Key Takeaways
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Tobio's Watercolor Kit costs $36 and includes paints, paper, a palette, and a brush in one box, while Cotman ($38.49) and MeiLiang ($25.99) include paint and a brush but no paper.
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Tobio's kit adds a 60-page 300gsm cotton sketchbook and a walnut palette; Cotman includes 12 half pans plus a travel brush, and MeiLiang includes 36 pans plus one brush.
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Tobio’s kit scores 4.76 out of 5 from 7,058 reviews, praised for portability and quick setup. MeiLiang holds 4.7 from 10,400+ ratings praising color range and value. Cotman sits at 4.9 from 28 reviews praising pigment quality.
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Completing the setup shifts the math, since a Cotman buyer adds paper from $12.39 and a MeiLiang buyer adds a sketchbook from $7.99.
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Tobio's Kits sells complete watercolor kits for ages 6 and up, and pairs the portable kit with an optional 30-illustration Beginners Workbook add-on for guided practice.
The Difference Between Cotman, MeiLiang, & Tobio’s Watercolor Kits
These three sets sit within $13 of each other, but they answer different questions at the point of purchase. MeiLiang offers the most colors for the least money, Cotman carries Winsor & Newton’s name and student-grade pigment quality, and Tobio’s packs paint, paper, a palette, and a brush in one box. The tradeoff is always between color count, pigment reputation, and how much of the setup arrives ready to use.
That tradeoff matters most to someone buying their first set, because the decision isn’t just which paint performs best on paper. A 36-pan tin with no sketchbook and a standard brush still needs a water container and a surface to paint on. A 12-pan pocket set from a respected name still needs paper before it can produce anything. How much a buyer wants to assemble on their own shapes the choice more than any spec comparison does.
Restocking works differently across the three as well. Cotman sells individual half pans in 40 colors, so replacing a single spent shade is straightforward. Tobio’s sells 12-pan refill packs and extra sketchbooks through the same store. MeiLiang does not currently sell individual pan refills, which means frequently used colors eventually require replacing the full tin.
Tobio's Kits: Everything You Need to Start Painting, In One Box
Complete Starter Kit | Ages 6+ | No Art Experience Needed
Tobio's portable watercolor kit puts everything in one compact box (pans, paper, and a wooden palette) so you can start painting right away, whether you're at home or on the go. No separate shopping, no guesswork. Just open the box and paint.
✓ A truly portable all-in-one kit, not just the wooden palette (unlike cheaper lookalikes)
✓ Pre-sketched Beginner Workbook with 30 guided illustrations, so no drawing required
✓ Curated supplies that work together, designed for beginners without the overwhelm
✓ Great for ages 6+ and thoughtful gift-givers who want to give something meaningful
Creativity should feel welcoming, not overwhelming.
Winsor & Newton Cotman vs MeiLiang vs Tobio's Watercolor Kit: Overview
What Is Tobio's Watercolor Kit?
The Tobio's Watercolor Kit is a pocket-sized set with student-grade paints, cotton paper, and a water brush in a flat-folding case. Designed for ages 6 and up, the kit is positioned as a complete first-session setup rather than a paint-only purchase.
What Is the Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Set?
The Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Set is Winsor & Newton's long-running travel format, a slim box of half pans with a thumb ring underneath and a lid that doubles as mixing space. Cotman is the brand's student watercolor range, positioned below its Professional line on pigment concentration and price.
What Is the MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set?
The MeiLiang Watercolor Pocket Set is a metal watercolor tin sold through Lightwish, most commonly in a 36-color version. The case opens flat so the lid becomes the mixing area, and a ring on the underside holds the tin steady in one hand while standing.
What Each Set Includes in the Box
Tobio’s Inclusions
Each kit includes a 12-pigment watercolor palette, a 60-page, 300gsm cotton paper sketchbook, a walnut wood palette, a travel water brush, an absorbent wristband, a metal art clip, and a digital guide. The paints come in tubes and are squeezed into the palette wells, so you can top up a single color without replacing the whole set.
Finished pages tear cleanly from the sketchbook, and the metal clip holds the palette against the book while you paint standing up. The 30-illustration Beginners Workbook is a separate product at $12.99 and drops in price when you add it to the kit at checkout.
Tobio's pocket-sized kit holds student-grade paints, cotton paper, and a self-watering brush in a case that closes flat.
Cotman Inclusions
The set includes 12 Cotman half pans and one travel brush, covering Lemon Yellow Hue, Cadmium Yellow Hue, Cadmium Red Pale Hue, Alizarin Crimson Hue, Ultramarine, Cerulean Blue Hue, Viridian Hue, Sap Green, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, and Chinese White.
Paper, a water carrier, and any written guidance sit outside the box. Buyers who want more in one purchase can choose the Cotman Complete Pocket Set, which adds four more pans, plus a pencil and a kneaded eraser, though it still omits paper.
The Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Set holds 12 half pans and one travel brush, with paper and water carrier sold separately. (Image source: Winsor & Newton)
MeiLiang Inclusions
The tin holds 36 solid pans, one watercolor brush, a swatch card, and a color chart, with the flip lid acting as the palette. Paper isn't included, and the brush is a standard synthetic rather than a water-fed travel brush, so outdoor sessions require a separate water container. Lightwish sells paper separately, including a 20-sheet, 100% cotton 300gsm sketchbook.
