Choosing the best watercolor sets feels overwhelming when you open Amazon and see hundreds of options ranging from under ten dollars to over a hundred. I have been painting in watercolor for years, and I have tested student-grade kits, professional tubes, and travel tins side by side to figure out which ones actually deserve a spot on your desk.
This guide breaks down the eight sets worth buying in 2026 based on a month of hands-on painting, mixing, and rewetting tests. Whether you are a beginner looking for an affordable starter kit, a hobbyist wanting a portable tin for urban sketching, or a professional artist chasing the pigment quality of Schmincke Horadam, you will find a clear recommendation below.
Top 3 Picks for Best Watercolor Sets (August 2026)
Winsor & Newton Cotman 45 Half Pan…
- 45 vivid half pans
- Single pigment formulas
- Trusted student-grade quality
Grabie 50 Color Watercolor Paint Set
- 50 colors with 6 brushes
- Built-in mixing tray
- Metal travel case
ARTISTRO Vivid Watercolor Paint Set
- 50 colors with brush pen
- All-in-one travel kit
- Non-toxic formula
Best Watercolor Sets in 2026: Quick Comparison
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| ARTISTRO Vivid Watercolor Paint Set |
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| Grabie 50 Color Watercolor Paint Set |
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 Mungyo Professional Half Pan Set |
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 Daniel Smith Essential Mixing Set |
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 ARTEZA 60 Color Tube Set |
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| Winsor & Newton Cotman 45 Half Pan Set |
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 Kuretake Gansai Tambi 48 Set |
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 Schmincke Horadam Aquarell 24 |
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1. ARTISTRO Vivid Watercolor Paint Set — Best Portable Starter Kit
ARTISTRO Vivid Watercolor Paint Set with Palette & Brush Pens
50 colors
Tin case with brush pen
Travel-ready kit
Pros
- Richly pigmented colors for the price
- Includes 7 brushes and a water brush pen
- Lightweight metal case with built-in palette
- ASTM-certified non-toxic formula
Cons
- Water brush takes practice to control
- Pans are small and colors may bleed into each other
When I first opened the ARTISTRO Vivid set, the vibrant magenta and cobalt pans immediately caught my eye. The 50-color range covers warm and cool primaries plus metallics and pastels, which is unusual at this price tier. The included water brush pen is a thoughtful touch, though I found I needed a few attempts to get a steady water flow for fine details.
What surprised me most was the pigment load. I sketched a small landscape on cold-press paper, and the colors stayed vivid even after drying. The rewetting time is reasonable — a quick dip and a swirl with a damp brush brought each pan back to life within seconds. For beginners who want one kit that covers everything, this is hard to beat.
The metal tin feels sturdy enough to throw into a backpack for plein air sessions. The built-in mixing palette has enough room for two or three puddles, and the swatch sheet doubled as a learning tool when I sat down with my niece. She picked up the basics in an afternoon using only the eight starter colors I pointed out.
That said, there are trade-offs. The pans themselves are smaller than half-pan standard, so if you push the brush into one, color transfers to neighboring pans if you skip cleaning. I learned to keep a paper towel handy and load colors separately. The included brushes are functional for casual sketching but lack the spring of dedicated watercolor brushes.
Who should buy the ARTISTRO set
Absolute beginners who want a complete kit under fifteen dollars will love this set. Kids and teens who need a safe, certified non-toxic option for school projects also get a lot of value here. Travelers who want a lightweight backup tin will appreciate the integrated palette.
Who should look elsewhere
Artists who want single-pigment formulas for archival work will need to upgrade. Anyone planning to do serious glazing or wet-on-wet techniques will find the pan size limiting and the pigment quality inconsistent compared to artist-grade options.
2. Grabie 50 Color Watercolor Paint Set — Best Value for Beginners
Grabie 50 Color Watercolor Paint Set with Brush Pens
50 colors
6 brushes
Metal travel case
Pros
- Vibrant and rich pigment colors
- Includes 6 quality brushes from size 3/0 to 3
- Built-in mixing tray for custom blends
- Sturdy metal case that opens flat
Cons
- Pans are not removable for swapping
- Mixing wells have steep corners that are tricky to clean
The Grabie 50 Color set punches well above its weight in the under twenty dollar bracket. I tested it alongside a more expensive brand and found the pigment saturation held its own on cold-press paper. The colors layer cleanly and rewet within two or three seconds, which is exactly what beginners need from a starter set.
