Few brands inspire as much devotion among watercolour artists as Daniel Smith. Their paints are known for unrivalled pigment strength, innovative colour formulations, and that signature granulation so many artists love.
The Daniel Smith Master Artist Watercolour Set brings together a curated collection of professional-grade colours chosen by top artists — a perfect way to experience the brand’s best without buying dozens of tubes individually.
Daniel Smith’s Master Artist Watercolour Set is a premium introduction to the brand’s world-renowned Extra Fine Watercolours. Depending on the edition, it usually includes 6 to 10 colours, hand-picked by a professional artist such as Jean Haines, Alvaro Castagnet, or the original Master Artists team.
Each colour is highly pigmented, with outstanding lightfastness and a natural, slightly creamy consistency that reactivates easily with water.
The most common Master Artist Set (6 x 5ml) includes:
Each colour is hand-tubed in Seattle, USA, using pure pigment and gum arabic. The small tubes go a surprisingly long way — the pigment concentration is so high that a pea-sized amount can fill half a palette.
These paints are pure joy to use. Out of the tube, the texture is slightly honeyed and flows smoothly on both cotton and cellulose papers. They wet easily and disperse beautifully in washes.
Granulation is a defining feature — colours like Ultramarine Blue and Sap Green create subtle texture as they settle, adding depth without effort.
Blending is predictable and consistent; they don’t turn muddy even when layered.
Once dry, the colours retain their luminosity and clarity. The staining pigments (like Alizarin Crimson) grip the paper, while others lift cleanly for glazing.
Daniel Smith’s lightfastness ratings are among the best in the industry — most pigments are ASTM I (excellent). The finish is matte and professional, with no chalkiness or filler.
This set shines in both studio and plein-air work. The carefully chosen primaries make it ideal for travel palettes, sketchbooks, or professional practice.
Perfect for artists who want to:
✅ Pros: Incredible pigment strength, top-tier lightfastness, curated selection
❌ Cons: Premium price, small tubes
Summary
| Feature | Details |
| Paint Type | Professional Watercolour |
| Tube Size | 5ml (x6 colours) |
| Pigment Load | Extremely high |
| Lightfastness | Excellent (ASTM I) |
| Finish | Matte, luminous |
| Best For | Professional artists, travel palettes, limited colour mixing |
If you’ve never tried Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolours, this set is the best introduction possible. Each colour feels intentional — versatile enough for mixing, yet expressive enough on its own.
It’s a true professional’s palette in miniature form: portable, powerful, and packed with character. The price might seem high for 5ml tubes, but their strength and longevity make it excellent value for serious painters.
Tom’s rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
A beautifully balanced, high-performance set that captures the best of Daniel Smith’s artistry.
