10 Best Metallic Watercolor Paints 2026 in the United States

The Kuretake Gansai Tambi Metallic Watercolor Set offers 24 vibrant metallic and pearlescent colors, making it a strong choice for artists who want rich, shimmering effects in their watercolor paintings. The pigments are high quality, providing vivid and opaque colors that hold well on paper, and the paints dissolve easily for smooth blending or can be used with less water for a more gouache-like opacity. These waterbased paints dry with a subtle sheen, enhancing the metallic finish without being overly glossy.

The color range is notable, including five new glittery shades alongside traditional golds and pearlescents, providing plenty of creative options. The pans are larger than typical watercolor sets, which makes them more convenient for both fine detail work and broader brush strokes. Packaging is compact and lightweight, easy to carry and store.

This set is an excellent pick for hobbyists and professional artists looking to explore metallic watercolors with ease and variety, especially for interior art projects.

The Winsor & Newton Cotman Metallic Watercolor Paint Set offers 8 shimmering half pans in colors like Iridescent Blue, Yellow Gold, Bronze, and Silver. These paints use fine art pigments rather than dyes, which means the colors are more vibrant and reliable. They have high lightfastness, so your artwork won’t fade quickly when exposed to light. The paints are transparent with a satin finish, allowing for beautiful layering and delicate metallic effects that are especially good for adding highlights or accents. The set comes in a compact, travel-friendly box with a small brush included, making it easy to paint on the go or try metallic watercolors for the first time. There’s space to add four more colors if you want to expand your palette. However, these paints are not waterproof once dry, so finished pieces need careful handling to avoid smudging.

While the color range covers popular metallic tones, it’s somewhat limited to just eight shades. This makes the set perfect for hobbyists or artists exploring metallic watercolors but might feel restrictive for those wanting a broader spectrum. The paints are solid and easy to control, giving a smooth gradient even on softer watercolor papers, and they can be reactivated with water after drying. This set is ideal if you’re looking for quality metallic watercolor paints in a convenient size with trustworthy pigment quality and lasting color. Just keep in mind the non-waterproof finish and limited color variety when planning your projects.

The Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set stands out in the metallic watercolor category, particularly for artists and crafters looking for high-quality, vibrant colors. With 24 glittery colors, this set offers a diverse range, including five new shades that enhance the collection. The pigment quality is impressive, providing vivid and opaque colors that can be diluted for a lighter watercolor effect or used in a more concentrated form for bold techniques. The larger pans allow for easy use, accommodating both small and large brushes, which is great for detailed work or broader strokes.

In terms of lightfastness and opacity, this set performs well, ensuring that the colors maintain their integrity over time, which is crucial for artists who want their work to last. The water-based pigments are non-toxic, making them a safe choice for both adults and younger crafters. The slight sheen that dries on the surface adds an attractive finish to completed artwork, enhancing its visual appeal.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind. While the packaging is user-friendly, some artists may find the solid form of the paint less convenient compared to liquid alternatives, especially when it comes to mixing. Additionally, while the pigment quality is high, achieving a consistent blending may require some practice, particularly for beginners who might be less familiar with watercolor techniques.