Top tips for granulating watercolours | How to make some super granulating mixes

Granulating watercolours are very popular now for the amazing textures they can create. So we will explore what granulation is, why it happens, how to make a stronger effect and some interesting mixes using Mars Black. Along the way, we might give Daniel Smith, Schmincke Super Granulating and Van Gogh Dusk colours a run for their money.
Love them or hate them, understanding why some colours granulate and how to control it, will help you improve your watercolour technique.
Every week I bring you different tips and techniques, so if you found this useful please subscribe and hit the notification bell.
If you enjoyed this, you might also be interested in the courses I offer at www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk. I also run live online sessions with www.shopkeeparty.com

[@lorijones9579]

I can make watercolors granulate even if they don't normally, or granulate more if they do. I mix a good amount of salt into hot water, mix, let it cool, and then paint with the saltwater instead of regular clean water. The more salt suspended in the water, the more the effect. I give my brushes a good clean afterward. The effect is different than dropping salt into paint already on your paper. It works with any color/pigment.

[@LizChadertonArt]

ooh yes, I haven’t done that for ages. great reminder. it would make a good subject for one of the weekly tips. would you mind?

[@lorijones9579]

@@LizChadertonArt Please go ahead and use it. I'd be happy if you did.

[@lorijones9579]

@@LizChadertonArt Not at all. Please share.

[@lucev7497]

Interesting, might try it

[@pch2230]

This sounds very interesting! Would I be better using cheap brushes? Don't want to mess-up my good ones.

[@laurawasson7639]

“A nice bit of pollution”. So funny. Love it. Great video

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks Laura, glad you enjoyed it!

[@valeriegehling4358]

Like the fact you experiment with colours, canvas etc. so adventurous! Found this video super interesting will definitely try mixing colours too! Thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@valeriegehling4358]

@@LizChadertonArt Have had thanks. Tried with & without mineral water. Good fun. I only possess “ivory black “, but the granulation with the blues was good on both counts. And, I have 2 Schmincke granulated colours which have at last given the wished for results. Thanks to your video!

[@CLOUDSINTHEKITCHEN]

I mix mars black with indigo and paynes grey and comes out as DS sodalite! or just use granulating medium by WN!

[@LizChadertonArt]

nice tip!

[@ShoshiPlatypus]

This is a brilliant video. I am very new to watercolours and don't want to paint standard landscapes. I like pen and wash and more stylised or abstract subjects, really preferring monochrome for shading (not necessarily black). I have recently discovered granulation which I adore - really want to achieve this! I've been experimenting over the past few days and certainly my best results have been what you've been doing in this video. My watercolours are student grade but I recently nearly broke the bank buying a small tube of DS Lunar Black which is simply fabulous... I'm getting great results dulling down the over-bright staining colours and getting excellent granulation. Granulation medium seems to be less satisfactory. We have very soft water here.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I love that you are experimenting already! watercolour does not have be be traditional (though traditional is beautiful too)

[@cragraven8949]

I paint on Hot Press with granulating colours. You still get just as much granulation as you do on a NOT surface - it's just less uniform. The paper is smooth, so the pigment doesn't have a texture to settle in to. The granulation effects on HP can therefore be very unpredictable and interesting - it's definitely worth experimenting with.

[@LizChadertonArt]

oh interesting! I am not a user of HP, so my understanding is that the effect was not so noticeable.

[@candisstewart6481]

I use HP also & I get lovely granulation.

[@wolkensaft]

So many helpful tips here!

[@polgara28]

I could watch the paint take off in water like that all day! It's one of my favorite things about this medium. What a great experiment! Lovely results, too!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@minalyons1]

That’s what schmincke did. Mixed mars black (Pbk11) with French Ultramarine (Pb29) and created the supergranulation line. These two are the main pigments of the first two: Glacier and Deep Sea series.

[@LizChadertonArt]

that was partly my point. why buy expensive pre-mix when you can use what you already have in your paint box….

[@karolfrench5816]

THANKYOU. It’s great to have demonstrations by an artist who really knows her stuff and shares information. Very exiting

[@LizChadertonArt]

The joy is that I learn something new too every time I make one!

