Yes! A watercolor kit is a really good gift for a beginner, as long as it includes everything they need and gives them a little guidance so they're not staring at a blank page. My Watercolor Fun Kits come with pre-outlined pages, artist-grade paint dots, and a brush, so the person opening one only needs a cup of water.
If you're wondering whether a watercolor kit gift for beginners will actually get used, here's what I've learned from my customers and from lots of conversations at craft shows.
Why a Watercolor Kit Works So Well as a Gift
Most people who buy my Fun Kits are beginners who want to try watercolor, or who just want a relaxing creative activity. Some paint by themselves. But quite a few people use the kits with friends, family, or their kids, for a girls' night, an art party, or family time around the table.
The biggest reason they work as a gift is that everything is included. You don't have to figure out whether the person already owns watercolor paints or brushes. The paint dots come in the kit, and you can add a round brush when you order (most gift-givers do!). They just open the package, grab some water, and start painting.
A Story from One of My Customers
One customer told me she hadn't really painted since she was a kid. She set aside some time with one of my kits and said it was so relaxing. She also said her painting didn't look as good as my samples, but that wasn't what mattered to her at all. Just putting paint on paper felt so good! I love hearing stories like this.
"Will They Actually Use It?" Common Worries About Gifting Watercolor
That worry is totally understandable! Nobody wants their gift to sit in a drawer. Here's what I built into the kits so that doesn't happen.
No Blank Page to Face
A lot of people feel overwhelmed when they see a blank page and think they have to draw or sketch first. Every page in my Fun Kits is already outlined, so you can skip the sketching and go straight to the fun part: painting.
Good Supplies Make a Big Difference
The kits are made for beginners, hobbyists, and kids, so they don't need professional-level everything. But I made sure the supplies are good quality, because cheap supplies are one of the main reasons beginners get frustrated. Cheap paper buckles, and the paint doesn't sit well on it. Student-grade paint isn't as vibrant, so the finished painting isn't as pretty as you'd like.
That's why the Fun Kits use premium heavyweight cold-press watercolor paper and artist-grade paint dots. The round brush has a nice pointy tip, which helps so much when you're adding small details. (I wrote more about paper in Paper Matters, But Don't Break a Bank For It.)
Follow-Along Videos
I also have online videos for the kits, so the person can paint along with me if they'd like a little more guidance.
How Long Does It Take to Paint One Page?
About 15 minutes per page, although it differs from person to person. The nice thing about watercolor is that you can stop anytime and come back later. And you don't have to paint all four pages in one sitting!
A big chunk of free time to relax and create is lovely if you have it. But if you don't, even 15 minutes with a cup of water gives you one finished page. It's like a small reward for yourself, which makes it a sweet gift for someone busy.
How to Choose the Right Kit for Them
People ask me this a lot at in-person craft shows, especially when they're shopping for a kid or someone who has never painted. All of my kits are similar in difficulty, but the ones with simpler shapes are a little easier to start with. The Fruits kit is a good example, since many fruits are big round shapes without too many details.
The most important thing, though, is what the person loves:
- Someone with lots of plants at home: Houseplants
- A family heading to the beach this summer: Seashores
- A foodie who loves desserts: Sweet Treats
- A bird watcher or nature lover: Birds
Seasonal Kits for Holiday Gatherings
Seasonal themes are great when family and friends gather to celebrate. I've heard many times that the Christmas card kit makes a fun family activity in the weeks before the holiday. Fall Harvest is another good one this time of year. And the Valentine's card kit is so cute when you have family or girlfriends over for a Valentine's art party.
Make the Gift a Little More Personal
A sweet note is always a nice touch. If you're shipping the kit straight to the person, just write your message in the order note section at checkout. I'll print it out and tuck it in with the gift.
My Tip for the Person Opening the Kit
Just start! The outlines are there to guide you, and you don't have to stay inside them. If you look closely at my samples, I often go outside (or inside) the lines myself. So use them as guidelines and don't sweat it too much.
If starting right on an outlined page feels a little intimidating, there are extra blank pages for practice: two in the regular Fun Kits and one in the card kits. On the back of the cover there's a basic exercise guide covering mark making and mixing colors. Casually follow along to warm up your hands, and before you know it, you'll feel comfortable jumping into the projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is watercolor a good gift for someone who has never painted?
Yes, especially a kit with pre-outlined pages, so they don't have to draw first. It takes away the blank-page overwhelm and lets them enjoy painting right away.
What should be in a watercolor gift for a beginner?
Good watercolor paper, vibrant paints, and a round brush with a pointy tip. When all three are included, the person won't need to buy anything else to get started.
Is watercolor too hard for beginners?
Not with the right setup! Good supplies and a guided page make a big difference, and simple shapes like fruits are a gentle place to start.
Is a watercolor kit a good gift for kids?
Yes! The kits are great for kids, and many families paint them together.
What if they want to keep going after the kit?
A watercolor workbook is a nice next step. I shared my thoughts on that in Can a Watercolor Workbook Teach You to Paint?
If you have someone in mind who loves to create or could use a relaxing afternoon, take a look at my Watercolor Fun Kits and see which theme feels like them.
Happy painting!