Reddit mentions of Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush Assorted Tips, 4 Pack Carded (FRHBP4M)

I got this question all the time when I worked in an art supply store.

I totally suggest getting paper. When buying paper, you want to look at tooth and poundage. The tooth is the texture of the paper, and most watercolor paper is cold press which means it has a bit of tooth. Hot and cold press are terms you’ll see. Hot is smooth and cold is rough. Think of what an iron does to clothing (takes wrinkles out) and that’s what it does to paper. If she likes to do a lot of fine detail, go for hot press, if more expressive or if you’re unsure, go cold because she’s probably already using that. Now for pounds, this has to do with the thickness of the paper (there’s s reason why but I don’t want to get too nerdy) the bigger the number the thicker the paper. On average watercolor paper comes in 140 lbs. the lowest you want to go is 90, but stick with 140. 300lbs gets to be almost like wood, but amateurs don’t typically go there. Paper comes in ring binders, in blocks, and loose. Go for rings or blocks. If you want to get fancy for books you can get something like this but hard covers aren’t all that necessary. I have a few Canson Montval pads, they’re middle range, Canson XL is student range (read less quality) but cheaper and not awful for beginners. If you get Strathmore go for the 400 series (brown cover not yellow). Blocks are more expensive but they make a lovely gift. Arches is good, get the green one (standard watercolor paper). This also comes loose so if she paints large you could get her a few sheets. If she likes to experiment, you could get her synthetic watercolor paper like Yupo. It comes in white or translucent, and it’s extremely smooth. It’s good for all kinds of wet media.

She will always need paper. You don’t know what paint she uses or brushes, and paper will be much more affordable for you. My suggestion is get her a pad in a size you think she might like and if you want to spend more, give her a gift card to a store like Blick or Jerry’s art-o-Rama, or wherever she shops. That would be a super boss gift :) I hope that helps!

Edit: if you MUST get paint or brushes.... paint I suggest Qor because it’s got a great pigment load… and it’s what I like. Daniel Smith is good also. I know Qor comes in sets which are in little tins that double as palates. I think with Daniel Smith you gotta figure it out. Tell me what she paints and I’ll suggest colors she probably won’t have. These are artists grade paints, so they will have series numbers associated with them depending on how much they cost. Series numbers have to do with the cost of pigment, not quality. Some are more expensive to manufacture so you only pay what you need vs having whole line being costly. Student grade has one cost across the board but they substitute with fillers and don’t contain all the true pigment. You’ll know when it has ‘hue’ in the name. Cadmium Red Hue isn’t made with cadmium, but with a cheaper substitute to look similar. It matters when you mix, and to use hues or not is the preference (and budget) of the artist. The paint I’m suggesting comes in tubes not cakes. If she prefers cakes/pan (the dry stuff) I have friends who like Grumbacher. You may see ‘opaque’ and ‘transparent’ when looking at watercolor. Opaque is often a term used for gouache. Gouache and watercolor share the same binder (what holds it together) so they’re friends and can be used In tandem without issue, but it might not be what she’s used to. Pan sets come in all price ranges. Don’t go for kids sets because frankly the are shit.

If she likes to travel she might like a water brush they have a reservoir for water so you don’t need a cup, just squeeze to make drips or to clean it. There are other brands besides what I listed. Brushes, buy in a set since you don’t know what she needs. Cotman are decent and not expensive for what they are). If you want to have her love you forever go with natural bristle like red sable or black squirrel, but they will NOT be cheap.


Ok, I think that covers a few options