Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolor Set 1 - Brilliant

In this review of Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolor (Set 1) the bottom line is simple: this 12-bottle liquid watercolor set is aimed at artists and serious hobbyists who want highly concentrated, transparent pigments that travel and mix easily. The set delivers the same brilliance and permanence associated with fine art tubes while coming in convenient 0.5 oz bottles with droppers and a tray that doubles as a mixing palette. For painters who value vivid color, good mixing, and long-lasting results, this set is a practical studio staple.

Key Features

• Fine art quality: The paints are made from artist-grade pigments to offer permanence and the same visual brilliance as traditional tube watercolors.
• Compact bottles: Each 0.5 oz plastic bottle with a dropper allows precise dispensing and minimizes waste for controlled, economical use.
• Built-in mixing palette: The included tray doubles as a bottle holder and a mixing palette with twelve wells, making setup and travel simpler.
• Transparent, luminous color: The liquid formulation preserves transparency and luminosity so glazes and layered washes remain vibrant.
• Versatile application: These waterscolors work on paper or canvas and are suitable for calligraphy, technical work, fountain pens, and airbrushes.
• Made in the USA: The product is manufactured domestically, which can be important for quality control and sourcing.

Who It's For

This set is best for watercolorists who want a compact, refillable option with strong mixing potential and high color payoff; illustrators, calligraphers, and artists who use airbrush or fountain pen techniques will appreciate the liquid concentration and droppers. The fine art pigment quality also makes it attractive to professionals and advanced students seeking lightfast, transparent glazes.

Beginners can use the set too, but those who prefer traditional tube textures or larger bulk volumes for heavy pans of color might look elsewhere; also, plein air painters who need larger paint quantities per color could prefer full-size tubes or pans.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Vibrant, high-quality color that mixes cleanly and remains transparent for luminous layers.
• Small bottles with droppers provide precise control and a little goes a long way, offering good value.
• Included tray serves as a dedicated mixing palette and bottle organizer for neat workflow and travel.
• Versatile for multiple media uses including paper, canvas, calligraphy, and airbrushing.

Cons

• At 0.5 oz per bottle the quantities are small, so heavy users may need frequent repurchase of favorite colors.

Specifications

Brand	Dr. Ph. Martin's
Product type	Fine art liquid watercolor set
Set size	1 set of 12 bottles
Bottle volume	0.5 oz (15 ml) plastic bottles with droppers
Included accessories	Tray that doubles as mixing palette and bottle holder with 12 wells
Color range	Set 1 includes Hansa Yellow Light, Gamboge, Brilliant Cad Red plus nine more
Made in	USA

Our Verdict

Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolor Set 1 is a strong choice for artists who prioritize color brilliance, transparency, and convenient, precise application. The 0.5 oz dropper bottles and mixing tray make it travel-friendly and economical, while the fine art pigments hold up well in layered work. It offers good value for those who want concentrated, lightfast liquid watercolors, though painters who need larger single-color volumes should consider tube alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these watercolors lightfast?
Yes, the Hydrus line is formulated as fine art quality and offers lightfast pigments comparable to traditional tube watercolors.

Can I use these in an airbrush or fountain pen?
Yes, the liquid concentration and droppers make the paints suitable for airbrushes and compatible with many fountain pen and technical applications when properly thinned.

Does the set include a mixing palette?
Yes, each set includes a tray that doubles as a bottle holder and mixing palette with wells for convenient color blending.