You’re searching for the right colors, seeking the perfect pigments, and wanting to master your craft—yet you’re unsure which Daniel Smith watercolors deserve space in your palette. Whether you’re a beginner building your foundation or an experienced painter refining your technique, you’ve likely wondered which paints professionals actually reach for. The answer lies in understanding what makes certain colors indispensable.
Quick Overview
- Moonglow combines Anthraquinoid Red, Ultramarine Blue, and Viridian for excellent lightfastness and transparency in shadows and skies.
- Quinacridone Gold offers versatile golden yellow with low staining and transparent properties ideal for glazing and mixing techniques.
- Cobalt Blue delivers distinctive reticulating effects that enhance mixing capabilities and are favored by professional artists for landscapes.
- Burnt Sienna Light enables layering darks while balancing vibrant colors with earthy tones, preferred by renowned artist Alvaro Castagnet.
- Daniel Smith offers over 240 watercolor shades with exclusive hues and premium pigment quality delivering superior mixing vibrancy and longevity.
| Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Tube Moonglow |
| Best for Specialized Effects | Product Type: Single tube watercolor | Tube Size: 5ml | Color Count: 1 color (Moonglow) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Set – Alvaro Castagnet 10 Tubes |
| Professional Artist’s Choice | Product Type: 10-tube artist set | Tube Size: 5ml | Color Count: 10 colors (curated selection) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Daniel Smith Watercolor Set 6 Tubes Primatek |
| Best Unique Minerals | Product Type: 6-tube mineral-based set | Tube Size: 5ml | Color Count: 6 mineral-based colors | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Secondary Watercolor Set (3-Pack) |
| Best for Color Mixing | Product Type: 3-tube secondary color set | Tube Size: 15ml | Color Count: 3 secondary colors | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint Tube Gold |
| Best Versatile Single | Product Type: Single tube watercolor | Tube Size: Not specified | Color Count: 1 color (Quinacridone Gold) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Daniel Smith Extra Fine Essentials Watercolor Set (6 Tubes) |
| Best for Beginners | Product Type: 6-tube essential set | Tube Size: 5ml | Color Count: 6 primary colors | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Daniel Smith Watercolor Essential Mixing Set (9 Pieces) |
| Best Complete Starter Kit | Product Type: 9-piece comprehensive kit | Tube Size: 5ml (plus additional items) | Color Count: 6 essential colors | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Tube Moonglow
If you’re seeking a versatile neutral that won’t overpower your palette, the Moonglow tube delivers exceptional performance. This unique blend combines Anthraquinoid Red, Ultramarine Blue, and Viridian to create sophisticated shadows and silhouettes. You’ll appreciate its excellent lightfastness and transparency, making it reliable for professional work. The granulating properties produce enchanting textures, especially when you apply salt. Moonglow’s low staining formula means you can layer confidently without muddying subsequent washes. Its neutral tinting ability works beautifully with almost any Daniel Smith color, making it an essential addition to your collection for creating atmospheric skies and dramatic sunset scenes.
- Product Type:Single tube watercolor
- Tube Size:5ml
- Color Count:1 color (Moonglow)
- Lightfastness Rating:Excellent
- Intended User Level:Intermediate to professional
- Special Features:Granulating, salt-reactive, neutral tinting
- Additional Feature:Reacts dramatically to salt
- Additional Feature:Neutral tinting with all colors
- Additional Feature:Granulating with low staining
DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Set – Alvaro Castagnet 10 Tubes
The DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Set – Alvaro Castagnet 10 Tubes represents the ideal choice for artists who value a curator’s expertise in color selection. Renowned artist Alvaro Castagnet personally selected these ten 5ml tubes to maximize your mixing capabilities and creative control. You’ll appreciate the Hansa Yellow Deep’s perfect mixing properties, the Mayan Orange’s intensity, and the Cobalt Blue’s reticulating effects. The set balances vibrant pigments like Deep Scarlet with earthy tones like Yellow Ochre, while Burnt Sienna Light excels at layering darks. Whether you’re professional or amateur, this curated collection delivers functionality and quality that DANIEL SMITH’s reputation promises.
