Mastering Watercolor Painting: Part 2 -  Watercolor Paints

Forms of Watercolor Paint

Watercolor is available in multiple forms, each offering unique advantages.

Tubes: Contain highly pigmented paint with a creamy consistency. Ideal for large washes and strong color applications. Tube paint can also be used to fill empty pans and allowed to dry, creating custom pan sets.

Pans (and Half-Pans): Dried, solid cakes of paint that activate with water. Compact and travel-friendly. Dried watercolor in a pan can always be reactivated with water, so never throw away dried-out paints.

Watercolor Pencils: Can be used dry for detailed drawings or activated with water for a painterly effect.

Watercolor Crayons and Sticks: Highly pigmented and water-soluble, offering vibrant textures.

Watercolor Markers: Deliver bold strokes and are perfect for sketching and quick applications.

Liquid Watercolor Ink: Highly fluid and vibrant, often used in calligraphy, mixed media, and expressive washes.

Watercolor Tubes vs Pans

What Makes Watercolor? Pigments and Binders in Watercolor

The composition of watercolor paints plays a crucial role in their performance. Understanding pigments and binders helps artists make informed choices.

Pigments: These finely ground particles provide color and are sourced from minerals, plants, or synthetic compounds. Some pigments are more lightfast than others, affecting a painting's longevity.

Binders: The primary binder, gum arabic, dissolves in water and allows pigments to adhere to the painting surface while influencing paint flow and transparency.

Additives: Ingredients such as honey (which enhances moisture retention), glycerin (which improves paint flexibility), and ox gall (which increases pigment dispersion) modify paint behavior.

Masstone vs. Undertone: Unlocking the True Nature of Watercolor Pigments

When selecting and mixing watercolors, understanding masstone and undertone can help you achieve more accurate and vibrant results.

Masstone: The Surface Color

Masstone is the color you see when paint is applied thickly or straight from the tube. This is its most concentrated appearance, showing how opaque or transparent a pigment can be.

Undertone: The Hidden Hue

Undertone appears when the paint is thinned out or spread in a wash. This subtle underlying color often differs from the masstone and is crucial for mixing harmonious colors. For example, some blues lean green in their undertone (Phthalo Blue), while others lean violet (Ultramarine).

How to Test:

• Swatch your paint with a thick application at one end and gradually dilute it into a wash.
• Scrape a bit of paint onto white paper with a palette knife to reveal the undertone.

📌 Pro Tip: When mixing colors, always consider undertones. A red with a blue undertone (Alizarin Crimson) will mix differently than one with an orange undertone (Cadmium Red). This knowledge helps avoid muddy colors and ensures vibrant blends.

 

 

Transparent Watercolor vs. Gouache

Watercolor paints vary in transparency and opacity, which affects layering and mixing techniques.

Key Differences

Transparent Watercolor: Allows light to pass through, creating a luminous effect. Used for glazing and soft transitions.

Gouache: Compared to transparent watercolor, gouache contains a higher percentage of pigment to gum arabic binder, which obscures underlying layers. Useful for bold strokes and strong color applications, this opaque, highly-pigmented watercolor provides a velvety matte finish and it is popular among illustrators and designers.

 

Watercolor Mediums and Products

Artists can enhance their watercolor paintings with various mediums that modify paint behavior.

Common Mediums and Their Uses

Masking Fluid (Frisket): A latex-based liquid that preserves white areas by resisting watercolor.

Granulation Medium: Increases texture by encouraging pigment particles to settle into paper fibers.

Gum Arabic: Enhances transparency, gloss, and flow while slowing drying time.

Ox Gall: Improves paint flow and blending properties, particularly for wet-on-wet techniques.

Texture Mediums: Available in various forms, including coarse, smooth, and absorbent mediums, to create different surface effects.

Grounds: Watercolor ground allows painting on non-traditional surfaces like wood, canvas, or glass. Available in white, black, and tinted options to alter the final appearance.

