Best Daniel Smith in 2025

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

The fabric of the night sky glides off the brush in this heavenly shade. Granulating lunar black floats above a phthalo undertone, perfect for capturing a moonlit sky. Inky as midnight, or diffused as the moon on water, semi-transparent Lunar Blue lifts beautifully, leaving behind a mere shadow of itself. This moody watercolor is sure to delight.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Low to medium-staining, Hooker's Green is a warm, natural green. Useful in formulating greens of all sorts, this Irish shamrock green combined with French Ultramarine can resemble frothy waves or, in a more concentrated mixture, range from reflected forest light to deep, dusty evergreen blues. Artist John Blockley adds India ink to his Hooker's mix!

Very Good Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Non-granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

A deep, dark, lightfast mix of siennas and umbers, Van Dyck Brown has a special reticulating property ideal for texturing a wash. Moderate staining and semi-transparent, it works well in place of Sepia.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Non-staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

This clear, dark, red-leaning orange thins into perfectly smooth washes. The color is vivid and warm, lovely used on its own, and great in mixes. Try it with granulating greens or blues to create exquisite earth colors and shadow-grays that are both textural and warm.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

Used since prehistoric times, an extremely permanent inorganic earth pigment of low intensity but medium-high tinting strength. Balance the transparent intensity of Quinacridone Gold, Burnt Orange and Burnt Scarlet with the earthiness of Raw Sienna. Try a moist Raw Sienna wash touched or spattered with Lunar Earth or Lunar Black creates unique texture effects.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

Quinacridone Pink is a precise, perfect low-staining pink. Try with Indigo for deep dusty purples, or Indanthrone Blue for rich, clear purples. Quinacridone Pink can be mixed with Quinacridone Sienna or Burnt Orange in dilute wash states to create flesh tones or convincing sunsets. Highly durable and extremely transparent, all the DANIEL SMITH Quinacridone colors excel in vivid clarity and intensity.

Very Good Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Low staining

ASTM lightfastness rating excellent

Low staining

Granulating yes

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

This natural green provides landscape artists rest in a summer painting saturated with vibrant greens. Opaque and low-staining, Chromium Green Oxide mixes well to soften other colors.

Excellent Lightfastness, Opaque, Granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Spatter or drop a brushload of Buff Titanium into a moist wash and enjoy the pigment displacement, it is especially effective used that way to make clouds in the sky. Unique to DANIEL SMITH, Buff Titanium resembles the ecru shades of sand and antique lace and simulates the porous texture of an eggshell. It is a most welcome neutral, with its' semi-transparent to opaque, non-staining properties. Pre-mix Buff Titanium with Quinacridone Rose or Perinone Orange for subtle hues and matte surfaces ideal for the velvety petals of your favorite flowers. Mix with Indigo or Van Dyke Brown to create slate-colored shadows and soft feathers. Glaze a dried landscape with a misty, atmospheric mood.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Non-staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

A true, pure medium-staining red. Drop Naples Yellow into Quinacridone Red and create a peach, or paint dry brushstrokes onto apples. Highly durable and extremely transparent, all the DANIEL SMITH Quinacridone colors excel in vivid clarity and intensity.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

Saturated and leaning toward yellow, Permanent Orange resembles Cadmium Orange and is lightfast, transparent and low staining. Our Permanent Orange with its' juicy, bold orange color will add brilliancy to your florals, sunsets, sun-drenched and tropical landscapes!

