The Ultimate Watercolour Gift Guide for Christmas 2025

(Brushes, Paints, Paper & Pads, Specialty Sets + More)

Christmas is here, and the Shed elves have been busy. Between the mince pies and the glitter explosions, our in-house artists have hand-picked, paint-splattered, and occasionally argued their way through hundreds of products to bring you the ultimate watercolour gift guide for 2025. Whether you’re shopping for a wide-eyed beginner or a pro who smells faintly of masking fluid, we’ve got hot prices, massive sales, and truly beautiful sets, all wrapped up with our signature cheeky flair.

From Mont Marte crowd-pleasers to luxe Winsor & Newton heritage boxes, these picks cover every level (and every budget). So, grab a cuppa, park the sleigh, and get ready to discover Australia’s favourite watercolour gifts  curated by real artists who know their washes from their whoopsies.

Beginner Brushes

Mont Marte Acrylic Handle Brush Set 11 pc – Watercolour
Bright, sturdy, and built to last. These acrylic-handled brushes are perfect for new artists who like their gear as bold as their colour choices. Soft synthetic bristles hold loads of water for smooth, controlled washes, and they clean up faster than Christmas dinner dishes.

Mont Marte Signature Paint Brush Set – Watercolour Mixed Bristle in Wallet 11 pc
A ready-to-wrap set that feels like it should cost twice as much. Packed with versatile brush shapes in a neat zip wallet, it’s the ultimate starter upgrade. Great for travel, workshops, or anyone tired of hunting for missing brushes in the bottom of their tote.

Mont Marte Artist Brush Watercolour Mop 16
The secret weapon for loose skies and dreamy blends. This soft pony-and-taklon mix holds a surprising amount of water, perfect for those satisfying big sweeps of colour. It’s the brush that says “I’m an artist now,” even if you’re just getting started.

Mont Marte Gallery Series Paint Brush Set – Watercolour 5 pc
For beginners ready to step it up. These brushes feel balanced, premium, and purposeful, giving smooth transitions and lovely snap for every stroke. Great for everyday use and the perfect “safe bet” for gifting.

Intermediate Brushes

Limited Edition Da Vinci Pretty in Pink Watercolour Brush
The collector’s choice. This limited-edition beauty turns heads with its pastel pink handle and luxury-grade synthetic fibres that perform like sable. Designed for artists who want both aesthetics and performance, it’s currently trending across studios and socials alike.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Brush 999 Mop 5/8"
A cult classic for a reason. The 999 Mop is beloved by pros and intermediates alike for its superb water-holding capacity and silky flow. Perfect for bold, expressive strokes, the kind of brush that practically paints for you.

Neef Mahogany Kazan Series 2013 Premium Synthetic Soft Bristle Brush – Wash 1"
Australian-made excellence. This Kazan-inspired synthetic brush glides across the page with flawless control and buttery softness, ideal for fine-tuning technique. It’s one of those brushes that makes you fall in love with painting all over again.

Luxury & Specialty Brushes

Winsor & Newton Heritage Cotman Watercolour Brush Wooden Box Set
An heirloom-worthy set that screams sophistication. Nestled in a polished wooden case, these brushes are precision-engineered to perform at a professional level, the perfect mix of nostalgia and craftsmanship.

Neef Thomas Schaller Masters Mop 118 Watercolour Brush – Size 6
A true showstopper. Created in collaboration with watercolour master Thomas Schaller, this brush is all about grace, flow, and painterly drama. The kind of tool artists dream about (and proudly show off).

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Brush 666 One Stroke 1"
Elegant, powerful, and precise. Ideal for controlled washes, clean edges, and layering effects, the gift that says, “you’re ready for the big leagues.”

Shop the full watercolour Brush Range

Beginner Sets

Mont Marte Premium Watercolour Paint Set – Tin 27 pc
The set that flies off our shelves every December. Compact, travel-ready, and packed with vibrant, blendable pigments that punch well above their price tag. A perfect gift for beginners and dabblers who want real colour payoff without needing a fine-art degree.

Mont Marte Premium Watercolour Paint Set 24 pc × 8 ml
Brilliantly balanced tubes that are easy to mix, smooth to layer, and ideal for experimenting. For under $40, you’ll look like you spent double, this is the ultimate “first real paint set” every budding artist remembers.