Discover Winsor & Newton Iridescent Medium

Watercolor Paint Brands

Watercolor brands vary in pigment quality, pricing, and available color ranges. Here is information about the brands sold at Alabama Art Supply.

 Winsor & Newton

• Professional & Student Grades Available – Offers Artists’ Watercolour (professional) and Cotman (student-grade) lines.
• Highly Lightfast Pigments – Most colors are permanent and do not fade over time.
• Smooth, Consistent Application – Trusted by artists for even washes and strong color mixing properties.
• Transparent & Granulating Options – A broad range of colors, including granulating and staining pigments.
• Best For: Artists looking for reliable, high-quality watercolors with excellent color stability and professional consistency.

Daniel Smith

• Largest Range of Colors – Over 250 colors, including unique mineral-based pigments (e.g., Serpentine, Amethyst Genuine).
• Primatek Series – Special line of natural mineral pigments that create unique textures.
• Highly Pigmented – Very concentrated colors that can be used at full strength or diluted for delicate washes.
• Exceptional Lightfastness – Most colors are rated as extremely permanent.
• Best For: Artists who love vibrant, intense colors and experimental, granulating effects.

Holbein

• No Ox Gall or Dispersing Agents – Provides more control over paint flow, making it great for precision work.
• Bright, High-Impact Colors – Colors are pure, smooth, and consistent, without unwanted mixing shifts.
• Less Granulation – Works well for flat washes and controlled techniques.
• Does Not Rewet as Easily – Once dried, Holbein paint resists lifting more than other brands.
• Best For: Artists who need crisp edges, bold colors, and highly controlled paint flow.

 QoR (Golden Artist Colors)

• Aquazol® Binder Instead of Gum Arabic – Increases pigment strength and rewetting ability.
• High-Intensity Colors – Colors appear more vibrant and deep compared to other brands.
• Incredible Transparency – Perfect for glazing and layering techniques.
• Less Cracking in Pans – Stays more flexible when dry, unlike some traditional pan paints.
• Best For: Artists who want highly pigmented, modern watercolors with extra color vibrancy and smooth rewetting. 

Koi Watercolors (Sakura)

• Affordable & Highly Pigmented – A budget-friendly, student-grade option with surprisingly strong color payoff.
• Great for Beginners & Sketching – Easy-to-use pan sets are great for travel and quick studies.
• Portable Watercolor Sets – Often comes with built-in palettes and water brushes.
• Good Transparency but Less Lightfast – Some colors may fade over time, making them better for sketchbooks than archival work.
• Best For: Students, beginners, and artists looking for a compact, affordable travel watercolor kit.

Cotman (Winsor & Newton Student Line)

• Affordable yet Reliable – Designed for students and beginners, offering good pigment quality at a lower price.
• Lower Pigment Load – Compared to Winsor & Newton’s professional line, Cotman has more binder and less pigment, resulting in less intense colors.
• Smooth & Consistent Application – Flows well and works great for washes and layering.
• Limited Lightfastness in Some Colors – While many are lightfast, some student-grade colors may fade over time.
• Best For: Beginners and students looking for a dependable, easy-to-use watercolor set without the high price of professional paints. Ideal for learning techniques, sketching, and practice.

Van Gogh (Royal Talens Student/Intermediate Line)

• High Pigment Concentration for a Student Line – Van Gogh has richer colors compared to most student-grade watercolors, making it a good mid-level option.
• Better Transparency & Layering – Many colors remain bright and translucent, allowing for better glazing.
• Stronger Lightfastness – More colors are rated as permanent compared to other student brands.
• Comes in Pans & Tubes – Provides flexibility for artists who prefer one format over the other.
• Best For: Students, hobbyists, and intermediate artists who want a balance of affordability and high color quality. Great for those moving toward professional-grade paints but not ready to invest in top-tier brands yet.