[@shadowguard3578]

As a beginner (well possibly one step up from a beginner) I was looking for information on how to cause granulation with the watercolors I already own. Then I came across W&N granulating medium but wasn’t convinced it was for me. Then this video popped up in my feed. The information you provide is priceless! Thank you for your expertise and experimentation, and sharing it with us!

[@LizChadertonArt]

oh good! if you are exploring granulation, I am sure you are more than a step up from a beginner 😊

[@shadowguard3578]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you for your reply! 😊

[@ShoshiPlatypus]

Funny - I've just commented almost in the same vein as you! Most interesting. I've really only just started experimenting, and I think mixing the DS Lunar Black with the over-bright staining colours is the answer. The results are stunning. I stumbled across this video just like you did. Great timing!! (I see you commented 2 years ago so I am sure you are a complete expert now!)

[@shadowguard3578]

@@ShoshiPlatypus this is a blast from the past! I’m still not an expert on using granulation for textures for the main subject matter. However, I do tend to use granulation to create interesting textured washes for the background. Then every now and again I experiment and have fun and create my own swatches of granulating watercolors.

[@John_B20]

Love granulation. I can say one tip I was given a while back was to not mix more than three pigments because at the fourth the color will begin to turn "muddy". That maybe why the yellow tones do not do well with the addition of the fourth. They already had three pigments in them to get to their tone. Just a thought. Love the video. You gained a new subscriber! :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hmmmm, I’d need to have another look at the pigments involved.🧐

[@UJB123]

Awesome! You can make these special colors yourself , yes indeed … but the oddballs kept complaining about putting a Black in the sets. It’s because they don’t have a clue the majority of the specials are made with a Black. So companies started taking the Black out …. And now you get to buy the special mixes for $20 [tube/halfpan/etc] a pop, lol. Great info!

[@LizChadertonArt]

To be honest, I’m pretty anti black and white in sets! They usually put ivory black in sets which doesn’t granulate, whereas it’s Mars black here which does the magic, but I take your point!

[@whatever9554]

​@@LizChadertonArt That's so strange to me! Different blacks are some of the most exciting paint colors for me. I find that they are brilliant for mixing - you can mix some really beautiful, interesting new colors using different types of blacks. I tend to paint fantasy themes and those odd, dark, murky in-between colors I mix using blacks work nicely with the more vibrant "pure" colors I also use.

[@xyz7572]

White Night’s Cadmium Red Light is a really nice granulating red colour! It’s one of my favourites, and it’s quite inexpensive as well! 😃

[@LizChadertonArt]

That's good to know! I've never really used White Night's. So much paint, so little time!!!

[@Pyjamas112]

I love granulation. It is just so satisfying to watch the pigments and water doing their thing 😍 I bought granulation medium a few months ago, but I love colours like lunar blue. I’ll need to start mixing my own colours more. I definitely need Mars Black in my pallet! Thanks for the tips and inspiration 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes, it’s a wonderful effect

[@lindamorgan8688]

Thank you for showing how to chart are likes & dislikes in granulation. This was helpful.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jacquiewilliams6927]

👍😃very well done I learn a lot.your love& enthusiastic self worth gold I am a big gan

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much. that’s very kind

[@susanhepburn6040]

Thank you very much, Liz - great effects and a real moneysaver!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes! It’s nice to understand why your paints behave in certain ways and it means you can save your money for the really special ones you can’t emulate.

[@pk3679]

I have also been trying to come up with some granulating mixes. Thank you for the help. I didn't think to use staining colors. Brilliant!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1msfit]

This was fascinating. I have wondered in the past whether the very, very hard water of a certain favorite vacation area would affect my paints but was told, “No.” Now I find out out that would really enhance the granulation effect! What a surprising piece of information-and this is the only place I have seen/heard any reference to the quality of water! Thank you ever so much. I will now experiment with my own colors.

[@LizChadertonArt]

your water definitely impacts. Have a go painting with sea water as opposed to tap water and you will see. The hardness of the water isn’t as dramatic but enhances the granulation.