- Product Type:10-tube artist set
- Tube Size:5ml
- Color Count:10 colors (curated selection)
- Lightfastness Rating:Excellent (implied across all pigments)
- Intended User Level:Professional (artist-endorsed)
- Special Features:Artist-curated, professional selection
- Additional Feature:Master artist personally curated
- Additional Feature:Creates reticulating effects in washes
- Additional Feature:Professional-grade pigment selection
Daniel Smith Watercolor Set 6 Tubes Primatek
Artists seeking to expand their palette with distinctive, mineral-based pigments will find Daniel Smith’s 6-tube PrimaTek set an excellent choice. You’ll receive five milliliters each of Rhodonite Genuine, Jadeite Genuine, Amethyst Genuine, Mayan Blue Genuine, Hematite Genuine, and Piemontite Genuine. These mineral-based formulations produce unique granulating effects and vibrant colors you won’t achieve with standard watercolors. The compact tubes make them ideal for plein air painting, while the paints flow beautifully and mix effortlessly with other colors. Whether you’re an experienced artist exploring new possibilities or seeking an exceptional gift, this set introduces you to Daniel Smith’s innovative approach to watercolor creation.
- Product Type:6-tube mineral-based set
- Tube Size:5ml
- Color Count:6 mineral-based colors
- Lightfastness Rating:Excellent (mineral-based pigments)
- Intended User Level:All levels
- Special Features:Mineral-based, unique granulation effects
- Additional Feature:Mineral-based semi-precious stones
- Additional Feature:Unique granulating effects
- Additional Feature:Convenient plein air size
DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Secondary Watercolor Set (3-Pack)
For students and newcomers to watercolor painting, DANIEL SMITH’s Extra Fine Secondary Watercolor Set (3-Pack) offers you three essential colors—Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Undersea Green, and Carbazole Violet—that’ll help you master color mixing fundamentals. Each tube contains 15ml of Extra Fine pigment formulated for excellent lightfastness. The Burnt Orange works transparently with low staining, while Undersea Green provides semi-transparent granulation for dynamic effects. Carbazole Violet delivers semi-transparent coverage without granulation. You’ll customize oranges, greens, and purples through mixing, building confidence in color theory. This focused palette eliminates overwhelming choices while delivering professional-quality results.
- Product Type:3-tube secondary color set
- Tube Size:15ml
- Color Count:3 secondary colors
- Lightfastness Rating:Excellent
- Intended User Level:Students and beginners
- Special Features:Color-mixing focused for customization
- Additional Feature:Larger 15ml tube sizes
- Additional Feature:Mix secondary color variations
- Additional Feature:Student-friendly color customization
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint Tube Gold
Quinacridone Gold delivers the versatility you’d want in a workhorse golden yellow, whether you’re replacing Raw Sienna in your palette or adding depth to complex mixtures. This pigment excels in glazing and mixing applications, offering you excellent lightfastness and transparency without excessive staining. You’ll appreciate its subtle granulation, which adds visual interest to your washes. The PO 48 PY150 formulation guarantees vivid clarity and intensity across your work. DANIEL SMITH’s Extra Fine quality assures professional-grade performance. As a low-staining transparent, Quinacridone Gold won’t overwhelm delicate layers, making it ideal for building luminous glazes and harmonious color combinations.
- Product Type:Single tube watercolor
- Tube Size:Not specified
- Color Count:1 color (Quinacridone Gold)
- Lightfastness Rating:Excellent
- Intended User Level:Intermediate to professional
- Special Features:High versatility, glazing capability
- Additional Feature:Replaces Raw Sienna pigment
- Additional Feature:Glazing and mixing capabilities
- Additional Feature:Vivid clarity and intensity
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Essentials Watercolor Set (6 Tubes)
The Daniel Smith Essentials Watercolor Set stands out as the best choice if you’re just starting your watercolor journey or need a compact plein air kit. You’ll get six 5ml tubes containing three cool primaries—Hansa Yellow Light, Quinacridone Rose, and Phthalo Blue (GS)—alongside three warm primaries: New Gamboge, Pyrrol Scarlet, and French Ultramarine. This balanced selection lets you mix virtually any secondary color you need. Whether you’re painting landscapes, portraits, or still lifes, you’ll develop essential color-mixing skills. The convenient size makes it perfect for painting outdoors or as a thoughtful gift for aspiring artists.
