DANIEL SMITH Cobalt Violet Extra-Fine Watercolour Paint, 15ml — Transparent, Lightfast

DANIEL SMITH Cobalt Violet is an extra-fine, transparent purple watercolour in a 15ml tube, prized for soft granulation, excellent lightfastness and easy lifting for highlights.

Engineered for artists who demand consistency and richness, this 15ml tube of Cobalt Violet from DANIEL SMITH offers a reliably pure pigment experience. Formulated with the same exacting standards that define the DANIEL SMITH line, the colour provides soft petal-like washes, subtle granulation and clean mixing behavior. It’s produced in Seattle and conforms to ASTM D4236, so you get museum-quality workmanship with a compact tube suited to studio, plein air, or travel use.

What visual qualities can I expect from Cobalt Violet?

Cobalt Violet delivers a delicate, slightly granulating purple with a luminous, transparent finish that reads especially well in washes. It retains clarity when mixed and can be built from pale glazes to more saturated passages without becoming muddy.

• Transparent, allowing underlying layers to show through
• Light granulation for subtle textured effects
• Clean mixing behavior with minimal discoloration
• Works well from thin glazes to fuller pigment strength

How does this paint behave during painting and lifting?

Cobalt Violet is non-staining and designed to lift easily, making it forgiving for adjustments and highlights. Artists can soften edges, glaze over dried areas or lift back to reveal paper for corrections and light effects.

• Non-staining — lifts readily with a damp brush or blot
• Soft edges achievable for floral and atmospheric subjects
• Reworkable when re-wetted, aiding blending and transitions
• Ideal for techniques needing both control and spontaneity

Is this pigment suitable for professional work and archival pieces?

Yes — DANIEL SMITH formulates this colour to meet high permanence standards and tests every batch for performance. The pigment offers excellent lightfastness so finished works retain their appearance over time when displayed appropriately.

• Conforms to ASTM D4236 for artist materials
• Excellent lightfastness for longevity in finished pieces
• Fine pigment load with pure gum arabic binder—no fillers
• Produced and quality-tested in the USA

How can Cobalt Violet best be applied or combined in a palette?

Cobalt Violet pairs effortlessly with warm earths, cool blues and other transparent pigments to produce nuanced neutrals, soft shadows, or floral tones. Because it mixes cleanly, it’s a useful choice for controlled colour shifts without overpowering mixtures.

• Pairs well with ultramarine, sap green, and warm ochres
• Great for floral washes, skies with violet undertones, and soft shadows
• Use thin glazes for luminous layers or stronger application for focal accents
• Complement with DANIEL SMITH Luminescent or PrimaTek colours for special effects

Who is this for? DANIEL SMITH Cobalt Violet 15ml is aimed at watercolourists who want a dependable, artist-grade purple that reads beautifully in both delicate washes and more saturated passages. Whether you’re a professional illustrator, plein air artist, or a dedicated hobbyist exploring advanced techniques like granulation and lifting, this tube provides a versatile, archival pigment to expand your palette.