ARTISTRO 168 Watercolour Paint Set in portable metal case – 168 shades with brushes and essentials

The essentials

If you’re after a travel-friendly watercolour kit that doesn’t force you to mix for every single colour, this ARTISTRO 168 set is built around variety first. You get 168 watercolour shades plus a bundle of supporting tools, all packed into a portable metal case with organised slots. On paper, it’s the sort of set you reach for when you want to paint away from your usual desk setup—at home, outdoors, or for class.

The draw here isn’t just the number of colours. The set also leans into how watercolours behave in use: each colour is described as highly transparent with vivid saturation and smooth blending, dissolving readily in water and layering without the “patchy” look that some lower-end sets can produce. It’s not aiming to be a minimalist palette, it’s aiming to give you options.

What stands out in everyday use

The biggest practical advantage is having a broad shade range in one place. With classic colours plus metallic, macaron, neon and fluorescent options, you’re less likely to hit that moment where you can’t quite match the tone you had in mind. For students, it also helps with learning colour choice and building confidence quickly—rather than spending most of the session mixing.

The included tools are also part of why this kit feels complete for the “grab it and go” crowd. You get 6 brushes in multiple sizes, a drawing pencil, eraser, sharpener, a sponge, a swatch card, and a built-in mixing tray. If you like to plan colours as you go, the swatch card can be handy for checking what a shade looks like before you commit it to the page.

Is it perfect? Not necessarily for every workflow. With 168 colours packed together, it’s more of a “carries everything” solution than a sleek, pared-back palette. If you strongly prefer limited palettes or you already own pro-grade brushes and paper, you might find the bulk a bit unnecessary.

Key takeaways on pigments and blending

The set is described as using professional artist-grade pigments with high transparency and vivid saturation, designed to blend smoothly. Colours are said to dissolve easily in water, layer beautifully, and stay vibrant without cracking or fading over time.

That’s the kind of promise that matters if you care about consistency across layers—like when you’re doing gentle washes then pushing darker details on top. For example, you could start with a light wash for a sky gradient, let it dry, and then use a brush size from the included set to add sharper edges and highlights without the colours turning muddy.

One limitation to keep in mind: the information provided focuses on behaviour and safety, but it doesn’t specify lightfastness ratings or pigment-level details. So if you’re working on pieces where archival performance is the top priority, it’s worth checking whether you need more technical reassurance than a general “vibrant over time” statement.

Who it suits (and who should be cautious)

This kit makes sense if you want an all-in-one portable watercolour option—especially if you’re buying for beginners, students, or adults who paint as a hobby and need a tidy setup.

It may not suit you if you’re already heavily invested in a specific brush/paper setup and prefer to build your own palette colour-by-colour. Also, if you dislike kits with lots of colours (because you prefer simple mixing and fewer choices), the “168 shades” approach could feel like overkill.

The safety angle is straightforward: it’s described as safe and non-toxic, conforming to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 safety standards, and is stated to be non-toxic and odorless—aimed at kids, teens, and adults. That’s a plus for classrooms and shared studio spaces where safety matters.

Key specifications

• Type: Watercolour paint set
• Name: ARTISTRO 168 Watercolour Paint Set
• Format: Portable set with palette and brushes
• Colour range: 168 watercolour shades (including classic, metallic, macaron, neon, fluorescent)
• Safety: Non-toxic and odorless, conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71

Is it worth it?

Buy it if you want one portable kit that covers both paint and the basic tools you need to start immediately—plus a large shade selection to reduce the time spent mixing for specific tones. It’s also a strong “school/classroom friendly” pick thanks to the safety standards mentioned and the all-in-one packaging.

Skip it if you’re after a more minimal palette, or if you’re very particular about pigment performance and want lightfastness/pigment specifics beyond the general claims. Also, if you’d rather use your own brush set and mixing setup, you may not need the built-in tray and bundled extras.

If you like the idea of painting on the go and having enough colours to keep choices open, this one fits that brief. If your routine is studio-only and you prefer tighter, curated colour selections, you might get better value elsewhere.

Quick FAQ

What’s included in the ARTISTRO 168 set?

Alongside the 168 watercolour shades, the kit includes 6 brushes (multiple sizes), a drawing pencil, eraser, sharpener, sponge, swatch card, and a built-in mixing tray.

Is it suitable for children?

The set is described as safe and non-toxic, conforming to ASTM D-4236 and EN71, and stated to be non-toxic and odorless for kids, teens, and adults.

Does the set focus on mixing or pre-made colours?

It’s designed to lean more towards having a ready-made shade for more tones, reducing the need for endless mixing. That said, it still supports blending and layering.

Is the metal case good for travel?

The paints and accessories are packed in a durable metal case with organised slots, so it’s set up for transport rather than leaving everything loose in a bag.

Is it a good buy for professional artists?

It’s positioned as supporting a range of techniques and described as having professional artist-grade pigments, so professionals could use it for travel or sketching. However, if you need detailed archival specs, the provided information may feel a bit general.