How Do You Know if Watercolor Is Good

Are you an aspiring watercolor artist but struggling to find the right kind of paint for your art? Or maybe you’re a seasoned painter looking to switch up your brand of watercolor and don’t know where to start. Choosing the right watercolor can make all the difference in the quality and longevity of your artwork, but with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for you.

Whether you’re a beginner or expert, choosing a good quality watercolor paint is essential in achieving beautiful and vibrant artwork. The quality of paint can affect factors such as color vibrancy, lightfastness, transparency, and more. Plus, no one wants to spend money on a product that won’t live up to their expectations.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the important factors to consider when determining if a watercolor paint is good or not. From pigments to binders and everything in between, we’ll help you make an informed decision that will elevate your art to new heights. So sit back and get ready to dive into the colorful world of watercolor!

Key Characteristics of High-Quality Watercolor Paints

Watercolor paint is a unique medium that requires special attention to the quality of its materials. Here are some key characteristics of high-quality watercolor paints:

Pigment Concentration:

The concentration of pigment in watercolors is an important factor in their quality, as it determines the vibrancy and intensity of color. High-quality watercolors typically have a higher pigment concentration, resulting in more vivid colors.

Binder Quality:

The binder is the substance that holds the pigment together and allows it to adhere to paper. High-quality watercolors use binders that are both strong and flexible, allowing for smooth application and consistent coverage.

Transparency:

Transparency is a desirable characteristic in watercolors because it allows light to pass through layers of paint, creating depth and luminosity. High-quality watercolors are transparent or semi-transparent, allowing for layering without muddying colors.

Top Brands

When looking for high-quality watercolor paints, some top brands include Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and M. Graham & Co.

Distinguishing Factors

Keep in mind that each brand has its own distinguishing factors such as unique pigments or specific binder formulations. It’s important to try out different brands to find one that works best for your style and preferences.

• Winsor & Newton: known for their wide range of colors including traditional pigments from around the world.
• Daniel Smith: offers over 250 colors with many unique hues not found in other brands.
• Schmincke Horadam: highly-regarded for their intense pigments and superb lightfastness ratings.
• M. Graham & Co.: known for using honey as a binder, which provides a creamy consistency and longer drying time.

How to Determine if a Watercolor Pigment is Lightfast

Lightfastness is the ability of a pigment to resist fading or discoloration when exposed to light. It’s important to choose watercolor pigments with high lightfastness ratings to ensure that your artwork will retain its color over time.

Pigment Information:

Look for information on the pigment label or manufacturer’s website regarding the pigment’s lightfastness rating. A pigment’s rating can range from I (excellent) to V (poor).

Testing:

Another way to determine a pigment’s lightfastness is by testing it yourself. Divide a sheet of watercolor paper into four sections and paint each section with the same color, using different dilutions of paint. Place one section in direct sunlight, another in indirect sunlight, and keep two sections in darkness as controls. After several months, compare the colors and note any changes.

Note:

Keep in mind that some pigments may have varying degrees of lightfastness depending on their formulation or manufacturer.

Top Brands and Types of Quality Watercolor Paper

Choosing the right watercolor paper is important for achieving optimal results with your artwork. Here are some top brands and types of quality watercolor paper:

Cold-Pressed:

Cold-pressed watercolor paper has a slightly textured surface that allows for some absorption while also providing enough tooth for pencil or ink work.

Hot-Pressed:

Hot-pressed watercolor paper has a smooth surface that is ideal for fine details and washes.

Berger Watercolor Paper:

Berger Watercolor Paper is an excellent choice for artists looking for high-quality cold-pressed paper. It’s made of 100% cotton and has a medium texture that is perfect for watercolor painting.

Arches Watercolor Paper:

Arches Watercolor Paper is a popular choice for both professional and beginner artists. It comes in both cold-pressed and hot-pressed options, and its high-quality cotton fibers provide excellent color retention and durability.

What to Look for in a Good Watercolor Brush and How to Test Its Performance

A good watercolor brush can make all the difference in achieving fine details, smooth washes, and unique textures. Here are some things to look for when choosing a watercolor brush:

Hair Type:

Natural hair brushes such as sable or squirrel are highly regarded for their ability to absorb water and pigment, allowing for smooth application. Synthetic brushes are another option that can be more affordable while still providing good performance.

Shape:

Different brush shapes provide different effects. For example, round brushes are versatile and great for detail work, while flat brushes are ideal for washes or large areas of color.

Spring:

The “spring” of a brush refers to its ability to snap back into shape after being pressed down. A good watercolor brush should have enough spring to allow for controlled application but not so much that it becomes difficult to control.

