PAINT CHARACTERISTICS
Lightfastness / Permanence
Lightfastness refers to how resistant pigment is to fading when it is exposed to light. Some colors are more fugitive than others, so keep this characteristic in mind if you are concerned with the longevity of your work.
Granulation
Granulation is a characteristic of some pigments which occur naturally when the pigment particles settle into the paper and create a mottled effect. Several artists actually desire this quality in their paint because of the visual texture it provides.
Staining / Non-Staining
Staining and non-staining colors will do just as they suggest. Staining colors are more permanent and difficult to lift from the paper compared to non-staining colors.
Transparent / Opaque
The beauty of watercolor resides in the transparency of the pigment. However, there is always a time and place for opaque colors as well.
Pigment / Series Number
Pigment and series numbers are an easy way to know which colors the manufacturer used to create a particular pigment.
Warm / Cool
Determining if a color leans more warm or cool can be heavily debated. Let’s demystify this as best as we can.