- Product Type:6-tube essential set
- Tube Size:5ml
- Color Count:6 primary colors
- Lightfastness Rating:Excellent (implied)
- Intended User Level:Beginners and professionals
- Special Features:Primary color mixing foundation
- Additional Feature:Six balanced primary colors
- Additional Feature:Mix wide secondary range
- Additional Feature:Plein air portable size
Daniel Smith Watercolor Essential Mixing Set (9 Pieces)
You’ll appreciate this set’s thorough approach to color mixing, which makes it ideal for artists who want to master foundational techniques without overwhelming themselves with excessive colors. The nine-piece package includes six essential watercolor tubes, titanium white ground, and a practical mixing guide. You’ll work with primary colors to create secondary hues, building skills applicable to landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. The included watercolor ground lets you expand beyond traditional paper, priming wood, metal, plastic, and cardboard for painting. Whether you’re beginning your watercolor journey or refining existing techniques, this set delivers everything you need for meaningful artistic exploration and development.
- Product Type:9-piece comprehensive kit
- Tube Size:5ml (plus additional items)
- Color Count:6 essential colors
- Lightfastness Rating:Excellent (implied)
- Intended User Level:Novice and experienced artists
- Special Features:Includes watercolor ground and mixing guide
- Additional Feature:Includes watercolor ground included
- Additional Feature:Titanium white for various surfaces
- Additional Feature:Bonus color mixing guide
Factors to Consider When Choosing Daniel Smith Watercolor Paints
When you’re selecting Daniel Smith watercolors, you’ll want to evaluate pigment quality and lightfastness to guarantee your paintings won’t fade over time. Consider the color range available, tube sizes that fit your needs, and how each paint’s transparency and granulation will affect your technique. Understanding staining properties is essential too, since some colors shift your paper permanently while others lift away cleanly.
Pigment Quality and Lightfastness
Selecting Daniel Smith watercolors means prioritizing pigment quality and lightfastness—two interconnected factors that directly impact your artwork’s longevity and visual appeal. You’ll want colors that mix vibrantly and maintain clarity, enabling you to achieve nuanced effects with confidence.
Daniel Smith’s commitment to ASTM D4236 standards guarantees their pigments resist fading over time. Look for ratings I (excellent) through III (fair) on the paint tubes—these classifications assure your finished pieces retain their original hues for decades.
Beyond durability, you’ll appreciate Daniel Smith’s use of transparent and granulating pigments. These characteristics add depth and visual complexity to your paintings, elevating your work’s sophistication. By choosing paints with superior pigment quality and proven lightfastness, you’re investing in artwork that endures both artistically and physically.
Color Range and Availability
Beyond pigment quality, the breadth of colors available dramatically shapes your creative possibilities. Daniel Smith offers over 240 watercolor shades, including exclusive hues you won’t find elsewhere. This extensive palette encompasses organic, mineral-based, and luminescent pigments, giving you genuine diversity for any artistic vision.
You’ll access both transparent and opaque options, enabling specific techniques and layering effects that match your style. Specialized mixes like Moonglow combine multiple pigments to create unique effects tailored to particular painting needs.
This abundance means you’re not limited by standard color ranges. Instead, you can explore unconventional palettes and experiment freely without compromise. Whether you’re developing signature work or tackling specialized projects, Daniel Smith’s availability guarantees you’ll find exactly what you need.
