Last Updated on November 19, 2025 by Dee
Here’s the thing about buying gifts for artists—they’re picky. Not in a bad way, but they already know what they like. The wrong shade of paint? It’ll sit in a drawer forever. Another set of brushes when they already have their favorites? Awkward.
So if you’re shopping for a watercolor-loving friend (or dropping hints for yourself), I’ve put together this guide ofgorgeous gifts for watercolor artists that actually get used. Think quality paints, clever tools, and a few unique picks that’ll make any watercolorist happy. +BONUS – Download the free watercolor templates at the end of this post to make your own beautiful watercolor tags (or gift them)!
Watercolor Paint Sets (Because You Can Never Have Too Many Colors)
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1. Grumbacher Academy Watercolor Tubes
Gorgeous pigments. Won’t break the bank.
The Academy range is one of those rare finds where you get serious quality without the professional price tag. Beginners love it, pros keep it around as backup, and gift-givers look like they know their stuff.
2. Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Tubes and Set
If you want to splurge a little, this is the way to do it.
Winsor & Newton is basically the gold standard. Their Sketchers’ Box Set comes in a sleek black metal case with 12 tubes, plus wells for mixing. Perfect for travel or just keeping everything tidy. These paints last forever—seriously, they’re the kind you’ll still be using years from now.
3. Metallic Watercolor Premium Artist Paint, Half Pans
Shimmery, sparkly, and totally fun.
These metallic half pans are perfect for art journals, wedding stationery, or mixed media projects. They create this gorgeous liquid-metal effect that regular watercolors just can’t do. Great for someone who already has the basics and wants to experiment.
4. Sakura Koi Watercolor Half Pans
The travel painter’s best friend.
These pigment-based cakes blend beautifully and lift easily with water, which makes them ideal for painting on the go. With 84 colors in the line, there’s basically no limit to what you can mix. Compact, portable, and reliable.
Watercolor Markers & Brush Pens (For Quick Color Anywhere)
5. Winsor & Newton Watercolor Markers
Watercolor, but make it portable.
These blend-friendly markers come in 12 shades and are perfect for experimenting with layering and blending techniques without pulling out a full paint set. Great for travel journaling or quick color studies.
6. Tombow Dual Brush Pens and Sets
The cult favorite for a reason.
Tombow Dual Brush Pens have a flexible brush tip that lets you create everything from delicate lines to bold strokes. They blend like a dream and are perfect for adding pops of color to watercolor projects.
7. Arteza Real Brush Pens
Forty-eight colors. One tidy case.
These Real Brush Pens give you the feel of painting with an actual brush but without the water mess. Perfect for art journaling, mixed media, or creating vibrant standalone pieces. They come in both traditional and bright shades.
Palettes & Mixing Tools (For Keeping Paint Organized)
8. Mijello Martin Airtight Watercolor 18-Well Fuchsia Palette
Keeps your paints wet and ready.
This airtight palette is perfect for artists who hate wasting time reactivating dried-out paint. The fuschia color is adorable, and the seal keeps everything moist between painting sessions. Game-changer.
9. Bower Bird Porcelain Watercolor Palette Conch
Smooth, pretty, and easy to clean.
This ceramic palette has a gorgeous conch shape and a buttery-smooth surface that makes mixing colors effortless. It’s functional and stylish—basically the dream combo.
10. Empty Half-Pans in Tin Box – Set of 48
For the DIY palette builder.
An empty watercolor palette lets artists fill it with their favorite colors. It’s a thoughtful gift for someone who’s particular about their palette setup or who loves mixing custom shades from tubes.
Brushes (Because Quality Matters)
11. Da Vinci Casaneo and Cosmotop Spin Synthetic Brushes Wood Box Set
The full starter kit.
This set has everything: a round brush, a flat brush, an oval wash brush, plus brush soap, a drying stand, and a painting cloth. It’s beautifully packaged in a wooden box. Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants professional-quality tools without hunting down each piece separately.
12. Princeton Artist Brush, Neptune Series Synthetic Squirrel Set
Soft, luxurious, and cruelty-free.
These brushes mimic the feel of natural squirrel or sable hair but they’re 100% synthetic. They’re incredibly soft and hold water beautifully. A gorgeous gift for any watercolorist who cares about quality and ethics.
Handy Tools & Accessories (The Little Things That Make a Big Difference)
13. Paint Brush Cleaner Rinse Cup (All-in-One)
No more warped brush tips.
This rinse cup has built-in brush holders on the lid so your brushes dry upright and keep their shape. It also protects your table from drips. Simple, practical, genius.
14. Lit Energy A3 LED Tracing Light Box
For tracing without the guilt.
A lightbox makes it easy to transfer sketches or outlines for watercolor painting. This one’s ultra-portable, fits in a backpack, and comes with a carrying case. Perfect for artists who like planning their compositions carefully.
Sketchbooks & Journals (Where the Magic Happens)
15. Arteza Watercolor Sketchbook, 9×12 Inch, Hardcover Journal
Pretty and functional.
