Are Daniel Smith Watercolours Really Worth It?

If you’ve ever tiptoed into the vast (and I'd say sometimes overwhelming) world of watercolours, there’s a name that probably keeps popping up: Daniel Smith.

You may have found yourself wondering “Are these really worth it? Or am I just falling for the hype?” — well, friend, you’re in very good company. Art supplies aren't cheap, especially not this brand, so you want to make sure you're getting the most out of what you spend.

Fortunately for us, Anneliese has been doing loads of research and experimenting with watercolours, so she can tell you what she finds makes Daniel Smith paints so special. Are they really worth the price tag? And should you be saving your pennies or diving right in? Here's what she thinks:

"First up: Yes, they’re a bit spendy. Let’s not dance around it — these are definitely in the “treat yourself” category - a little tube of Daniel Smith can feel like a splurge. But what you might not realise is that as professional grade paints, you only need the tiniest dab compared to cheaper brands. If watercolour paint was coffee, Daniel Smith would be espresso - small but mighty.

Daniel Smith colours are known for their luminous, rich depth and stunning clarity. Many of their paints are single pigment, which is wonderful for clean, vibrant mixing (and great if you’re a colour nerd like me). Others are full of delicious granulation, which creates natural texture on the page — sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic, but always mesmerising. It’s like your paper continues painting for you.

If you haven’t tried shades like Moonglow, Lunar Black, or Lunar Blue — they’re like falling in love with watercolour all over again. They do this velvety, almost galaxy-like spreading thing that just doesn’t happen with most other brands.

And then there’s the PrimaTek range. Actual ground minerals — think Amethyst, Jadeite, Hematite — turned into paint. Yes, really. They shimmer. They sparkle. They’re the fairy dust of the paint world!"

"If you’re painting regularly, want rich, professional results, or just love that feeling of your supplies making you swoon a little — then yes, they’re absolutely worth the investment.

That said, there's no need to stock all your watercolours as Daniel Smith's. Start small. Grab a few of their dot cards to test a wide range of colours without the commitment. Or pick up one or two tubes of the shades that really call to you. "

Daniel Smith watercolours are not a budget buy — they’re a bit of a luxury. But they’re the kind of luxury that delivers: luminous, expressive, deeply satisfying to use, and full of possibility.

They’re not for every stage of your journey, and that’s okay. If you’re still learning how watercolour flows, or you’re more focused on loosening up and experimenting, you might not need top-tier materials yet. But if you’re ready to explore colour on a deeper level, and you want something that responds like a dream on paper — this is your moment.

Just know: once you try them, it’s a slippery (but joyful) slope. You may well become a collector. Ask me how I know!

To find out more about what Anneliese has learned about watercolour painting, join her Watercolour Florals course, where she breaks down effective techniques in a way that beginners can easily follow along. You'll learn how to create the most gorgeous variety of flowers to put in a wreath, a spray, against a background, or however else you'd like to use them!

Find out more!

With love,

Kasia x

Some links point to products in the Everything Art shop, which currently ships within the UK only.