More colors can be exciting. Your first watercolor kit also needs to fit the size of your paintings, the way you control water and the space where you will work. Start with one project, then check what the set actually includes.
1. Choose one project before choosing the kit
Picture something small enough to finish: a leaf study, a greeting card or a sketchbook scene. That gives you a practical way to judge the tools. A small flower needs controlled marks and space to mix a few shades. A larger background needs a brush and mixing area that can handle a broader passage of paint.
- Small sketches: check that the case is comfortable to carry and the brush has a tip you can control.
- Larger shapes: look at the brush width and usable mixing space, rather than only the number of colors.
- Decorative highlights: check whether the set lists metallic or other special shades, and which ones are included.
2. Read the contents, not just the number on the lid
Separate the paint count from the accessory list. Look for the actual colors, brush types, case format and any paper listed in the box contents. If paper or another accessory is not listed, plan to supply it separately instead of assuming it is included.
For example, the JusArt 100-color watercolor paint set lists metallic shades, detail painting brushes and water brush pens. Those are useful facts to compare with the supplies you already own. Check the current product page for the complete contents of the exact kit you choose.
A color count does not tell you pigment identities, lightfastness ratings or results on your own paper. If those properties matter for the work you plan to display or sell, look for published product-specific information rather than inferring it from the set size.
3. Understand the brush that comes with the paint
A regular paintbrush is used with water supplied separately. A refillable water brush carries water in its barrel; it still needs paint to create color. Check which tool is included and whether its shape suits your first project.
A pointed brush offers a small tip for controlled marks. A flat brush gives you a wider edge to work with. If you are comparing the JusArt six-piece water brush set, it contains three pointed and three flat brushes in small, medium and large sizes.
Need help decoding the names? Read water brushes versus watercolor brush pens before adding another set to your cart.
4. Plan for paper as part of the kit
Use paper intended for watercolor when you will be adding water. Check its size, weight, surface and binding. A small pad can make practice manageable; a larger sheet gives you room for broader work. Paper texture also changes the marks you see, so compare a sample with your own paint and brush.
Browse JusArt watercolor paper and read the exact pad specifications. No single paper label guarantees every wash, layering technique or marker combination will behave the same way.
5. Make one test card before a finished painting
- Choose a few colors around your subject instead of trying every shade at once.
- Make a light swatch and a stronger swatch of each on the paper you will use.
- Mix a small amount of two colors in your mixing area and label the combination.
- Let the swatches dry before deciding which result fits your project.
- Keep the card with the set so your next session starts with a familiar reference.
This is a practice exercise you can repeat with your own materials, rather than a published performance test of a JusArt kit.
Before you order
Do I need the largest palette to start?
Choose a palette that fits your subjects and budget, then practice with a smaller selection from it. Owning many shades does not mean you need to use them all in one painting.
Should I buy extra brushes immediately?
Read the included brush list first. Try those tools, note what feels difficult, and add another shape or size when it solves a specific problem.
Where should I compare the current kits?
Visit JusArt watercolor sets for the current options, then open the exact listing to check its colors, accessories and format. Product contents can differ between sets.
Paper reference: Winsor & Newton’s watercolor paper guide. JusArt product details above come from the linked JusArt listings, checked October 26, 2026. This guide does not assign unverified pigment, permanence or lightfastness ratings.