You probably don’t realize that ultramarine blue’s reddish undertone makes it fundamentally different from other blues on your palette. This subtle characteristic changes how it behaves when you’re mixing colors and layering washes. If you’ve struggled with muddy greens or unpredictable color combinations, your paint choice might be the culprit. We’ll show you which formulas deliver the consistency you’re after.
Quick Overview
- High-purity ultramarine blue pigments deliver vibrant, consistent colors with excellent lightfastness and permanence ratings.
- Granulating formulations provide visual interest, superior control, and richer results compared to non-granulating alternatives.
- Transparent, non-staining ultramarine blue offers maximum flexibility for glazing, layering, and creative experimentation.
- Medium-to-dark warm reddish-blue hue mixes effectively with cool reds and other colors for versatile neutrals.
- Professional-grade ASTM-conforming paints in 5ml-15ml tubes balance affordability, quality, and accessibility across major retailers.
| Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Ultramarine Blue Paint Tube |
| Best Overall | Color Type: Ultramarine Blue | Tube Size: 15ml (0.5 Fl Oz) | Manufacturer: Daniel Smith | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint Ultramarine Blue |
| Best Value | Color Type: Ultramarine Blue | Tube Size: 5ml (0.17 Fl Oz) | Manufacturer: Daniel Smith | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor French Ultramarine |
| Professional Grade | Color Type: French Ultramarine | Tube Size: 14ml (0.47 Fl Oz) | Manufacturer: Winsor & Newton | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint Tube French Ultramarine |
| Most Versatile | Color Type: French Ultramarine | Tube Size: 15ml (0.5 Fl Oz) | Manufacturer: Daniel Smith | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| M. Graham 1/2-Ounce Tube Watercolor Paint Ultramarine Blue |
| Most Popular | Color Type: Ultramarine Blue | Tube Size: 30ml (0.5 Fl Oz) | Manufacturer: M. Graham & Co. | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor French Ultramarine |
| Premium Small Tube | Color Type: French Ultramarine | Tube Size: 5ml (0.17 Fl Oz) | Manufacturer: Winsor & Newton | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint French Ultramarine |
| Best For Mixing | Color Type: French Ultramarine | Tube Size: 5ml (0.17 Fl Oz) | Manufacturer: Daniel Smith | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Ultramarine Blue Paint Tube
If you’re seeking a cooler, bluer ultramarine that won’t break your budget, Daniel Smith’s Extra Fine Watercolor in Ultramarine Blue is your answer. This 15ml tube delivers excellent lightfastness and transparency with medium staining power. You’ll appreciate its vibrant, crayon-like appearance when applied straight from the tube. The pigment granulates slightly less than French Ultramarine in concentrated washes, giving you better control. Mix it with cool reds to create rich, effective neutrals. Daniel Smith’s commitment to quality means you’re getting a professional-grade pigment (PB 29) that conforms to strict ASTM standards. Whether you’re layering transparent glazes or building bold washes, this reliable blue performs consistently across all techniques.
- Color Type:Ultramarine Blue
- Tube Size:15ml (0.5 Fl Oz)
- Manufacturer:Daniel Smith
- Opacity:Transparent
- Pigment Code:PB 29
- Lightfastness:Excellent/ASTM Compliant
- Additional Feature:Cooler, bluer than French
- Additional Feature:Slightly less granular concentrated
- Additional Feature:Vibrant crayon-like straight color
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint Ultramarine Blue
Daniel Smith’s Extra Fine Ultramarine Blue is your ideal choice when you’re seeking a cooler, bluer alternative to French Ultramarine with reduced granulation in concentrated washes. You’ll appreciate its excellent lightfastness and transparent, granulating properties that work beautifully in your watercolor compositions. The medium staining capability gives you control over your color intensity and mixing versatility. This PB 29 pigment comes in a convenient 5ml tube, part of Daniel Smith’s expansive 240+ color collection. For vibrant, crayon-like applications, you can use it straight from the tube. Alternatively, mix it with cool reds to create dark, effective neutrals that enhance your artistic palette.
- Color Type:Ultramarine Blue
- Tube Size:5ml (0.17 Fl Oz)
- Manufacturer:Daniel Smith
- Opacity:Transparent
- Pigment Code:PB 29
- Lightfastness:Excellent/ASTM Compliant
- Additional Feature:Smaller 5ml tube size
- Additional Feature:88 most popular colors
- Additional Feature:Cooler, bluer than French
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor French Ultramarine
Professional artists and serious hobbyists who demand exceptional permanence and the widest pigment selection will find Winsor & Newton’s French Ultramarine an ideal choice. This Series 2 watercolor delivers a transparent pigment formulated with PB 29, earning an A (iii) permanence rating that’ll withstand decades of display without fading. You’ll appreciate the 14ml tube’s generous volume and the paint’s consistency, which flows smoothly across your paper. Conforming to ASTM D4236 standards, this professional-grade option offers reliable quality you can trust. Whether you’re glazing delicate washes or building rich, luminous depths, you’ll find this French Ultramarine performs exceptionally well across various techniques and applications.
