Nicpro 168 Colors Watercolor Paint Set - Travel Kit with Brushes

In this review of the Nicpro 168 Colors Watercolor Paint Set the bottom line is simple: it is a travel-ready starter kit aimed at beginners and hobbyists who want a huge palette without mixing from scratch. The set's single biggest selling point is the breadth of colors - 168 pressed pans including metallics, macarons, candies and fluorescents - combined with upgraded accessories that let users start painting right away. For anyone seeking variety, portability and a ready supply of paper and brushes, this kit delivers a compelling package.

Key Features

• 168 vivid colors: Includes 84 classic shades plus 48 metallics, 12 macaron, 12 candy and 12 fluorescent pans so you can pick precise hues without extensive mixing.
• Portable metal case: The compact metal palette keeps pans secure and doubles as a mixing surface for painting on the go.
• Upgraded brush set: Eight synthetic squirrel brushes in multiple round sizes and one flat let you achieve both fine detail and broad washes.
• Ready-to-use accessories: Comes with three refillable water brush pens, two round sponges and a carrying bag so you can start painting outdoors or while traveling.
• Paper and pad included: A 25-sheet A5 cold-press paper pad (140 lb/300 g) provides textured sheets suitable for watercolor techniques without needing separate purchases.

Who It's For

The Nicpro set is ideal for beginners, students and hobby artists who value color variety and a complete kit that requires minimal additional gear. The included paper pad, multiple brush sizes and water brushes let users experiment with washes, glazes and metallic effects right away.

Serious professionals who need archival pigments, single-origin artist-grade paints or large-format sheets may want to look elsewhere, but casual painters, travel sketchers and teachers seeking a classroom-friendly, non-toxic option will find this set appealing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely wide color selection reduces the need to mix custom hues and speeds up workflow.
• High pigment concentration delivers good transparency and smooth blending for typical watercolor techniques.
• Well-rounded accessory set including squirrel-hair style synthetic brushes and quality cold-press paper makes this a true all-in-one kit.
• Metallic and fluorescent pans add effects that are eye-catching and fun for illustrations and craft projects.

Cons

• Some users noted issues around color chip resistance, so expect occasional pan wear with heavy scrubbing or palette swaps.
• The set is not marketed as professional archival paint, so longevity expectations should be moderate for serious conservation needs.

Specifications

Product type	Travel watercolor paint set
Number of colors	168 pans (84 classic, 48 metallic, 12 macaron, 12 candy, 12 fluorescent)
Brushes included	8 synthetic squirrel brushes (round #0,#1,#2,#4,#6,#8,#12 and 1/2 flat)
Paper	25-sheet A5 pad, 140 lb / 300 g cold press textured paper
Extras	3 refillable water brushes, 2 sponges, sketch pencil, eraser, sharpener, swatch sheet, carrying bag
Case	Portable metal palette case
Safety	Conforms to ASTM D-4236, non-toxic

Our Verdict

The Nicpro 168 Colors Watercolor Paint Set is a strong value for beginners and hobbyists who want immediate creative options without buying many separate items. Its massive color range, useful metallics and complete accessory pack make it especially good for travel, classes and mixed-media practice. While not aimed at archival-grade professional work, it is an excellent kit for learning, experimenting and producing colorful finished pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the paints ready to use straight from the pans?
The pressed pans dissolve easily with water and are ready to use; try dampening a brush or using the included water brushes for smooth application.

Is the paper suitable for wet-on-wet techniques?
Yes, the included 140 lb / 300 g cold-press paper handles washes and moderate wet-on-wet work without excessive buckling.

Are the metallic colors very sparkly?
The metallic pans offer noticeable shimmer suitable for highlights and decorative work, and they blend well with the classic colors for mixed effects.