Western artists began using watercolor in the 1400's; they had to create, prepare, and grind their own paints. By the 18th century paint maunfacturers were being set up in major European cities. At first water colors were made in hard blocks and would have to be broken down and ground up in water. Later on, glycerine-softened fromula moist cakes of watercolor were created and became easily accessible. There are now many different watercolor manufacturers and the tools are very easy to find and buy for anyone interested it trying watercolor.