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10 Best Metallic Watercolor Paints 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 8 Half Pan, Metallic Colors w/ Brush

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,209
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Packaging

Most important from
557 reviews

Pigment Quality
The colors deliver vibrant payoff with smooth blending and no graininess, perfect for both bold and delicate metallic effects.
Color Range
This set offers a solid basic palette of metallic tones that works well for adding fun accents and highlights to artwork.
Packaging
The compact and sturdy case makes it incredibly convenient to carry and use these paints anywhere, ideal for travel or quick sketching.

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.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,209
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Packaging

Most important from
557 reviews

Pigment Quality
The colors deliver vibrant payoff with smooth blending and no graininess, perfect for both bold and delicate metallic effects.
Color Range
This set offers a solid basic palette of metallic tones that works well for adding fun accents and highlights to artwork.
Packaging
The compact and sturdy case makes it incredibly convenient to carry and use these paints anywhere, ideal for travel or quick sketching.
#2

MozArt Supplies Komorebi Professional Metallic Watercolor Set - Portable Metal Box with Safety Lock and Fully Detachable Pans for Easy Customization - 24 Shimmering Colors for Arts and Crafts

Rating
9.4
Pigment Quality
Opacity
Color Range

Most important from
641 reviews

Pigment Quality
Deep, vibrant colors that enhance the quality of artwork.
Opacity
The paints have a lovely sparkle and require minimal effort to cover large areas.
Color Range
The colors are bold and beautiful, providing great inspiration for painting.

The MozArt Supplies Komorebi Professional Metallic Watercolor Set offers 24 vibrant metallic colors, making it suitable for both beginner and advanced artists. The pigments are infused with a shimmering quality, providing a unique liquid-metal finish that many artists will find appealing. The watercolors are non-toxic and easily blendable, which enhances their usability for various art and craft projects on surfaces like canvas, paper, wood, and metal. The product is highly portable due to its compact metal box with a safety lock and detachable pans, allowing for easy customization and transport.

This makes it convenient for on-the-go artists and students alike. The product's lightfastness ensures that the colors remain vivid over time, which is essential for long-lasting artwork. The set is also praised as a perfect gift option for various occasions. However, while the set is user-friendly and easy to activate with minimal water, some users may find the opacity to be less than ideal for certain projects.

Additionally, it may not meet the needs of professional artists looking for the highest quality pigment and binder combination. This set is a solid choice for hobbyists, students, and casual artists looking for a versatile and portable metallic watercolor set.

Rating
9.4
Pigment Quality
Opacity
Color Range

Most important from
641 reviews

Pigment Quality
Deep, vibrant colors that enhance the quality of artwork.
Opacity
The paints have a lovely sparkle and require minimal effort to cover large areas.
Color Range
The colors are bold and beautiful, providing great inspiration for painting.
#3

CraftyManor Mini Forestry Shifting Watercolor Painting Set, 20 Color Shifting Watercolor Paint Kit, Shimmer Metallic Watercolor Paints, Glitter Watercolor Paint, Solid, DunHuang Style

Rating
9.2
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Packaging

Most important from
300 reviews

Pigment Quality
These watercolors are perfect for layering to achieve depth, and their quality rivals more expensive artist-grade paints.
Color Range
The shimmer effect is absolutely stunning, especially when layered over a base color.
Packaging
Despite their small size, the cakes are plenty thick and will last a long time, making them a compact and efficient choice.

The CraftyManor Mini Forestry Shifting Watercolor Painting Set offers a unique and visually stunning pearlescent finish due to its premium mica powder formulation. The set includes 20 metallic-shimmering colors that are fade-resistant, ensuring your artwork maintains its vibrancy over time. These watercolors provide smooth strokes without clumping, and they don't powder off after drying, making them ideal for creating long-lasting artwork on various surfaces like paper and wood.

The colors can be used both for transparent washes and for opaque coverage, offering versatility for different artistic techniques. Additionally, they are multi-purpose, suitable for activities ranging from nail art to decorating clay models, which appeals to a wide range of users from beginners to professional artists. However, the solid color blocks may crack during drying due to their formulation, though this does not impact their usability. On the downside, the set's non-water-resistant nature means it may not be suitable for projects exposed to moisture.

The packaging is compact and easy to store, but given the small volume of each paint (0.08 ounces per color), users may find the product runs out quickly if used frequently. Despite these minor drawbacks, the CraftyManor set stands out for its exceptional shimmer and versatility, making it a great choice for artists who enjoy adding a metallic sheen to their creations.

Rating
9.2
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Packaging

Most important from
300 reviews

Pigment Quality
These watercolors are perfect for layering to achieve depth, and their quality rivals more expensive artist-grade paints.
Color Range
The shimmer effect is absolutely stunning, especially when layered over a base color.
Packaging
Despite their small size, the cakes are plenty thick and will last a long time, making them a compact and efficient choice.

Buying Guide for the Best Metallic Watercolor Paints

Choosing the right metallic watercolor paints can greatly enhance your artwork by adding a shimmering, reflective quality. When selecting metallic watercolor paints, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best product for your needs. Understanding these specifications will help you make an informed decision and achieve the desired effects in your paintings.
Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the purity and concentration of the color in the paint. High-quality pigments provide vibrant, long-lasting colors that are less likely to fade over time. When choosing metallic watercolor paints, look for those with high-quality pigments to ensure your artwork remains bright and reflective. Artists who want professional results should opt for paints labeled as 'artist grade,' while beginners or hobbyists might find 'student grade' paints sufficient for practice and learning.
OpacityOpacity indicates how much the paint covers the surface beneath it. Metallic watercolors can range from very opaque to more transparent. Opaque paints will cover underlying layers more completely, which is useful for creating bold, solid metallic effects. Transparent paints allow for layering and blending with other colors, which can create more subtle and nuanced effects. Consider your artistic style and the techniques you plan to use when choosing the opacity level of your metallic watercolors.
LightfastnessLightfastness measures how well the paint resists fading when exposed to light. This is particularly important for artworks that will be displayed in well-lit areas or under direct sunlight. Paints with high lightfastness ratings will maintain their color and shimmer over time, ensuring the longevity of your artwork. If you plan to create pieces that will be displayed or sold, opt for paints with excellent lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less critical.
BinderThe binder in watercolor paints is the substance that holds the pigment particles together and allows them to adhere to the paper. Common binders include gum arabic and synthetic alternatives. The type of binder can affect the paint's texture, flow, and drying time. Gum arabic is a traditional binder that provides a smooth, consistent flow and is preferred by many artists. Synthetic binders may offer different handling properties and can be more durable. Consider experimenting with different binders to find the one that best suits your painting style.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of metallic shades available in a set or brand. Some sets offer a wide array of colors, including golds, silvers, coppers, and more unusual metallic hues like blues and greens. A broader color range allows for more creative possibilities and detailed work. If you enjoy experimenting with different effects and want a versatile palette, choose a set with a wide color range. If you have specific colors in mind for your projects, you might prefer a smaller set with those particular shades.
PackagingPackaging can affect the convenience and usability of your metallic watercolor paints. Paints can come in pans, tubes, or liquid form. Pans are compact and portable, making them ideal for travel and outdoor painting. Tubes offer more paint and are easier to mix, which is useful for larger projects. Liquid metallic watercolors provide intense color and are ready to use without additional mixing. Consider how and where you plan to use your paints when choosing the packaging that best suits your needs.

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