[@sueatcharleyspeakes5016]

Wow, thank you so much. I clicked to see what paintings youve done and then realised you’re the author of two of my favourite books! so yay, new fan here ;-)

[@LizChadertonArt]

Wow, thank you! And welcome

[@RobboJ30]

Great stuff. I’ve just subscribed and love your presentation style and this subject too. Looking forward to seeing more . Thank you for sharing. Jill

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s good to know! thank you

[@iadenicole931]

Thank you for an excellent video. I will definitely try out an experiment of my own. Beautiful!

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad you enjoyed it. hope your experiments are successful!

[@ImeldaFagin]

Thanks for suggestions. I’m going to do a mini experiment to see if I can premix one mixture to put in my palette. Love the reds. I really like floculation, although it sounds like it’s something against the law.

[@LizChadertonArt]

ha ha! I’m not sure you should talk about flocculations in polite society 😆

[@barbaratibbets8643]

Thanks for the tips Liz! Can’t wait to try my new granulation paints.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@miriammoriarty8588]

Great video, thanks. I really, really love that painting of the smoke against the sky. So beautiful.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you very much!

[@allyw]

Really interesting demo thanks Liz. I am going to give this a try.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Oh good - please let me know how you get on and whether you discover any other interesting mixes!

[@rmuller366]

Thank you Liz! Very well presented and professional. Subscribed immediately. Appreciate your sharing this knowledge. I’ll try some swatching with my Cotmans and see what I get. Blessings to you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I hope you get on well!

[@deborahg5782]

Excellent tutorial! You continue to inspire me with your artwork and your videos. Thanks for sharing your experiments!

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s lovely to hear. delighted to know they are useful.

[@cathykirwan2292]

Wonderful tutorial! I can hardly wait to play with mixing paint! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun! playing with paint is time well spent

[@stellaball7289]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad you enjoyed it

[@lucev7497]

Thank you, you made me save tons of money

[@LizChadertonArt]

bet you buy art supplies with it!

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Thanks so much Liz. This is really interesting and some gorgeous effects. Must dig out my mars black!

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes!!

[@zarahp2098]

This is so fantastic!! Informative, educational and still a light watch. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@imrobie5758]

Great experiment!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you!

[@joannefk4758]

What a brilliant demonstration! Thank you so much I can’t wait to pick up some Lunar Black or Mars Black and try this !

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sarahstevenson2384]

Thanks Liz, I found this very interesting

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@koskey06]

You have just became ONE OF my favorite watercolor artist! I just looked up some of your work and it's right up my ally.

[@LizChadertonArt]

well what a lovely thing to say 😄!

[@ladygwarth]

When I first bought the DS lunar and Schminke deep sea colours when they came out, like you, I checked the pigments of each colour and found was is possible to mix these colours myself. W&N Potters pink was in a lot of these colours too, which is also granulating. The science of it is fascinating, well to me anyway, ha, ha.

[@LizChadertonArt]

agreed! it can sometimes be more alchemy than chemistry….

[@ladygwarth]

@@LizChadertonArt an equally hard to control 😉

[@SadrStar]

Thank you very much Liz! For me this is a discovery, now I will certainly take advantage of it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Great!

[@stephenpawlyn1502]

That was super interesting Liz. Thank you

[@nicole127x]

I just got in a tube of Van Gogh Oxide Black PBk11 to play with and I'm so inspired!

[@LizChadertonArt]

have fun experimenting 😊

[@suevancoppenhagen]

So interesting !! Of course, I'm now off to order Mars Black !

[@LizChadertonArt]

have fun with it!

[@angemac1519]

This is pure gold info for mr. Thank you so much for sharing. I plan to try some other colours to see what happens. Very enjoyable 💫

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Gemiangel47]

Thank you loved this video. Very interesting ☺️

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TaraSueSalusso]

You are such a great resource for me as an up-and-coming artist. I’d say I’m past the beginner mode but even this technique is new to me. I’m excited to swatch it out myself and to try it in a future painting.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hope you enjoy it and let me know if there is a topic you are interested in exploring.

