Blue is more than a color—it’s a language. It speaks of depth, distance, mystery, and mood. From calm, reflective washes to stormy, expressive textures, blue carries emotion in every brushstroke. We’ve carefully curated a set that explores the full expressive range of this essential color family.

The DANIEL SMITH Hand Poured Watercolor Half Pan Set – Blues: Serene to Dramatic, features six exquisite blues chosen for their versatility, granulation, and ability to tell powerful visual stories.

“Blue is a color associated with tranquility, eternity, mood, and well-being – it’s all around us. While being one of the three primary colors, blue comes in a multitude of shades, each with its own unique personality and characteristics. These colors can be mixed to create nearly any blue your mind can dream up. At one point in Europe’s history, only the very rich  were able to enjoy the luxury of blue paint. In my opinion, you can never have too many different blues!”
– Julie Ann Karlsson

This set brings together some of our most sought-after and inspiring blues, from two PrimaTek mineral pigments to deep indigos perfect for shadow and atmosphere. Whether you paint landscapes, abstracts, or anything in between, these colors are ready to elevate your work.

Explore Each Color in the Set

The included plastic box has space for nine additional half pans, allowing you to personalize the palette to suit your style and subject matter. Fill those pans with your favorite DANIEL SMITH Watercolors from tubes—whether you want to create a full-spectrum travel set or lean deeper into blue-inspired combinations.

Want to build out a complete “blues and companions” palette? Consider filling the extra pans with 15ml tubes of colors like Blue Apatite Genuine, a moody, granulating mineral blue; Cobalt Blue for soft sky washes; and Cobalt Teal Blue for vibrant aquatic accents. For intensity and mixing range, add Phthalo Blue (Green Shade) and Manganese Blue Hue. Round it out with gentle tints like Lavender, and textured mineral shades like Verditer Blue, Lapis Lazuli Genuine, and shimmering Kyanite Genuine.

These options not only complement the core six colors beautifully—they expand your creative range with unique granulation, glow, and character.

Each half pan in this set is hand poured in multiple layers—an artisan process that ensures maximum pigment load, easy rewetting, and professional-grade performance from the first stroke to the last. It’s a process we’re proud of, and one that supports your creative process with consistent, reliable color.

Housed in a compact plastic storage case, this set is designed for travel, plein air painting, and on-the-go inspiration. Whether you’re painting in your studio or perched beside a lake, your palette of expressive blues is always within reach. Plus, it can also serve as storage for your half pans- swap them out of other half pan travel palettes and store them safely in this plastic box!

From crystalline turquoise to velvety shadow, from delicate whispers to thunderous tone—this set captures the emotional range of blue like never before. Whether you lean toward realism, abstraction, or a style all your own, the Blues: Serene to Dramatic Half Pan set is an invitation to explore, express, and elevate your watercolor work.

Ready to unlock the power of blue?
Read more about the DANIEL SMITH Hand Poured Watercolor Half Pan Set – Blues: Serene to Dramatic and experience the magic of mineral and modern pigments—serene, dramatic, and everything in between. Be sure to check out our Find a Retailer tool to find out where to purchase this and other DANIEL SMITH products!