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Watercolour Painting => Watercolour Colour Mixing Questions => Topic started by: scribe on May 22, 2013, 08:16:43 PM

Title: Green - blue separating out
Post by: scribe on May 22, 2013, 08:16:43 PM

I just finished the water reflection painting. In the upper left corner, the green separated as the painting dried. As a result, the blue really sticks out. I am not happy with this painting and will try it again tomorrow. Am not happy enough to post it on the web. This is not the only time this has happened. My painting of orchids did the same and some of my other mixes separated also. :(

I have stirred and stirred, but it doesn't seem to help. I am using two different brands of paint (trying to use up some old stuff I have around) :'(

I will post the orchid painting so you can see what is going on. Any and all suggestions will be gratefully accepted. :help:

Details

Title: Re: Green - blue separating out
Post by: dennis on May 22, 2013, 09:09:12 PM

Scribe, there are basically 2 types of pigments - chemical/dye and granulated (solids that have been very finely ground). When ever you use a granulated pigment, such as Ultramarine Blue, there is always the chance that they will separate to some degree. However, that is not always a bad thing as more than often they form very interesting patterns in the artwork. Many top artists use this characteristic to great advantage - specially when using rough paper.

A great tip is to get to know which of your colours are granulated and which are of the dye type.

A point to remember is that in cheap paints the solids have not been finely ground and will show up very quickly. In Quality paints the solids have been through the mill several times (hence the cost) and the result is that they do not settle out visibly as much.

Title: Re: Green - blue separating out
Post by: scribe on May 22, 2013, 09:15:52 PM

 :thankyou:Dennis, for the timely reply. I thought I was doing something wrong.  :thankyou:
Glad to know it is a quality of the pigment. I have used gouache for 20 years and haven't had this problem.

Title: Re: Green - blue separating out
Post by: Lillian on May 22, 2013, 10:22:16 PM

Scribe, you think you had a problem?   :confused:   Your painting is gorgeous!!!   :clap:
Dennis gives such helpful information, huh? 

Title: Re: Green - blue separating out
Post by: Sarah (arch) on May 23, 2013, 12:55:20 AM

I agree, Scribe. That is serendipity at its finest. I would be shooting for that kind of effect. Beautiful!

Title: Re: Green - blue separating out
Post by: dennis on May 23, 2013, 04:33:25 AM

Scribe, you will never have this problem with gouache or oils because of the type of binder (opaque). Watercolours is a transparent medium.

Title: Re: Green - blue separating out
Post by: Tony (ASM) on May 23, 2013, 06:03:08 AM

What a great explanation by Dennis there!  :clap: :clap: That has actually answered a question relating to a similar situation using Inktense pencil 'Iris Blue' colour, that granulated on a test run for the sky on my Mouse picture!

 :thankyou:  Dennis  O0