Using Phthalo Blue & Green in Watercolor

Phthalos are sometimes considered difficult to use because of their intensity. I'll show you some ways to tame the colors and learn what else you can do with them. I'll be demonstrating specifically with Phthalo Blue GS (PB15:3) and Phthalo Green BS (PG7).
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[@mindofwatercolor]

I should have specified in this video that I was using Phthalo Blue Green Shade ( PG15:3) and Phthalo Green Blue Shade (PG7). I consider these the more commonly used of the Phthalos which is why I didn't specify, but just note there will be differences with Phthalo Blue Red Shade (PB15:1) and Phthalo Green Yellow Shade (PG36). The mixing principles demonstrated here are the same.

[@VanmeterFL]

Why don't I see many people use Phthalo Green Yellow Shade (PG36). Inquiring minds!

[@classicalmp37]

I use Pthalo Blue red shade in place of Ultramarine Blue when I want a non granulating blue similar to th Ultramarine Blue.

[@FortheBudgies]

Phthalo is my favorite color to paint with. It is gorgeous. I love it in other people's art as well. I even named my cat Phthalo.

[@blondelebanese9922]

I am a sponge, you are water. Actually I consider you my teacher.....you have shown me how to paint properly because until now I have been self taught. I’ve been painting for more than 40 years, mostly in acrylic. Now I’ve been teaching myself to paint with watercolors and failing, until I found your videos. You take the time to tell us WHY you do what you do....that’s pretty epic. Thank you for being so generous with your time and knowledge. You’ve heard the saying ‘can’t teach an old dog new tricks’? Not true! You’ve taught me plenty and I’m eager to learn more! 🎨🖌Annie B.

[@jesstolley7193]

Phthalo Green and Maroon Perylene make and AWESOME dark green! :D

[@LafayetteLeSaint]

I remember many many years ago an art teach gave me five tubes of acrylic. One was ultramarine blue which really frustrated me. I was trying to get an emerald or what I call a kelly or grass green and couldn't. No matter how much or how little yellow I mixed with the ultramarine blue I couldn't get it. I even tried mixing black and white with still no results. The greens I got I hated. Then years later I got into watercolors and discovered Thalo Blue. Bingo! I found the green I was looking for and also discovered it made great purples and/or violets. I for one love the intensity of it.

[@FuriedHearts]

I think Pthalo blue and green are genius for palettes because they are essentially concentrated base colors. Pthalo green blue shade can mix extremely unnatural neon greens, to middle emerald greens, to sap green, to neutralized greens, yellow greens, or teals. Extremely versatile. You can even add white to it to make a pretty close Cobalt Teal blue hue. I’m so torn between French ultramarine and Pthalo blue red shade though. I CANNOT for the life of me decide which one to put on my palette. I love the extreme warmth and vibrancy of ultramarine (almost like its glowing) and love the purples it can make but I’m not the biggest fan of its granulation. I love the Pthalo blue red shade for its smooth washes and no granulation and it’s a stunning blue to look at. I’ve been experimenting to see the greys that both of these blues can make with burnt sienna and the results were similar yet a little different. I CANT DECIDE. 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Ms1lonewolf]

This is a help to beginners because they need to know what their colors will and can do while they are painting. I Know I needed to do this to get to know my paints because they are a different brand of paint than what you use. Thanks for the video. 😊!

[@InLiquidColor]

So, when I first started with watercolors I bought phthalo green because all the lists said to. However it was such an unnatural color that I took it off my palette for quite some time. HOWEVER, after painting for some time, I realized what a valuable color it is for mixing! I looove mixing it with dioxazine violet for deep moody violets or with Ultramarine for teals. Mixed with the original quinacridone gold, at my favorite sap green of all time :) As for the blue, my favorite mixes are transparent pyrrol orange to make a very, very solid black and with just about any red for vibrant purples :) In short, I'm a big fan! Thanks for the fun video Steve!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, great mixes! Thanks for the input.

[@justtheletterV274]

In Liquid Color Also, Pyrrol Orange and Ultramarine Blue make an ok purple

[@katepanthera7265]

From Jane Blundell's site: 'If you only have one green in your palette, make it phthalo green BS (or Jadeite if you want a granulating alternative). This will neutralise your crimson to make deep shadow and aubergine tones and can be neutralised with crimson to make deep prussian and perylene green hues. It will mix with a warm yellow or and earth yellow to make a nice version of sap green. It will mix with phthalo blue or ultramarine to make turquoise. It will mix with a cool yellow to make very bright greens, should you want them.'

