Derwent Inktense Paint 24 Pan Palette - Vibrant Permanent Watercolor

In this review the Derwent Inktense Paint 24 Pan Palette is presented as a versatile travel-ready paint set aimed at artists who want watercolour-like washes that become permanent once dry. The biggest reason to buy is the Inktense formulation: washes behave like conventional watercolour when wet but lock in as intense, non-rewettable colour after drying, so layers remain vibrant and separate. The set reviewed here includes 24 pans, a waterbrush, a sponge and a removable five-well mixing palette, making it a complete portable studio kit.

Key Features

• Permanent when dry: The Inktense formulation allows artists to build layers without dissolving earlier washes, preserving underpainting and tonal work.
• Complete portable kit: Includes 24 highly lightfast pans, a waterbrush, sponge and removable mixing palette so you can paint on the go.
• Wide colour palette: The 24-pan selection mixes traditional earths and bright hues that cover warm, cool and neutral needs for landscapes, portraits and crafts.
• Multi-surface use: Suitable for paper, fabric and other surfaces, enabling experiment in quilting, fashion design and card making.
• Soft core, firm texture: The pans deliver smooth pigment pickup that works well with a waterbrush and gives predictable washes and details.

Who It's For

The Derwent Inktense 24 Pan Palette is best for intermediate and advanced artists who want intense washes that can be layered without reactivating previous layers, and for travellers who need a compact, all-in-one paint solution. Illustrators, mixed-media artists and hobbyists who experiment with fabric or craft projects will find the permanence and colour range especially useful.

Beginners who expect traditional rewettable watercolours or who need a fully waterproof finish for heavy outdoor use may want to test a smaller set first; likewise those who require opaque gouache-like coverage should consider other media. This set is not primarily aimed at students seeking budget pans with minimal portability accessories.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Vibrant, lightfast pigments that layer well and keep their intensity after drying.
• Travel-friendly kit with a waterbrush, sponge and removable mixing wells for painting outside the studio.
• Versatile across paper, fabric and craft surfaces so it suits multiple creative uses.

Cons

• Because the paint becomes permanent when dry, it is less forgiving for corrections that require rewetting earlier layers.
• Some users may find pigment strength varies between colours, requiring more mixing for subtle tints.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Derwent Inktense 24 Pan Palette is a strong choice for artists who want intense, permanent washes in a portable studio format. Its combination of vibrant, lightfast colours and on-the-go accessories gives good value to creatives who mix painting with travel, crafting or textile work. Buy it if you prefer buildable layers that stay put once dry; consider a smaller set first if you need fully rewettable traditional watercolour behaviour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these pans be used on fabric?
Yes, Inktense is suitable for fabric and other surfaces, enabling craft and fashion design projects once set.

Does the paint wash out after it dries?
No, the Inktense formulation becomes permanent when dry and will not dissolve like traditional watercolour.

Is this kit travel friendly?
Yes, the compact palette, waterbrush and sponge make it convenient to carry in a bag for plein air and travel painting.