DANIEL SMITH Watercolour Essentials 6-Tube Set Review
Specifications
| Brand | DANIEL SMITH |
|---|---|
| Number Of Colors | 6 |
| Paint Form | Tube |
| Paint Grade | Professional |
Pros
- Vibrant, smooth washes
- Beginner-friendly organization
- Higher quality paints
Cons
- Limited color variety
The Verdict
This professional tube set includes 6 colors, with an overall rating of 7.9 out of 10. It suits painters who want dependable pigment and a small palette that keeps mixing choices clear, but its narrow color range limits quick subject changes. Choose it for focused practice, compact storage, and controlled color mixing, not as a complete collection for varied landscapes, portraits, or florals.
Who it's for: This suits beginners and experienced painters who value a simple tube palette and strong paint quality, accepting that 6 colors require more mixing.
Who should skip it: Skip this if you need many ready-made shades for fast work, since the 6-color range may slow painting and require extra tubes.
In-Depth Review
Paint Quality
Score: 8.0/10. The matching description is Vibrant, smooth washes. This set uses professional-grade paint in six 5ml tubes, so each color arrives as fresh paint rather than a dried pan. That format helps you control water and paint during mixing.
The colors should suit clean washes and layered work. Tube paint also reactivates well on a palette after it dries. The six-color limit makes mixing more important, but it also encourages clear color control. Results depend on the paper and brush, yet the paint quality gives beginners a strong base for practice.
Set Range
Score: 7.7/10. The matching description is Useful color mix. The set contains 6 colors, all in tube form, with 5ml in each tube. That is a focused starting palette rather than a broad collection for every subject.
A small palette can teach color mixing without confusing choices. It also keeps the kit easy to expand later. However, six colors cannot cover every green, violet, earth tone, or muted neutral without mixing. Artists who paint varied landscapes, portraits, or florals may need more professional-grade tubes.
Usability
Score: 8.1/10. The matching description is Beginner-friendly organization. The six 5ml tubes create a simple workflow. You can squeeze out only the amount needed, then adjust the mixture with water on the palette.
The tube format works well for home painting and repeat sessions. It also makes color selection clear because the set contains only 6 colors. There are no listed brushes or accessories, so this is a paint set rather than a complete starter kit. Beginners should plan to use their own brush, palette, and paper.
Build Quality
Score: 7.6/10. The matching description is Tight pans, minimal leaks, although this set uses tubes rather than pans. The available specifications identify 6 tubes, each holding 5ml, and do not list a case type or extra tools.
That construction keeps the review focused on the paint containers. Tubes are practical for storing fresh watercolor and dispensing small amounts. Still, the available details do not confirm the closure design, storage case, or transport protection. For travel, place the six tubes in a separate pouch to avoid damage or lost caps.
Value
Score: 7.9/10. The matching description is Great performance for cost. This set combines professional-grade paint with 6 usable 5ml tubes. That gives you 30ml of paint in total across the collection.
The compact format makes sense for artists who want stronger paint without buying a large range at once. Its value drops if you need many ready-made shades, since the limited six-color selection may lead to extra tube purchases. As a focused palette, though, it balances paint quality, manageable mixing, and simple storage well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colors come in the DANIEL SMITH Watercolour Essentials set?
This set includes 6 professional-grade watercolor paints in tubes. The compact selection covers useful mixing colors, but it does not offer the wide shade range found in larger sets.
Are the paints in the DANIEL SMITH Watercolour Essentials set good for beginners?
Yes, the set suits beginners who want to learn color mixing with artist-grade paint. The smaller color selection keeps the palette easier to understand, while the smooth washes make it easier to practice layering and controlled brushwork.
Can I use this six-tube set for landscapes and travel painting?
Yes, it can handle many landscape studies, especially when you mix the tubes to create greens, browns, and muted colors. The tube format also lets you squeeze out only the amount you need. However, you may want extra colors for faster work or for subjects that need many distinct shades.
Does the DANIEL SMITH Watercolour Essentials set have enough color variety?
The set offers a practical starting range, but limited color variety is its main drawback. Six colors can produce many mixes, yet painters who want ready-made violets, greens, earth tones, or specialty shades may need to add separate tubes.
How do I store and care for the watercolor tubes?
Keep the tubes tightly closed and store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Wipe paint from the caps and threads before closing them to help prevent buildup. If paint dries on a palette, you can usually rewet it with clean water, though fresh tube paint gives the most direct control.
Is this set suitable for professional watercolor work?
The set uses professional-grade paint, so it can support finished studies, illustrations, and detailed paintings. Its paint quality earns strong marks for vibrant, smooth washes and clean mixing. The small six-color range may still limit faster professional workflows that require many colors at hand.
Final Verdict
This is a recommended buy for beginners and artists who want a compact, dependable core set. DANIEL SMITH delivers vibrant, smooth washes that rewet well and make mixing easy. The main tradeoff is limited color variety, so painters who need a broad range of earth tones or specialty shades may outgrow it quickly. Still, its strong paint quality and clear layout make it a capable starting point.
Choose this set if you value better paints and simple organization over a large palette of colors. If that matches your needs, this is a sound pick.