Mont Marte Premium Metallic Watercolour Pans 21 pc
Add a bit of glitz to your gift list. These metallic pans shimmer like tinsel under studio light and are a hit with journallers, illustrators, and anyone who loves a little sparkle in their art.

Mont Marte Watercolour Half Pan Set – 73 pc in Tin                                                                                                                   

A rainbow in a tin. With 73 vibrant half pans, this set gives you every colour you’ll ever need, smooth, blendable, and travel-ready. The sturdy metal case doubles as a mixing palette, making it perfect for painting anywhere.
Great for: artists who want maximum colour and value.

Mont Marte Watercolour Half Pan Set – 39 pc in Tin                                                                                                                 

Big colour, compact tin. The 39 pc set packs vibrant, easy-mixing pans into a sleek travel case. Reactivates beautifully and blends like a dream,no fuss, just pure paint joy.
Great for: developing artists and creative explorers.

Intermediate Sets

Mont Marte Premium Watercolour Pencils 72 pc in Wooden Box
Part paint, part pencil, all perfection. This elegant wooden box opens to a full rainbow of 72 blendable, water-soluble pencils smooth application, intense colour, and a premium presentation that makes gifting easy.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Access Set – 20 × 5 ml
This one’s a classic for a reason. Packed with rich pigments and reliable Cotman formulation, it’s the go-to mid-tier set for artists levelling up. A “can’t miss” Christmas gift for anyone serious about their colour game.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolour Set – 12 (Set I)
A global favourite, and for good reason. These traditional Japanese pans are trending everywhere thanks to their ridiculously rich pigment, creamy texture, and luxurious feel. Handcrafted in Japan with a unique blend that bridges the world of watercolour and gouache, they offer a depth and range no other set matches. They fly off our shelves every season, and once you’ve tried them, you’ll see why.

Ecoline Liquid Watercolour 30 ml Range
For artists who love punch. Ecoline’s liquid watercolours deliver explosive pigment straight from the bottle, a perfect stocking stuffer for illustrators, calligraphers, or colour fiends.

Specialty & Trending Watercolour Sets

Winsor & Newton Cotman Essence of Australia Watercolour Wooden Box – Premium Gift Set
The showstopper. The masterpiece. The watercolour gift of 2025.
This Australian-exclusive wooden box set is pure elegance, a marriage of heritage craftsmanship and local inspiration. Inside, you’ll find an exquisite selection of Cotman watercolours, hand-curated to capture the warmth of the outback, the shimmer of coastal light, and the greens of our iconic bushland. Each pigment is finely milled for professional-grade luminosity and perfect transparency, making it a dream for layering, glazing, and fine detail. The polished wooden case feels like something you’d inherit, not just bu, it’s a collector’s piece as much as a working artist’s treasure. This one doesn’t just say “I support your art”; it says I know you’re brilliant.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Compact Set – 14 Half Pans + Brush
Small in size, mighty in impact. This sleek, pocket-sized powerhouse is loved worldwide for its practicality and performance, a favourite of urban sketchers, travellers, and plein-air painters who like their tools as portable as their inspiration. The sturdy plastic case opens to reveal fourteen half pans of vibrant Cotman colour and a travel brush that tucks neatly inside. Despite its compact footprint, the pigment load rivals full studio sets, giving crisp mixes and rich tones wherever you roam. From cafés to clifftops, it’s the perfect companion for creatives who don’t want to compromise on quality when painting life on the move.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Studio Set – 45 Half Pans
The crown jewel of Cotman’s collection, and a gift that’ll have any artist grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. With forty-five carefully balanced half pans, this set covers every hue an artist could need, from whisper-soft neutrals to electric brights. The pigments are formulated with the same care and consistency that made Winsor & Newton a household name among professionals. It’s designed for mastery: wide enough to explore serious colour theory, strong enough for years of use, and beautiful enough to live permanently on an artist’s desk. The fold-out mixing trays and premium pan layout make it both practical and inspiring, the kind of present that sparks a lifetime of painting.

Shop the full Watercolour Range

Beginner Pads & Journals

Mont Marte Watercolour Postcards 300 gsm 24 Sheets
Sweet, small, and endlessly giftable. These postcard pads are perfect for spontaneous painting or snail mail art. Pair it with a mini brush set, and you’ve got an instant creative gift bundle.

