Review: Karetaki Gansai Tambi 48 Watercolour Set - Are they worth the hype?

As an illustrator, I’m always on the lookout for materials that inspire creativity and elevate my work. Watercolours, in particular, are a staple in my process—they offer a blend of control and spontaneity that brings illustrations to life. So, when I got my hands on the Karetaki Gansai Tambi 48 Watercolour Set, I was eager to see how this medium performed.

First Impressions Karetaki’s Gansai Tambi watercolours are known for their rich, opaque colours and smooth application, and this 48-set certainly makes a statement. Here’s what stood out immediately:

• The palette includes an extensive range of hues, from deep jewel tones to soft pastels and shimmering metallics.

• The pans are larger than traditional Western watercolours, making them easy to use with broader brushes.

• The presentation is beautiful, housed in a sleek, minimalist box with individual pans labeled in both Japanese and English.

• Unlike traditional watercolours, Gansai Tambi paints have a creamy, almost gouache-like texture, which suggests bold pigmentation and smooth blending.

• 
  

But how do they perform?

Pigment Performance Gansai Tambi watercolours are known for their highly pigmented and vibrant hues, and this set does not disappoint.

• The saturation is intense, meaning a little goes a long way. Even with a light touch, the colours appear bold and striking.

• The metallic and pearlescent shades offer a beautiful shimmer, perfect for highlights and embellishments. The Gold and Starry Blue, in particular, stand out for their rich, reflective quality.

• Unlike traditional Western watercolours, these paints have a slightly more opaque quality, allowing for strong layering and coverage.

• However, the opacity means that lifting colour completely can be challenging, especially on more absorbent paper.

  
  

Mixing & Layering One of the strengths of Gansai Tambi paints is their blendability, but there are some nuances to consider:

• Mixing colours is smooth, though some of the deeper hues can dominate lighter tones if not carefully balanced.

• Layering works well, but since these paints have more opacity than traditional watercolours, layering can sometimes cover previous washes rather than build transparency.

• The metallics and pearlescents work best as final accents, as too much layering can dull their reflective quality.

• On textured paper, the colours settle beautifully, but the metallics can sometimes dry unevenly.

  
  

Usability & Application This set is incredibly versatile, working well with various brushes and techniques. Here’s what I found:

✔️ For fine details: The creamy consistency allows for smooth application, though a fine brush is needed for precision.

✔️ For washes: These paints reactivate easily with water, making them ideal for soft gradients and controlled blending.

✔️ On different papers: They perform beautifully on hot-pressed and cold-pressed watercolour paper, though on heavily textured surfaces, the metallics can settle unpredictably.

✔️ For mixed media: They pair well with ink and coloured pencils, though they are not fully waterproof when dry, so reactivating them is possible.

Who Is This Set For? So, should you add the Karetaki Gansai Tambi 48 Watercolour Set to your toolkit? Here’s my breakdown:

✔️ Great for:

• Illustrators who love rich, opaque colours that blend smoothly.

• Artists who enjoy bold, expressive watercolours with a touch of gouache-like coverage.

• Those looking for metallic and pearlescent paints that add striking highlights.

  
  

❌ Not ideal for:

• Artists who prefer transparent, traditional Western-style watercolours.

• Those who rely on lifting techniques, as these paints tend to stain more than traditional watercolours.

• Calligraphers using fine nibs—these paints are best used with brushes rather than dip pens.

  
  

Final Thoughts Overall, the Karetaki Gansai Tambi 48 Watercolour Set delivers vibrant, creamy paints that are a joy to work with. The bold pigmentation, large pans, and unique metallics make this a fantastic addition to any artist’s collection. While they lean slightly more opaque than traditional watercolours, they provide a gorgeous balance of intensity and blendability.

Would I use them for every project? Not necessarily—for more delicate, transparent washes, I’d opt for traditional watercolours. But for bold illustrations, mixed media work, or adding luminous accents, this set is a winner.

Have you tried Gansai Tambi Watercolours? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you used this set or any other set, or do you have a favourite Gansai Tambi colour? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your creations—I love seeing how other illustrators bring these paints to life!

NOTE: This is not a paid review and all opinions are my own.