How to Set Up Your Palette
I changed my color layout once, three years in, and immediately got fewer muddy mixes. Not new technique — just warm and cool colors stopped ending up next to each other.
Read Guidearrow_forwardUpdated for 2026
Find the Perfect Watercolor Palette
I've tested 15+ palettes hands-on — bought with my own money, painted with for weeks. Here's what actually works.
starArtist Verified
“The Holbein 24 set is my go-to recommendation for anyone moving past student-grade paint.”
draw15+ Palettes Tested
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My Top Picks
Best Overall
Holbein Artists' Watercolor 24 Set
starstarstarstarstar4.8
Ceramic wells, single-pigment colors, rewets fast. My first choice for studio work and the one I keep coming back to.
Best Travel
Sakura Koi Field Sketch Set 24
starstarstarstarstar4.6
Jacket-pocket sized. Mixing lid built in. I painted with this standing up for 3 hours in 85°F heat.
Best Value
Winsor & Newton Cotman Field Set
starstarstarstarstar4.5
Real pigments, magnetic closure, comes with a brush. Best beginner palette under $40.
Browse by Type
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Travel Palettes
Compact kits built for plein air and travel sketching. Under 300g with a secure closure.
water_dropCeramic Palettes
Porcelain surface that prevents beading. Paint spreads flat on the first brush stroke.
grid_viewLarge Studio Palettes
36+ wells and expansive mixing areas for professional studio work.
view_comfyMini Palettes
Mint-tin style kits. Enough color for a full session in a pocket-sized form.
brushKids Palettes
Washable, non-toxic, and more pigmented than most people expect.
view_moduleEmpty Palettes
Fill with tube paint or individual pans to build a custom color selection.
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Watercolor Palette Guides
Best Colors for Your First Palette
12 pigments I'd pick if starting over — including the two most beginners skip that make every other mix cleaner.
Read Guidearrow_forwardDIY Watercolor Palette
Almost any small metal container can become a functional, magnetic watercolor palette. Here's how.
Read Guidearrow_forward
Sarah Mitchell — Watercolor artist since 2015
Portland, Oregon · Plein air in 8 countries · Fabriano Artistico tester
I launched this site after buying four “top-rated” palettes that I found out were bad after they arrived. Every review here follows a 6-step protocol: caliper measurements, bead-up surface tests, 10-day rewet checks, at least one 2-hour outdoor session, and 4 weeks of lightfast testing. All products are purchased independently.
scienceDocumented test protocol
shopping_bagAll products purchased
publicField tested outdoors
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Common questions
What is the best watercolor palette for beginners?
Start with the Sakura Koi or Winsor & Newton Cotman. The Koi comes with a water brush so you can paint immediately. The Cotman has better pigments. If you already know you're committed to watercolor, skip both and get an empty ceramic palette with M. Graham paints.
What's the difference between a watercolor palette and a pallet?
"Palette" is what artists use to mix paint. "Pallet" is a wooden shipping platform. Both get searched online — Google knows what you mean. The word you want when buying art supplies is always "palette."
Is ceramic or plastic better for watercolor palettes?
Ceramic wins in the studio. Paint spreads flat on ceramic; on plastic it beads up into domes. The trade-off is weight and fragility. I use ceramic at my desk and a plastic Koi for travel. If you only buy one, buy ceramic.
How many wells does a watercolor palette need?
I painted for three years with 12 wells and didn't feel limited. 24 is where most artists settle — enough for warm and cool versions of each primary plus a few earths. More than 36 wells usually means colors you mixed once and forgot about.
Can I use any palette with any brand of watercolor?
Yes. I run Holbein, Daniel Smith, and M. Graham in the same palette. Different binder strengths mean some colors rewet slightly slower than neighbors, but it's not a practical problem.