- Color Type:French Ultramarine
- Tube Size:14ml (0.47 Fl Oz)
- Manufacturer:Winsor & Newton
- Opacity:Transparent
- Pigment Code:PB 29
- Lightfastness:A (iii) Permanence/ASTM Compliant
- Additional Feature:Series 2 classification
- Additional Feature:Widest choice of pigments
- Additional Feature:Highest possible permanence rating
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint Tube French Ultramarine
Artists who value versatility and lightfastness will find that this 15ml tube delivers exceptional performance. The medium-to-dark, warm reddish-blue pigment (PB 29) offers medium tinting strength with excellent permanence. You’ll appreciate its sedimentary quality, which increases mixing possibilities. Combine it with Quinacridone Gold for vibrant greens, Quinacridone Burnt Orange for sophisticated blue-brown grays, or Quinacridone Rose for rich purples. Its transparent, granulating properties and medium staining characteristics make it ideal for both glazing and expressive techniques. At 0.5 fl oz, you’re getting a reliable, professional-grade option that conforms to ASTM standards.
- Color Type:French Ultramarine
- Tube Size:15ml (0.5 Fl Oz)
- Manufacturer:Daniel Smith
- Opacity:Transparent
- Pigment Code:PB 29
- Lightfastness:Highly Lightfast/ASTM Compliant
- Additional Feature:Medium-to-dark warm reddish-blue
- Additional Feature:Sedimentary quality increases versatility
- Additional Feature:Creates delightful greens mixed
M. Graham 1/2-Ounce Tube Watercolor Paint Ultramarine Blue
Want a watercolor that won’t harden between sessions? M. Graham’s Ultramarine Blue delivers artist-quality pigmentation that you’ll reactivate with a simple water spritz. This brilliant paint combines pure gum arabic with natural blackberry honey, creating an exceptional binder that prevents hardening while you work. You’ll achieve smooth, controlled washes and deeper darks easily, whether you’re applying beautiful, even layers or working with traditional techniques. The fade-resistant formula guarantees your work stays vibrant over time. Made in the USA with extraordinary pigment concentration, this half-ounce tube offers remarkable strength that dilutes beautifully. With 4.8 stars from thousands of artists, M. Graham proves why it’s a trusted choice for serious watercolorists.
- Color Type:Ultramarine Blue
- Tube Size:30ml (0.5 Fl Oz)
- Manufacturer:M. Graham & Co.
- Opacity:Transparent
- Pigment Code:Not specified
- Lightfastness:Fade Resistant
- Additional Feature:Pure gum arabic binding
- Additional Feature:Natural blackberry honey formula
- Additional Feature:Made in the USA
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor French Ultramarine
If you’re seeking a watercolor paint that combines exceptional permanence with superior pigment quality, Winsor & Newton’s French Ultramarine delivers on both fronts. This Series 2 professional-grade paint features PB 29 pigment, earning an A (iii) permanence rating—meaning your work won’t fade over time. The transparent formulation gives you versatility for glazing and layering techniques. You’ll appreciate the finest pigment selection Winsor & Newton’s known for, packed into a convenient 5ml tube. Conforming to ASTM D4236 standards, this paint meets rigorous quality benchmarks. Whether you’re working on delicate washes or bold statements, French Ultramarine provides the reliability and color intensity serious artists demand.
- Color Type:French Ultramarine
- Tube Size:5ml (0.17 Fl Oz)
- Manufacturer:Winsor & Newton
- Opacity:Transparent
- Pigment Code:PB 29
- Lightfastness:A (iii) Permanence/ASTM Compliant
- Additional Feature:Compact 5ml tube size
- Additional Feature:Series 2 classification
- Additional Feature:Widest pigment choice available
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Paint French Ultramarine
Daniel Smith’s French Ultramarine stands out for professionals and serious hobbyists who want a versatile blue that delivers excellent results across multiple applications. This medium-to-dark, warm reddish-blue offers excellent lightfastness and transparency, making it reliable for lasting artwork. The granulating quality adds visual interest and versatility to your paintings. You’ll appreciate its non-staining formula, which gives you flexibility during your creative process. Mix it with other blues for dynamic skies, combine it with Quinacridone Gold for greens, or blend it with Quinacridone Burnt Orange for sophisticated blue-to-brown grays. The sedimentary nature enhances its performance, giving you more control and richer results than standard formulations.