This hardcover journal has 32 sheets of thick 300gsm watercolor paper. It’s wire-bound so it lays flat, which is clutch for painting. Compact enough for travel but sturdy enough for daily use.
16. VIVIVA COLORSHEETS
The coolest travel paint you’ve never heard of.
Viviva Coloursheets are basically a booklet with dry watercolor pigment layered onto the pages. Just wet your brush and pick up color straight from the sheet. It’s 100% eco-friendly, mess-free, and perfect for painting on the go. Seriously unique.
17. Moleskine Sketchbook & Watercolor Pencil Set
Sophisticated and ready to go.
Moleskine is known for quality, and this set doesn’t disappoint. It comes with a sketchbook and watercolor pencils—perfect for urban sketching or plein air painting. Elegant and practical.
18. Arteza Sketchbook
Lightweight and travel-ready.
These carry-on sketchbooks slip easily into your bag without adding bulk. They also have an expandable inner pocket for storing notes, cards, or ticket stubs. Great for capturing ideas on the go.
Watercolor Pencils (A Different Way to Paint)
19. Arteza Watercolor Pencils
For artists who like to draw and paint.
This set of watercolor pencils has a massive color range and is perfect for art journaling, sketching, or mixed media work. It’s a great way to introduce watercolor lovers to a new medium.
Inspiration (Gifts That Keep on Giving)
20. Learn to Watercolor: 20 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Lessons
The perfect companion for watercolor beginners.
This book by Lacey Walker (the artist behind @rebelunicorncrafts) is currently the #1 bestseller in watercolor painting on Amazon—and for good reason. It includes 20 step-by-step painting tutorials, an actual watercolor pad with pre-drawn sketches, and QR codes linking to video tutorials. No sketching required, which means you can focus entirely on learning to paint. It’s basically an art class in a book.
21. Everyday Watercolor: Learn to Paint Watercolor in 30 Days
Thirty days to build your watercolor confidence.
Jenna Rainey’s bestselling guide takes you from foundational strokes to finished paintings in just a month. This beautifully illustrated book breaks down techniques in a way that feels totally doable—even if you’ve never picked up a brush before. Her fresh, modern style has inspired thousands of people to fall in love with watercolor, and the daily structure keeps you motivated without feeling overwhelming. Perfect for anyone who wants to develop a creative habit that actually sticks.
Homemade Watercolor Gifts (For When You Want to Make It Personal)
Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones you make yourself. Here are a few ideas if you want to create something unique:
- Paint a custom greeting card with a personalized message
- Create original artwork of something they love (their pet, favorite place, or hobby)
- Put together a mason jar watercolor kit for painting on the go
- Make watercolor bookmarks using handmade or cotton paper
- Design a custom ceramic brush holder (if you’re into pottery)
- Gift an art journal with a hand-painted cover
- Create homemade watercolor paper using cotton scraps
- Assemble a custom palette filled with their favorite colors
How to Choose the Right Gift for Your Watercolor Friend
A few quick tips before you shop:
Don’t guess on expensive supplies. Unless they specifically told you which brand and colors they want, skip the pricey paint sets. Artists are particular about their tools.
Go for things they don’t already have. Think accessories, tools, or unique items rather than basics they probably own.
When in doubt, ask. Or grab a gift card to their favorite art store. Sometimes the best gift is letting them choose.
Experiences count too. A painting class together or a trip to an art museum can be just as meaningful as physical supplies.
Free Printable Watercolor Tag Templates (Full PDF Download at the end of this post!)
How to Use Your Watercolor Gift Tag Templates:
These printable tags are designed to add a personal, handmade touch to your gift-giving without starting from scratch. Here are some easy ways to use them:
• Print and color – Print on cardstock, add watercolor washes or colored pencils, then cut out and punch a hole for ribbon
• Use year-round – The botanical designs work for birthdays, holidays, hostess gifts, or any occasion
• Choose your style – Go soft and subtle for elegance, or bold and vibrant to match your personality
• Make it meditative – Spend a peaceful afternoon coloring these tags as a relaxing creative break
• Gift the experience – Print an extra set to include as a gift along with watercolors or colored pencils, so your recipient can enjoy making their own tags
There’s something wonderfully satisfying about handing someone a beautifully wrapped package adorned with tags you’ve painted yourself!
Download the Free Watercolor Gift Tag Templates HERE (below)!
To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or login with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!
Want more pages like these?
Inside the Artsydee Creation Club, you’ll get instant access to over 200 exclusive junk journal resources—kits, printables, and embellishments you won’t find anywhere else.
Fresh inspiration drops every week. No more scrambling for supplies or waiting around for freebies. Just grab what you need and start creating.
Print them, cut them, or layer them into your junk journals — these festive botanicals are ready to bring a touch of vintage Christmas charm to your next creative project 🎁✨
Final Thoughts
Shopping for a watercolor artist doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you go with high-quality paints, clever tools, or a thoughtful subscription, the key is choosing something that fits their style—not just what looks pretty on the shelf.
I’d love to hear what you end up choosing! Drop a comment below and let me know which gift caught your eye. Happy shopping (and painting)! 🎨
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