Tube Size and Portability
Because your painting environment and frequency of use vary, Daniel Smith offers multiple tube sizes to match your specific needs. The 5ml tubes provide excellent portability for plein air painting and traveling artists who prioritize lightweight supplies. These smaller sizes also let you explore different colors without substantial financial investment, encouraging experimentation and practice.
For extensive projects, the 15ml tubes deliver more paint, reducing how often you’ll repurchase frequently used colors. The compact design of all tube sizes enables easy storage and organization, so you’ll maintain your color palette effortlessly whether you’re working in a studio or outdoors. Choose based on your painting habits and mobility requirements to optimize both your workflow and budget.
Transparency and Granulation
Two critical optical properties distinguish Daniel Smith watercolors and directly influence how your paintings develop: transparency and granulation. Transparent pigments allow underlying layers to shine through, creating luminous effects when you layer colors. They’re ideal for achieving subtle gradients and complex color mixing. Granulating pigments, conversely, settle into paper textures, producing visually rich surfaces with depth and movement.
You’ll find Daniel Smith offers both properties in different formulations. Consider your artistic goals when selecting: transparent colors excel for glazing and luminosity, while granulating pigments add texture and visual interest to washes. Many artists combine both types, using transparent paints for foundational layers and granulating pigments for dimensional effects. Understanding these properties helps you choose the right Daniel Smith colors for your specific techniques and desired outcomes.
Staining Properties Matter
While transparency and granulation shape your painting’s visual texture, staining properties determine how permanently your pigments bond to the paper. Low staining pigments like cerulean blue offer flexibility—you’ll easily lift color for corrections and highlights. High staining pigments such as alizarin crimson create permanent marks that deepen your work’s complexity but limit editing options. Your choice depends on your technique. Washes and wet-on-wet applications benefit from lower staining pigments, while glazes leverage high staining pigments’ permanence. Consider how pigments interact when layering; staining properties influence color mixing and perception. Select Daniel Smith paints strategically based on whether you prioritize correction capability or color permanence for your specific artistic vision.
Price and Value
Daniel Smith watercolors command premium prices, but that cost reflects superior pigment quality, exceptional lightfastness, and remarkable transparency you won’t find in budget alternatives. You’re investing in over 240 colors, including specialized mineral-based and luminescent formulations that justify their higher price points through advanced manufacturing processes.
Consider purchasing sets rather than individual tubes—you’ll access better bundled pricing while building a practical color foundation. This approach saves money upfront and streamlines your setup.
Long-term value becomes evident quickly. Daniel Smith’s durability means you’ll consume less paint per project than inferior brands, resulting in genuine savings throughout your artistic career. You’re not simply buying paint; you’re acquiring performance and longevity that ultimately reduce your overall investment in quality materials.
Intended Skill Level
Your experience level fundamentally shapes which Daniel Smith sets will serve you best. Beginners benefit most from sets featuring essential primary colors, which facilitate color mixing while building foundational skills. As you advance, you’ll want sets with specialized pigments that enable specific effects and refined techniques. Professionals gravitate toward Daniel Smith’s high-quality formulations with excellent lightfastness and transparency, ensuring artwork endures and maintains vibrancy indefinitely. You should also consider sets offering diverse color characteristics—granulating or low-staining pigments—to expand your creative versatility. Selecting Daniel Smith sets designed for your specific skill level provides essential guidance and support as you develop your unique artistic style and preferences.
Specific Painting Applications
Because different painting genres demand distinct color properties, selecting Daniel Smith watercolors tailored to your subject matter’ll greatly enhance your results. For landscapes, you’ll want granulating colors like Moonglow that build depth and texture in skies and natural elements. Portrait work requires transparent hues that blend seamlessly, ensuring smooth shifts between skin tones—the Essentials Watercolor Set excels here. When painting florals, highly tinting colors like Hansa Yellow Deep deliver vibrant, intense mixes. For capturing nuanced natural settings, consider PrimaTek mineral-based colors that produce unique effects impossible with standard pigments. Balanced cool and warm primary colors expand your secondary palette, enabling versatile techniques including glazing and layering across all genres.
