Jen de Leon

The Colors of Inspiration Set by Daniel Smith includes a travel case with 6 colors plus nine empty half pans.

Wisteria (PW 6, PR 122) is a semi-transparent light purple color with red undertones.

Lavender (PW 6, PV 15, PB 29) is a semi-transparent, granulating periwinkle blue with low-staining properties.

Rose of Ultramarine (PB 29, PV 19) is a mix of Ultramarine Blue and Quinacridone Rose, creating a vivid purplish red with granulation and transparency. It is moderately staining.

Moonglow (PG 18, PB 29, PR 177) is a mix of Anthraquinoid Red, Ultramarine Blue, and Viridian, creating a deep, dusky purple hue with granulating and low staining properties.

Shadow Violet (PO 73, PB 29, PG 18) is a deep gray-mauve with granulation and transparency.

Serpentine Genuine (PrimaTek) is a semi-transparent, granulating yellowish-green with specks of red-brown.

PRODUCT:

All of the paints selected for this set have a lightfast rating of I (Excellent) and re-wet easily with a damp brush.

VALUE:

At $35.95, each half pan is costing $5.99, which is not bad in comparison to other brands. (I bought this at $26.69 during a sale.)

To put this in perspective, Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Half Pans cost $6.47-8.70 each. Sennelier French Artists’ Watercolor Half Pans cost $5.61-8.12 each. Holbein Artists’ Watercolor Half Pans cost $9.07-13.81 each.

PACKAGING:

The travel case is lightweight, compact, and will fit nicely in your pocket, but it’s not well designed. You can read more about it in my previous review.

OVERALL:

I have no complaints with Daniel Smith watercolors as they are top notch, but the travel case is of poor quality and design.

I would recommend this set if you want to add unique colors to your collection. However, if you want to use this on the go, I would suggest transferring the pans into a metal box (or an Altoids tin). That’s what I did. 😉

Are you thinking of buying this set? Please let me know if you have any questions.