The artist box set invention designed for on-the-go art

Introduction

For a long time, artists have chosen watercolour for quick studies and sketches when on the move. Winsor & Newton’s archive houses water-bottle box sets and miniature watercolour palettes invented between around 1910 and 1940. These sets tell a story of how Winsor & Newton tried to ensure every type of artist had the perfect portable companion for their creative journey.

The larger box allowed for bigger cakes and a bigger palette for mixing. It features the names of the colours, water reservoirs and space for mixing. On the other hand, smaller boxes prioritised a compact size and wider colour range. These miniature circular tins fit perfectly in a pocket, and were ideal for spontaneous artist on the go.

These boxes show that Winsor & Newton’s focus wasn’t purely on pigment, but also refining the ways in which artists work. Like creating the perfect portable vessel for every individual.