Mont Marte Canvas Pad A4 280 gsm 10 Sheets
Durable, versatile, and perfect for beginners who haven’t picked a favourite medium yet. Handles watercolour, acrylic, and mixed media like a champ.

Mont Marte Watercolour Pad German Paper A3 180 gsm 15 Sheet
Your first “real” watercolour pad, smooth, lightweight, and forgiving enough for experiments and happy accidents.

Mont Marte Watercolour Travel Journal A5
Compact creativity. With durable binding and thick pages, it’s the perfect travel companion for anyone sketching on the move.

Intermediate Pads & Journals

Art Spectrum Blue Linen Hard Cover Landscape Journal A5 300 gsm 16 Sheets
Elegant, archival, and made in Australia. This linen-bound journal looks as good on a shelf as it feels under a brush. Ideal for field studies, journalling, or those who just love quality.

Mont Marte Artiste Watercolour Pad 100% Cotton A4 200 gsm 10 Sheets
The soft cotton fibres make every wash behave beautifully. You’ll get better blending, cleaner lifting, and a noticeable upgrade in colour control.

Art Spectrum 25% Cotton Watercolour Pad A4 300 gsm 12 Sheets
Our best all-rounder. Balanced texture, premium weight, and that little extra cotton for the perfect flow. Great for intermediate painters or anyone who appreciates the feel of good paper.

Specialty & Luxury Pads

Canson Montval Art Book 20×20 cm 300 gsm 48 Pages
A cult favourite among pros. Gorgeous square format, durable hardcover, and silky cold-press texture that makes colour sing.

Saunders Waterford Watercolour Pad 31×41 cm 300 gsm Rough
The ultimate luxury paper, 100% cotton, mould-made, and loved by professionals worldwide. The way it absorbs pigment is pure magic.

Art Spectrum 100% Cotton Watercolour Pad A3 300 gsm Hot Pressed Smooth
Sleek, smooth, and flawless for detail work. Perfect for botanical artists or anyone chasing that gallery finish.

Shop the full Paper Collection

Derwent Tinted Charcoal Paint Pan Set – 12 pc
For the artist who paints in poetry. Derwent’s tinted charcoal pans turn traditional charcoal on its head, smooth, velvety tones that melt with water into smoky, cinematic washes. Think moody florals, stormy landscapes, or dramatic portrait shadows. Each shade carries a soft hint of colour for depth and atmosphere that ordinary paints can’t replicate. It’s one of those unexpected gifts that feels incredibly artsy, looks gorgeous on the desk, and instantly sparks inspiration.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Starry Colours Set
Gold, bronze, champagne, this shimmering six-pan set turns every brushstroke into a small piece of magic. Hand-crafted in Japan and loved by pros worldwide, these metallic watercolours deliver mirror-bright shine and a creamy, fluid consistency that feels decadent to use. Perfect for accents, calligraphy, or full celestial spreads, it’s the kind of set that sells out fast every Christmas, and for good reason. One dip, and you’ll understand why artists call it their secret weapon for sparkle.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Pearl Colours Set
Soft, dreamy, and wildly popular. These pearlescent pans glow with luminous pastels, think fairy lights, dewy florals, and moonlit hues. Crafted with Kuretake’s signature Japanese precision, the texture is smooth and buttery, gliding across paper with hypnotic sheen. It’s a viral favourite for a reason: the perfect mix of elegance and play. Whether you’re painting greeting cards or gallery pieces, this set adds that little “wow” moment that makes everything feel special.

Derwent Inktense 12 Pan Travel Set 2
Punchy, permanent, and utterly addictive. Inktense delivers the kind of vivid colour payoff most watercolours only dream of, and once it’s dry, it’s there to stay. Perfect for bold journalling, layered illustration, and mixed-media magic that demands staying power. Compact enough to throw in a bag but powerful enough to handle serious creative sessions.