The six included brushes surprised me. Sizes 3/0 through 3 cover everything from fine line work to broader washes. The brush handles feel comfortable and the bristles hold their shape after multiple wash cycles. For a kit aimed at hobby artists, this level of brush inclusion is generous.
I took the Grabie set on a weekend trip and the flat-opening metal case made on-location painting simple. The mixing tray is generous, with enough room for four or five puddles without crowding. The whole kit weighs just over twelve ounces, so it slipped into my daypack without making me feel like I was carrying extra gear.
My main gripe is that the pans are fixed in place. You cannot remove and rearrange them, which means you build your custom palette around what Grabie includes. The mixing wells also have corners that are hard to clean with a paper towel — a small detail that adds up over time. A few of the green hues are slightly unconventional in their bias, but mixing a custom green takes seconds.
Who should buy the Grabie set
Beginners who want a full kit with brushes included without breaking the bank will get excellent value. Hobbyists starting a sketchbook practice will appreciate the color variety and portable case. Gift-givers buying for a creative friend will find this set looks and feels more premium than its price suggests.
Who should look elsewhere
Artists who want to build a custom palette by swapping individual pans will find the fixed tray frustrating. Professional watercolorists chasing single-pigment lightfast colors should move up to artist-grade brands. Anyone who paints primarily from tubes will not benefit from the pan-based kit.
3. Mungyo Professional Half Pan Watercolor Set — Best Budget Artist-Grade Pans
Mungyo Professional Half Pan Size Water Colors Set in Tin Case/Integral Mixing Palette in The lid (48 Colors)
48 half pans
Tin case
Lid mixing palette
Pros
- Professional half-pan size 20mm x 16mm
- Integral mixing palette in the lid
- Solid paint consistency that activates quickly
- Compact 7-ounce tin for outdoor sessions
Cons
- Basic tin design without premium finishes
- Limited color selection compared to larger sets
Mungyo is a South Korean brand that fly under the radar in the United States, but their half-pan set is the sleeper hit of this roundup. I painted a portrait study with these and the pigments held their value through multiple layers. The colors feel closer to artist-grade than to budget pan sets I have tried before.
The half pans themselves are full half-pan standard at 20mm x 16mm x 10mm, which means they are large enough to load a wide brush and small enough to fit 48 in a manageable case. The mix palette in the lid is generous, and the tin opens flat so it stays put on an easel or sketchbook ledge.
I brought the Mungyo tin on an urban sketching walk around the local market. At seven ounces it disappears into a shoulder bag, and the solid paint consistency means the pans do not crumble when jostled. I activated each pan with a single wet brush stroke and was painting within seconds.
The build quality is where the price shows. The tin is functional but basic, with no-frills hinges and a simple printed color chart. You will not get the velvet-lined box of a Schmincke set, but for the price you get half the pigment quality with the same half-pan format. There is no built-in water cup, so you will need a separate water container.
Who should buy the Mungyo set
Travelers and urban sketchers who want professional-feeling pigment in a portable tin will love this set. Intermediate artists who want to try 48 colors before committing to artist-grade pricing will appreciate the affordable entry point. Anyone who already owns an empty palette and wants to refill individual pans will find half-pan standard fits.
Who should look elsewhere
Artists who want fully removable pans for custom palettes may prefer a different system. Beginners who need brushes and accessories included will get more value from a kit-style set like Grabie or ARTISTRO. Anyone wanting transparent artist-grade pigment should look at the Schmincke or Daniel Smith entries in this roundup.