[@petelangforduk]

A great tutorial. Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@babs675]

Great tutorial. So informative. Thank you. X

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@baldwinleatherworks]

❤❤❤this video. Thank you so much! It’s so helpful and I think will save me a lot of money to buy super granulating. I can make some mixes myself.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wolkensaft]

That was incredibly helpful. As if the youtube algorithm had known, I just bought a mars black. Guess I have to go and mix it with all the other colours I have.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Spooky how how happens! Glad it was helpful

[@ladyhollman9534]

Excellent information.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you think so!

[@karenirving7088]

Really great video so useful and money saving

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you ☺️

[@franswey2]

Thank you for sharing. I love the granulating paint for foggy weather landscapes. I was thinking of creating my own colors but it seemed a bit overwhelming, but thank goodness I found your KZbin channel and subscribed so I won’t miss you. With your helpful information I’m going to give it a try. Thank you from my mountain top in middle Tennessee where the hilltops kiss the sky 💋🌁, Fran

[@LizChadertonArt]

your mountain top sounds wonderful. should be perfect for foggy landscapes

[@franswey2]

Yes, it is. Have to love it or move to the valley, I chose to love it. Nothing nicer than foggy mornings on the porch with a hot cup of coffee ☕️, my sketchbook and paint. 💓

[@PeachesandMoss]

The quin sienna is my favorite. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

it’s a gorgeous colour!

[@susancook1617]

Thanks Liz, this was very interesting

[@LizChadertonArt]

good! hope you have fun mixing

[@cathydale104]

Thank you Liz. Very interesting indeed. 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

Are you going to go and get a tube of Mars Black and have a play??

[@cathydale104]

Absolutely Liz. 😊

[@twk8520]

This is awesome thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're very welcome!

[@aerialpunk]

This is good to know, thank you! I think I may still buy a certain pre-mixed one because I plan to use a lot of it, but this tip will be so handy for when I only need smaller amounts of a given granulating colour!

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes, having the convenience of pre mixed makes sense. But knowing how to mix your own is good too.

[@ranjanachand9306]

Nice demo.. very useful..Thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it

[@melstampz]

Heaven on earth! Thank you ever so much from a new subscriber

[@LizChadertonArt]

Welcome! If there is ever a topic you want me to cover, please just comment!

[@sherizapara2992]

Very interesting!! Thankx

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it!

[@delmastrodesigns]

Oh I love this video!!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s lovely to hear!

[@fen8992]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure!

[@dicegem]

What a interesting video! Thank you very much, you got a new follower ! Warm greetings from a rainy Sweden 🇸🇪

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks and welcome from a rainy uk

[@lourdescarballo5117]

very interesting and helpful thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertweinblatt2018]

I don’t like it and I’ve never liked it!I LOVE IT LIKE CRAZY and have always adored the way these colours work! I’m in love❤️‍🔥🥇🥰

[@LizChadertonArt]

ha, ha, you got me there! I read the first part of your comment and thought it was going to be one of THOSE comments, all angry and telling me I would rot in hell. phew!!

[@robertweinblatt2018]

@@LizChadertonArt I don’t send those type of messages!I found your delivery as well as your info very interesting and most useful! I’m just a little cheeky (I’ve been accused of that by my pal who calls me Petal) but harmless🥰I’ve subscribed and looking forward to more fun vids! Do you happen to know Ann Blockley?

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@robertweinblatt2018 Cheeky, I like! Yes, love Ann Blockley’s work and her father’s….

[@ShoshiPlatypus]

@@LizChadertonArt Lol!

[@pault2461]

great video, thank you

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it!

[@annepercival7814]

Interesting comment about the difference hard of soft water makes! First I have heard of this!

[@LizChadertonArt]

makes a big difference with Indian ink too. If you paint with sea water you get very odd effects too. So the natural minerals interact with the pigments. if you want to minimise granulation distilled water will help, but some pigments will do it regardless.

[@danielleb.7055]

This is fun to see what mixes you came up with. I have been doing this the past 2 days with my paints so I found it kind of funny that this video popped into my feed. My absolute favorite is the pbk11 with the alizeran. It seems to have separated in many different colors but not the absolute intense granulation you were looking for that you were able to achieve in the other colors. Have a great day

[@LizChadertonArt]

it’s scary when that happens! KZbin is watching you 😂 Did you come up with any other mixes which worked particularly well? I love alizarin with most things!

