Watercolor Paint

Watercolor Paint

Watercolor paint is a water-based paint made from finely ground pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder. By diluting the pigment with water like this, you can achieve a translucent effect and work with a wide spectrum of colors. Watercolors are known for their luminous colors, versatility, and the ability to create soft, blended effects. Watercolor painting is a popular technique among artists of all ages and skill levels due to its forgiving nature and the opportunity for experimentation.

Types of Watercolor Paint

Watercolor paint comes in three main formats, each with its own advantages.

• Watercolor Tubes contain soft and moist, ready-to-use watercolor paint. They’re convenient in situations where you don’t want to activate solid colors with water or pre-mix large quantities of one color. Tubed watercolors generally provide a greater amount of pigment for each stroke, making them a great option for creating vibrant, larger-scale works. Many brands offer two tube sizes of each color: large and small.
• Watercolor Pans are solid blocks of dry paint that become fluid on contact with a wet brush. Available in full or half pan formats, they’re durable and convenient for travel and outdoor painting. While solid pans are common for children's paints, most professional and student-grade watercolors are available in both pan and tube formats–the difference comes down to preference, not quality.
• Liquid Watercolors are concentrated and very fluid. They have a consistency similar to ink but with greater transparency. More commonly used as a children’s art supply, they deliver intense color and can be dye- or pigment-based, with varied resistance to fading. Liquid watercolor can be used directly from the bottle or diluted for greater transparency.

Grades of Watercolor Paint

In addition to different formats, watercolors come in a range of grades for artists of all ages and skill levels.

• Artist Grade: Artist or professional-grade watercolors are typically more expensive but offer higher pigment concentrations and minimal fillers. Professional watercolor ranges include more colors made from a unique, single pigment, allowing for more predictable color mixing outcomes. They offer excellent fade-resistance and preserve their intensity over time.
• Student Grade: Student or studio-grade watercolors are more affordable, but often contain lower pigment concentrations and more fillers. Student ranges usually include more "hues" or convenience colors made with two or more pigments, which can result in muddy or unpredictable mixtures.
• Scholastic Grade: Scholastic and children’s watercolors prioritize safety and convenience. They’re also the most affordable option, made with lower concentrations of non-toxic pigments. Kids’ watercolors deliver bright, bold colors, but won’t have the same transparency or intensity as higher grades. They’re ideal for early art education, scholastic environments, and experimenting at home.

Advantages of Watercolor Paint

• Easy Setup: Compared to other types of paint, watercolors offer a refreshingly simple setup. With just a few colors, a brush, paper, and water, artists can paint almost anywhere. This makes watercolor painting an accessible, affordable option for beginners and those with limited time or space.
• Unique Look & Experience: Watercolor is unique for its transparency and fluidity. Artists can create a wide range of effects by blending different colors and experimenting with how the paint interacts on paper, making the painting experience all the more exciting. Watercolor paintings have a luminous, spontaneous quality that’s hard to achieve with other paints.
• Quick Drying Time: Compared to oil or acrylic paints, watercolor paint dries quickly. Once applied, the colors are absorbed by the paper within minutes, allowing for beautiful layering effects.
• Portability: Watercolor pans come in compact palettes that slip easily into a pocket or purse. With minimal prep, they’re ready to use, making them a popular choice for painting outdoors or on the go.
• Versatility: Watercolors cater to a vast range of styles and techniques – from loose, expressive washes to detailed, realistic studies. It also combines beautifully with other media, including pigment-based ink and watercolor pencils, offering versatility for mixed media projects.

Watercolor Painting Supplies

• Watercolor Paper: Watercolor is most commonly applied to thick, absorbent watercolor paper that’s specially made for watercolor paints. It’s designed to quickly absorb water while resisting warping or disintegrating, providing a stable surface for your artwork.
• Watercolor Brushes: There are also watercolor brushes specifically designed to work with watercolor paints. Watercolor brushes have excellent water-holding and color-holding abilities, and they’re able to maintain fine points and sharp edges quite well. You can choose from synthetic watercolor brushes or natural hair watercolor brushes.
• Watercolor Mediums: Watercolor mediums can alter the working characteristics of paint and how it interacts with the surface you're painting on. They can create special visual and textural effects, such as iridescence, granulation, and wax resistance.
• Masking Fluids & Liquid Friskets: Masking fluids and liquid friskets can be used to protect certain areas of a surface from the paint. Make sure to let it completely dry before painting over it.
• Watercolor Varnishes and Fixatives: While sealing watercolor paintings is optional, it can help your artwork last longer by providing extra protection against dust, moisture, and sunlight. Non-water based varnishes and fixatives are common and both are easy to apply. Make sure your painting is fully dry before starting, and remember to apply two or more coats for optimal protection. Keep in mind that some sealants can enhance colors and add a glossy shine, while others might slightly darken colors and are better suited for framed pieces.