Watercolor painting is all about harnessing the unique properties of pigment and water. From transparency to fluidity, these characteristics shape how artists approach their work, creating luminous effects that other mediums can't match.

Understanding the components of watercolor paints and choosing the right paper are crucial. Pigments, binders, and additives all play a role in how the paint behaves, while paper quality affects everything from texture to color vibrancy.

Watercolor Paint Properties

Transparency and Luminosity

• Transparency allows light to pass through pigment and reflect off paper beneath
• Luminosity creates unique visual effects not achievable with opaque paints
• Rely on white of paper for highlights rather than using opaque white paint
• Dry lighter than wet appearance requiring artists to anticipate color shifts
• Create delicate washes and glazes by layering transparent colors

Fluid Nature and Techniques

• Water-soluble paint reactivates with water even after drying on paper
• Allows for wet-on-wet technique where colors blend directly on paper surface
• Wet-on-dry application creates distinct layers and controlled edges
• Fluid consistency enables creation of soft gradients and color transitions
• Pigments flow and settle on paper creating textures like granulation

Comparison to Other Media

• More finely ground pigments than oil or acrylic paints
• Lack of thick impasto textures possible with oils or acrylics
• Cannot layer light colors over dark as with opaque paints
• Require different approach to composition and planning than other media
• Achieve luminous effects difficult to replicate in other paint types

Watercolor Paint Components

Pigments

• Finely ground colored particles provide hue and intensity
• Organic pigments derived from plants or synthetic sources (quinacridone red)
• Inorganic pigments from minerals or synthetic equivalents (ultramarine blue)
• Quality affects paint's permanence and lightfastness
• Particle size influences transparency and staining properties

Binders and Additives

• Gum arabic acts as primary binder adhering pigment to paper
• Derived from acacia trees and dissolves easily in water
• Glycerin or honey added as humectants to keep paint moist
• Ox gall or synthetic surfactants improve flow and reduce surface tension
• Preservatives like phenol prevent mold growth in tube watercolors
• Fillers or extenders (chalk) modify paint opacity or texture

Paper Quality for Watercolor

Paper Composition and Weight

• 100% cotton fibers or cotton-cellulose mixture withstand repeated wetting
• Weight measured in pounds per ream or grams per square meter
• Heavier papers (300 lb or 640 g/m²) preferred for wet techniques
• Lighter papers (140 lb or 300 g/m²) suitable for sketching and lighter washes
• Archival quality paper free from acidic components ensures longevity

Texture and Sizing

• Hot-pressed paper provides smooth surface for detailed work
• Cold-pressed paper offers medium texture for versatile techniques
• Rough paper creates pronounced texture for expressive effects
• Internal and surface sizing affects water absorption rate
• Sizing influences techniques like lifting paint and glazing
• Paper brightness impacts overall luminosity of finished painting

Water's Role in Watercolor

Solvent and Medium

• Dissolves paint and carries pigment across paper surface
• Water-to-pigment ratio determines color intensity and transparency
• Controls flow of paint creating effects from bold strokes to delicate washes
• Facilitates color mixing both on palette and directly on paper
• Enables lifting techniques to remove or lighten areas of paint

Technique and Effect Creation

• Wet-into-wet technique allows colors to blend on paper
• Wet-on-dry creates distinct layers and controlled edges
• Water management crucial for achieving hard or soft edges
• Evaporation rate creates effects like blooms and backruns
• Different pigments interact uniquely with water (staining vs. lifting easily)