[@aerialpunk]

I was a fan of that one too, actually. It had some really nice little bright spots that were interesting.

[@bySusuko]

Great information, thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thefabuloustravelingartstu5119]

Great explanation. I never knew this. Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was useful!

[@trishrivers7302]

Rose of ultramarine is just a rose quin and ultramarine mix. And someone posted you can make serpentine genuine with sap green and potters pink.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I shall try those combinations!

[@dorothyminor7581]

This was wonderful! Thank you! New subscriber

[@LizChadertonArt]

Welcome!

[@Flux_One]

Really helpful thanks for sharing. I bought a tube of Lunar Black and Sepia from Daniel Smith in the hope they'll produce some yummy textures. I'm really excited to try them out

[@LizChadertonArt]

they should be great!

[@Rumi1028]

Thanks foe the awesome granulation technique, really fascinating and some thanks to our Themes Water.

[@LizChadertonArt]

There’s not much to thank Thames for, but granulation is one 😊

[@maggimarmion3836]

Just found you on KZbin! Love this video on granulation!!👍

[@LizChadertonArt]

So glad!

[@ThePingpong108]

Cadmium Bordeaux red from Renesans is a granulating red. - As Schmincke gives a detailed pigment information in their granulating sets, many of the colours you can mix on your own. Especially the french ultramarin from Schmincke is very strongly granulating, in comparison to other brands, together with potters pink for instance you get the tundra pink .

[@LizChadertonArt]

Those are great tips. Thank you!

[@CristinaArriolaart]

This will save me money…thank you for the tips much love

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad you enjoyed it

[@CristinaArriolaart]

@@LizChadertonArt I do enjoy your teachings graciass ❤️❤️😘

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@CristinaArriolaart my pleasure

[@JacquelineJax]

This is a great idea to utilize the vary on savory blacks they come in watercolor sets but I have also done this with soda light genuine to create some amazing affects

[@LizChadertonArt]

ooh, I don’t have that one

[@avaliveradio]

@@LizChadertonArt Moonlow or luna blue are also great ones.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@avaliveradio yes, I’ve used Moonglow and Lunar black is one that I am making here.

[@RATTE1606]

I have a fullpan iron oxide / mars black from schminke and I have a lot of fun with this if I mixing it with every other color that I own.

[@LizChadertonArt]

perfect!

[@marcwheeler4406]

Love this video it's just a great technique to learn...especially if your on a tight budget but adore new grandulation sets that are coming out...thanks for this video when I started putting my colors in my palette I realized I had more granular type of watercolor paint. I'm like wow I guess that's what I'm into I didnt even know where my art color love was...lol... Even tho you think the yellows are sketchy with the mix I adore those colors they remind me of mosses and alot of swamp type plant colors where I live. I also live near the great lakes it's like a multi climate of weather we get... alot of foggy days I love your first example do you have a video of showing how you achieved the pollution or smokey look as I'd love to learn techniques I also think investing in a bigger tube of mars black is a good idea as its versatility with being able to create or doodle different elements with colors to achieve your desire creations on your media....lol it's nice to know I'm not a odd duck within the watercolor community with trying to produce and living grandulation.. I subscribed to your channel for these type of techniques that can help my art soul grow many art blessings to you today.....🎨✍👩‍🎨mikelle art mom

[@LizChadertonArt]

thanks for a great comment and glad you enjoyed this. once you start to understand your pigments you can mix all sorts. The new colours are possibly expensive mixes of what you’ve already got. I haven’t got a tutorial of that pollution. I might add it to my list

[@marcwheeler4406]

@@LizChadertonArt that would be great as I started a watercolor of a house with firefighters battling a fire I wanted to donated it to the firehouse as a general thank you I can get the flames to look good but the sooty look of the higher flames where it looks gray and foggy was eluding my knowledge of how to do and produce that effect I've had the painting for about 8months now just downloading foggy videos but the technique is never grainy or sooty looking enough to satisfy the look I'd like to achieve of the flames....mikelle art mom🎨✍👩‍🎨 I have family that are volunteer fireman and honestly I'd just like to show them they are appericated....

