- Renowned professional quality - Ultra-fine pigments and gum arabic - Free of ox-gall and other dispersing agents - Exceptionally smooth handling - Made in Japan First introduced in the 1920s and still expertly crafted in Japan, Holbein Artist Watercolors set the benchmark for color purity, clarity, and permanence. Their ultra-fine milling process results in a consistently smooth, velvety texture and unrivaled color intensity. Free of ox-gall, animal byproducts, and other dispersing agents, they give you enhanced control over pigment flow—perfect for graphic, ultra-fine lines, nuanced washes, and everything in between. Holbein Artists' Watercolors dry to a smooth finish without cracking, crumbling, or chipping. To use them as pan colors, simply allow to dry in your preferred palette and rewet as needed. The collection includes a selection of specially formulated Granulating colors for bold textural effects, as well as the Luminous series, which offers a palette of radiant fluorescent colors.