Imagine being able to have an idea and being able to create it. And imagine doing what you love, creating, and using that skill to help others build a better world - that is why I create. I want to be spontaneous in my expression and have the technique to do what I want. Hive account@water-art is starting to wrap up the material-basics of watercolor painting. We will continue to talk about effects and soon do some basic painting tutorials. Hive account@marty-arts and Hive account@joungwatercolor have both made posts about their color preferences and so should I!
In this tutorial I will talk about:
- The brand I use
- Some things you should know about pigments
The Brand I Use
First some words about the brand I use. Winston&Newton Professional tube watercolor paint I found match all my needs as an watercolor artist. Other brands have some other exciting pigments, but until now I have not felt the need to buy them. Other brands can be cheaper or more expensive -let budget decide - much more important to actually being able to paint. There are plenty of test on and information about color out there but the most extensive guide I have found is this one. I choose W&N because it is convenient - my local art shop have a full supply, they have good quality and durability, and my art teachers in the past have used it so I guess I am primed to used. ;P
Properties of Pigments
The basics you should know about pigments - especially painting watercolor!!! - is the following:
- Some pigments are Opaque and some are Transparent. Transparent watercolors will allow the light to shine through to the watercolor paper and in turn lets the white of the paper reflect back. I prefer transparent colors because you can layer them and create very interesting light effects. In the Opaque colors instead, the light bounces off the pigment. This can make the colors appear a bit dull. Opaque colors are necessary if you want to create a milky feeling in the result.
- All colors are made of some pigments - professional paint have names of the pigments on the tubes - If it is a cheap brand they still consist the same pigments but there are added other stuff to lower the cost witch also lovers the intensity.
- Intensity - The more water you add the less intense the color will be - But if you use paint straight from the tube it will have the same intensity and strength as oil or acrylic paint. Although watercolor tube paint is not made for painting without water - it would be an extremely costly alternative - it is nice to use sometimes. The paint from the tube is also 100% opaque and can be put on top of the painting and hide what is behind.
What I have understood all watercolors can be categorized into one or more of the following categories:
- Granules/Sedimentary - These colors have sedimentary pieces of pigment that will randomly settle into the papers texture while painting. They make unique patterns but can be tricky if you want to create a smooth surface. Whey are never kind and easy - always stormy. If you use a paper with lots of texture these colors highlights the peaks and valleys of the paper. (Ultramarine Blue)
- Egde-pigments (I do not know the English term) - These pigments create a clear line towards the outer edge when it dries. Perfect if you want to create distinct layers of paint, and sucks if you want to create smooth transmissions when painting layer on layer. (Payne's gray)
- Spreader (I do not know the English term) - These pigments are really smooth and you can make perfect transitions with ease. If they are mixed with other pigments the spreader will transport the pigment over a longer distance that it would normally do.
Seek for this properties in your own paint and try to figure out which types you have :) Or read more on the world wide internet!
is starting to wrap up the material-basics of watercolor painting. We will continue to talk about effects and soon do some basic painting tutorials. 
and 
have both made posts about their color preferences and so should I!