[@kathykaura7219]

I look forward to trying my paint at granulation. I am currently only able to use paints from Hobby Lobby. We'll see. Looks fun; to experiment.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@marinagambarelli7649]

Very very interesting👍🙏

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad you found it helpful

[@Flowerbloom-ft7ru]

I have done a painting a while ago and it granulated, I did it accidentally without knowing what granulating in watercolor is, but it turned out soo beautiful and magical, I finally know what happened there😂 my colors were black and blue

[@LizChadertonArt]

I know! It’s a shock when you get granulation. Now you can hopefully get it to happen at will!

[@Flowerbloom-ft7ru]

@@LizChadertonArt yes🥰🥰 thank you for the amazing video

[@suehall7120]

Thank you for checking Liz 💐

[@LizChadertonArt]

Any time!

[@CousinKaylee]

Wow I love that painting of the power plant! My husband works at the plant in Edmonton AB.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I hope there’s less pollution than this!

[@CousinKaylee]

@@LizChadertonArt way less!!!! What you see in the power plants is mostly steam!! They burn off bad chemicals not the cleanest but it’s not all going into the air. Do you have prints of these for sale??

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@CousinKaylee I know they’ve really cleaned up, so nice to get tge confirmation! Regretfully I haven’t got prints.

[@ilahjarvis]

Wonderful experiments! Thank you for the inspirational combinations, I will have to try these out! The color closest to a granulating red is Potter's Pink. Winsor and Newton makes a nice one, and the color is a brownish, purplish red that is highly granuling. It even makes a scratchy sound as I mix it on my palette and apply it to my paper due to the little hard particles of pigment.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I find Potters pink a really odd colour. It is so opaque. I have a tube languishing at the bottom of my paint box, but I never really find a use for it. I’m glad it works for you.

[@starvingartistscollective]

@@LizChadertonArt Potters Pink is a weak mixing colour , it doen't 'hold' it's own colour strength in a mix....but because of it's weak tinting strength it is fabulous mixed with those strong single pigments for granulation and variation in a wash. Perhaps a similar video with your languishing tube of Potters Pink? TFS!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@starvingartistscollective it is a funny old colour. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@nathalieheath5693]

Awesome content! New sub 🤗

[@LizChadertonArt]

Welcome aboard!

[@marigoldwood8494]

Many thanks for this - it was very informative. I think you are the first artist I have seen on KZbin who uses Turner paints, so I would be interested to know how you think they compare to Schmincke or Daniel Smith.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I use just about every brand of paint - looking for my favourite in each range. I like quin Sienna from DS but phthalo turquoise from Sennelier for example or gamboge from Rembrandt is the best I've found. I have not found a stand out colour from Turner to be honest...Yet!

[@davidmolloy126]

Thanks very much Liz for a great video. Try a single pigment Green Gold PY 129 from either Maimeri Blue or W+N, Rembrandt. From a new subscriber in Lancashire. x

[@LizChadertonArt]

Good tip! Thanks David

[@jennyjumpjump]

I actually like the way the green gold finished. It appeared to behave more streaky but I can work with that

[@LizChadertonArt]

it might behave differently on different paper too?

[@merxeverazvi2725]

Es un experimento interesantísimo, y has conseguido unos tonos realmente maravillosos. Me pregunto que sucedería haciendo una aguada de negro Marte sobre una superficie de un color plano ya seco. En cuanto pueda lo probaré!

[@LizChadertonArt]

let me know how your experiment goes!

[@karolfrench5816]

Wow. Just found you. Great information gorgeous work. Thankyou

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks so much! if there is a topic you’d like addressing please let me know.

[@karolfrench5816]

@@LizChadertonArt Hi Liz. I stretch all my paper. Of 140 lbs As I can’t work on paper that buckles and causes valleys. Do you have any tips on NOT stretching. Much appreciated

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@karolfrench5816 it will depend on your style of work and the size you are working. The wetter you work, the more it buckles, the bigger you work the more noticeable it is. So go for heavier weight paper…200lb and above. Use a glued pad. Wet the back of your paper and put on Perspex… without knowing the way you work it’s tricky to advise specifically.