The MeiLiang tin holds 36 solid pans, a brush, swatch card, and color chart, with paper sold separately. (Image source: MeiLiang)
How Price Changes Once You Add Paper and Brushes
Tobio’s Price
The kit is $36 on tobioskits.com, down from a listed value of $80, and every order includes a 60-day money-back guarantee. Because the paper, palette, and brush are included, the price covers the full cost of getting started.
For desk painting instead of on the go, Tobio's 50 Watercolor Paint Set costs $34 and includes 50 colors, a fineliner, and an illustrated guide; it also pairs with the portable kit for anyone who wants a wider palette at home.
Cotman Price
The Sketchers' Pocket Set is $38.49 on winsornewton.com, and the Complete Pocket Set with 16 pans is $71.49. Winsor & Newton's 300gsm watercolor pads start at $12.39, putting a first-time buyer at roughly $51 for pigment and paper together, before adding a water container for painting on the go.
MeiLiang Price
The pocket set is $25.99 on lightwish.com, down from $32.99, making it the cheapest entry point of the three and, by a wide margin, the lowest cost per color. Adding the cotton sketchbook at $7.99 brings the working total to around $34, close to the other two sets once paper is included.
What Buyers Say About Each Set
Tobio’s Reviews
The kit holds a 4.76 out of 5 rating across more than 7,000 verified reviews on tobioskits.com. Reviewers consistently praise its portability, compact case, quick setup, and beginner-friendly design. Many also describe it as a strong gift option because it includes enough to start painting immediately without buying extra supplies.
Travel use comes up often, with buyers mentioning flights, long journeys, and outdoor sessions. Some couples also describe using the kit together as a recurring activity. Reviewers who pair it with the guided workbook say it gives first-time painters a clearer starting point.
Tobio’s watercolor kit reviews praise portability, easy setup, beginner-friendly design, and suitability as a gift.
Cotman Reviews
Winsor & Newton rates the set 4.9 out of 5 based on 28 reviews on winsornewton.com. Reviewers consistently praise the color vibrancy, portability, and overall paint quality; beginners often describe it as a strong first watercolor set, and outdoor users appreciate the compact palette.
Criticism focuses mainly on the included travel brush, which some reviewers say doesn't consistently hold a fine point. A few more experienced users also note that the Cotman paints are less heavily pigmented than Winsor & Newton’s Professional range.
Winsor & Newton reviews praise vibrant, portable paints but criticize the included travel brush and lighter pigmentation. (Image source: Winsor & Newton)
MeiLiang Reviews
The 36-color set has a 4.7-out-of-5 rating from more than 10,400 Amazon reviews, with buyers often praising the wide color range, strong pigment for the price, and solid value for beginners.
Complaints focus on consistency and replaceability. Some reviewers report unevenly filled pans, chalkier results from certain colors, and paint lifting with the protective wrapping. Others note that the set doesn't sell individual color refills, so frequently used shades eventually require replacing the full set.
Watercolor set reviews praise vibrant colors and value but note uneven pans, chalkiness, and no individual refills. (Image source: Amazon)
Winsor & Newton Cotman vs MeiLiang vs Tobio's Watercolor Kit: Comparison Table
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Factors |
Tobio's Watercolor Kit |
Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Set |
MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set (36 Colors) |
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Price |
$36 |
$38.49 |
$25.99 |
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Colors |
12 pigments in tubes |
12 half pans |
36 solid pans |
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Brush |
Travel water brush (self-feeding) |
Travel brush |
Standard synthetic brush |
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Paper |
60-page, 300gsm cotton sketchbook |
Not included |
Not included |
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Palette |
Walnut wood palette |
Lid mixing area |
Flip-lid metal palette |
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Extras |
Wristband, metal art clip, digital guide |
None (pencil and eraser come with the 16-pan Complete set). |
Swatch card, color chart |
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Review score |
4.76/5 (7,000+ reviews) |
4.9/5 (28 reviews) |
4.7/5 (10,400+ ratings) |
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Ready to paint on arrival |
Yes |
No |
No |
Start Painting with Tobio’s Kits
Each set earns its reviews for a different reason: MeiLiang for color count and value, Cotman for pigment quality from an established brand, and Tobio’s for a complete setup that paints on arrival. The right choice depends on whether you need paint alone or everything you need for a first session.
At Tobio’s Kits, we built the portable kit for painters who want one purchase that works at a kitchen table or on a train seat, with cotton paper and a water brush already in the case. Every order ships with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Shop the Tobio’s Watercolor Kit and start painting the day it arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Winsor & Newton Cotman a student or professional range?
Cotman is Winsor & Newton's student watercolor line, sitting below its Professional range on pigment concentration and price. The pigments are still fine art quality with strong tinting strength, which is one reason Cotman appears so often in recommendations for a first serious set.
How many watercolor colors does a beginner actually need?
Twelve is enough for most beginners, since watercolor mixing produces a broad range from a small palette. Larger sets of 36 or more save mixing time and suit painters who want ready-made shades, though they also make it harder to learn how two colors behave together on paper.
Can you take a watercolor set on a plane?
Solid pans don’t count as liquids, so they can usually go in carry-on bags. Paint tubes are treated as pastes and generally need to fit within the carry-on liquids allowance, so check your airline’s rules before you fly. A travel water brush also travels more easily than an open jar, since it holds a small amount of water in the handle
Is the Tobio's Kits Beginners Workbook worth adding to the kit?
The Tobio's Kits Beginners Workbook includes 30 lightly pre-sketched illustrations, so sessions can start without drawing anything first, and the outlines build water control and layering through repetition. It bundles with the Watercolor Kit at checkout for anyone who wants guided pages alongside the blank sketchbook.
*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.