are forced to take the colors they picked for you instead of picking the colors you like best. Check out Cheap Joe's catalog for a better selection than Blick. Save your money for decent quality brushes ie. Kolinsky sable. Take care of them, yes they are expensive, but they will last forever.

Answer 3

Your teacher will have specific colors - most do not come in a set. I suggest search art store sales, one just had a closing sale of 65% off here. Get your brushes specifics - they are anal about what each teacher wants and will not let you use anything else. Don't ask on here - follow your teachers demands that will save money. Also look at schools postings chat rooms - former art students connected to the school on facebook like art club at such and such - they post left over supplies dirt cheap.



That is best advice. Premade kits always suck with crappy cheap brushes and stuff you dont use. Windsor is most recommended and I like WASH.