Handcrafted
Artisanal
watercolour paints

Rare pigments. Handmade ceramics. Small batches poured with intention in Northern New South Wales.

Some paints you use, these are the ones you fall in love with

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Meet the Founder

I’M MARLENA, AN ARIST AND PAINT MAKER FROM NSW AUSTRALIA. OBSESSED WITH LIVING A CREATIVE LIFE, I SET OUT TO STAY HOME WITH MY GROWING FAMILY WHILST PURSUING MY PASSION FOR WATERCOLOURS AND SPREADING CREATIVITY LIKE FIRE.

READ MY STORY

Show me how to use them

Latest verified Reviews

“My first Ruco set. A great mix of colours, a couple with shimmer properties that I love. No need to activate prior to painting and you don't need too much as the pigment is so strong and bold. A little tin of joy to play with.”

★★★★★

Rebecca h - mindful play set

“Devine ….. did I mention devine? The packaging tin through to the paint. Nothing but Devine.”

★★★★★

tracy p - golden glow

“I absolutely love my very first order from Ruco Paints. The mystery pack was especially fun. Everything, the quality paints, the cute ceramic pots, the free tin, the upgrade to a larger size of one of the colours, the packaging, the service and the personal thank you card all made for a very special experience with Ruco Paints.”

★★★★★

ann maree - lucky dip

Fresh from the studio

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New Arrivals

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Fresh from the studio ⏾ New Arrivals ⏾

Creative Watercolour Community

The Ruco Residents Monthly paint club!

300+ artists are already inside. Here's what they're getting:

Every month, a new handmade watercolour paint made from a rare or extraordinary pigment — researched, crafted in the studio, and exclusive to the Ruco Residents. In 2026 we're exploring remarkable pigments from around the world together, one colour, one story, and one paint with me experience at a time!

Not ready to commit? Start for free. Every month I share a behind-the-scenes video of the exclusive colour being made in the studio — watch the pigment come to life before deciding if you want it in your hands.

From $15/month, here's what the paid tiers include:

✦ Ruco Supporter — $15/month A sample dot pan of the monthly exclusive colour, behind-the-scenes studio updates, select blog posts, and a seat in the community chat. The perfect way to stay connected to the studio and get a taste of each new colour as it's born.

✦ Ruco Enthusiast — $30/month Everything above, plus a full mini ceramic pan of the monthly colour — handcrafted pot and yours to keep painting with. Richer bonus content and early access to new drops and sales before they open to the public.

✦ Ruco Ultimate — $50/month Everything above, plus a full standard ceramic pan, exclusive discount codes, and a genuine voice shaping the community. Request colours, vote in polls, and help shape what comes out of the studio next.

Australians receive their colour monthly · International members every 2 months · USA members every 3 months, so shipping and tariff costs are fully covered for you!

→ Come and paint with us

✷ iOS users save 30% by joining via Safari instead of the App Store — sign up through your browser, then log into the Patreon app as normal. Your price locks in at the lower rate. ✷

join over 300 artists and come play!

FAQ
Frequently Asked

  • In terms of difficulty, all our colours are suitable for beginners. They all activate easy and flow on the paper smoothly.

    So then, it really depends on your vibe! Do you like shimmers? Then ‘Golden Glow’ or ‘Rainbow Alchemist’ would be great for you! Do you love natural earths? Then any of our wonderful Earth and Mineral options would suit!

    Do you want something super versatile that you can paint a wide range of subjects and mix your own hues with? Try one of our mixing set options! Do you want to be inspired by a curated palette designed exclusively for Ruco? Celestial, Tropicana or Wildflower would be perfect.

    If you feel you would like more guidance feel free to send me an email and we can discuss your personal preferences! hello@rucopaints.com

  • Honestly, a lot further than you may think! The paint pots may look small if you are unfamiliar with watercolour painting but they’re in reality alot more generous than many mass produced watercolours. It does depend a little on the style of painting you do. For example, if you use a larger brush and you want to paint large areas with a saturated layer, you’ll use your pans faster than if you are painting florals or landscapes or still life in a journal. I recently conducted a test, and one of our average sample dots we gift for free with orders, painted more than 3x A3 pages of watercolour paper which gives you an idea of how far they can go.

  • I have a massive archive of tutorials, blog posts and other guidance on Patreon which you get full and immediate access to once you join. I also have The Art of Watercolour eBook here, which runs you through everything you need to know as a budding creative!!