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Wonderful! I use well water and could never get a nice sky wash using UM Blue or Cobalt. Now I know why!

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes! but painting with well water sounds very romantic….

[@elainetyrrell4669]

Aha!!!! It never occurred to me that water made a difference. I have soft water where I live and I wondered why I wasn’t getting as much granulation as some of the folks doing demos. Thanks Liz.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You may not have granulation, but your kettle doesn’t scale up! I dream of soft water…..

[@atlantic2233]

Mix some baking soda in your well water to increase the ph (hardens it)

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@atlantic2233 thanks! That’s a great idea

[@ShoshiPlatypus]

@@atlantic2233 Thank you for the suggestion! Our water is super-soft.

[@ShoshiPlatypus]

@@LizChadertonArt I never thought I would ever wish for hard water!! Ours is super-soft here. No kettle furring, a bar of soap lasts for ages, makes much better tea as well! Until today and seeing your video, I had no idea that there could be any advantage in hard water or that it could improve granulation!

[@magodragster2142]

Hola, interesante, lo que yo he probado en colores que al mezclarlos la granulación no es interesante como pasó con la alizarina(alizarin crimson), es hacerlo en dos capas separadas, y no frotar con el pincel si pones en la primera capa el lunar black, o sea, haces la primera capa con lunar black y dejas secar completamente, mojas un poco con un spray, pones el alizarin en un vaso y lo hechas desde el vaso, sin pincel, después mueves el cuadro entero con tus manos para llevar el color a donde quieres y así funciona genial y consigues la granulación con el color que no funciona , saludos.

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you - that’s really interesting. I’ll give it a go.

[@wakeupuk3860]

Really liked your comment aimed at those who look down on artists not wishing to spend time mixing all their colours, Yes I know theoretically you make any colour from Y+R+B but to the snobs please consider this. When starting to paint you do not have the brush stroke skills that (having been a teacher) can take several years to acquire and for oldies like me. who maybe will not be around for long, I don't have those years. Also is the cost, if you as yet are not selling your paintings each for about £250 buying good quality paint (which I do agree should be used to learn) is very expensive for you to know the right colour and how much to do so - which ultimately is often is wasted. There is also the 'time factor' when painting WC which is crucial in getting right when you want to cover and blend to get the desired effect which if following a tutorial (not the stupid speeded up ones) does not leave time to mix the colours that you want at a suitable point. Unfortunately as I found with so many teachers I came across which possibly not doing well at school my self, I some how never lost the memory of how I felt when learning. In my life I went on to become quite senior in Photography, Civ Eng, Maths, Science and IT of which I taught all of them to either children or adults and I did very well, even though I never consider my self an absolute master of them. But I had the innate ability to identify what my student was feeling, their level and explain to them what to do with out making them feel indequate to the higher level I had to teach tem. Unfortunately most art tutors on here do exactly that, in missing out much I would liketo know how, where and why they did so. They are making the worse mistake a teacher can make, thinking or saying it is obvious because to them it is. I please to say Liz you are not one of them because even though you go into a great amount of detail you never lose sight of your viewers especially we are not in front of you. I also like your account of trying to get from Schmincke very 'obvious' and sensible information and finding they just ignored you, this is on par with what I have stated above. Possibly because of the tecnical nature of my careers I tend to want detail and have found generally getting that level of detail is often hard to get and the attitude of "Why do you need to know that, just use it and see what happens". Which again comes back to the above and me thinking "I may well be paying for this and as a customer I want answers to what I think are reasonable questions". You I feel do this very well (as others have stated) are doing their job for them. I do have a direct question, I lived in an area of warm water, could you tell if buying fizzing mineral water would aid in granulation or not, also would the bottles of water we use to top up batteries from a car shop, help with granalation. I also have been experimenting with using different types of Himilaya and Coarse salt Granual which I usewarm tap water to melt them and them shake up, I do get some granulation but I find it leaves fine spots of salt which I don't want. Would appreciate any other reader if and what salts they use. Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you for your comments! You are right, it is easy to assume people know things - but equally you don't want to teach grandma to suck eggs, so it is always a balance between explaining and patronising. Using water with a high mineral content will really help, so if you are in a soft water area using a bottled mineral water is a great idea. I would suggest flat, not fizzy, but the fizz will disappear pretty quickly if that's what you have. The water you use for topping up batteries is distilled water, so has no minerals. This is what to use if you want to decrease granulation (especially good if you are using Indian ink and needing to dilute it). Someone told me adding sodium bicarb to your soft water increases granulation, but I have never tried it. If you have some in the kitchen cupboard it will be worth a go. As for salt, you will always end up with crystals of salt if you paint with salt water - the water evaporates and is absorbed and leaves the crystals behind. Wait until it is 100% dry and scrape off with a thumb nail. There's not a lot you can do to prevent it - use less salt and you might not get the effect you want...