[@JuJuForREAL]

Lmfaoooooo. The beginning!!! As a 90s baby. I totally loved that!! So you were one of those cool older people I admired growing up 😍🥰🥰🥰🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾

[@karenhoward303]

Steve, I love your sense of humor, you keep it fun and light and painting should be fun. You also impart of huge amount of knowledge. Thanks.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks Karen!

[@bethc503]

I love these two colors both in watercolor and in acrylic. They are my favorite.

[@mmfm9263]

Thanks for sharing! You are so right not to just copy recipes from books☺️

[@jjordansart]

that intro is so adorable

[@AaronKimmins]

Being in Arizona I find phthalo blue perfect for our sky. On a clear day three is nary a gradation and very bright blue.

[@MDCampbell]

What a terrific subject to cover, and you cover it brilliantly, Steve! For me, I pulled both Viridian and Phthalo greens from my palettes a long time ago. To me, they were too noisy (loud colors) and even when neutralized or mixed, I found they retained that noise, even behind other colors. Because of you I had sought out Neutral Tint. I loved Payne's and Sepia, but never tried the Neut.Tint. I have to say that I'm glad I did, as it makes a wonderful addition to my palette. Thanks for such an insightful, well-explained presentation. Great stuff, as always! Cheers! :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yeah I think thats why many people dump the Phthalos. The pigments will separate from other coarser pigments plus they are more staining, which is why they can sometimes stay & show when other pigments get diluted or washed away. Thanks man.

[@mariahellerstedt9577]

Just love your way to learn. im from Sweden and like it slow and clear as english is my second languich. im a new beginner and i will look at old ones and falling you in new. thnx Maria

[@stephaniemay9090]

THAT IS A WITTY INTRO. I AM LOVING IT.

[@lisathaviu1154]

Great video. When I was little, my best friend had a big set of watercolors in a tin. We used to spend hours mixing colors and seeing what they made when mixed together. I realized later that I knew how to mix different colors because of all of the time we did this. If anyone has small children or grandchildren, a big, cheap set of watercolors, a cheap brush and a plate or other mixing surface make a great gift. Spending a couple of afternoons just mixing paints with them to see what colors they make will allow them to learn color mixing basics without them needing to think about it. BTW, my friend and I always ended up with grey!

[@dianehansma1725]

Laughing, love the humor in the beginning!! I really like those two colors~~~it's great to use unusual colors, especially in abstracts in acrylics!!!

[@tinyrocks7549]

Lol, you won the award for best dad-joke with that intro

[@mindofwatercolor]

😃

[@GeorgeBanis]

Made my day haha

[@thejoydecision724]

George Banis made your day-O?

[@vaughnigami2588]

I actually replayed the beginning a few times it was so good!😂

[@stephw1363]

Yes i thumbs upped right after the intro cuz....good one! Oh and the color stuff was helpful too

[@robinburdette7201]

I never thought of a "trip around the pallette!" Looking forward to playing!

[@nkguenther1]

I keep coming back to your videos to learn the most important basics of watercolor. You have helped me so much!

[@AnneGoggansQHHT]

Raw and burnt earth colors make pretty mixes as do the trans oxide colors. Lascaux makes a trans oxide maroon that I’m addicted to even though I don’t normally use lascaux I caught a close out at an art store years back. I’ll cry when I run out.

[@essietangle9931]

Thank you 4 showing your neutrals on your palette. I keep my color wheel on my desk. Always good to watch.

[@everirisart3554]

Thanks for doing this, I took color theory in college but it fades with the years and you've opened some possibilities in my mind (and palette) ~ keep up the excellent instruction, wish I could give you some of that tuition money I spent at college!

[@kelseywood1582]

This video was awesome. I never knew what to do with these colors, and now I can utilize them because they are on my palette!

[@moodyroan79]

One of your funniest intros I've ever seen! My gosh, Iaughed so hard...thank you for that. I love the Phthalos and I love mixing my own colors. I have a book on mixing colors but honestly have never really used it. A couple of years ago, after I found your channel, I also found Jane Blundell's page and her color charts. I jumped in and just started mixing colors...so fun! I always have so much fun coming up with new mixes. One of the things I really enjoy most about watercolor. Mixing and wet into wet, plus softening edges=watercolor heaven to me. :)

[@annettefournier9655]

Ok, this makes more sense to my newbie brain than just swatching out colors and not knowing how they mix with other colors. I'm not into phthalos yet but just love them. I'm so new to this I'm still limiting myself to three or four basic colors at a time. Thanks for your expertise.

