We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more
The Tobios kit is the most complete beginner watercolor bundle at its price — consistent pans, included paper, and everything you need to start painting the day it arrives.
The Tobios watercolor kit has built a following among beginners looking for an all-in-one starter set. It shows up regularly in beginner forums and YouTube unboxings, which raises the obvious question: does the kit actually deliver, or is it marketing doing the heavy lifting? I've been painting with watercolors for over a decade out of Portland, and I put the Tobios kit through its paces on multiple paper types and project scales.
If you're also comparing complete beginner packages, see our guide to best watercolor sets and our guide to watercolor supplies for beginners for a broader look at the category.
Overview
The Tobios watercolor kit is a complete starter bundle aimed at beginners and hobbyists. At its price point — typically between $25 and $40 depending on the variant — it competes directly with Arteza's beginner kits and the lower end of the Paul Rubens range. The appeal is straightforward: one purchase covers everything you need to start painting.
The kit is student grade, not artist grade. That's not a criticism — it's the right tool for the right job. If you're learning, you don't need Daniel Smith pigments. But it does mean the paint won't behave identically to professional-grade materials, and anyone expecting artist-level performance from a $30 bundle will be disappointed.
Where Tobios earns its reputation is consistency. The pans activate reliably, the colors read close to what they appear in the palette, and the set doesn't feel like it's fighting you while you develop basic technique. For its intended audience, that's the most important thing to get right.
What's in the Box
Paints (36 Pan Colors)
36 half-pan colors covering the full spectrum — warm and cool primaries, earth tones, and several convenience mixes. Pigment density is in line with other student-grade sets at this price. Blues and greens perform best; reds and yellows are slightly less vibrant compared to the Winsor & Newton Cotman equivalent. Colors activate quickly with a damp brush and don't require pre-wetting.
Brushes
The kit includes three synthetic brushes: a size 6 round, a size 10 round, and a flat wash brush. The rounds hold a reasonable point out of the box. After a few uses the tips begin to splay on the smaller size, which is typical for synthetic brushes at this price. The flat is functional for washes but has some springback that makes controlled edges harder. Plan to replace the smaller round with a quality brush after the first few months.
Paper
Ten sheets of cold-press watercolor paper are included — a useful addition that many competing kits skip entirely. The paper is adequate for practice: it handles light washes without immediate buckling and accepts basic layering. It's not cotton rag and won't behave like Arches, but for first exercises and color mixing practice it does the job. Don't judge the paints based solely on how they perform on this paper; better paper will show them in a more favorable light.
Palette
The mixing palette is the kit's weakest component. The mixing wells are shallow — they hold a small puddle of diluted paint before it starts running toward the edges. For small-scale work this is manageable. For larger washes where you need to load a consistent pool of color, you'll want a porcelain or deeper plastic palette alongside it. The pan tray lid doubles as a secondary flat mixing area, which helps somewhat.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Who It's Best For
Complete Beginners
If you've never picked up a watercolor brush and want to find out if the medium is for you, the Tobios kit removes all the friction from getting started. One purchase, everything you need, no decisions to make about which brushes or paper to buy separately. That's the strongest case for it.
Students and Young Painters
For students learning in a class setting or younger painters working through exercises, the Tobios kit provides enough color range and enough material to work through months of practice. The low financial commitment also means you won't hesitate to experiment freely.
Gift Buyers
As a gift for someone who's expressed interest in watercolor painting, the Tobios kit presents well and contains everything the recipient needs to get started without any follow-up purchases. Better than buying paints alone and leaving the recipient to figure out the rest.
Not for Intermediate or Advanced Painters
If you've moved past basic exercises and want to develop your palette seriously, the Tobios kit will feel limiting. At that stage, individual artist-grade tube paints or a set like the Daniel Smith Essentials will serve you far better.
How It Compares: Tobios vs Arteza vs Paul Rubens
These three brands compete directly at the beginner-to-hobbyist price point. Here's how they break down in practice:
| Tobios | Arteza | Paul Rubens | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price range | $25–$40 | $16–$35 | $28–$45 |
| Color count | 36 | 36–60 | 48 |
| Pigment density | Moderate | Low–moderate | Moderate–good |
| Brushes included | 3 (functional) | 2–3 (basic) | 1–2 (basic) |
| Paper included | Yes (10 sheets) | No | No |
| Pan consistency | Good | Variable | Good |
| Best for | Complete beginners | Color variety seekers | Advancing hobbyists |
Tobios vs Arteza: Arteza offers more colors at the low end and slightly lower prices, but pan consistency varies more across the set. Some Arteza pans are vibrant; others are chalky. Tobios is more predictable. If starting out, predictability matters more than color count.
Tobios vs Paul Rubens: Paul Rubens punches above its weight in terms of pigment quality — closer to mid-grade artist paint than true student grade. If you have some painting experience and want better paints at a reasonable price, Paul Rubens is worth the slight premium. For a complete beginner, Tobios is the better starting point because it includes more in the box.
Verdict
The Tobios watercolor kit does what it sets out to do: give a complete beginner everything they need in a single purchase, at a price that doesn't make the decision difficult. The paints are consistent, the color range is workable, and the included paper means you can start painting the moment it arrives.
It won't hold up to serious work or replace artist-grade materials, and the palette and brushes will need upgrading once you've developed a practice. But for its audience — curious beginners and gift buyers — it earns a genuine recommendation.
If you're already past the beginner stage, spend the money on Paul Rubens pans or Daniel Smith tubes instead. If you're just starting out and want the easiest possible entry into the medium, the Tobios kit is a solid choice.
Check Current Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Is the Tobios watercolor kit good for beginners?
Yes. The Tobios kit is well-suited to beginners who want a complete set without buying supplies separately. The included paints are serviceable for learning core techniques, and the palette and brushes are functional enough for the early stages of practice. It won't replace artist-grade materials, but it handles the job it's designed for.
How many colors does the Tobios watercolor kit include?
The standard Tobios kit includes 36 pan colors. The selection covers a full working palette — warm and cool versions of the primaries, earth tones, and a handful of convenience mixes. For most beginner and hobbyist purposes, 36 colors is more than enough range.
How does Tobios compare to Arteza watercolors?
Tobios and Arteza sit in the same price bracket and quality tier. Tobios has slightly better pigment density in the blues and greens, while Arteza has a wider color count in their larger sets. Neither is artist grade. If you're deciding between the two, Tobios edges ahead on pan consistency; Arteza offers more variety if color count matters to you.
Can you refill the Tobios watercolor pans?
The Tobios pans are not individually refillable in the way that Winsor & Newton Cotman pans are. You can push tube paint into empty pans and let it dry, which works as a workaround. But the set is not designed around refilling, and the pan slots are not standard sizes compatible with third-party replacement pans.