  • Absolutely! We pride ourselves on being circular and we love it when you send us and email and organise to ship your empty paint pots back to us. While we cannot always fill it with the same colour you had before (with limited edition or archived colours for example) we are always happy to find a colour you love and send them back to you ready to create once again.

  • All our pigments are high quality. Most of them are lightfast to an artist grade and all our mica is ethically sourced to the best of our ability. We have a passion for natural pigments, and source within Australia where possible from other small business.  

  • We sell our colours in two main sizes, which we have called standard and mini. In our descriptions we compare them to a standard plastic half pan and a plastic mini pan. They are in reality much more generous, with many of our mini pans comparable in size to a half pan and some of the standard pans are closer to a full pan. Every single pan is hand built, so while we aim for consistency there is variation and that is part of the magic. You can always see approximate sizing compared to my hand in at least one of the product photos and a visual guide in our instagram FAQ.

  • Preordering is only offered for my paid Patreon members as a perk of their support!

  • You can always send me an email to hello@rucopaints.com to chat about custom creations!

  • No, we don’t use any animal products. It’s entirely natural, chemical free and made fresh every couple of weeks. 

  • Yes, we ship worldwide! Permitting local laws and regulations.

  • Yes our watercolours are all non-toxic and chemical free.

  • Yes, we do our best to have recycled and recyclable/compostable packaging across the board. The only time plastic packaging is used is if it is reclaimed and saved from landfill.

Verified
Testimonials

  • “I absolutely love the paints from Marlena at Ruco. They’re beautiful to paint with, smooth and very pigmented when they should be. I love how circular they are in all aspects. As another small circular brand, it really makes the whole experience of learning to create art such a pleasure. I couldn’t wish for more beautiful paints to create with.”

    — KORT

    ★★★★★

  • “Am just delighted, these colours are all so earthy and natural and your really beautifully crafted timber box. All of the time you’ve taken and these really beautiful extra watercolours, what lovely accompanying tones you’ve generously added! Thank you, thank you, thank you, its all just so very special…made with so much love. Thank you again Marlena.”

    — LIZA

    ★★★★★

  • “Hi Marlena! I just wanted to say thank you for my parcel today. I received my first every Ruco Paints and couldn’t be happier. Beautifully packaged, pigments are out of this world. I have to say, your paints are so so delicate and high quality. The illuminate I got is perfection. The shimmer is amazing in varying light values, so so beautiful. Will need to get my hands on more one day!”

    — LU

    ★★★★★

  • “I really like the texture that’s created with these colours and I love the greens a lot!”

    — NASSYBAH

    ★★★★★

  • “Thank you for your wonderful service and beautiful paints. The colours are vibrant and reflect Gaia at her best.”

    — JUDE

    ★★★★★

  • “Your paints are such a dream to use, you can feel the love thats gone into them thats for sure.”

    — MADDISON

    ★★★★★

  • “I can say with confidence that the paints are just wonderful; rich in pigment and smooth to work with. My favourites so far are the browns and greens and I’m eager to use these paints more.”

    — FANNY

    ★★★★★

  • “Just wanted to quickly message and say how much I love the paints I ordered recently!! I was unsure how high a quality they would be compared to the mass produced ones I currently use (winsor and newton pans) but I need not have worried. So so insanely happy with them and cant wait to nab some more!”

    — SHANNA

    ★★★★★

  • “What’s not to love? These paints tick all the boxes. Ethical, environmental, local, vegan, lightfast and a high quality paint that is worth the cost! I love the way they mix and flow. I’ve been using mine for a few months and won’t go back to mass produced big brands. Highly recommend.”

    — NATALIE

    ★★★★★

  • “I received a beautiful red and two luscious golds from Ruco paints, and can honestly say that I will be back for more very soon. Dreamy and creamy, and so lovely in their little handmade paints. Such a treat.”

    — MIM

    ★★★★★

  • “Your pieces are absolutely gorgeous and I had so many people respond about how beautiful they were when I shared snippets on my stories.”

    — JEMMA

    ★★★★★

  • “I received your package on Saturday and everything felt so precious, so many little details -I can feel all the love you have put into all of this, and it really warmed my heart. The paints are amazing, (sooooooo pigmented! they are truely gorgeous). I even fell in love with the vintage tin, what a precious treasure. Everything is just so special and magical.”