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-grnanulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

The craggy peaks of the Cascade Mountains that divide lush, western Washington from the dry, high plains of the east, inspired this unique green. From damp evergreen forests, and alpine meadows to the drier, sunnier open forests, our Cascade Green showcases a million shades of green found in those environments becoming a versatile addition to our artist-preferred greens. As you brush it on, subtle variation from dark to light adds the illusion of depth. Straight from the tube, this rich, mid-range green is cool, dark and mossy. In washes, it has a stunning clarity. In any application, it has excellent lightfastness.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

Unlike other brands, DANIEL SMITH New Gamboge is an excellent lightfast formulation. It's a transparent organic pigment from the yellow to orange zone of your color wheel. More staining than Yellow Ochre and equal in tinting ability to Raw Sienna. It's a good substitute for those colors when transparency and non granulation is desired while avoiding thick, muddy passages.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

This slightly sedimentary, rich dark, red-brown could lighten, brighten and eliminate mud browns in all your paintings. Use with Quinacridone Coral for branch and blossom paintings. Highly durable and extremely transparent, all the DANIEL SMITH Quinacridone colors excel in vivid clarity and intensity.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Permanent Green, an organic, transparent pigment with high-staining properties yields very clean, vibrant mixtures. The Phthalo Green Blue Shade and Hansa Yellow Light used in its formulation gives it excellent lightfastness. Juxtapose Permanent Green with Cobalt Violet for intense visual complements, or mix for an interesting neutral gray.

Very Good Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

PrimaTek Green Apatite Genuine Watercolor lets you create a beautiful range of greens - fresh yellow-green to deep olive - with a single tube. This sedimentary color is a dark, almost brown, olive green in mass tone. In washes, the brown settles out of a vivid natural green, creating memorable texture and contrast.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide.  Our Watercolor Sticks are a recent innovation offering artists a new and expressive way to paint and draw with watercolors!  The Watercolor Sticks are available in 51 of our most popular DANIEL SMITH Watercolors and are made with the exact same pigments.  There are no fillers or waxes - they are made with DANIEL SMITH paint pigment and gum arabic, shaped into a convenient stick form and dried.  They are highly reactive with water, similar to pan paints (1 Watercolor Stick equals 3 full pans), and easily release our beautiful DANIEL SMITH watercolor paint with a touch of a wet brush, or when drawn onto wet paper.  The Watercolor Sticks are like a “Pan in Your Hand” and are perfect for plein air, travel journaling, the studio, wherever you like to paint!

An artist's favorite, this exciting medium to high staining green blends French Ultramarine with Quinacridone Gold. The inorganic, sedimentary French Ultramarine settles and granulates while the organic, transparent Quinacridone Gold floats into a golden halo. Concentrated, this will remind you of warm sea kelp. Apply with Moonglow, Ultramarines and Quinacridone mixtures to color-coordinate and lend atmosphere to various passages. Undersea Green is beautiful touched damp or drybrushed with Interference Gold. Use Undersea green into autumn leaf paintings.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Mayan Orange is hot and intense. Use it straight from the tube for a blazing red-orange. As you add water, the color remains strong and disperses very evenly. Rich, bold colors adorned the murals and sculpture of the Mayan people. Even when exposed to centuries of severe heat and humidity, these colors have hardly faded over a thousand years. Now, using methods derived from ancient Mayan chemistry, these unique, metal-free pigments have been recreated using an eco-friendly process. The colors are smooth, non-granulating and semi-transparent. Their versatility, durability and exquisite hues make them colors you'll reach for again and again.

Very Good Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Non-granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

A transparent sun-baked brick red with a rose-blush undertone. This favorite among our earth pigments granulates for surprising texture and is non-staining so you can lift and move this color around your painting. A beautiful highlight for your deep crimson roses.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Granulating, Non-staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

A wonderful brick red, the rich, ruddy color of an Irish Setter. Transparent, granulating and non-staining, it is beautiful in any strength and makes an exquisite range of skin tones.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Granulating, Non-staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Green Gold's bright yellow undertones shine in thin applications allowing for golden highlights with just a hint of green. Use in concentrated applications for wonderfully rich and transparent olive-green tones.

Very Good Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

DANIEL SMITH Payne’s Blue Gray is similar to our bluer Indigo, but like our original Payne’s Gray, it is semi-transparent rather than transparent. Inky blue and non-granulating Payne’s Blue Gray is perfect for painting dark, stormy skies, night scapes, and for quickly darkening most other colors.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Non-granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

A deep, rich red, this lightfast pigment diffuses well with water, a treat when painting wet into wet or damp passages. The fuzzy edges this technique produces brings field poppies to mind.

