Portable Painter Micro Reviews, Price & What's Included: Is This Pocket Kit Worth It?

What's Included in the Portable Painter Micro Bundle?

The Portable Painter Micro Palette Bundle (Large Set) comes with the Micro palette, multiple pans, a brush, five clips, and a suede carrier bag. (Image Source: Portable Painter)

The Portable Painter Micro bundles come in two configurations. Both share the same compact Micro Palette case, with built-in mixing wells, a small water container, a finger grip on the base, and a lanyard hole. Where the two sets differ is in how many extra pans and accessories are added on top of the base palette.

Medium Set ($23.25)

The Medium Set is the more focused of the two bundles. Its goal is straightforward: add more pan capacity to the Micro Palette so you can carry a wider range of colors in the same compact case. It is the better choice for an artist who already has a brush and storage solution and simply wants more flexibility in how many colors they can bring on the go. The bundle includes:

• The Portable Painter Micro Palette case

• Six standard-size half-pans (empty)

• Four two-cavity expansion pans

• Four four-cavity expansion pans

• Built-in mixing wells and small integrated water container

The eight expansion pans (four two-cavity and four four-cavity) are what make this set useful for artists who want to customize their color layout. The different cavity sizes let you allocate more space to colors you use frequently and less to accent shades, which is a practical advantage for plein-air painters who already know their palette preferences.

Large Set ($46.50)

The Large Set is the more complete of the two bundles and is best suited for artists assembling a portable kit from scratch. It contains: 

• The Portable Painter Micro Palette case

• Six standard-size half-pans (empty, for filling with your own paint)

• Eight expansion pans (four two-cavity and four four-cavity)

• An additional pack with six half-pans and three full pans

• A suede carrier bag 

• A brush

• Five binder-style clips

• Built-in mixing wells and a small integrated water container

At $46.50, the Large Set costs twice as much as the Medium Set. Whether that difference is worth it depends largely on what you already own. 

Customer Reviews

Feedback on the Portable Painter Micro palette is generally positive among experienced watercolor artists, particularly those who paint outdoors or travel frequently. The palette's size and build quality are consistently praised. Artists who already own watercolor supplies tend to get the most out of it, while those expecting a ready-to-use kit may find it lacking. 

Several users appreciate the Micro palette itself, while others wanting a full kit may find that it falls short of their expectations. (Image Source: Jackson Art)

Portable Painter Micro Bundles vs Tobio’s Watercolor Kit: Comparison Table

Tobio's Watercolor Kit Is for Artists Who Want a Ready-to-Paint Travel Set

Tobio’s Watercolor Kit comes with a walnut wood palette, 12 colors, a water brush, a cotton paper sketchbook, a metal clip, and an absorbent wristband. 

The Portable Painter Micro bundles are great for experienced painters who already have watercolor paint and want to minimize pack weight above all else. For that painter, the bundles prove useful. But the bundles leave a gap for anyone who wants to open a kit and start painting right away.

At Tobio's Kits, our Watercolor Kit is built for exactly that situation. The walnut wood palette, 12 colors, cotton paper sketchbook, travel water brush, absorbent wristband, and metal art clip all ship together. Order the Tobio's Watercolor Kit and see what a complete travel painting setup looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the Portable Painter Micro Bundle come with paint?

No, neither the Medium Set ($23.25) nor the Large Set ($46.50) includes watercolor paint. Both bundles provide empty pans that you fill yourself using tube watercolors or compatible pan paints. 

Can you use full pans in the Portable Painter Micro?

Yes, the Portable Painter Micro is compatible with full pans in addition to the standard half-pans that come with the bundles. The Large Set ($46.50) includes an additional pack that contains three full pans alongside six half-pans, confirming that the system is designed to accommodate both pan sizes.

Is the Portable Painter Micro worth it for beginners?

The Portable Painter Micro is not the most straightforward starting point for beginners. Neither bundle includes paint, so a new artist would need to research, purchase, and fill their own watercolor paints before the palette becomes usable. That extra step requires some prior knowledge of watercolor supplies that most beginners do not yet have.

What supplies do beginners need for watercolor?

A beginner watercolor setup typically needs a few core items: watercolor paints (pan or tube), a mixing palette or surface, watercolor-compatible paper, at least one brush, and a water source. Optional but helpful additions include a wristband to keep your hand dry, a clip to hold your paper in place, and a storage or carrying solution if you plan to paint away from home. A digital guide or instruction resource can also help new painters develop technique faster and avoid common early mistakes.

Does Tobio's Watercolor Kit include a palette?

Yes, Tobio's Watercolor Kit includes a walnut wood palette for mixing colors. The full Tobio’s Watercolor Kit also includes 12 pigments, a cotton paper sketchbook, an absorbent wristband, a travel brush, a metal clip, and a digital guide. 

*Disclaimer: Tobio's Kits watercolor supplies are designed for ages 6 and above. As with all art materials, paints are not food-safe and should be kept away from the mouth. Best suited for beginner-to-intermediate painters. Visit Tobio's Kits to explore our full range of art kits and find the right set for you.