    — CECILE

    ★★★★★

  • “I received my first purchase form Ruco and fell in love with everything about it! The paints themselves are smooth, highly pigmented and each individual paint has such a unique character and texture - I love that it is not only a creative practice but a learning experience experimenting with the paints. I also love everything about Marlena’s business; ethical, handmade, sustainable, and intentional and you can see that with the amount of love and care she puts into everything! Marlena has also been so generous, kind and helpful - I am so grateful to be able to support such a wonderful local business!”

    — WENDY

    ★★★★★

  • "I've always been hesitant to try handmade watercolours, preferring to stick with well known brands who are known for quality, worried that I would spend alot of money to be disappointed. Ruco is the first handmade brand I have tried and I am in love! The quaitly is better than any art store bought paints I own and I get so much JOY out of using them in their ceramic dishes and all the beautiful details you've added. I will definetly be adding more to my collection soon!

    — GABRIELLE

    ★★★★★

  • "Well I am just so happy right now ☺️. I bought these paints for my daughter Chloe for her birthday, and when I opened the ‘lucky dip’ package to wrap them up, I had to resist the temptation to try them for myself. We are both learning water colour Art 🖼️ together, but before receiving this gift she wasn’t as confident or bold with her painting until she tried your beautiful Ruco paints. Thanks for producing such lovely fluid rich colours and they are simply the cutest packaged paints ever, we are both hooked and hope to become regular customers forever!"

    — Tina

    ★★★★★

  • "Ruco Paints are by far the best quality paints I've used. They are just so beautiful to work with and stunning colours. They are very unique and little treasures that spark creativity! Could not recommend enough!"

    — Jenni

    ★★★★★

  • "Stunning paints, so beautiful to use and the colours are so vibrant. Amazing customer service. I love Ruco Paints!"

    — Jackie

    ★★★★★

  • "I was given my first box of Ruco paints for my birthday last year, best paints ever and I keep topping them up with new colours. Thank you and happy birthday. I'm delighted that you bring such colour to the world."

    — Anne

    ★★★★★

  • "I Love Ruco paints. The quality and everything about the brand is amazing. I love how easy the watercolor rewets and how smooth it feels. Highly recommend."

    — Cherry

    ★★★★★

  • "So grateful to have found you, amazing products, incredible attention to detail, and the most beautiful customer service, it is an absolute joy to buy and use Ruco paints!"

    — Jen

    ★★★★★

  • "Ruco watercolours are luscious and highly pigmented. A joy to use as they glide onto the paper. They are true artists paints from the tactile little pots, through to the sustainable packaging."

    — Ann-Maree

    ★★★★★

  • "These stunning sets inspired me to study watercolor painting! They are highly pigmented and seriously magical. My heart soars whenever the Ruco name appears in my inbox, as I know I’m in for something delightful. Creativity in service to creativity!"

    — Lorraine

    ★★★★★

  • "I brought a paint brush holder, a ceramic pallet and the shimmer set. I absolutely love these so much. I finish all my art works off with a brush of shimmer ❤️"

    — Bec

    ★★★★★

  • "Everything in my bundle was perfect! My crystal brush holder that I swear charges my creativity, my earth and Mineral collection makes me feel so grounded when I use it and the colours are just otherworldly. This was the single best investment in myself ever. Thank you for your heART."

    — Rebekah

    ★★★★★

  • "I absolutely adore the Ruco watercolours! So smooth to paint with and amazing colours. The shimmer pots are to die for! Love their ceramic paint pallet too, perfect amount of mixing space! Definitely recommend!!!"

    — Lily

    ★★★★★

  • "The most vibrant watercolours I have ever used! I especially love the glitter colours, they are so nice to paint with and look amazing!"

    — Chloe

    ★★★★★

  • "The texture of the Gaia collection is unmatched. I've never painted with anything like it. The customer service was fantastic, thank you for my gift of Thunder, it's so special. This definitely won't be my last purchase ✨"

    — Becky

    ★★★★★

  • "I’ve just started using Ruco watercolours for my crafting fun and wow! Not only are the colours gorgeously unique and lush, they’re SO vivid! I find I can create all kinds of effects with them too, more often than not, quite by accident as I’m still learning. It feels a real treat to get my Ruco dot cards and little tin out for a painting session! 🌻"

    — Jen

    ★★★★★

  • "There is something absolutely magical about these paints. Not just that quality-wise they are beautiful, but they have such a precious and grounded energy to them. I have had so many experiences whilst painting with them where my creativity becomes inspired by the paints themselves, either the combination of colours that Marlena has hand selected, or the way they move and behave on the page. I wouldn’t be the artist today without these paints."

