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Watercolour paint
Watercolour paint in all colours and effects from well-known brands like Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Made with pure pigments and Arabic gum for beautiful, vibrant colours. Discover our individual colours, complete sets and handy pocket boxes for plein air painting.
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F.A.Q. watercolour paint
Mastering watercolour paint: everything you need to know
Mastering the Art of Varnishing Watercolour
Should a watercolour be varnished?
It is not necessarily necessary to varnish a watercolour. If extra protection is desired, Talens Watercolour Varnish Matt 050 can be used.
My watercolour varnish has thickened somewhat. With what can I thin this varnish?
Varnishes in general can thicken if the bottle is not closed properly. The solvent will evaporate slowly. The dissolved resin does not evaporate, with the result that the percentage of resin in the varnish becomes relatively higher and higher. However, by adding a little white spirit (Talens White Spirit 090) and then shaking the mixture well, this problem is quickly solved. It is important not to add too much white spirit. The amount of resin in the varnish will then not be sufficient to offer the desired protection to the work.
There is a white layer at the bottom of the bottle of watercolour varnish. Can the varnish still be used?
The matting agent in the varnish consists of silicas, similar to pulverised glass. Unlike the resin, the silicas are not dissolved in the white spirit and give the varnish a slightly milky appearance. If the varnish is not used for some time, the matting agent will sag. This is clearly visible in the vial: a milky-white lower layer with a quantity of clear varnish above it. The varnish should therefore always be shaken well before use to distribute the matting agent evenly throughout the varnish. The longer the varnish is left untouched, the more solid the sagging layer will be. In this case it will be necessary to shake longer in order to regain a homogenous distribution.
The Perfect Underlayers for Watercolour Painting
Are grounds other than paper suitable for watercolours?
Although watercolours are usually used on paper, in principle any ground that is free of grease and somewhat porous is possible. It is also important that the ground is pH neutral, i.e. neither acidic nor alkaline. For example, it is possible to work with watercolours on Gesso.
Is every type of paper suitable for watercolours?
In theory watercolours can be used to paint on any type of paper, although the best results will be achieved on watercolour paper. Watercolour paper has a special surface glue, usually of gelatine. Due to this glue, the pigment is not absorbed by the paper so that colours remain pure. Moreover, the gluing prevents the paper from bulging too much when using a lot of water.
Understanding Technical Definitions in Watercolour
What exactly do the lightfastness indications +, ++ and +++ mean?
On tubes, labels and colour cards the lightfastness of Royal Talens products is indicated by the following symbols: +++ = at least 100 years lightfast under museum conditions ++ = at least 25 - 100 years lightfast under museum conditions + = at least 10 - 25 years lightfast under museum conditions º = at least 0 - 10 years lightfast under museum conditions These lightfastnesses have been tested under museum conditions.
What does 'granulate' mean?
Granulation is a property of some pigments and means that the pigment in the paint, after being applied, combines into small groups. This creates a "flaky" or "shifty" effect that livens up the colour surface. More on this in our blog "Granulating colours".
What exactly is glazing?
Whether a painting is painted wet-on-wet or in layers, a glaze can be applied as a final layer. A glaze is a transparent layer of paint whose effect can be compared to that of a coloured sheet of glass placed on a particular picture: the picture does not change, the colours do.
Common Questions About Watercolour Painting
Why is it that some colours of watercolour paint wash away easily after drying, while others do not?
The phenomenon that some colours adhere to the paper and can only be partially washed away again is related to the type of pigment (particle size) and/or the quality of the paper used. More about this in our blog "Differences in drying for watercolours".
Can I mix Ecoline with watercolours?
Ecoline and watercolours can certainly be mixed, but whether it is wise to do so depends on the intention behind the work.
I can't get my tube open anymore. What can I do?
If the cap is completely stuck, the tube can be held under hot water. The heat makes the paint more flexible. This works for acrylics as well as oil paint, water colours, gouache, etc.
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