- Color Type:French Ultramarine
- Tube Size:5ml (0.17 Fl Oz)
- Manufacturer:Daniel Smith
- Opacity:Transparent
- Pigment Code:Not specified
- Lightfastness:Excellent Lightfastness/ASTM Compliant
- Additional Feature:Non-staining granulating formula
- Additional Feature:Sedimentary quality increases versatility
- Additional Feature:Medium tinting strength pigment
Factors to Consider When Choosing Ultramarine Blue Watercolor Paint
When you’re selecting an ultramarine blue watercolor paint, you’ll want to evaluate the pigment’s quality and purity, along with its lightfastness rating to guarantee your artwork won’t fade over time. You should also consider how the paint behaves on paper—its granulation, transparency, and whether it leans warm or cool—since these characteristics directly affect your creative results. Finally, compare tube sizes and prices across brands to find the best value for your painting style and budget.
Pigment Quality and Purity
Because ultramarine blue’s color intensity, transparency, and granulation depend entirely on pigment purity, you’ll want to carefully evaluate this factor when selecting your watercolor paint. High-purity pigments deliver vibrant, consistent colors with excellent lightfastness and stability—crucial for paintings meant to endure. Lower-quality ultramarine blue contains impurities that produce dull, muddy results and compromise performance.
The manufacturing process directly shapes pigment characteristics. Since lapis lazuli requires extensive processing to achieve high purity, reputable manufacturers invest in rigorous purification methods. You’ll notice the difference: premium pigments offer superior color saturation and predictable behavior on paper.
When comparing brands, investigate their purity standards and processing techniques. You’ll get better results and longevity by choosing paints made from carefully refined ultramarine blue pigments.
Lightfastness and Permanence
Beyond pigment purity, you’ll want to ponder how well your ultramarine blue paint resists fading over time. Ultramarine blue watercolor paints boast excellent lightfastness, meaning they’ll resist fading when exposed to light over extended periods.
The ASTM provides a permanence rating system specifically designed to assess watercolor lightfastness, and ultramarine blue typically earns a highly permanent classification. This superior durability stems directly from the pigment’s inherent composition, which outperforms many other watercolor colors in archival quality.
You can maximize your paint’s longevity by storing it in low-light conditions, protecting its vibrancy for years ahead. When selecting your ultramarine blue, prioritize high-quality paints from reputable manufacturers. Doing so guarantees you’re investing in optimal lightfastness and archival properties that’ll preserve your artwork’s integrity.
Granulation and Transparency
As you explore ultramarine blue’s visual characteristics, you’ll discover that granulation and transparency fundamentally shape how this pigment performs on your paper. Ultramarine blue exhibits moderate to high granulation, creating distinctive textures that add depth and visual interest to your work. Its transparency allows you to build luminous washes and layered effects that feel vibrant and alive.
You control both qualities through dilution and application technique. Dilute the pigment more for increased transparency and softer effects, or use it concentrated for pronounced granulation. The sedimentary nature of ultramarine blue enhances its versatility—it mixes beautifully while maintaining these characteristics. Understanding how granulation and transparency interact with your specific brand guarantees you’ll select a paint that matches your artistic vision and desired visual outcomes.
Tube Size and Value
Once you’ve identified the ultramarine blue that delivers the granulation and transparency you want, you’ll face another practical decision: what tube size best suits your needs. Consider how frequently you’ll use ultramarine blue; if it’s a staple in your palette, larger 15ml or 30ml tubes offer better value per milliliter than smaller 5ml options. However, if you’re experimenting with a new brand or shade, smaller tubes let you try colors affordably without committing significant funds. Evaluate your budget and storage space realistically. Professional artists typically benefit from larger tubes’ economy, while hobbyists might prefer smaller sizes’ flexibility. Compare cost-per-milliliter across brands and sizes to make an informed choice. You might also purchase varied sizes—smaller tubes for exploration and larger ones for your preferred blues.
Color Temperature Variations
When you’re selecting an ultramarine blue watercolor, the paint’s color temperature matters greatly for your artistic outcomes. Ultramarine blue plots cooler and bluer, while French ultramarine leans warmer with reddish undertones. This distinction profoundly impacts your color mixing results.
You’ll find that cooler ultramarine blue excels at creating natural sky tones, delivering that crisp, atmospheric quality you’re after. Conversely, warmer French ultramarine works better when you’re mixing greens or neutral grays, as its red bias prevents muddy results.
Beyond mixing applications, you’ll notice ultramarine blue typically shows less granulation in concentrated washes compared to French ultramarine. Consider what you’re painting and which temperature best serves your vision. Your pigment choice ultimately determines whether you achieve the precise color harmony your composition demands.
