Field Notes | Dark Watercolor Compare
Every now and then, I like to pull out several paints and swatch them side by side. It helps me see what I actually have and reminds me how differently each color behaves. Students in my last class were asking about dark watercolors, so I decided to do a quick comparison of some of mine. I also included my umbers because I recently bought German Greenish Raw Umber and wanted to see how it looked beside the others.
I wasn’t trying to do a scientific pigment test. I simply wanted to see them all together on one sheet of paper so I could show the comparison to my students and help them make choices when purchasing their next dark watercolor. I also love keeping these comparison sheets hanging in my studio so I can refer to them when choosing colors for my next painting.
Using one piece of watercolor paper, I painted each color from full strength into a lighter wash. I was mostly looking at two things: How dark does it get? And how much does it granulate? I usually gravitate toward granulating colors because I love the texture and unexpected movement they bring to a painting.
This little experiment reminded me, though, that I don’t give Neutral Tint nearly enough love. It is such a beautiful, rich, smooth dark, and I can already tell it will be finding its way into more of my upcoming paintings. It also reminded me that I don’t need one perfect dark watercolor. Sometimes I want texture and granulation, and other times I want a smooth, quieter wash. Each paint has its own personality, and the best choice depends on what I want the painting to feel like.
I’ll be keeping this comparison sheet in my teaching bag so my students can see the colors in person and decide which ones they like. Sometimes seeing paints side by side tells you so much more than simply reading about them.
I already have ideas for more comparisons. Let’s just say color may be involved. 😉
Until then, I’ll keep experimenting and sharing what I discover here in my Field Notes.
Experiment Summary
Goal: Compare several of my dark watercolors and a few of my umbers side by side.
Method: Paint each color from full strength into a lighter wash on the same sheet of watercolor paper.
What I was looking for: How dark each paint became, how much it granulated, and the overall personality of each color.
Biggest surprise: Neutral Tint. I had forgotten just how beautiful, rich, and smooth it is.
My favorite granulating darks: Jane’s Gray, Moonglow, Lunar Black, and Bloodstone Genuine.
What’s next: More paint comparisons and little studio experiments as I continue filling these Field Notes.
What would you like to see me try next?
