Hi, Im just getting into watercolor, I have been using Dewernt Inktense pencils for all of my work so far and I would like to go ahead and start working with tube paint.  I would like to have much more vibrant colors and stuff like that. I know that since I am just starting out that I need to just buy some cheeper paints.  I have been looking at Winsor Newtons line.  Another pronouned artist suggested the Winsor Newton Cottman paints, as they are slightly cheeper but retain some quality.  Yes I can mix the paint myself but also think at the same time that I would like the convenience of having colors already available that can be slightly modified vs. doing a lot of work for somthing that might not look right and be used?  I think I would at least like to have 12 to 24 tubes, I know thats a 50% jump.  So with all of that being said, I have a few questions.

1. Would you suggest getting a pre made kit with pre picked paints from the factory, or would you pick the colors and purchase the tubes individualy?

2. If you choose to buy paint by the tube what colors would be essential for starting out on a small budget of about $100 for paint.

3. Buy local or online?

Thanks in advance for all your help

KyleP

I agree completely - better to have some decent water
colours in a set for things that you really care about.

Having said that, i often buy the cheap art sets they
have for school children just to see what i can do.

Also, you might want to look into using inks as well.
There are some called "water-proof" that are nice.

And of course then there are opaque guache paints
as well. I prefer the small tubes of colour and
since i do a lot of nature work end up buying the
larger sizes of green, yellow, brown, and blue.

As for paper, i use Canson Stonehinge (since i'm
a printmaker and almost always have it on hand).
It's not much of a real watercolour paper but i
like it's texture when i do washes and such.
A friend of mine def swears by Winsor-Newton
and when i can afford it i love it as well.

If you are lucky enough to live near an art store
(notoriously expensive since they don't really get
that much trade). Go in and make friends and ask
lots of questions - always best if one of the
clerks is actually an art student or artist.

And then when you get a "bit ahead" budget-wise
order thru the mail. The ads you see on this site
are great  (Jerry's Artarma and Dick Blick, also
Daniel Smith, etc).  Shop and compare since they
will have sales. Nice to get on their mailing lists.

Also, almost all have some "free postage" deals;
eg, Daniel Smith if the order is over $200. Like
i sed, you have to squirrel away the money because
the postage can kill you. I ordered $20 dollars
worth of litho crayons from Dick Blick for a
W/S (work/shop) that i was taking and the rush
delivery was twice that much.

-- share and enjoy,
frank.   http://art-squeek.angelfire.com

I'd suggest not using black at all.   I'd use Paynes Gray.  Forget white -- use the white of the paper.  If you plan to sell don't use Cotman use professional pigments.