A compact, travel-friendly set of metallic watercolour paints that does something genuinely distinctive — bringing a reflective, shimmering quality to watercolour work that conventional watercolour paint simply cannot produce. Made in Britain by Derwent, the Metallic Paint Pan Set contains 12 half pans of extra fine metallic pigment paint in a compact palette with built-in mixing trays, a mini waterbrush, and a sponge. Everything needed to get started is in the box.
The paint is activated with water in exactly the same way as conventional watercolour — load the waterbrush or a brush from a water pot, work it into the pan, and apply. Used in a thin wash, the metallic pigment disperses across the surface and dries with a subtle, soft shimmer that adds atmosphere and luminosity to backgrounds, skies, and washes without overpowering the subject. Applied in thicker, creamier strokes the paint becomes more opaque and more dramatically metallic — a genuinely striking effect particularly suited to decorative and illustrative work, lettering, and botanical or floral subjects where a jewel-like quality of light is the aim.
One of the most useful qualities of the Derwent Metallic paints is their performance on dark paper and card. The extra fine metallic pigment is opaque enough to show clearly on black and dark-toned surfaces — making this a paint set that opens up a whole range of dark paper techniques that are impossible with conventional transparent watercolour. All 12 colours are fully intermixable, and the set works well alongside other Derwent paint pan ranges including Inktense and Graphitint for mixed media applications. The paint is lightfast and vegan friendly.
The 12 colours are Gold, Pale Gold, Silver, Graphite, Ice Blue, Blue, Green, Lime Gold, Sunset, Red, Pink, and Purple — spanning warm and cool metallics, jewel tones, and neutrals.
Contents: 12 half pans, 1 mini waterbrush, 1 sponge, 5 mixing palettes
What makes metallic paint different from conventional watercolour? Metallic paint contains fine metallic pigment particles that reflect light, creating a shimmer and sheen that conventional watercolour pigments cannot produce. The effect ranges from a subtle luminous wash to a fully opaque metallic stroke depending on how much water is used and how thickly the paint is applied.
Does it work on dark paper? Yes — the opaque metallic pigment shows clearly on black and dark-toned paper and card, which makes this set particularly useful for dark paper techniques where conventional transparent watercolour would be invisible. Gold, Silver, and Purple are especially striking on black paper.
Can the colours be mixed together? Yes — all 12 colours are fully intermixable, giving a wider effective palette than the 12 included shades suggest. The set can also be used alongside Derwent Inktense and Graphitint paint pans for mixed media work.
Is it suitable for travel? Yes — the compact palette with integrated mixing trays, included waterbrush, and sponge makes it a fully self-contained travel set requiring no additional equipment. The palette closes securely for transport.
Is it lightfast and vegan friendly? Yes — the paint is lightfast and the formula is vegan friendly throughout.
