If you enjoyed using watercolor paints as a kid, there's a decent chance you'd love it just as much today if you had some higher-quality supplies to use. I've got just the recommendation for you: the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set, which happens to be a popular choice among beginner and professional artists alike.

This painting set is better than those dollar store versions for a number of reasons:

1. You get a bunch more colors to play with, allowing for greater experimentation and exploration as you discover your unique artistic style.
2. Those pigments are also of much higher quality, consistently delivering vibrant and transparent colors that hold up well over time.
3. Because of how the pigments are formulated, you'll find them quite smooth and satisfying to paint with, and easy to mix together when needed.

Whether you're a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of watercolor painting or an experienced artist seeking quality paints at an affordable price, the Cotman range of watercolor kits has something for everyone. You can buy various sizes of half-pan sets, tube palettes, and even pocket sets for painting on the go.