Derwent Line & Wash Paint Pan Set with Line Makers
A modern classic in the making. This all-in-one sketching kit pairs richly pigmented pans with professional line markers for crisp outlines and lush washes in one tidy package. Designed for urban sketchers, illustrators, and travellers, it’s light, smart, and looks damn good on a café table. Effortlessly cool, completely giftable, and perfect for creatives who want their tools to keep up with their ideas.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Essence of Australia Watercolour Wooden Box – Premium Gift Set
The showstopper. The masterpiece. The watercolour gift of 2025.
This Australian-exclusive wooden box set is pure elegance, a marriage of heritage craftsmanship and local inspiration. Inside, you’ll find an exquisite selection of Cotman watercolours, hand-curated to capture the warmth of the outback, the shimmer of coastal light, and the greens of our iconic bushland. Each pigment is finely milled for professional-grade luminosity and perfect transparency, making it a dream for layering, glazing, and fine detail. The polished wooden case feels like something you’d inherit, not just buy, it’s a collector’s piece as much as a working artist’s treasure. This one doesn’t just say “I support your art”; it says I know you’re brilliant.

Mont Marte Floor Easel – Tilting Studio Easel with Castor Wheels (Beech Wood)

Your dream studio setup, sorted. The Mont Marte Tilting Studio Easel is as functional as it is beautiful, crafted from smooth beech wood with adjustable angles, a sturdy base, and lockable castor wheels so you can roll it, tilt it, and set it exactly how you like. It even lies completely flat for watercolour or pouring work, making it a true multi-medium hero.

Designed for comfort and flexibility, this easel suits canvases up to 185 cm and keeps everything stable while you work. Whether you’re painting at home, filming tutorials, or creating your next masterpiece, it moves effortlessly with you (literally). Durable, elegant, and built to last, it’s the kind of gift that earns instant “artist-of-the-year” status.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Studio Set – 45 Half Pans
The crown jewel of Cotman’s collection, and a gift that’ll have any artist grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. With forty-five carefully balanced half pans, this set covers every hue an artist could need, from whisper-soft neutrals to electric brights. The pigments are formulated with the same care and consistency that made Winsor & Newton a household name among professionals. It’s designed for mastery: wide enough to explore serious colour theory, strong enough for years of use, and beautiful enough to live permanently on an artist’s desk. The fold-out mixing trays and premium pan layout make it both practical and inspiring, the present that sparks a lifetime of painting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Watercolour Gifts

What’s the best watercolour gift for beginners?

The best beginner gifts make watercolour feel exciting, not overwhelming. A Mont Marte Premium Watercolour Tin or Signature Brush Set is a brilliant place to start, they’re high-quality, low-stress, and beautifully giftable. These sets are built for fun first: easy activation, blendable colours, and tools that perform well straight out of the box. Mont Marte is known for its approachable price and strong performance, making it perfect for first-timers who want to play with real pigment without breaking the bank. Wrap one up with a sketch pad or postcard set and you’ve got a foolproof creative gift.

What’s the best brand of watercolour paint for beginners?

If you’re shopping for a beginner, Mont Marte is the Aussie go-to for affordable, accessible, and surprisingly vibrant paint. Their Premium Watercolour range comes in tins and tubes with balanced pigment loads and smooth reactivation, a clear upgrade from no-name starter kits. For those ready to take the next step, Art Spectrum Student Watercolours are a great bridge into more professional territory, offering Australian-made quality and true artist-level colour without the luxury price tag.

What’s a good watercolour gift for advanced artists?

Experienced artists usually know what they like, so wow-factor gifts are key. The Winsor & Newton Essence of Australia Box Set is an instant statement piece, blending professional-grade paints with a stunning wooden case they’ll want to keep forever. Pair it with a Saunders Waterford 100% Cotton Pad or an Art Spectrum Watercolour Box Set for that sweet spot of practicality and prestige. They’re professional tools disguised as Christmas presents.

What paper is best for watercolour?

Paper is everything in watercolour. Look for 300 gsm, acid-free stock with at least some cotton content, cotton fibres absorb water more evenly, prevent warping, and let pigments blend beautifully. Cold-pressed paper (also called “NOT”) is the most versatile choice for all skill levels, giving texture without losing control. Hot-pressed is silky smooth (perfect for detail), while rough paper is highly textured for expressive work. If you want to splurge, go for 100% cotton pads like Saunders Waterford or Art Spectrum Cotton Series, once you paint on them, you’ll never go back.

What’s a luxury watercolour set?

Luxury means more than just pretty packaging, it’s about pigment purity, craftsmanship, and presentation. True luxury sets feature high pigment concentration, professional-grade binders, and materials that feel as good as they look. Think handcrafted Japanese pans from Kuretake Gansai Tambi, Winsor & Newton wooden box sets, or Art Spectrum professional paints paired with cotton pads and sable brushes. These sets don’t just perform beautifully, they look spectacular on an artist’s desk.

