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🎨 Pearl Metallic Watercolor Set – 60 Colors (Portable Box)
I picked this pearl metallic watercolor set mostly because I was intrigued by how the metallic shine looked in customer photos. I do a lot of journaling and DIY card-making, and I’d been on the hunt for a portable watercolor kit that offered shimmer without being overly glittery. This 60-color set felt like a good middle ground between professional quality and fun aesthetics.
The delivery took around 12 days to arrive to the Midwest US, which I thought was surprisingly quick for AliExpress. Everything was tightly packaged and arrived intact. The paint pans are smaller than standard US brands, but honestly, for the price—about $15—it’s more than fair. Similar metallic sets here run $40–$60 and don’t include as many shades.
Using the paints was a joy. The colors activate fast with water, and the shimmer effect really pops on both black and white paper. I noticed minimal chalkiness, and they layer beautifully. I tested them on watercolor paper and cheap cardstock, and they held up well on both.
Pros: – Gorgeous metallic finish – Wide range of color tones – Compact and travel-friendly case – Much cheaper than US alternatives
Cons: – Pans are small – No color names printed
Definitely exceeded my expectations. Perfect for creative hobbyists like me.
US $3.84
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🌈 SeamiArt Pearlescent Watercolor Set – 60 Colors
This set was recommended by a few AliExpress buyers I follow, so I decided to give it a shot. What pulled me in was the bold pigmentation in customer images and how smooth the application looked.
Shipping to Ohio took about 2 weeks. Nicely wrapped, and I loved that the case had a protective plastic layer. Each color has its own little tray, and the included swatch card made it easy to get started.
These colors are rich. Like, really rich. With just a bit of water, the colors explode into vibrant, shimmery magic. I’ve been using them in my sketchbook, and they add that extra “pop” to even simple floral doodles.
Pros: – Intense pigmentation – Includes brush and swatch card – Layers well on mixed media paper
Cons: – Some colors are almost too similar – Paint pans are glued in and can’t be replaced
Compared to brands like Prima or Kuretake, this one’s a steal at under $20. I’d rebuy in a heartbeat.
US $15.4
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✨ 20-Color Mini Pearl Watercolor Kit
I wanted a tiny version of my bigger kits for sketching on the go. This one caught my eye because of its sleek tin case and the price—around $10.
Shipping took just over 10 days. The case is sturdy and surprisingly elegant. Paints were a bit dry at first but activated fine after the first use.
Color-wise, the palette leans toward pastel and light metallics. It’s not the most pigmented set, but perfect for subtle accents, journaling, or layering over ink drawings.
Pros: – Great for beginners – Compact size for travel – Soft metallic sheen
Cons: – Not super vibrant – No included brush
For its price, it works great as a secondary kit. Good for subtle watercoloring rather than intense color work.
US $6
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🖌️ Pro Artist Watercolor Set – 24 Colors + Paper + Brush
This felt like the most “complete” kit and I grabbed it mainly because it included watercolor paper and brushes. I was looking for a budget-friendly beginner’s set to give to my cousin, who just got into painting.
Delivery was super fast—only 9 days! Everything came together in one sturdy box. The brushes are decent for starters, and the included paper is decent quality—more like student-grade Bristol but still absorbent enough.
The paints are vibrant and buildable. Some of the darker tones took a bit more water to get going, but that’s to be expected at this price point.
Pros: – Full kit with paper and brushes – Great value for beginners – Easy to blend colors
Cons: – Some pans inconsistent in texture – Paint dries quickly on palette
This one absolutely met expectations for a $15 kit. Great gift set or beginner choice.
US $1.84
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🎨 Beginner Watercolor Paint Set – 36 Colors + Water Pens
I bought this set for the water brush pens—it’s hard to find a good affordable pack in the US without spending $20+ on the brushes alone. This set includes 3 of them.
Shipping took 2 weeks, but that was clearly noted during checkout. The paints themselves are on the creamy side and easy to activate. They’re definitely on the soft and chalky spectrum, but for casual sketching or kid-friendly projects, they’re ideal.
The water brushes work great—no leaks, good water control. That alone made the purchase worth it for me.
Pros: – Includes solid water brush pens – Nice color variety – Good for travel or quick sketching
Cons: – Paints are chalkier than pro-grade – No case divider; pans can shift
At $12, I’m happy. Wouldn’t use for detailed pieces, but perfect for journaling and doodling.
US $5.1
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🧴 Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Tubes – 8ml
Honestly didn’t expect to find authentic Winsor & Newton tubes on AliExpress, so I was a bit skeptical. But all signs point to these being legit—and they’re about 30% cheaper than local art stores.
Shipping took just under 3 weeks. The packaging is simple but effective. Paint quality? Excellent, as always. These Cotman tubes have high tinting strength, smooth application, and good transparency.
Pros: – Reliable, professional quality – Great lightfastness – Works well for layering
Cons: – Long delivery time – Only 8 tubes per set
For serious work, these are my go-to now. I’ll definitely buy a second set when I run out.
US $4.08
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🎨 Fan Fold Travel Watercolor Set – 42 Colors
This folding watercolor set was pure curiosity. The accordion-style design looked cool and space-saving. I like painting outside, and this seemed like a dream for plein air sketches.
Arrived in 11 days. It folds neatly, and the brush pen included is surprisingly decent. Colors aren’t as pigmented as in larger sets, but they mix beautifully and dry matte.
Pros: – Unique folding design – Brush included – Lightweight for travel
Cons: – Some colors look too similar – Shallow paint wells
Still, I’d recommend this one for anyone who paints on the go. Super handy and fun to use.
US $9.61
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🌟 72-Color Pearl Watercolor Set – Premium Shimmer Paints
Saved the best for last. This 72-color pearl set is stunning. I splurged on it because I wanted a luxurious palette for creating decorative journal spreads and wedding invites.
Took 13 days to arrive. The case is sleek, and each paint pan is neatly labeled. The metallics are bold, creamy, and apply like butter. Even the light colors show up well on black paper.
Pros: – Insane shimmer quality – Huge variety of tones – Professional packaging
Cons: – Price is a bit higher (~$30) – Case is slightly bulky
It felt like getting a $70 set from a US boutique shop. I was genuinely impressed.
US $12.98
🧾 Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect to be this satisfied with my AliExpress watercolor haul, but every product delivered solid quality—some even better than what I’d find at Michael’s or Blick. Prices were unbeatable, packaging was secure, and delivery windows were reasonable.
I’d absolutely recommend these kits to fellow artists, journaling lovers, and beginners alike. AliExpress has earned a regular customer in me, and I’m already eyeing a few more sets. Definitely surprised—in the best way.
