5-tips on Making Your Own Transparent Palette for Your Watercolor Painting

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Here are my 5 top tips on creating your own transparent watercolour palette!
Knowing how transparent or opaque your paints are can make or break your artwork.
However, finding out how transparent or opaque your watercolours are can be a fraught process. You can't really rely on the opacity rating from each brand. The tips in this video will make figuring it all out a lot easier.
** Supplies I used **
+ Fabriano Accademia pad 240gsm 100 sheets www.cassart.co.uk/painting/wa...
+ Jackson's large 28-well palette www.jacksonsart.com/jas-palet...
+ Lots of Daniel Smith watercolor paints www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-sm...
+ Lots of Holbein watercolor paints www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
+ Pro Arte Proline Plus round size 10 brush www.jacksonsart.com/pro-arte-...
+ Color Flight Mechanical Pencil (US) amzn.to/2Ei4qPJ (UK) amzn.to/2s1W8pw
Music
Chill Day by Lakey Inspired / chill-day
** Shop **
Original abstract paintings
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[@Cchouette]

An excellent lesson for amateur watercolourists 🎨👍🏻

[@InLiquidColor]

This is a really great video! Wonderful, valuable tips for picking out some great colors :)

[@OtoKano]

Thank you! So glad you found it useful :)

[@EveBolt]

Great tips! I'm excited for the next video! And I was very happy to spot Carbazole violet on there, it's one of my favorite paints :)

[@OtoKano]

Thanks for watching Eve :) Yes so glad I bought Carbazole Violet. Read about it on wetcanvas and had to try. You will soon start seeing more of your favourite colours as I just bought some of the colours from your fall palette. Thank you for introducing me to even more beautiful colours 💕

[@kellyy4525]

This is so super helpful!!! I LOVE the tip about KNOW WHAT YOU WANT out of your palette and let that guide colors. That's so true for me and I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks!!

[@stacys447]

Thanks for this clear and basic explanation. It just all came together in how you explained it. Thank you so much!

[@julielondon3359]

You are a wonderful teacher!❤️

[@chrissie4452]

Wow ! These are very good tips and as I am redoing my studio palette this week, it’s perfect timing. Thank you very much, can’t wait to the next one 😊

[@OtoKano]

You are so welcome! So glad it came at a good time for you. Would love to see your palette once you're done :D

[@paulage1art]

Thank you very much for this helpful video! I will come back to it when I make a transparent watercolor palette. Love how you make it easy to remember which paints are grandparents - i.e. quinacridones, phthalos. Ty!!!

[@gracie968]

absolutely great tips, can't wait to check out my palette

[@alethan1]

Love your videos! Very informative.

[@rsmrycross]

this was so helpful!!!

[@jolaughlin3187]

Valuable information I've never seen anywhere else.....thanks so much!!

[@nursen2106]

it's nice to see some of your work, when explaining colours or colour selection. gives context

[@enlighteneduk]

This is absolutely brilliant!! Thanks so much!!

[@MedaHalmaciu]

I am a paint hoarder, swatcher and tester myself (so I also love watching all your videos) But I end up doing just that instead of painting. So for testing my new Holbein colors I decided to paint a painting using each color before I'm allowed to test the next.

[@OtoKano]

Wooooo did you get your paints?

[@MedaHalmaciu]

Oto Kano I did. But apart from a quick swatching I had no time to play with them.

[@MrsTiffanyGrey]

Thank you for sharing great tips!!

[@OtoKano]

Thank you so much for watching the video!

[@SuperExadidas]

Very useful. Thanks Dr Oto

[@alisonhendry2928]

Watching this again and still think it is brilliant!!! Thanks again! My palette is almost there… nine years into playing ..

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

Thank you, this was extremely helpful!

[@OtoKano]

You are so welcome, and thank you for watching the video!

[@priscillawarren9979]

Very good information for this beginner. Thank you.

[@annemorgan2928]

Excellent video. So much to learn. 🇨🇦

[@deejcarter2003]

This was very helpful because I’m trying to consider which colors to keep or discard. I have a few that are so similar and some I find I don’t use much. I love all Quinns and Phathlos.

[@OtoKano]

So glad it was helpful to you! Thank you for watching.

[@debsalerno1915]

great video, nicely done

[@SomethingImpromptu]

I actually very much liked the 1 transparent to 2 opaque color painting you showed for your negative example. Perhaps 1 opaque to 2 transparent would be a better balance, but I really like the effect that the contrast of the very stain-heavy transparent paint textures & the more sedimentary-looking granulation of the relatively opaque colors, where they concentrate in different areas but also overlap. I’m sure it’s tricky to walk the right lines with color selection & texturing & blending when mixing these on paper, but, especially where you manage to keep them from getting too muddied together, I think the vibrancy & contrast of that painting really speaks for itself! It may be a bit chaotic, but it’s really striking.

