Choosing Watercolours for a Child: Archive Buying Notes

This archived note reflects one painter's experience of choosing watercolours for a child. There is no single best type: suitability depends on the child's age, intended use, and how the paint behaves on the paper they use.

Do not judge a set by its country of origin or price alone. If possible, test how the colours pick up on a brush, apply, and mix. The author found some student ranges more comfortable to use, but brand and pigment performance can vary between individual sets and colours.

For a child, start with clear age labelling and a product intended for children's use that meets applicable safety requirements and is marked for non-toxic use as intended. Follow the label, supervise painting, and make sure paint is not eaten or put in the mouth. Older children who want to study painting may prefer a student set after trying the colours.