Do these ship across Australia?

Absolutely! We ship fast and wide from our Moorabbin or Brisbane HQ so you can get your art goodies no matter where you’re based. Whether you’re in Melbourne, Mackay, or the middle of nowhere, your order’s packed with care from our Aussie team.

What are the trending watercolour sets in 2025?

This year’s stars are all about pigment power and personality. The Kuretake Gansai Tambi 12 Set is flying off shelves thanks to its luscious opacity and viral Japanese craftsmanship. Derwent Line & Wash Sets are huge with sketchbook artists, while Art Spectrum’s Australian Landscape Box Set has become a collector’s favourite for its rich, earthy tones. If you’re gifting for someone who follows art trends, these are the ones to grab before they sell out.

What’s the difference between student and professional watercolours?

It all comes down to pigment load, formulation, and permanence. Student-grade paints (like Mont Marte Premium and Art Spectrum Student Range) use more binder and slightly less pigment, perfect for learning techniques, layering, and experimenting affordably. Professional-grade paints (like Art Spectrum Artists Watercolour or Winsor & Newton Professional) are richer, more lightfast, and use higher-quality pigments for maximum vibrancy. If you’re gifting, “student” paints are perfect for learners; “professional” paints are what artists buy when they’re serious.

Do I need special brushes for watercolour?

Yep, and it makes a world of difference. Watercolour brushes are softer and more water-retentive than oil or acrylic brushes, helping you control flow and create buttery gradients. Look for synthetic mops, rounds, and flats or natural-hair blends designed specifically for watercolour. The Mont Marte Gallery Series and Neef Mahogany Kazan Series are great examples: they hold water beautifully, spring back cleanly, and give you that “glide” artists love.

How many colours should a beginner watercolour set have?

Twelve to twenty-four is the sweet spot. A 12-piece tin offers enough range for mixing primaries and secondaries, while a 24-piece set adds luxury without confusion. More than that can feel overwhelming at first, what matters most is learning how to blend and build your own palette. Mont Marte’s 27pc Tin Set hits that perfect middle ground: bright, blendable, and big enough to grow into.

What’s cold-pressed vs hot-pressed vs rough paper?

Cold-pressed: lightly textured, great all-rounder for washes and detail.

Hot-pressed: smooth, ideal for illustration and fine lines.

Rough: highly textured for expressive, granulated effects.

Most artists start with cold-pressed and branch out from there, it’s the most forgiving and works beautifully with synthetic or natural brushes alike.

What’s the best price range for good watercolour paper?

Quality paper costs more, but it’s worth it. Expect to spend around $20–$40 for a solid 300 gsm pad with cotton content (like Art Spectrum 25% Cotton Pads), or $50+ for premium 100% cotton paper (like Saunders Waterford or Canson Heritage). A great pad lasts ages, and even beginners will see the difference instantly, smoother washes, brighter colour, and less warping.

What’s the difference between watercolour and gouache?

Both are water-based, but they behave differently. Watercolour is transparent,  it builds delicate layers and shows off the paper beneath. Gouache is opaque, more matte, and sits on top of the surface, allowing you to rework or cover areas. The Kuretake Gansai Tambi range bridges both worlds, offering creamy opacity with watercolour softness, perfect for artists who want the best of both.

How important is lightfastness in watercolour?

If your paintings will be displayed, it’s very important. Lightfastness measures how resistant a pigment is to fading when exposed to light. Professional-grade paints use highly stable pigments rated AA or A for permanence, while student paints can fade faster over time. Always check for the lightfastness rating on your tubes or pans, your future self (and your art) will thank you.

Do I need to use a fixative or varnish on watercolour paintings?

Generally, no. Traditional watercolours are best protected under glass once dry. Fixatives can dull or alter the colour if used incorrectly. However, if you’re using water-soluble inks or mixed media, a light fixative spray can help preserve linework, just always test first.

Wrapping up 

So whether you’re gifting your partner, your arty bestie, or your own inner creative genius, Art Shed’s got your back.

These are the gifts artists actually want this Christmas: top-rated, trending, and priced to make Santa sweat.

Fast shipping, hot deals, and shedloads of colour what more could you want?
Shop the Arty Or Nice Christmas Sale before it all sells out.

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