[@watercolornewbies]

Great tips. I wouldn't recommend Sharpies to make the black lines to test opacity. Because they are alcohol based, they tend to repel the watercolour which doesn't give a very acuate result. I learnt this the hard way. 😉

[@wmbriggz]

Thank you!!!!

[@angelamills9915]

Excellent guidance! Thankyou Oto. Get well soon. Angela Mills.

[@fufufuaru]

The way you talk reminds me of the fairy tales casette tapes I loved to listen to when I was a kid :D

[@OtoKano]

aw thank you, that's such an amazing compliment! :D

[@mesagirl224]

Thank you for this information it is so helpful! This has given me a great way to find the colors for my palette. However, I do have a couple of questions - let me start by sharing about my watercolor journey. I am a semi beginner, meaning I am more experienced than a complete beginner but not yet at the intermediate level. I love learning to paint everything. My questions are: 1. Should I put together an all round palette? 2. Or should I put together separate palettes - one for landscaping, waterscapes, animals, greeting card making, portraits? This is an interesting idea to me but maybe a bit confusing because you may use some of the same colors in the palettes. 3. How many colors should you use? I hope this isn’t to many questions but I would love to her your reply. Thank you again!

[@paulramos5373]

I’m learning SO MUCH from you Oto and have started a new palette based on your videos which is making my painting so much better. I wondered if I could ask a question based on glazing? Some of my palette is semi-transparent (mainly DS), will these be ok for glazing too? Even if you don’t get time to answer, you’re still fabulous and thank you so much.

[@juneservant34]

Welcome back. You were missed Oil:-)

[@juneservant34]

Oops auto correct took over Oko not oil

[@OtoKano]

lol thank you June :D

[@hollyavillella554]

Great tutorial. What are your transparent palettes for light flesh tones, dark, Asian?

[@juditharowland3461]

Really helpful information. I was wondering if you used Maimeri Blu. I understand it is basically a single pigment transparent paint. But it has become quite expensive in the last few years. I have just gotten back to watercolor and realized that the reason I didn't achieve the results I wanted was because I was using the colors incorrectly. And so I say, Thank you. I am subscribing to your channel as I learned a great deal and sincerely appreciate the way you instruct.

[@sue6002]

Dr. Oto Kano. Thanks for the very informative video. QUESTION…I am looking for transparent colors that are one pigment. Can watercolors still be transparent and good for mixing if they have multiple pigments in one tube?? Thanks

[@renukaagrawal403]

👌👍

[@Dan.B.Artist]

wow those are some great tips!

[@OtoKano]

Aw thank you, so kind of you :)

[@anneparlin8270]

Please let us know what colors you would use for landscapes. Thanks so much!

[@honeybee4423]

This video was so helpful...more please. Also may I ask what paper you use and where you can get it? I am assuming from your accent that you are also in the UK? Apologies if not. Thank you so much...Mand XOXO

[@OtoKano]

I usually use Bockingford CP 300gsm for most things :) You can get it from Jackson's www.jacksonsart.com/?acc=46ba9f2a6976570b0353203ec4474217&___store=jacksonsart_en

[@annepercival7814]

In your previous video you said that you had got your palette from Jackson’s. I looked on their website, but cannot see this palette...it looks just what I need.....do you know if it is still available? If so, what is the model?

[@OtoKano]

yes it is :) It's here: www.jacksonsart.com/jas-palette-plastic-folding-large-10-x-4-in?___store=jacksonsart_en&acc=46ba9f2a6976570b0353203ec4474217

[@hummerlady54]

If you live in the U.S. they have it on Amazon too.

[@lindamawhinney5656]

Th he mind of colors

[@gakulgogoi9558]

Choosing a good palette, esp transparent, is a tough job. Love the quinacridones, but don't like the staining phthalos, excepting their transparency. Your video throws a light on the subject.

[@simaabed3932]

Wowwwwww🙏👋🙏👌👏👩‍🎨would you please name land scape pallet ?! 🙏 I am new and learn everything from you tube . I appreciated.

[@OtoKano]

Hi Sima! If I was putting together a palette for landscape, I would definitely go for more muted, natural colors. The Phthalos and the Quins are great bright colours, but not ones really seen in nature. So you'd probably want to stick to the more traditional colours. My advice to anyone wanting to put together a palette for a particular use is to find an artist who you like the style & colors of, and then find out what paints they have in their palette.

