Metallic Watercolor Swatches & Comparison (FineTec, Prima, Gansai Tambi, Brea Reese) + Lettering

I’ve always loved the look of metallic or pearlescent paint on a dark surface, and I’ve always loved my FineTec paints (which I’ve amassed quite a collection of over the years). So when I saw some new metallic paints from Brea Reese, I thought it would be interesting to get a few different sets of metallic watercolors and swatch and compare them. Here we go! :)

(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible).

I decided to compare four metallic or pearlescent watercolor sets in the video: Prima Metallic Accents (SSS, Amazon), Brea Reese Metallic Watercolors (SSS, Amazon), Gansai Tambi Starry Colors (SSS, Amazon) and Pearl Colors (SSS, Amazon) which I counted as one, and the new FineTec Pearlescent 24 Set (SSS).

I’ll let you watch the video above to get my full thoughts. In short, I think all four of these sets work well. I do think I prefer the FineTec paints just slightly over the others, but that could be because I am more familiar with the fluidity and “personality” of these paints. They do seem to be a bit more opaque, but that can be remedied with the other paints by learning the best water to pigment ratios to use.

Like I mention at the end of the video, I believe that the best watercolor set for you is the one you know. Price wise, I’d recommend the Prima set (which I believe is an existing watercolor set that other companies also private label and sell for about the same $15 price tag).

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out the links below if you’re interested in picking up one of these watercolor sets. :)

Supplies

(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible).


Prima Metallic Accents
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Brea Reese Metallic Watercolors
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi Starry Colors
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Gansai Tambi Pearl Colors
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Finetec Pearlescent Colours, 24 set
[ SSS ]
Cobalt Blue Glass Bottles with Eye…
[ AMZUS ]
Escoda Prado Watercolor Brush, Round 6
[ AMZUS ]
Escoda Prado Watercolor Brush, Round 0
[ AMZUS ]
AshBushInk Oblique Pen Holder
[ ETS ]
Brause Rose Nib
[ JHN ]
Bazzill Card Shoppe Licorice Twist…
[ SSS ]