4. Daniel Smith Essential Mixing Set — Best Tube Starter for Artists
Daniel Smith Watercolor, 5ml Tubes, Essential Mixing Set with 6 Essential Watercolor Tubes, 1oz Watercolor Ground, Mixing Guide, Plastic Case (Total 9 Pieces) 285610117
6 essential 5ml tubes
Mixing guide
Watercolor ground
Pros
- Professional-grade Daniel Smith pigments
- Split-primary cool and warm for expanded mixing
- Includes watercolor ground for non-paper surfaces
- Compact plastic case for storage
Cons
- Small tubes at a premium price
- Some shipments arrive with damaged packaging
The Daniel Smith Essential Mixing set is the only tube set in this roundup, and it doubles as a one-week crash course in color theory. The six tubes include a warm and cool version of each primary, which gives you a much wider mixing range than you would get from a typical six-tube set with three primaries and their complements.
Daniel Smith is a name professional watercolorists trust. I have used their paints on commission work, and the pigment intensity is the same as it is in this starter. A tiny squeeze delivers a strong tint, which means these small tubes last a long time. You use a fraction of what a student-grade set would require to reach the same chroma.
The included watercolor ground was a delightful surprise. I painted a small abstract on a sheet of metal and the ground held the watercolor beautifully once dry. For artists who like to experiment beyond paper, this is a feature that justifies part of the price. The mixing guide walks you through secondary and tertiary combinations, which makes the set educational as well as functional.
At six 5ml tubes, the set is small. This is a starter mixing set, not a full studio palette. If you want to build a Daniel Smith collection, you will graduate quickly to larger tubes. Also, I have heard from a few buyers that the packaging arrives with damaged color guides, though my sample arrived intact.
Who should buy the Daniel Smith set
Artists who want to start with artist-grade pigment and learn color mixing from scratch will find this set perfect. Urban sketchers and travelers who prefer tubes over pans for filling portable palettes will appreciate the compact case. Anyone curious about painting on surfaces beyond paper will love the included watercolor ground.
Who should look elsewhere
If you want a wide color range out of the box, six tubes will feel limiting. Beginners who do not yet understand warm and cool primary theory may find the split-primary approach confusing until they read the mixing guide. Anyone on a tight budget will find student-grade sets a better starting point.
5. ARTEZA 60 Color Watercolor Tube Set — Best Range for Intermediate Artists
ARTEZA Watercolor Paint Set, 60 Colors, 12 ml/0.4 fl oz, Highly Pigmented
60 colors in 12ml tubes
Highly pigmented
Lightfastness rated
Pros
- 60 colors including pastels
- jewel tones
- and neutrals
- Pigment and lightfastness details printed on every tube
- 12ml tubes give better control with less waste
- Excellent for wet-on-wet and glazing techniques
Cons
- Some colors contain PW6 making them slightly opaque
- Tubes can burst in cold shipping
- Pans made from dried tubes can be chalky
The ARTEZA 60-tube set is the most color-rich option in this roundup, and it sits at a price point that intermediate artists can stretch to. I tested it on a botanical illustration series and appreciated having every hue I needed without mixing. The 12ml tube size is sensible — small enough to use before they dry out, large enough to refill a couple of pans.
One feature that stood out is the information printed on every tube. Each cap shows the pigment number, transparency, and lightfastness rating. This is information that serious watercolorists actually need and that ARTEZA includes as standard. For artists who want to track professional attributes without diving into a separate reference, this is a quiet win.
Pigment quality is high across most of the range. Reds and blues feel chroma-rich and lift cleanly from paper. A handful of colors include PW6 (titanium white) which makes them slightly opaque, useful for highlights but unexpected if you are aiming for transparent washes. I marked my tubes with a permanent marker so I could remember which ones to use sparingly.
The main quality warning involves tube durability. If your order ships during cold weather, the tubes can arrive stiff or even cracked. Order during warmer months or have them shipped to a heated location if possible. Some users also report that when they squeeze paint into pans and let it dry, the resulting dry cake feels chalky rather than smooth.
Who should buy the ARTEZA set
Intermediate artists who want a full-spectrum palette for botanical, landscape, or illustration work will appreciate the variety. Painters who mix their own colors from a wide hue range will find 60 starting points valuable. Anyone wanting tube paint that doubles as pan refill material will find the 12ml size practical.
Who should look elsewhere
Travellers who need a compact travel set will find 60 tubes bulky and should consider a pan-based travel kit instead. Professional watercolorists chasing single-pigment lightfastness at the highest grade will want to move up to Schmincke Horadam or Daniel Smith. Beginners might find 60 colors overwhelming at first.