[@sparklylexi2159]

I have a question: is it actually a good idea to own lots of different brands of watercolors? I’ve been struggling with wanting to test out a lot of different brands via their 24 sets, but everyone in my family classifies that as unhealthy hoarding. Should I actually spend money on more than one brand?

[@lindseyB_33]

I know you posted this ages ago but I thought I’d answer since I went though this recently. Yes test them out!!! I found favorites across brands that make me smile! I’m not sure I’d want to buy tons of pre made pallets but if that’s what you want to try out go for it!! Also many companies now do dot cards. They arent as nice as painting with a half/full pan but they are awesoem for getting an idea how the paint plays with itself and others. And it’s much easier on the pocket book if money is an issue, especially on imported brands.

[@waymire01]

I recently built two twelve pan palettes using functional trios made up of different colors, with each trio from a different brand. It enabled me to try out eight brands new to me, with the ability to use them alone, as well as having two functional entire palettes as well.... and NO duplicates between the two palettes. It took some pretty serious research to find all the different trios and the options for colors suitable for them, along with which brands actually sell which colors... so if you would like any info on what I settled on let me know. It also wasn't exactly cheap to do since every brand was professional quality... but certainly less than buying a palette of each. M. Graham was the worst because they only sell large tubes, but I really wanted to try it so I went for it.

[@waymire01]

Regarding the yellows in the brand comparison.. every single one of them had different pigments. You have to look at the pigments, not the name of the hue.

[@sandyleboy6181]

What does the A, B, etc stand for?

[@karengenest9305]

This video will explain. kzbin.info/www/bejne/opPSgKV8dtOteJY

[@hummerlady54]

I love to paint animals such as cats, dogs, and birds in particular. I keep missing on the proper colors to have in my palette. Can you help? I'm not an absolute beginning but self-taught and struggling.

[@waymire01]

Since no one ever answered you I will give it a shot. Mammals are easier.. you need neutrals.. either premixed or the ability to mix. Greys, browns, etc both warm and cool.. along with some gentle primaries (neutralized for eyes etc). A good base for this (using basic inexpensive pigments easily located in pretty much every brand) would be yellow ochre, B. Sienna, ultramarine blue, B. umber. Birds create an entirely different situation because of their rainbow of vibrant colors. You need a good split primary mixing palette... along with the neutrals.

[@hummerlady54]

@@waymire01 , I appreciate your reply. It helps! I paint birds too. I'm never quite satisfied with my palette or color choices. I realize I need to get better at mixing too. I started off all wrong. I wish I knew then what I am learning now. Thanks for you input. It's helpful!

[@waymire01]

@@hummerlady54 Watercolor has a HUGE learning curve, and is much more reliant on material quality and specifics than any other media I've used. I painted in acrylic for 30 years and not only struggled greatly but wasted a LOT of money when I took up watercolor last year. Mixing/color theory is an entire education of it's own, and one you really need before you try to paint anything specific. If I could do it over I would start with a transparent single pigment palette. I don't know of a single one for sale.. Mijello has a single pigment set, but it's not all transparent. I just put one together (12pan) using Van Gogh watercolor.. if you wish I will give you the shade list, it took a while to research. It's not "professional" grade but it is good paint, it's one of the best student grades I've used... and it's cheap so if I experiment with it I won't cry every time I stick my brush in. You can get the theory online but the only way to really learn is to smash together a bunch of paint, make mistakes, and do a lot of small studies on decent paper.

[@hummerlady54]

@@waymire01 Please share the list with me. I am really being held back by lack of clear color theory knowledge. I know a little but not enough. I tend to follow too many artists too which makes me feel like I have to have the same palette. I need to practice, practice, practice every day.

[@waymire01]

@@hummerlady54 These are the ones I settled on, all available at Blick online as of a few days ago: permanent lemon yellow, azo green yellow, indian yellow, pyrrole orange, madder lake deep, quinacridone rose, ultramarine deep, phtalo blue, qunacridone purple blue, phtalo green, yellow ochre, light oxide red. They are all transparent and single pigment in Van Gogh, but may not be in other brands.. each brand differs. Here are other options that are also transparent and single pigment: trans yellow green, carmine, permanent red violet, quinacridone purple red, prussian blue, viridian, raw sienna. Some of those had lightfast issues (carmine, prussian) others I just preferred the pigments I chose instead for balance in the palette since I wanted to keep mine at 12 colors. There are 27 other shades in the brand that are transparent but not single pigment. The total for those twelve shades was around $36 at Blick.

[@apressocafe]

😉

[@mrcohiba1662]

Most of DS colours are semi-transparent :/