
This
little box of watercolors is no bigger than 5" x 6" and is extremely
handy if you’re a must-make-something-at-all-times kind of person like
I am. (My soda should give you some idea how small it is – I threw
that in there for scale). This tool is easy to grab & ready to go,
whether to Granny’s house, on a family vacation, or on a business
trip. And I really enjoy painting from watercolor pans (those
rectangular cubes of color).
Sometimes I just want to get to it & paint, without having to fuss with lids every time I need a new color.

It’s
been a while since I’ve done much with watercolors or shown you any of
my watercolor work, but this is still one of my favorite little things
to have around.
This set is by Windsor Newton and is called "Cotman WaterColours:
The Compact Set." I think they’re available at Michael’s. And here
are a couple of online stores that sell them as well: CheapJoes, FineArtStore, & KenBromley(UK).

I have one of these wee little sets, too. And you’re right, just the thing to take any-which-where; mine most recently went with me to London! So much fun.
What a wonderful little set – I know my lil Lady would think that it was pretty magical too!
I have it. The same. Always with me, even for little walks 🙂
Looks like it would fit in a backpack when hiking! Cool!
Well isn’t that too cute 🙂
Hope it was a good weekend!
April
I have one too – love it!
Melissa
WOW! I just found your page and I have never felt more inspired. Keep rocking.
I keep mine in a little Jansport cordoroy backpack along with a small sketchbook and a pencil. I grab it as I go kayaking. It’s just a *bit* cheaper (total exaggeration) than my Nikon, although it’s not quite as good at capturing the things I see (entirely because of me).
I couldn’t find little watercolor sets at my Michaels, but did find several types at Hobby Lobby.
Heather, WOW! The cover and article in ME’s Home Companion was FaNtAStiC!!!!! I’m so excited to be able to hear you next weekend in Chicago (and I’m excited that I’m going to be able to “pitch my product” to the editors while I’m there). Your creativity is an inspiration!
Carol
What a neat little paint set. So much simpler than getting out the palette, tubes, and toxic chemicals (I use oils). Thanks for sharing!
You are so talented!! Just reading your blog makes me a more creative person (sadly) but who knows, one day I might break out and start colouring outside the lines!
I have a field kit just like that! When one of the pans becomes empty or you don’t like one of the cakes (which I didn’t-not quite my palette), you can simply squeeze some tube w/c in the little pan and let it dry and voila! ready to go again. Michael’s and AC Moore sells them and you can frequently get a 40-50% coupon off of one item each week so the cost ends up being well under $15, A neat compact set.
I have a field kit just like that! When one of the pans becomes empty or you don’t like one of the cakes (which I didn’t-not quite my palette), you can simply squeeze some tube w/c in the little pan and let it dry and voila! ready to go again. Michael’s and AC Moore sells them and you can frequently get a 40-50% coupon off of one item each week so the cost ends up being well under $15, A neat compact set.
What a gorgeous water colour set. I would be tempted to take it everywhere too… if I could paint as well as you do! Love your blog.
Hi Heather – I popped in awhile back to say “hi from an old ward member in Canyon Country.’ You asked me to come back with a pic – it should show up in my blog or e-mail. You continue to impress.
I have a soft spot for watercolors too. What a great idea to have a tiny set and pallet in one. ~jen~
haha…Fizzy Lizzy.
i love that you linked Cheap Joes. they are from up by Boone NC, and i remember once finding a “business card” from them on the ground. it was a yellow sponge printed with their logo and info on it, and you put it in water to make it puff up 😛 and i’m sure it had some catchy little pun on it.
I have that same tiny watercolor set, Heather. It is so easy to pop in my purse and carry off with me when I go a’venturing. What a shame that I’ve forgotten about it until you posted this. I need to get out more and savor the little moments.
i just got my ME home companion today. do you own that truck? how adorable!! it was a lovely spread, but what’s up with the advertisements being mixed in the whole thing? i wrote and complained. i thought that was stinky. your layout deserved better than that. and i hate to sound like a debbie downer, but they just needed to know that something like that makes readers unhappy, you know?
I am SO impressed that you manage to take paints with you!!! Mine bag usually has an empty box of wipes, my wallet and stale ‘O’s at the bottom…I LOVE how compact this set is!!
I have one of these sets too. I should dig it out and put it to use. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
I just got the new ME (delivered on my birthday-yea~) And I have to say that in all the years of reading this awesome magazine, I have never seen so many pages dedicated to one person or artist. not even Mary herself! So proud of you…Enjoying your success vicariously as it is my fantasy to have something in that mag. Love your work~
Anna
Echoing all the comments above, I enjoyed the article in Home Companion on you. Your blog is truly one of my favorite ones and never lets me down with the eye candy factor. You are one talented lady, and your children are so adorable!!!
How charming. It’s the perfect stocking-stuffer size, too. I love it and want one! Thank you for the heads up. Now where can I get some of that cola? I don’t even like cola (except Dr. Pepper and Fanta) but that can has entranced me…
Chiming in with my congrats on the article as well…I saw the magazine from a distance at the grocery store and immediately knew it was you…can’t miss those lovely colors and fabrics. Still oohing and aahing at the details and all of your creativity!
xox
suzanne
Saw your write-up in Creating Keepsakes magazine…love your fabric and can’t wait to see your paper art line!
J
what a fantastic idea to have the paints on hand. Thanks for the idea.
What a handy thing to have! Now, if only I had a teeny-tiny sewing machine I could take with me on the run…
Dear Heather,
I just got my Home Companion and to my SUPRISE
I noticed this beautiful picture with some fabrics I recognized from having in my studio.
I Thought to myself these are Heather’s fabrics then Tada!!!There it was a full article on you, and plenty of Ideas Loved them all. Thank you for a great Article. Keep up the good work.
SO cute! I must get one!
Hello
I had one of these in art college, about 16 years ago and still have it somewhere….
I love your fabrics!
Totally off subject: I love Fizzy Lizzy 🙂
What a neat little paint set. So much simpler than getting out the palette, tubes, and toxic chemicals (I use oils). Thanks for sharing!
The two-part collapsible brush is the coolest thing of all! And the colors are really interesting and true.
I love looking at used mixing palettes..they’re like little pieces of art is progress 🙂
I love the Winsor & Newton Cotman sets, and enjoy painting with the pans much more than painting from tubes of paint.
I have two sets, and use them all the time, because they are so easy to pack in your luggage when you are on the road.