Very Good Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Non-granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Opaque and cool. This is the most intense black available. It is a sooty by-product of burned mineral oil and tar. Lamp Black mixed with Burnt Sienna can add a trace of warmth to a passage. Think classic black velvet. Use to darken transparent pigments.

Excellent Lightfastness, Opaque, Non-granulating, Staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Transparent Ultramarine Turquoise is the granular, low-staining "cousin" of Phthalo Turquoise. Use it when less stain and more granulation is desired, and consider it for an interesting, non-traditional glaze.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that

An artist's favorite, this exciting medium to high staining green blends French Ultramarine with Quinacridone Gold. The inorganic, sedimentary French Ultramarine settles and granulates while the organic, transparent Quinacridone Gold floats into a golden halo. Concentrated, this will remind you of warm sea kelp. Apply with Moonglow, Ultramarines and Quinacridone mixtures to color-coordinate and lend atmosphere to various passages. Undersea Green is beautiful touched damp or drybrushed with Interference Gold. Use Undersea green into autumn leaf paintings.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Tiger's Eye Genuine is made from the brownish-gold stone with rippling bands of light that remind you of cat's eyes. The gemstone, a member of the quartz family, is geolically stained with dark iron oxide creating the distinctive bands and markings called the chatoyant effect. The combination of quartz and iron oxide produces a remarkable paint that is very transparent and non-staining as well as strongly colored and granulating. The color is olive drab with undertones of cool ash brown. With great textural effects combined with versatile color, this will quickly become a staple of your palette.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Granulating, Non-staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

This rich dark brown earth pigment is popular with artists due to its semi- or semi-opaque qualities. It is lightfast, low-staining, and can readily be lifted to vary its value in otherwise dark passages. Warm Burnt Umber with a little Alizarin Crimson or cool it with blue as your subject dictates.

Excellent Lightfastness, Semi-transparent, Granulating, Low staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

Our DANIEL SMITH Indigo formula mixes Indanthrone Blue with Lamp Black for an extremely lightfast, intense dark that closely matches true Indigo. Transparent, yet high in tinting strength, this Indigo leaves a gentle faded blue denim stain when blotted from a damp state paint. Blueberries, blackberries and plums are a few subjects to play with using this technique. Use Indigo wherever dusty purples are desired. Indigo evokes a feeling of atmospheric depth used for expressive, moody skies. Try flowing short strokes of Indigo into water, add touches of Sepia and Quinacridone Burnt Orange to create branches and birch trees. Historically Indigo, used since the early Egyption times, has been a very important blue dye in fabrics as well as art materials, though not lightfast like DANIEL SMITH's Indigo Watercolor. Natural Indigo is a deep blue colorant named anil. It is obtained from the sprigs of the indigofera plant. In the late 1600's, the major source of indigo was the French West Indies, where large crops of indigofera was grown and harvested just before the plant bloomed. Once picked, the plant was processed in vats where it was water filtered, then dried into cakes for export.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-granulating, Medium staining

DANIEL SMITH is the Innovative Manufacturer of Beautiful Watercolors for Artists Worldwide, and makes the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer, more than 240 colors.  The 240+ color collection includes the exciting PrimaTek watercolors made from minerals (like Amethyst) plus other unique colors (like Moonglow) not available elsewhere, and Luminescent Watercolors which allow artists to capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature that regular watercolors cannot capture!

DANIEL SMITH Rose Madder Permanent is a modern, lightfast formulation of the traditional color giving artists a rose watercolor with similar properties. This warm, rose pink has an ever-so-slight hint of brown making it slightly less vivid than the pink Quinacridones, and a more natural blush, perfect for portraits.

Excellent Lightfastness, Transparent, Non-ganulating, Non-staining