Which brand watercolours are the highest quality?

Question

Which brand watercolours are the highest quality?

Answer 1

Best value for quality, pigmentation, consistency and quantity is Daniel Smith: http://www.danielsmith.com/categories/paint/watercolor/ds/watercolorinfo.asp



W&N are very good as well. Most of the local watercolorists Seattle area) I know use DS.

Answer 2

Well, with watercolor paints you can get some that are completely made by hand and spend upwards of $50 a tube on them.



Considering that you are asking this question I'll assume that you are NOT a watercolorist which means you don't need that level of paint. I'm not sure anybody ever does.



Windsor and Newton make a great paint line and are about $7-$8 a tube. They also have a student brand called Van Gough (spelling?) that works really well too. I would always avoid the watercolors in the tins.

Answer 3

I love Daniel Smith and sometimes also like and use Winsor Newton (and sometimes Cotman, the student grade), M Graham, Maimeri. M Graham and Maimeri are 'juicy' and stay wet for a very long time.



As far as the best quality, I think it is up to individuals which is the best. They are all a little different from each other.



As far as quality, look at the tubes for Lightfast ratings. A rating of I or II is the most permanent and the only tubes I will use.

Answer 4

Winsor Newton artist grade not cotman are the best. Some other good brands are Holbein and Schmecke

Answer 5

DaVinci and M.Graham are high quality. There probably isn't a "highest quality" but many great ones. Holbein, Sennelier, MaimerBlu, and Schmincke Horadam are Japanese and European made and are also "artist quality".