    — Becca

    ★★★★★

  • "I bought the Gaia set of paints and I absolutely love them! They are so easy to work with and are such beautiful colours! They are precious little treasures and I’m having so much fun using them!"

    — Claire

    ★★★★★

  • "I have been taught to paint with a limited palette but when I saw the range and effects at Ruco I had to give them a try. I love the payload of some colours and the luminosity and effects from other colours. They provide a nice lift to my paintings."

    — Kim

    ★★★★★

  • "I am in love with Ruco paints! The texture, the colors, the quality of the product make it unique and so precious… I can tell it is made out of passion!"

    — Celine

    ★★★★★

  • "I tried these paints as an environmentally conscious option for calligraphy, when I first used them I couldn’t contain my excitement. They are stunning, in colour, in texture, in their ability to customise a consistency to suit your needs. If the quality of the paint wasn’t already great enough, the fact they are handcrafted with love just adds the final touch. It’s safe to say these will be my first choice moving forward."

    — Alex

    ★★★★★

  • "Absolutely love the quality of the paints and the cute little containers. Also recommend the workshop. It was very relaxing"

    — Amy

    ★★★★★

  • "I have been a huge supporter and lover of Ruco paints since the first release, and I’ll be here for every new one! I am in love with the quality, the vegan components, and the care that clearly goes into every pan. Couldn’t love these more."

    — Shanna

    ★★★★★

  • " I am a returning customer and fell in love with RuCo paints after my first purchase! I had never used paints like this before and it is so special to use them - they add so much character, texture and depth to my artwork. I have gotten to try special pigments such as Malachite and Lapis Lazuli and it has been a joy to get to know each paint and find ways to bring out their character in my paintings. I have such a large collection and I will definitely be coming back for more! Marlena is also so supportive, kind and generous and will go out of her way to help you. Thank you, Marlena ❤"

    — Wendy

    ★★★★★

  • "Luscious paints handmade with love and presented beautifully. Each colour palette is delightful to explore and inspires creativity."

    — Sandi

    ★★★★★

  • "With delight my suggested name was used for nightshade. So a favourite I love that I can take my tin of paints anywhere. And I do as we travel. It’s a delight to wet that little pot and see the colour spread and take on its own life across the page Happy birthday Ruco x"

    — Annaterese

    ★★★★★

  • "The quality of these hand made creations are exquisite. I can feel the magic in each offering of unique colour. The shimmers are so dreamy and inspirational for creativity. I’m in love!"

    — Sherron

    ★★★★★

  • "Happy first birthday what joy and colour you bring to the world with your delicious colours."

    — Ann

    ★★★★★

  • "These paints are spectacular. The colours and textures are unmatched. Well worth the investment ♥️"

    — Georgia

    ★★★★★

  • "Such gorgeous colours and the ceramic palette is so pretty and functional!! I can see the handmade love in the products. I have started using my palette and colour and loving it all so much. Thank you for creating all that you do!!"

    — Avantika

    ★★★★★

  • "These paints are so gorgeous! I have a lot of more commercial watercolour paints, but the colours in these ones are so rich, and they are so smooth, I absolutely love painting with them. The handcrafted nature and ceramic pans make them extra special. I will be back soon to add to my collection."

    — Bec

    ★★★★★

  • "Is there anything more magic than Ruco's handmade artisanal watercolours to paint with? Slow made, beyond sustainable, ethically sourced and crafted, and supports a beautiful woman and her family in the process! You can feel and see the love in every one of her creations. It's thanks to women like Marlena, who are truly revolutionising the awareness of how we can flow with nature's rhythms and cycles (rather than against!), supporting the future of the earth and all who inhabit it! Thank you for everything you do for generations to come!"

    — Ella

    ★★★★★

  • "What initially attracted me to Ruco paints is the attention to detail and the quality and intention of everything, from the beautiful wooden boxes to the gorgeous ceramic pans and of course the paints (OMG the paints!). These watercolours are pure magic and the quality is exquisite. When I paint with them they feel alive and magical and I can do things with these colours that are not possible with cheap paints. So even if (like me) you have to save up for these paints it is well worth it. I will be back!"

    — Monika

    ★★★★★

  • "I ordered 4 random colours while I was on holidays outside of the country. It was a great surprise when they arrived. I absolutely love the little ceramic pots they came in and the strength of the colour is superb. I highly recommend these paints."