[@annenglish2935]

Thanks for this hilarious beginning and all your sharing... I'm a newbie Gramma and impulse buy those intense phthalos and greens and blues I immediately fell in love with. Now I realize some are almost identical... I'm more careful and can always share. I just opened 3 tubes yesterday WOW!!! The Holbein Marine blue took my breath away!!!... PB16 & PG7, PEACOCK BLUE, PB 15, PG7, PRUSSIAN GREEN PB60, PG7. YES I PLAY with seascapes and skies. I also try not to listen to the 10 reasons not to do this in watercolor! Very surprising, cuz' I thought it was a satire! Love ❤ it! God bless you from a California Gramma

[@sreihart]

You crack me up LOL! Thanks for being the bright spot in my day. I've had both Phthalos for years but never really used them much. That's about to change thanks to you!

[@aviaja2008]

Twilight colors, some of the most useful colors in landscaping and or moody paintings. Brilliant video thank you.

[@cherigreen4471]

Thank you so much for this! I love just playing with colors too. I think you are a wonderful artist and teacher!

[@judyptak7118]

Great info! I love phthalo blue as I think it is a beautiful blue-green, one of my favorite colors.

[@pameladobbins1844]

I love phthalo green & blue in my acrylic painting but have never thought of adding to my watercolor pallet. Thanks for demonstrating their versatility & value to watercolor!

[@susanhamilton1822]

LOL loved that intro and love Phthalo Blue. It's my go to blue and makes some fabulous greens.

[@azzuparis]

Ahahahahaah your intro is the best!!! Thank you, Steve for this video. I have both colors on my palette and I will definitely play with them a little more. I loved the mixes made with their complementary, very interesting colors :)

[@rainspren]

The information you pass on is priceless for new watercolorists, but your sense of humour keeps me coming back. Haha. Thank you!

[@cowboyblairehobbsarts5398]

Very interesting info, love the education on these colours some of my favourites along with lime greens

[@maggieb523]

Thanks for taking the fear out of the phthalos. I really enjoyed this demonstration. Beautiful colors!!!

[@glorioskiola]

I’ve been using these a lot lately. I love their brilliant clarity.

[@jhufendick]

I swatched my new paints yesterday. I'm so glad I did. It's so helpful in figuring out what I can create with my very limited pallet.

[@AlineJoyGoodchild]

Thank you Steve as always, I learn so much from you. Also less afraid of practicing mixing colors.

[@Avinmor]

Your videos are so informative and entertaining. Thank you for the laughter and all you teach. Blessings!

[@amarjeet17894]

I love both these colours and they are always on my palette

[@MeowMeowKapow]

Pthaaaaaaaaaaaaaay-loh! Sold. Took four seconds to get me on board. Personally, I love phthalo! Phthalo turquoise is almost always in my palettes, and phthalo blue is an absolute MUST have. I accidentally discovered it while in college, when I tried to glaze an entire oil piece with a thin layer of phthalo blue to unify it..... It was a very bad painting and that didn't work to solve it, but the blue itself had stolen my heart by the very first brushstroke. Great tips in here, thanks for taking the time to spread the phthalove!

[@SpottedOtter7]

First absolutely loved the intro. I so enjoy your humor. Second, THANK YOU for showing me the goodness of a color wheel. I’ve had one I use as an indoor frisbee but will now use as it was intended. You are awesome!

[@catherinelevison3310]

It does make me braver and showed me a world of color theory I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. I’m completely self taught, except for a very few KZbinr artists like yourself. I’m learning from the best I can find here. All my color mixing has been done during the heat of the moment in the middle of painting objects or landscapes. I do swatch directly from the paint I buy but in all these years I have never taken the time to mix when not under pressure. A thousand thanks for this teaching.

[@justinf3278]

I love the beginning of this class! The Beetlejuice jam always makes me smile... You're the best Steve. Good juju and good vibes headin ur way from Savannah. ✋🤘👊🤙 Kris

[@ArtBrain]

The two Phthalos would come really close to creating the color spectrum of Moraine Lake and many of the other glacier-fed lakes in Canada. I'm a professional...not as a watercolorist, though, ha-ha...and have had the two paints in my palette almost from the beginning. I can't think of any colors that are more must-have if you like to do landscaping on glacial lakes anywhere.

[@maryalgar8779]

I've not yet purchased/used phthalos, but you've convinced me of their worth. By coincidence, I did purchase Neutral Tint today because I was curious about it, so will have to play with it. Appreciated your reminder about neutralizing with complements. And your opening "song" was very funny. Always look forward to your new videos.

[@anthonykoeslag]

Thanks, I love Pthalo blue!

