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Watercolor Paints—Part 1

Attributes

• Quick-drying

• Water-soluble

• Permanent Colors

• Easy Clean-up

• Low odor

• Easy set-up--you can work on the kitchen table, put down some newspaper lay down a sheet of watercolor paper, take out the paints and begin to work; just put away when done.  Easy to work with.

Types

• Dry cakes or dry pans

• Semi-moist pans

• Moist tube colors

• All are available today

a.  Dry cakes - Developed by the Colourman Co.

Prior to this time, artists would grind their own pigments.  Dry cakes were “lathered up” with a wet finger.  They are hard cakes of color.

b.  Semi-moist pans - Developed by the French in the 19 Century; have glucose and glycerine added to them, giving them a sugary feel.  They were developed to allow the artist better control over their washes and color mixing.

c.  Moist tube colors - Developed by Winsor & Newton in middle of 19 Century.  Paints are extended with gum arabic.  Originally mixed with gouache and opaque watercolor and used in a painterly technique reminiscent of oils.  The artist was looking for a faster way of painting; and these were fast-drying, water-based paints.

Over the years, refinements have been made to watercolors, giving them more permanency and the introduction of synthetic hues.

Mediums

Ox gall and Glycerine 

• These are wetting agents;

• extend the drying time;

• are ideally used mixed with paint during hot, dry days;

• they help adhesion of paint;

• do not enhance paint’s transparency;

• glycerine is an agent found in most watercolors today.

Gum Arabic

• Binding agent found in watercolors

• When used as a medium adds transparency and lustre to the colors.

Alcohol 

• Enhances drying time

• Helps to set paints up faster

• Is good to use in cool, damp climates

• Years ago, artists would add cognac or gin to the paints for this purpose