Testing Brush Performance

To test the performance of a new watercolor brush, try the following exercises:

• Create thin lines with varying pressure.
• Create thick lines with varying pressure.
• Create wide washes with varying saturation.
• Create dry-brush effects by using minimal amounts of water and pigment.

These exercises will help you get a feel for the brush’s responsiveness and control before using it on a more complex piece.

Assessing Transparency and Vibrancy of Watercolor Paints

Transparency and vibrancy are important characteristics in watercolor paints that can greatly impact the final result of your artwork. Here’s how to assess these qualities:

Transparency:

To assess transparency, apply a thin wash of each color to a piece of paper, allowing it to dry completely. Then layer another color on top and observe how the two colors interact. A transparent color will allow the bottom layer to show through, creating depth and luminosity.

Vibrancy:

To assess vibrancy, compare different brands or pigments side by side by painting them on separate sections of paper with consistent dilution levels. Look for colors that appear bright and vivid even when diluted, indicating strong pigment concentration.

Note:

Keep in mind that some pigments may be naturally less vibrant or more opaque than others. It’s important to choose pigments that suit your style and preferences.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Choosing or Using Watercolors

Watercolor painting can be challenging for beginners due to its unique properties and materials. Here are some common mistakes beginners make when choosing or using watercolors:

• Choosing low-quality materials: Low-quality paints, brushes, or paper can lead to poor results and frustration.
• Overworking the paint: Watercolor paint is meant to be layered gradually rather than overworked in one sitting.
• Muddying colors: Mixing too many colors together can create muddy or dull colors rather than vibrant ones.
• Failing to plan ahead: Because watercolor paint is difficult to correct once applied, it’s important to plan out your composition ahead of time.
• Avoiding experimentation: Trying out new techniques or materials is key to improving as a watercolor artist.

Resources and Guides for Learning About Evaluating the Quality of Watercolors

There are many resources available online and in print to help artists learn about evaluating the quality of watercolors. Here are some useful guides:

The Handprint:

The Handprint is a comprehensive online resource that provides detailed information on watercolor pigments, papers, and brushes.

The Watercolor Handbook:

The Watercolor Handbook by John Yardley is a highly-regarded guide to watercolor painting that includes information on materials, techniques, and color theory.

Note:

It’s important to approach any resource with an open mind and use your own judgement when choosing materials or techniques.

Signs of Well-Executed Watercolor Paintings with Good Technique

A well-executed watercolor painting with good technique will exhibit the following signs:

• Smooth transitions between colors: Colors should blend seamlessly without harsh lines or edges.
• Luminosity: A well-executed watercolor painting will have a luminous quality due to its layering and transparency.
• Vibrancy: Colors should be bright and vivid even when diluted or layered.
• Detail work: Fine details should be clear and precise, indicating good brush control.
• Tonal range: A successful watercolor painting will have a wide range of tones from light to dark, creating depth and dimensionality.

Keep in mind that achieving these qualities takes practice and patience. Don’t be discouraged if it takes time to develop good technique.

In conclusion, the quality of watercolor paint can be determined by its pigment concentration, transparency, lightfastness, and overall performance on paper. It is important for artists to invest in high-quality paints to achieve the best results in their artwork.

Frequently Asked Questions about How Do You Know if Watercolor Is Good

How can you tell if you have an original watercolor?
Watercolor paintings often display traces of brush strokes that are visible under magnification. Another effective method of verifying the authenticity of a watercolor painting is to examine pencil sketches underneath the painting. Many watercolor artists sketch out their ideas prior to beginning their painting.

Are expensive watercolors worth it?
The decision is ultimately yours, but if you’re painting purely as a hobby, I suggest not exceeding a budget of $100-$120 for a palette. There is no significant benefit to using expensive paint costing $400 if you’re not planning on selling or displaying your artwork in a gallery.

What watercolor brand is the best?
There are top watercolor paint brands like Van Gogh, Schmincke Horadam Aquarell, Daniel Smith, and Holbein. Sennelier is a renowned French brand that specializes in professional watercolors, and they also offer a popular watercolor set.

What is the golden rule of watercolor?
Don’t do something just to make someone else happy, let your own preferences guide you – like letting the paint on a canvas bring you joy.

Why is watercolor painting so difficult?
Watercolour is a challenging medium to work with as its unpredictable nature causes the watery pigment to flow wherever it wants, making it tough to control. Additionally, since watercolour is translucent, mistakes are difficult to fix as they are visible through the layers and appear lighter once the pigment has dried.

What is the secret to watercolor painting?
When using watercolors, there’s no need to rub or stroke too much as the paint will naturally flow towards the damp areas of the paper. This is because the paint will only stick to the wet parts of the paper and won’t spread beyond them. Dry areas surrounding the wet parts will act as barriers, preventing the paint from spreading.