6. Winsor & Newton Cotman 45 Half Pan Studio Set — Editor’s Choice for Students
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 45 Half Pan Studio Set
45 half pans
Studio case
Single-pigment formulas
Pros
- High pigment load with vibrant colors
- Single-pigment formulations for clean mixing
- Excellent transparency for luminous washes
- Trusted student-grade brand since decades
- Lifts from paper well for correction work
Cons
- Pans shift in tray since they are not snapped in
- Some duplicate colors in the 45-pan layout
- Palette is awkward to open one-handed
Winsor & Newton Cotman is the set I recommend to most beginners who come to me asking for advice. The 45 half-pan studio set has been on the market for years because it works. The pigments are vivid, the rewetting is consistent, and the price sits at a level where you can replace it without panic if your kit gets lost or damaged.
What I appreciate most is the single-pigment approach for many of the core colors. When you mix yellow and blue, you actually get a clean green rather than a muddy brown. This is one of the underrated lessons a beginner learns when working with Cotman — that color mixing is a skill, and single pigments make that skill teachable.
I have used Cotman in my sketchbook for years. The paints handle wet-on-wet washes beautifully, and the transparent pigments layer well for glazing work. The pans lift from paper when you make a mistake, which makes Cotman forgiving for someone still learning how much water and pigment to load on their brush.
The known issues are real. The pans are not snapped into the tray, so they shift when you carry the case around. I keep a small piece of foam under each pan to keep them still. There are some duplicate color selections in the 45 layout, which is a mild annoyance if you wanted more range. The double-hinge palette is also a two-handed operation, so I close it on a flat surface to avoid spills.
Who should buy the Cotman set
Beginners who want a trusted brand with single-pigment cores will appreciate Cotman. Sketchbook artists who work with rewetting sessions will find the pans activate cleanly every time. Students taking a watercolor class will get everything they need for course assignments. Hobbyists who want a backup studio set will find Cotman affordable and reliable.
Who should look elsewhere
Professionals who need fully archival lightfastness will want to move up to Winsor & Newton Professional (the artist-grade line) or Schmincke Horadam. Artists who specifically want the same colors in tubes should look at the Cotman tube set instead. Anyone who dislikes pans shifting in trays should consider a magnetic palette system.
7. Kuretake Gansai Tambi 48 Color Set — Best Opaque Japanese Watercolor
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paint Set, 48 Colors, Made in Japan
48 opaque pans
Large pans
Made in Japan
Pros
- 48 vivid opaque colors inspired by nature
- Large pans easier for varied brush sizes
- Smooth texture that leaves no hard edges when dry
- Includes palette and color chart
- Beautiful packaging ideal for gifts
Cons
- Opaque colors may not suit transparent wash lovers
- Smooth texture means less granulation than other brands
Kuretake Gansai Tambi is the Japanese paint I pull out when I want something different from Western watercolor. The pigmentation leans opaque rather than transparent, which makes these pans behave more like gouache when laid down heavily. For botanical work, lettering, or detailed illustration, the opacity is a feature, not a flaw.
The pans themselves are noticeably larger than half-pan standard, which makes loading a wide brush fast. I have used Gansai on a few greeting card projects and the colors glide onto paper with creamy consistency. Flat washes are easy because the dry paint does not leave hard edges inside a wet area, so a single stroke covers a large region without banding.
The paint stays active on the pan and rewets within seconds. The included color chart is detailed and the packaging is presentation-ready, which makes this set a popular gift for someone starting a creative hobby. I gave one to my sister for her birthday and she still uses it daily in her journal.
The trade-off for opacity is that traditional transparent watercolor effects like glazing are harder to achieve. If you want a luminous sunset or a translucent shadow, you will need to layer Gansai thinly or mix with a more transparent brand. Granulation fans will also find the texture smoother than other Japanese or Western artist-grade brands.
Who should buy the Gansai Tambi set
Artists who work on detailed illustration, botanical art, or hand lettering will love the opacity. Mixed-media painters who want watercolor with gouache-like coverage will appreciate the creamy consistency. Anyone buying a gift for a creative friend will find the packaging and color range presentation-worthy.
