In this article I share about the difference between Granulating versus Non-Granulating Watercolor Paints.
While most watercolors create smooth flat color (no granulation), some paints create a textured look because of the nature of the “weight” of the pigment being heavier than the water suspension or the pigment particles clump together to form heavier composite particle grains.
So, what is meant by granulation or granulating in watercolors? It’s where pigment particles in the paint clump together or are heavy enough to fall out of the water and gum arabic binder suspension, resulting in a grainy or textured appearance.
“Evening Glow” watercolor painting including granulating colors in the sky and water by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Some of the things you will learn from this workshop include:
the visual difference between granulating vs non-granulating watercolors
the best watercolor paper types for taking advantage of paint granulation
how to use masking fluid to preserve the background colors in a painting
how to enhance the textured effect of granulating watercolors
painting from top to bottom and left or right to avoid getting your hand or sleeve into the wet painting
how to accent the dry watercolor painting with acrylic markers and pens
and more…
Non-Granulating and Granulating watercolor paints sampler.
What are Granulating Watercolors Workshop Video Replay
Below is the full video workshop of my live painting session. The papers, paints and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨
Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:
0:00:00 - Intro To Granulating Watercolors
Here is the Ai image I generated and that we used during the workshop for you to download and follow along with the video.
Here is the program I used to generate the Ai image above using a prompt that included the words Sailboat, sunset and landscape:
https://www.canva.com/ai-image-generator/
Paint Colors Mentioned or Used in the Live Project Painting were:
Schmincke Regular Watercolors - Atoll Blue, Wild Purple, Turner's Yellow
Schmincke Super Granulating - Deep Sea Blue, Galaxy Pink, Volcano Orange, Volcano Brown, Shire Green
Daniel Smith Regular Watercolors - Aussie Red Gold, Quinacridone Sienna (orange), Cascade Green, Lunar Black, Coral Reef
Daniel Smith Primatek Watercolors - Green Apatite, Blue Apatite, Mayan Blue
Here is the website for the Artist, Svetlin Sofroniev, who was the Inspiration for this Workshop: https://svetlinsofroniev.com/
Here are YouTube videos I referenced during the live show:
Anne Kerr Art Studio - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHKnIhq2Ts8&t=6s
My Fantastical Imaginarium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C6_KdofWvM&t=164s
Leila Ataya - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK_2-1DqSro
Dr Oto Kano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9dfpgP7fSU
Here is the palette update video I referenced during the video by Paul Apps where he introduced me to Daniel Smith's Aussie Red Gold watercolor and others:
https://youtu.be/dtZUyYByUy0?si=NMOpeurc5GhmGGRF
My favorite websites for finding copyright free reference photos are:
https://pixabay.com/
https://unsplash.com/
Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions in the comments below. Thanks for watching! 😍
Artwork in Progress from the video workshop by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Supplies List for the What are Granulating Watercolors Workshop
Here are links to the supplies list for the papers, paints, markers and accessories shown during the video. As a Blick Affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Blick Art Materials or Amazon.
Schmincke Horadam Watercolors (Including Super Granulation) on Blick - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fschmincke-horadam-aquarell-artist-watercolor-paints%2F%3FfromSearch%3D%252Fsearch%252F%253Fsearchword%253Dschmincke%2520granulating
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors on Blick - https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fdaniel-smith-extra-fine-watercolors%2F
Jack Richeson Graphite Transfer Paper Roll - https://amzn.to/46mOV34
Saral Transfer Paper Multi Color Sampler Set 8.5x11in - https://amzn.to/4648v5s
Staedtler Mars White Eraser Set of 3 - https://amzn.to/4mkcm3c
Grabie Black & White Acrylic Pens Fine Tip Set of 6 - https://amzn.to/42vKAtg
Staedtler Watercolor Pencils Set of 12 in Tin - https://amzn.to/4mBFfrX
Signo Uniball Gel Pens Broad 1mm Nib 10 Colors - https://amzn.to/3IaumPB
Pebeo Drawing Gum Masking Fluid 45ml Bottle - https://amzn.to/42A50Bs
Creative Mark Masking Fluid Brushes Set of 10 - https://amzn.to/4ponDSM
Rubber Cement Eraser Adhesive & Masking Fluid Remover Set of 2 - https://amzn.to/4mfi1HH
Fineline Applicator Pens (Empty) 20 Gauge Nozzle Set of 3 - https://amzn.to/4nTKbth
Canson XL Watercolor Paper 140lb 9x12in 30 Sheets - https://amzn.to/3Ve8ndt
Corelle White Tray 10 1/2 Inch Rounded Rectangle Dish Set of 2 - https://amzn.to/4mhbf4o
Crow Canyon Small Enamel Trays Set of 4 - https://amzn.to/4poWqzo
Princeton Neptune 1/2in Oval Wash Brush (Cat's Tongue) - https://amzn.to/3VeJrCH
Princeton Velvetouch Brush Set of 4 - https://amzn.to/3Vi6xrV
Princeton Velvetouch Willow's Blender Brush 3/8 - https://amzn.to/467OFq5
Painter's Tape Blue Rolls Set of 4 - https://amzn.to/41SQnJp
Artist's Tape White 1" Roll - https://amzn.to/4gq1rUl
Faber Castell Collapsible Tulip Edge Brush Holder Water Cup - https://amzn.to/3Pxxyon
Pebeo Plastic Droppers Set of 5 - https://amzn.to/46mgbPl
Wood Brush Rest Stand Set of 2 Holds 4 Brushes Each - https://amzn.to/3OrurOi
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW
🎨🎨🎨
************************************If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links
Or, check out art supply recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/tristinadietzelmes
Tristina Dietz Elmes Artist Storefront on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons
SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade artworks, gift items and some art supplies on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.
If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $15 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:
https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...
I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!
Palette plate and watercolors used in the project painting for this workshop.
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Happy Arting! 🎉