    — Sharon

    ★★★★★

  • "I absolutely adore my shimmer paints from you. There is one I use all the time it’s my favourite. Thank you for creating such magical paints xx"

    — Bec

    ★★★★★

  • "I received one of the ceramic water pots and paint mixing trays as gifts and absolutely love them. I really love to support hand made products and these were really stunning gifts that I treasure and each piece is unique. I also then purchased one of the large paint sets and a brush and love them!!! The colors stand apart from the store bought mass produced ones. They really are precious and pigment is top notch! Thankyou! Will definitely buy again."

    — Donna

    ★★★★★

  • "Extraordinary watercolor paints! The colors, the shimmers and the way they come alive on the paper is beautiful. I love ruco paints, it really lifted my creativity to another level. It makes painting so much more special and you can feel the attention and love thats poured into those products. I can’t buy other paint than Ruco paint anymore🤍"

    — Britt

    ★★★★★

  • "I love every single colour and set I have brought. It's so hard to pick a favourite. I love how everything is handmade and that you are a supporting a small Aussie business."

    — Emily

    ★★★★★

  • "I can’t find the words to describe how incredible the watercolour paints created by Marlena are. I truly feel the labour of love that goes into producing this but to create it so perfectly as well !!! The flow, the quality of pigment, the colour variety, THE SHIMMER, oh the shimmer how it falls back and forth on the page when it’s first applied, mesmerises me. I feel immense love from the moment I open a package from Ruco and when I use this magical sorcery. I know you will to so treat yourself, trust me it’s worth it. Let the magic flow, thank you Marlena ❤️"

    — Kristen

    ★★★★★

  • "The detail and love that is poured into these products is amazing! I got the mushroom fairy pots.. and I cannot wait to play with them.. they are so special!! I’ve been following Ruco paints for a while and seeing the incredible colours and quality from others I finally caved and got some of my own!"

    — Chloe

    ★★★★★

  • "The love and care that goes in to the making of these exquisite paints is evident in their quality. Each little pot is a work of art in itself. The service is beyond amazing with each package wrapped lovingly often including a cute sticker and bonus paint dots. Just a beautiful heart led little biz to support."

    — Georgi

    ★★★★★

  • "Love all my Ruco Paints. They've levelled up my paintings and are so diverse in colours. Also feels so good to support local. Thank you! Highly recommend."

    — Gabriella

    ★★★★★

  • "Beautiful paints, presented so lovingly. My colour palette is so inspiring, igniting my creativity. Thank you so much Marlena x"

    - Barb

    ★★★★★

  • "To paint with these handmade watercolours is an absolute joy. The richness of pigment, the surprise of granulation effects, the variety of colours, the handmade individual ceramic pots... I cannot express enough how these little jewels delight. Marlena's dedication to, and love of her craft comes through with each individual pot of colour. The soul work that you put into the watercolour continues its journey onto the page of this artist. Thank you for inspiring me on my path back to my first true love, painting."

    - Joanna

    ★★★★★

  • "I have been slowly adding to my collection of Ruco paints and really enjoy learning about all of the colours. The shy shimmery effect of some; the deep tinting of others; or the blends that offer another unexpected colour. The golds are a bonus. They add to my journey of discovery as I explore our world. And I know there are no nasties in these paints."

    - Trudie

    ★★★★★

  • "I won't use anything else now! Obsessed."

    - Marsha

    ★★★★★

  • "I just wanted to say thank you for the beautiful products you provide to the world. I discovered your page at a time in my life when everything felt dark. As I have used your paints in my own version of art therapy, they have bought my mind the calm and colour that it very much needed. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, as I continue to paint my way out of this darkness. Your work matters and may this new adventure you're going on be as beautiful and fulfilling as the last.

    - Rebecca

    ★★★★★

  • "Thank you for creating such an amazing and authentic brand that speaks to so many people. You touch lives with a ripple effect you probably have no idea about. I have enjoyed the gift of creating with you unique, high quality and beautiful handmade paints."

    - Elle

    ★★★★★

Connect with us on Instagram

Which one do you think? A. Pretty in pink B. Earth and mineral C. Sunset dreams D. Golden glow @laura.fierce would like them all but I’m going to say sunset dreams I think??
All this moon shaped celestial magic is online now and I am DYING to see how you use it ✨limited edition, small handcrafted batches in collaboration with fellow artist @clayhead.au I don’t wanna toot my own horn, but the Ruco shimmers are nex