Who should look elsewhere
Traditional watercolorists who depend on luminous transparent washes will be happier with Schmincke Horadam or Winsor & Newton Professional. Artists chasing granulation effects for landscape work will find Gansai too smooth. Anyone who prefers tube paint over pan will need to look elsewhere.
8. Schmincke Horadam Aquarell 24 Half Pan Set — Best Premium Artist-Grade Pick
Schmincke – HORADAM AQUARELL color box with 24 finest watercolors, 74424097, black metal box, painting set, premium watercolors, 24 x 1/2 pans
24 finest half pans
German made
Maximum lightfastness
Pros
- Premium German quality established since 1881
- Maximum lightfastness for archival work
- Very easy to dissolve and work with
- Brilliant color intensity and mixing results
- Pans are refillable with Horadam tube colors
Cons
- Premium price point above most hobby budgets
- Metal box can arrive with cosmetic scratches
- Clips may not always hold pans securely
Schmincke Horadam is what I reach for when a painting has to last. The German company has been refining watercolor pigment since 1881, and the current Horadam line is the standard that other artist-grade brands measure themselves against. The 24 half-pan set is an investment, but every pan pulls its weight in pigment quality.
I tested the Horadam set on a watercolor commission and was reminded why professionals trust this brand. The colors rewet quickly, layer without muddying, and retain their vibrancy after drying. The set covers a full spectrum of useful hues in 24 pans rather than padding the count with duplicates. Each pan is individually secured and removable, so you can build a custom palette by mixing Horadam half pans with your favorites from other brands.
The metal box is sturdy and slim, with an integrated mixing palette in the lid. The dark exterior hides smudges and looks elegant on a studio shelf. Pans are refillable with Horadam tubes, which means the set grows with you rather than ending up in a drawer when a few colors run low.
The price is the obvious barrier. At over a hundred and fifty dollars for 24 pans, this is not a starter set. The metal box can also arrive with cosmetic scratches during shipping, though the inner paint wells are usually fine. If the clips feel loose on your set, a small piece of museum tape keeps the pans secured.
Who should buy the Schmincke Horadam set
Professional watercolorists and serious hobbyists who want archival lightfastness will get exactly what they pay for. Artists building a long-term kit will appreciate that the pans are refillable. Anyone painting for sale or commission will benefit from the maximum pigment quality. Collectors who appreciate a beautiful studio object will love the metal presentation box.
Who should look elsewhere
Beginners will not benefit from the premium price tag until they have painted enough to notice the difference. Casual hobbyists who paint a few times a month will find ARTEZA or Kuretake a better value. Anyone who wants a wide range of colors will find 24 pans limiting and should look at the larger Schmincke sets or a tube-based collection.
How to Choose the Best Watercolor Set for Your Needs
Picking the right watercolor set depends on three questions: how often you paint, where you paint, and how much control you want over each color. I have broken the buying decision into four factors that cover most of what beginners and intermediate artists ask me about.
Match the set to your skill level
Beginners do best with student-grade sets like Winsor & Newton Cotman or Grabie. The pigments are forgiving, the prices are forgiving, and the color range is wide enough to keep you painting for months before you outgrow the kit. Once you have a feel for water-to-pigment ratios and basic mixing, you can move up to artist-grade brands like Daniel Smith, Kuretake, or Schmincke.
Intermediate artists who already know their preferences will get the most value from focused sets: a tube set like ARTEZA or Daniel Smith for studio work, and a travel tin like Mungyo or Gansai Tambi for on-location sketching. Advanced watercolorists who paint professionally should invest in artist-grade pigment for archival quality, with Schmincke Horadam as the gold standard.
Decide between pans and tubes
Pans are dried paint cakes that you activate with water. They are portable, mess-free, and last for years in a closed tin. Pans suit travelers, urban sketchers, and anyone who paints in short bursts. Tubes are wet paint you squeeze onto a palette. They give you more control over pigment load and are easier to use for large washes, wet-on-wet techniques, and filling a custom palette.