[@wakeupuk3860]

@@LizChadertonArt FANTASTIC !! :-) great reply, especially about letting fizzing mineral water go flat. I should have know that but reaching 70, every day I cringe and shake my head at what I no longer can remember. Thank you about distilled water, just the sort of thing I appreciate being told, plus sodium bicarbonate as I have got some so will try that as well. Also will do with your point about the salt. I often on here state how I regret having been very involved in teaching IT and the Internet because of the harm I see it is doing to the world but (on trying to be positive, not easy for grumpy old me) I will gladly admit it does give a vehicle for kind people like your self to pass on their knowledge to help others.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@wakeupuk3860 Much as social media etc can have huge negative impacts, it also has some real positives. During lockdown, I have connected with artists around the world and it has been a hugely positive experience.

[@kimfenton3437]

I can’t wait for my grandchildren to have a planetary project to do!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I know. that would be cool

[@annejameson3425]

Thank you. I’m no expert but adding Potters Pink to some colours creates some beautiful granulation.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’ll have a try. Potters pink is very opaque though, isn’t it? But I have some lurking at the bottom of my paint box.

[@annejameson3425]

@@LizChadertonArt I have the Daniel Smith one. I’ve mixed it with turquoise, Quin. Sienna, ultramarine, Quin. Magenta, burnt umber and Opera Pink and they have some lovely effects

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@annejameson3425 thanks! Will have a play

[@suehall7120]

Thank you for such a detailed video and great explanation. If I mixed salt with the water to dissolve watercolour paint would it damage the paper though? I’ve also enjoyed the drawing pen video too.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Salt is not great for the long term archival-ness of the paper. I cannot find exact information on its impact but we are talking 50 years plus. So I have no issue with using it

[@221b-Maker-Street]

WOW - these are wonderful, Liz! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us. 🖤 May I ask a simple question about paper? Natasha Newton was using some 600gsm paper recently which looked great. I know how important the paper _texture_ is - I imagine rough is the gold standard? Would a heavy weight paper make any difference to thegranulationn do you think? In that it allows for more roughness and texture I mean... I know this video is about granulation, but I also learned recently that pigment _size_ (and therefore weight I guess?) makes a difference to *colour separation* potential - granulation and separation often seem to go hand in hand... I'm in rural Kent so fairly hard water here myself. I can see I now need to invest in a crate of Mars Black! Thanks again.

[@LizChadertonArt]

hiya - the weight of the paper is different from the surface finish is different from the quality. so hot press, Not or cold press and rough might be different versions of the same quality and weight paper. the thicker/heavier the paper, the more water it can absorb and it will not cockle. Not and rough tend to absorb more than hot in the same weight. you get more dramatic granulation on rough as the particles can settle into the valleys. hot tends to be for detail, not is a middle option, rough is great for expressive strokes but can be obtrusive. so there’s never a simple answer with paper! then you have cotton vs cellulose…. if you search I’ve done a film on why paper is more important than paint….

[@wisnuprabawa2907]

Thank you Liz for sharing this,, it comes very handy and economical. Really love it!.. :D

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you like it!