Recently my middle sister asked what set of watercolors should she buy her daughter for Christmas. I have a couple of suggestions. Before I make a recommendation, I would like my niece to understand the science behind watercolor because it will make using them a lot easier. According to Britannica, watercolors are a combination of pigment and ground gum arabic. Gum arabic is used as a binding agent. If not enough binder is used your watercolor will be difficult to rewet and pick up color. Too much binder used they will be soft and delicate. Some watercolors are translucent while others are opaque.
When using watercolor, start with the light colors first, then use dark colors. The clerk at Blicks art supply store, likened watercolors to an onion, layers on layers of watercolors make a watercolor painting, like the layers of an onion make an onion. Waiting for your colors to dry is essential.
Depending on the project, most people start out with a basic set. I like Schmincke because the colors are rich. But as a student, I used anything from Crayola watercolors to Daniel Smith watercolors. The cardmaking industry promotes different brands depending on the card marker’s level of watercolor experience. One cardmaker likes Mission Gold Watercolors while another Cardmaker may use Kuretake. I have both sets , Mission and Kuretake, and use them for different reasons. Depending on the subject I will pick a brand. The card that I am show casing was made with a 12 colors set from Schmincke. Schmincke, is my favorite, and expensive. However in previous posts I have recommended handmade watercolor, like Hydra Colour or Case For Making. As you begin to work with watercolors sometimes you begin to look for certain hues that only handmade watercolors can give you. Artists that make handmade watercolors put along of time in creating a formula that gives watercolors certain hues. I like adding handmade watercolors to my Schmincke set.
I took a class with Alexa from Case For Making to further my understanding of watercolors. I also ordered from Kremer a watercolor set for producing watercolors paint to make my own watercolor. In the Kremer kit you had to ground the arbic gum well to mix with the pigment and water. Jane Davenport sells a watercolor kit too which you make half pans of watercolor. Jane adds distilled water and mixes the pigment. However, Jane suggests adding vegetable glycerin and clove essential oil mostly for rewetting reasons and mold reasons. Jane has dubbed her watercolor pigments, as ‘fairy dust’ which is illustrative of who Jane is and her brand. I enjoy using Jane Davenports brand because her line is geared toward the liking of women’s makeup.
There are artists who specialize in one medium. I have a general understanding for watercolor and can use it well. There are website you should look into to get more information regarding watercolors. I am writing this post mainly to help my middle sister out. If you have any questions, please feel free to write using the comment section below.
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