[@paintbrush-trouble]

Thank you for the answer to my question!! I am learning so much from your videos and can't stop giggling watching them! You are the best of the best!, 😀👌

[@thehighpriestess8431]

I wonder why I always find my way to this channel when I have a doubt about watercolor anything ?? If nobody uses Phthalos then why are they made by these companies make them at all? We can all buy them right ? As usual a fantastic class. Thank you !

[@jsclar7037]

Thank you so much. A beginning teacher had us buy these colors, but besides finding out the hard way that they were serious staining colors and using them on one tropical scene, they didn't get much use. Your fearlessness is inspiring!

[@capbin146]

Genius, and your best intro ever- thalo comes and won't go home- new lyrics for you and Reece to perfect! So many people talk about staining but no one has ever explained so simply why. Teoh likes phthalos for mixing neutrals as well. Thanks for sharing.

[@philiplockwood255]

Phthalo,.. Phtha a a lo,.. love it Steve, well done! Thanks again for your knowledge, advice and fun freely given, a complete Star you are! Have a Great weekend mate and blessings to you, Mr Blue ( Phtha-alo to Reece from me : ))

[@JustCallMeElle]

I'm curious about what kind of artist would not want Phtalo Blue in their palette. It's such a beautiful blue color. I also want to get a Phtalo Green for the same reason. It makes really nice grays as I do not have any grays in my palettes and just make my own.

[@DrawingWithFire]

Great video Steve! 😁 I really like phthalo blue, always have...lol 😉 This was a great break down & reminder to learn how your colors behavior. TFS! Take care my friend. 🤗

[@jasonmullins6638]

Hey thanks for the info and taking the mystery out of watercolors with your mastery!

[@msgail7232]

Love both of these intense colors. Love your super clean palette! Easy to see your color mixtures for sure.

[@mchris1020]

All colors are beautiful! Great info.

[@Sunraes73]

Love this video Steve! Thank you!!

[@glorioskiola]

I just started using the thalos, they are so vibrant, I love them.

[@vanessaboman8143]

I use phthalo blue and green I love them! But I use them in calligraphy a lot. Thank you for this video!

[@27andante]

Thank you for the lesson. Very useful. And I really love sepia, a velvety brown color. Previously, many of our artists painted landscapes in the style of grisaille sepia.

[@soon_to_emerge]

I use phthalo turquoise (btw, it's one unique pigment, not mix of phthalo blue and green) as cyan in my CMY-based palette. I can mix both nice and vibrant greens with PY150 and rich and deep violets/purples with PR122. And it's still very pretty colour on its own, and sometimes I use it for shadows after dulling and darkening it a bit.

[@elsagrace3893]

I noticed that when I don't mix for a while I forget how. This is inspiration to play!

[@Dani31988]

I’ve just recently added Phthalo Blue back to my palette and this was so incredibly helpful and informative! I would love to see a detailed video regarding your palette and color selection!

[@cassiescreations9828]

You are such a hoot. Actually loved this color mixing episode, kind back to basics for most probably but what I was obviously missing. Angela Fehr has a terrific video on this subject too with the Phthalo Turquoise.

[@deborahs2889]

Thanks Steve, i liked this video about the phthalo's and mixing to neutrals as well as darkening. This year I took a beginner watercolor course at The Art League in Alexandria Va, and the wonderful teacher included Pthalo blue and Ultramarine blue in our 8 color palette. Toward the end she suggested that good colors to expand to are Pthalo violet, turquoise, and green for mixing.

[@krdgrs]

Love the opening! So funny. Great subject to do also.

[@aptwalker2009]

Love what I learn from watching your instructions. Thanks so much for sharing with us :)

[@rachelhinva1785]

Thank you so much for your videos. I love the way you breakdown information that other seem to make overly complicated. I am new to watercolor and was feeling overwhelmed by all of the information until I came across your channel. I have also purchased several of your recommended items including the black velvet brushes. I already see an improvement in my work. Thanks again.

[@zainylainy1]

Thanks for helping me. I’ve been glutting on your videos and I started painting two days ago. I so love your style.

[@vivaldirules]

Thumbs upping. Thank you, Steve. Phthalo green = Wizard of Oz.

[@richardlumpkin4607]

Once again your use of music touches my heart. As always great video. And by the way I like Phthalo! Keep it up Steve.

[@diannemiddaugh2478]

That was great. Something I plan on trying. As always very informative and full of great tips. Thank you so much.

