Why Are Handmade Watercolours So Expensive?

One of the most common questions people ask when they first discover handmade paints is: “Why are handmade watercolours so expensive compared to the ones in art shops?” It’s a fair question especially when a mass-produced set can cost the same as just a couple of artisan pans or tubes. But the answer lies in what goes into them and why they’re valued so highly by artists.

Premium and Rare Pigments

Handmade watercolours start with the best ingredients, and sometimes that means pigments you won’t easily find in mass-market paints. Artisan makers often use rare or historically significant pigments like Manganese Blue Genuine, Lapis Lazuli, Quinacridone Gold, Indian Yellow, or YnMn Blue. These pigments are expensive or only available in limited quantities which adds to the cost.

Their unique hues, transparency, and vibrancy can’t be replicated cheaply they give your paintings depth and character that standard paints just can’t achieve. When you choose handmade paints you’re not only getting high-quality craftsmanship but also access to colours that are truly special.

Time-Intensive Craft

Making handmade and high quality paints takes time. Even before the actual process takes place. Decisions have to be made such as which colour to make and a time frame need to be kept in mind.

Unlike commercial paints that roll off a production line, handmade paints are created in small batches. Each pigment is carefully mulled by hand until it reaches the perfect consistency. This process is labour intensive and requires physical stamina and that’s before testing, adjusting, and packaging. It’s slow, deliberate work and that labour is part of what you’re investing in.

Skill and Knowledge

Every pigment behaves differently. Some are gritty, some smooth, some staining, some granulating. A handmade paint maker learns how to coax out the best qualities of each pigment balancing the recipe so it re-wets beautifully and flows with control. That skill and knowledge is something mass production can’t replicate it’s what makes the difference between a paint that frustrates you and one that feels like it paints itself.

From experience I can tell you that some colours are just a pain in the butt and don’t want to behave and take a lot more effort to mull than some others. The behaviour of each pigment has to be learnt through mulling, it’s a bit like cooking, there is only so much you can learn from a book.

Quality Over Quantity

Handmade watercolours often have a higher pigment load meaning less binder and more colour. That’s why the colours feel so vibrant, why they layer well and why they last. They’re designed for artists who value quality over sheer volume. Instead of filling a drawer with dozens of mediocre paints you’re choosing a palette of fewer but far more powerful colour

Supporting Artists

When you buy handmade paints you’re not just buying materials you’re supporting an artist’s craft, passion and livelihood. Every tube or pan has a story and often a personal connection to the maker. For many artists that human element is just as important as the paint itself.

Final Thoughts

So yes, handmade watercolours can be more expensive. But they’re not just about cost they’re about value. You’re investing in colour that inspires, supports your art practice, and connects you to a tradition of craftsmanship.

If you’ve never tried handmade paints before I encourage you to experiment with even one or two colours. Personally, I create limited-batch handmade watercolours at DB Paints, each carefully mixed and tested for quality, vibrancy, and ease of use. You can explore my range here and see how a few artisan colours can transform your palette.