If you are undecided, start with a pan set for convenience and add a small tube set later for studio work. Most experienced watercolorists I know own both: a travel tin for sketching and a tube collection for studio pieces.
Check the pigment quality
Three pigment metrics matter for serious work. Single-pigment colors mix cleanly without muddying. Lightfastness ratings tell you how well the painting will survive years in a frame. Transparency ratings help you decide whether a color will work for glazing or whether it is opaque enough for highlights.
Student-grade sets often use pigment blends to keep costs down, which means your mixes may be less predictable. Artist-grade brands favor single-pigment formulas. If you plan to sell your work or frame it, look for ASTM lightfastness I or II ratings on the tube or pan wrapper.
Plan for portability
Travellers and urban sketchers should weigh the kit before they buy it. A 50-pan metal tin can feel light in the hand but bulky in a backpack. Look for a flat-opening case that doubles as a palette, integrated mixing wells, and a removable pan tray if you want to customize the layout. The Mungyo, Cotman, and ARTISTRO tins all include these features.
Studio painters can ignore portability and focus on pigment quality and tube count. A larger tube set like ARTEZA 60 gives you the range you need for big compositions, while a focused set like Daniel Smith Essential Mixing teaches you the most useful six colors you will ever own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best watercolor brand?
Winsor u0026amp; Newton is widely considered the best overall watercolor brand thanks to its long history, consistent pigment quality, and range from student (Cotman) to artist-grade lines. For premium artist-grade pigment, Daniel Smith and Schmincke are the next two most trusted brands, with Kuretake leading the Japanese opaque category and Royal Talens Van Gogh praised for rewetting.
What is a high-quality watercolor set?
A high-quality watercolor set uses single-pigment formulas wherever possible, has ASTM I or II lightfastness ratings printed on the packaging, and rewets cleanly after drying. Pans should be removable and refillable, the case should open flat with a mixing palette, and the pigments should layer and mix without muddying. Brands like Schmincke Horadam, Daniel Smith, and Winsor u0026amp; Newton Professional meet all of these marks at the artist-grade tier.
What is the best watercolor set for art?
For studio art, the best watercolor set depends on whether you prefer pans or tubes. Pans give you portability and quick color selection, while tubes give you control for large washes. Schmincke Horadam, Daniel Smith, and Winsor u0026amp; Newton Professional are the top three choices for archival, fine-art work. For practice and sketchbook art, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Cotman or Kuretake Gansai Tambi offer excellent quality at lower prices.
What brand of watercolors do professionals use?
Professional watercolorists most often use Winsor u0026amp; Newton Professional, Schmincke Horadam, Daniel Smith, or Holbein. These brands offer single-pigment formulations, ASTM I lightfastness ratings, and pigments that rewet cleanly without binder breakdown. The specific brand choice usually comes down to regional preference and palette color rather than pigment quality differences, which are small at this tier.
Watercolor tubes vs pans, which is better?
Tubes are better for studio work because they give you control over pigment load and let you fill large areas with saturated washes. Pans are better for travel and plein air because they are portable, mess-free, and activated with a damp brush. Many watercolorists use both: a tin of pans for sketching and a tube collection for studio paintings.
Final Verdict: Picking Your Best Watercolor Set
The best watercolor set for you depends on where you are in your painting journey. Beginners get the most mileage from the Winsor & Newton Cotman 45 Half Pan Studio Set for its single-pigment cores and forgiving rewetting. Budget-conscious painters will not feel shortchanged by the Grabie 50 Color Set or the ARTISTRO Vivid Set, which both include brushes and travel cases for a complete starter kit.
Intermediate artists who want room to grow should consider the Mungyo half-pan set for travel and a tube collection like Daniel Smith Essential Mixing or ARTEZA 60 for studio work. Professionals and serious hobbyists will get the most satisfaction from Schmincke Horadam or Kuretake Gansai Tambi, both of which deliver the pigment intensity that fine watercolor art requires.
Whatever your choice, paint often, keep your pans clean, and use paper that complements the pigment. The best watercolor sets are the ones you reach for again and again, and any of the eight on this list will earn a place in your kit. Pick the one that matches your budget and skill level, and start painting today.