Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 7 minutes ago
Here is a short video where I walk you through the steps I use when I get new watercolor paint colors. It is very important to know all the qualities of the paint you are using before you start adding it into a painting.
Some colors mix differently than others or have very different qualities. If you are painting a clear blue sky with no clouds you might want a nice smooth wash where if you are painting a stormy sky you might want your colors to naturally granulate. You can find out these things by doing simple tests with each color before you use them in a painting. Remember that different brands of the same color and even the same pigment may also act completely different, so its important to test each one.
Some things to think about are:
Transparent vs. Opaque
Staining vs. Lifting
Granulation vs. Smooth
The darkest value you can get with a single color
How it mixes and blends with water
Hope this helps you plan out your paintings better and get to know the qualities of your paint!
You can see more in Patreon Online School: patreon.com/lynndpratt
Here is a short video where I walk you through the steps I use when I get new watercolor paint colors. It is very important to know all the qualities of the paint you are using before you start adding it into a painting.
Some colors mix differently than others or have very different qualities. If you are painting a clear blue sky with no clouds you might want a nice smooth wash where if you are painting a stormy sky you might want your colors to naturally granulate. You can find out these things by doing simple tests with each color before you use them in a painting. Remember that different brands of the same color and even the same pigment may also act completely different, so its important to test each one.
Some things to think about are:
Transparent vs. Opaque
Staining vs. Lifting
Granulation vs. Smooth
The darkest value you can get with a single color
How it mixes and blends with water
Hope this helps you plan out your paintings better and get to know the qualities of your paint!
You can see more in Patreon Online School: patreon.com/lynndpratt