Grumbacher Academy Watercolors

• Made in the USA – A well-known student-grade watercolor manufactured by Grumbacher, a reputable art supply company.
• Stronger Color Intensity than Most Student Brands – While still student-grade, Academy watercolors are more vibrant than Cotman but less saturated than Van Gogh.
• Smooth Consistency & Easy Mixing – Colors blend well and don’t separate as much as lower-quality watercolors.
• Affordable for Beginners & Classrooms – Often recommended for schools, workshops, and group settings.
• Best For: Beginners, students, and classroom environments where good-quality watercolors are needed at a reasonable price.

Watercolors for Kids and Schools

For young artists and school settings, watercolors come in safer, more affordable formulations.

Recommended Brands

• Prang: Washable and vibrant, designed for easy use by children.

• Crayola: Affordable and widely available for classroom use.

Key Benefits

• Non-toxic and washable formulations for younger children.
• Student-grade brands offer better pigment load and mixing properties.
• Wide range of colors available for exploration and experimentation.

Brands and the Products They Offer

Brand	Grade	Binder Type	Transparency	Rewetting Ability	Color Intensity	Granulation	Best For
Winsor & Newton Professional	Pro	Gum Arabic	Varies (mostly transparent)	Excellent	High	Some colors	Artists seeking a balanced, classic professional  watercolor
Daniel Smith	Pro	Gum Arabic	Varies (many transparent)	Excellent	Very High	Many colors	Artists wanting the largest color selection & unique pigments
Holbein	Pro	Gum Arabic	Transparent to Semi-Opaque	Moderate	Very High	Minimal	Artists needing bold, smooth color with controlled flow
QoR	Pro	Aquazol	Highly Transparent	Very High	Extremely High	Minimal	Painters wanting ultra-vibrant, modern  watercolor options
Cotman (Winsor & Newton)	Student	Gum Arabic	Mostly Transparent	Good	Moderate	Minimal	Beginners needing an affordable, easy-to-use option
Van Gogh	Student/Inter-mediate	Gum Arabic	Mostly Transparent	Good	Moderate to High	Minimal	Students and intermediate artists transitioning to pro paint
Grumbacher Academy	Student	Gum Arabic	Semi-Transparent	Good	Moderate	Minimal	Classroom settings, budget-friendly student use
Koi Watercolors	Student	Gum Arabic	Semi-Transparent	Good	Moderate	Minimal	Beginners and casual artists looking for travel-friendly sets

 

Brands That Offer Watercolor Pencils, Markers & Crayons

Brand	Quality Level	Watercolor Pencils	Watercolor Markers	Watercolor Crayons
Faber-Castell	Professional	Yes	No	No
Derwent	Professional/Intermediate	Yes	No	No
Caran d'Ache	Professional	Yes	Yes	Yes
Prismacolor	Student/Intermediate	No	No	No
Staedtler	Student/Intermediate	Yes	No	No
Koh-I-Noor	Intermediate	Yes	No	No
Winsor & Newton	Professional	Yes	Yes	No
Stabilo	Student	Yes	Yes	No
Arteza	Student	Yes	Yes	No
Tombow	Student/Intermediate	No	Yes	No
Lyra	Student/Intermediate	Yes	No	Yes
Kuretake	Professional/Intermediate	No	Yes	No

 

Now that you learned about watercolor paints, read the next part of our series, Mastering Watercolor Painting: Part 3 - Watercolor Surfaces and Preparation. Selecting the right surface influences paint absorption, blending, and overall results. CLICK HERE to continue reading.

Alabama Art Supply is your one-stop shop for all things art! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, we have everything you need to bring your creative vision to life. From paints and brushes to canvases, sketchbooks, custom framing, and more—if you’re looking for art supplies, we’ve got you covered. Don’t see what you need? Just reach out to us at 205-322-4741—we’re happy to help you find exactly what you're looking for!

 

 

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