Watercolour Tube Sets Compared: 6 to 24 Colours

A watercolour tube set gives you soft, concentrated colour that you can squeeze out fresh, dilute into delicate washes or use strongly for bright accents. But sets range from 6 small tubes to 24 larger ones. This Haanz Art Guide compares the watercolour tube sets we stock so you can choose by number of colours, tube size and how often you paint.

Small starter sets

• DOMS Water Colour Tube 6 x 5ml: six essential mixing colours. DOMS is a popular school brand.
• Pentel Watercolour 8 Tubes: eight 5ml tubes from the Japanese brand Pentel, covering the key mixing colours.

Small sets are good for younger students, trying watercolour for the first time, or a travel kit.

12-colour sets

• Water Colour Tubes 12 x 5ml: twelve vibrant essential colours in compact tubes.
• Camel Watercolour Tubes 12 x 5ml
• DOMS Water Colour Tube 12 x 5ml
• Pentel Arts Watercolour 12
• Mont Marte Watercolour 12 x 12ml: larger 12ml tubes that last longer.

Twelve colours is the sweet spot for most students. You get ready-made greens and browns as well as the primaries.

18 and 24-colour sets

• Pentel Arts Watercolour 18 and Pentel Arts Watercolour 24: 5ml tubes that blend easily and dry evenly.
• Camel Artist Watercolour 24 x 5ml: Camel’s artist range, made with fine-quality pigments for purity, transparency and clear tones.
• Mont Marte Premium Watercolour 24 x 8ml: a wide palette from the Premium range for serious hobby painters.
• Mont Marte Signature Watercolour 24 x 12ml: 24 colours in generous 12ml tubes.

See all sets in Watercolours. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

How to choose

• Number of colours: more colours means less mixing, but you can mix most shades from 12.
• Tube size: 5ml tubes suit students and occasional painters. 8ml and 12ml tubes last much longer if you paint often.
• Quality: artist ranges such as Camel Artist and Mont Marte Premium give clearer, more transparent colour, which matters for layered washes.
• Who it’s for: school children do well with 6 to 12 colours; hobby painters and A/L students often prefer 24.

Using tube watercolours

1. Squeeze a small amount into a palette well. A pea-sized dot goes a long way.
2. Add water with a brush to make a wash. More water makes it lighter.
3. Let leftover paint dry in the palette. You can re-wet it next time, just like a cake set.
4. Keep the tube caps clean so they don’t stick.

Tube or cake? Read Watercolour Paints for Beginners for the differences, and Watercolour Techniques for Beginners for wet-on-wet, glazing and more.

Colours to look for in a set

Whatever set you choose, check that it includes:

• A cool yellow (lemon) and a warm yellow.
• A warm red and a cool, pinkish red or crimson.
• A deep blue (ultramarine) and a brighter blue.
• At least one earth brown, such as burnt sienna.
• A green, which you can adjust with yellow or blue.

With these, you can mix clean greens, purples, oranges, skin tones and greys. Black is optional; many watercolour painters mix dark colours from blue and brown instead.

Paper matters as much as paint

Even a good set looks dull on thin paper. Use watercolour paper of at least 160gsm, and heavier (200gsm or more) for many layers. Our watercolour paper guide explains why.

Frequently asked questions

Can I mix different brands of watercolour?

Yes. Watercolours from different brands mix on the palette. Test first, because some colours look different between brands.

My tube has dried. Is it ruined?

Not always. Cut the tube open and use the dried paint like a pan colour by wetting it with a brush.

Which set should a beginner buy?

A 12-colour set is a good start. If you know you will paint often, choose larger tubes.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose a watercolour set.

More Haanz Art Guides

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