[@MicheleLHarvey]

Great video Steve, on 2 difficult but very useful colors. Because they are so vibrant and high chroma, they can be hard to tame (the 10 thousand hour rule applies here, haha.) I've upgraded the palette of 12 colors I'd used since childhood, to 16, getting rid of the heavy metals (cadmiums & cobalts) as well as the old fugitive Alizarine and hard to re-wet viridian. 10 new colors out of 16 made for a big learning curve. Something I didn't anticipate was chroma or intensity differences of colors. While Pthalo Green is similar to viridian in hue, its chroma and staining power was extreme compared to Viridian, overpowering less emphatic colors on my palette when mixed. This meant I had to adjust the rest of my palette to somewhat match the chroma or intensity, to have some balance when mixing. Same with Pthalo Blue. The pyrrols and quinacridones are equal in their intensity and make for great pairings. A few additional earth colors are useful to mute or damp down the intensity. Everyone chooses their palettes differently and many shy away from the pthalos because they are an unruly lot. You show here perfectly, just how beautiful and useful they can be. Thanks!

[@ilahjarvis]

This video is an excellent learning tool for beginner students who are learning how to use the colors in their palette. I have made the giant color chart mixing every color on my palette. I found myself grinding through the process and not paying enough attention to the results. I appreciate and prefer this more organic and relaxed approach to mixing and discovering.

[@synopsisrewriten2849]

yay an actual painting video.. the reviews are cool and all but I love the painting ones best. I use those two thalos all the time. I also use a red stain one called Allizaran (sp) Crimson.. I think it is called. I might have it confused with another name. though you are not painting a painting this is extremely helpful about getting them neutral.. and transitions.. they are powerful transitions that make the painting have quite a bit of depth

[@deejcarter2003]

You are the first watercolor artist I've seen who explored their color this way and I love it. I've tried the charts and they do give you good info. but for me it boring and tedious to do and I find that I don't tend to reference it after all that work. You helped me realize why. I'm an intuitive painter like you and this was very helpful to me and I will be testing my colors and playing with them this way.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Gotta have fun too, right?!

[@bmarygirl]

I loved this. I started watercoloring last month. I was jubilant when I discovered the phthalo colors. But then when I moved into my house I painted my living room a bright green and my dining room fushia! My friend told me I was living in a watermelon.....and it was true. As much as I love bright colors I also love the colors you create. And you have taught me about the color wheel! I love your videos.

[@diannaa5631]

I've learned so much from you and my art has grown so fast thanks to what you share with us.thank you

[@romaeterna3106]

So glad you clarified this! Thanks for super instructions overall. BTW "knowledge is power"when you use it; also when you remember it!

[@andysargent5821]

I use Pthalo Blue all the time. It makes some great dark greens and greys mixed with Quinacridone Rust and Quinacridone Red, all M Graham colours. Great video as always.

[@appleknocker56]

As a real beginner just gravitated to PB & PG (just way watered down) & ty for this video as ppl kept saying to strong, not “nature colors” but get great mixes. Is very staining on my plastic pallet.

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

That's my favorite blue to use! Thanks for another great video :)

[@rjgoldens1364]

Love both colors

[@marshahostetler]

Thank you for all your videos you have helped me so much. My art has become so much more fun plus better since I started using M Graham watercolor. I learn something about myself everyday with my art

[@VanmeterFL]

I enjoy your sessions immensely. You are so funny and practical in your advice. I love phthalo colors! I started with Jane Blundell, who keeps both on her palette! I know my color chart proves the value of both and the amazing colors I'm able to mix using both! I've heard phthalos as being "rude", but it's a rudeness I'm able to work with. ;-)

[@StephenMarkTurner]

I really like those subdued and near gray colours.

[@tinaschmidtsart]

LOL! I love your humor! Yes, I paint with those too! A lot of places are sold out because of the CV19. 😬. Love your education mixed with joy! Thank you for keeping us inspired!

[@paulainaustria9180]

This video reminds me that I love colours so much. This is joyful to watch. Thank you Steve! Your video shows the core of water colour painting. In my opinion. Because often it's all about techniques, washes, layering etc. "What about Sepia? Nice!" :-))

[@melaniewoodrow9772]

Thanks! You are a great teacher!

[@lesliev7874]

Your videos are fun to watch and very helpful too.

[@LynnnTerrace]

Phthalo is my fav!!!

[@larryhazelwood5853]

I use a lot of phthalo green to to add effects to my bass paintings. It does a great job when used as a tint with the blues.

[@rottahern]

Great video ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🙂

[@lvmylord54]

the colors everyone loves!

[@johncarbis6688]

I’ve started to take notes on your videos. This was another ahh haa moment! Also, as I reached for my tubes of these two colors, I dropped them! Now phthalo on the ground. Oh well!