Watercolor Mediums

Artists use watercolor mediums to tailor their watercolor paints to specific techniques and desired outcomes, offering greater versatility and control over their artwork. By incorporating different mediums, artists can:

Modify Paint Properties: Adjust the drying time, transparency, and flow of watercolors to suit various painting styles and techniques.
Enhance Texture and Depth: Create unique textures, such as granulation or iridescence, and build depth through layering and blending.
Protect Specific Areas: Use masking fluid to preserve white spaces and highlights, ensuring precise control over light and shadow in compositions.
Improve Technique: Utilize blending mediums to achieve smooth transitions and gradients, and ox gall to facilitate the even spread of pigments.
Expand Creative Possibilities: Experiment with different finishes and effects, such as glossy highlights or textured backgrounds, to add complexity and interest to artworks.

Watercolor mediums encourage artists to push the boundaries of their creativity, allowing for a wide range of expressive and detailed techniques that enhance the overall quality and impact of their paintings.

‘One of the great advantages of watercolor is its simplicity. All you need to start painting is water, a brush, and some pans or tubes of color. But what if you want to take watercolor a little further? Watercolor mediums can help you control how watercolor paint behaves – including its texture, how it flows, how it lifts from the paper, and how fast it dries.’

— Evie Hatch, Studio and Materials Specialist, Jackson's Art Supplies

Watercolor mediums have been integral to the evolution of watercolor painting. While watercolors themselves date back centuries, the development of specialized mediums has allowed artists to refine and expand their techniques significantly.

Gum Arabic: Traditionally used in ceramics and printmaking, gum arabic was adopted by watercolor artists to enhance the binding and transparency of their paints.
Ox Gall: Originating from the bile of cattle, ox gall has been used since ancient times as a flow enhancer in various artistic mediums, including watercolor.
Masking Fluid: Introduced to address the need for preserving white spaces and creating sharp highlights, masking fluid became a staple for artists seeking greater precision in their work.

As the art world progressed, the introduction of modern watercolor mediums like blending and granulation mediums revolutionized watercolor techniques. Today, watercolor mediums continue to evolve, with advancements in formulation and application expanding their applications and creative potential.

At Jackson's Art Supplies, we are committed to providing artists with the highest quality watercolor mediums. Our extensive selection includes premium products from trusted brands, ensuring reliability and excellence in every medium we offer.

- Premium Quality: We stock watercolor mediums from renowned brands such as Schmincke, Sennelier, and Winsor & Newton, known for their superior formulation and performance.
- Extensive Selection: Our range encompasses a variety of mediums, including granulation medium for watercolor, blending medium, and watercolor flow medium, allowing artists to find the perfect product for their specific techniques.
- Competitive Pricing: We offer high quality watercolor mediums at affordable prices, making professional quality supplies accessible to all artists.
- Customer Trust: With a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot, Jackson's Art Supplies is trusted by artists worldwide for our exceptional products and outstanding customer service.

By choosing Jackson's, you're not only investing in the best watercolor mediums but also joining a community that values quality, expertise, and artistic growth. Explore our comprehensive range to find the perfect watercolor mediums.

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Ready to enhance your watercolor paintings with high quality mediums? Browse our extensive collection of watercolor mediums and discover the perfect products to suit your creative needs. Start your order online today and benefit from our competitive prices, fast shipping, and exceptional customer service.

Need more help? Visit Contact Us and Help & Advice pages for expert guidance on selecting and using watercolor mediums effectively.

How Much Medium Should I Add to Watercolor Paint?

When adding mediums to your watercolors, it's essential to start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed. Begin by mixing a few drops or a small quantity of medium into your paint to assess the consistency and effect.

Building up slowly allows you to maintain control over the paint's flow and transparency, ensuring you achieve the desired outcome without over-saturating the paint. Always test the mixture on a scrap piece of paper before applying it to your artwork to ensure the medium performs as intended.

Which Watercolor Mediums Are Good for Glazing?

Gum arabic is an excellent medium for glazing with watercolor. It increases the transparency and gloss of the paint, allowing for multiple layers of color to be applied without muddying the hues.

Gum arabic also slows down the drying time, giving you ample opportunity to blend and layer colors. This makes it ideal for building depth and achieving luminous effects in your watercolor paintings.

Can You Mix Different Watercolor Mediums With Each Other?

Yes, many artists blend different watercolor mediums to achieve unique effects and enhance their painting techniques. For example, combining gum arabic with iridescent medium can add both transparency and a shimmering finish to your watercolors.

Similarly, mixing ox gall with a blending medium can improve flow and blendability while maintaining control over your paint. However, it's important to experiment with medium combinations on a test surface before applying them to your final artwork to ensure compatibility and achieve the desired results.

Can You Varnish Watercolor Paintings After Using Mediums?

Yes, you can varnish watercolor paintings after using mediums, but it's crucial to use a varnish designed for watercolors. Watercolor-specific varnishes protect the artwork without altering the delicate transparency and subtle textures created by the mediums.

Always ensure your painting is completely dry before applying varnish to prevent any unwanted reactions or damage to the surface. Applying a watercolor varnish will safeguard your artwork from dust, dirt, and UV light, enhancing its longevity and appearance.

For more information, read ‘Watercolor Varnish: Can You Make Watercolor Waterproof?’ on Jackson’s Art Blog.

Can Watercolor Mediums Affect Transparency?

Watercolor mediums can influence the transparency of your paints. Gum arabic, for example, enhances transparency by binding more pigment to the water, allowing underlying layers to show through and creating luminous washes.

Also, gloss mediums can reduce transparency by adding a glossy finish that makes colors appear more opaque.

Can Watercolor Mediums Change the Color of the Paint?

While watercolor mediums do not generally alter the inherent color of the paint, they can impact the paint's texture, transparency, and flow. Mediums like iridescent medium can add a subtle shimmer or sheen, enhancing the visual appeal without changing the paint's original color. It's important to experiment with different mediums to understand how they interact with your watercolors.

How Can I Take Care of My Tools When Using Watercolor Mediums?

Proper maintenance of your tools is essential when working with watercolor mediums to ensure their longevity and performance:

Immediate Cleaning: Rinse brushes and applicators thoroughly with water after each use to remove any residual medium and prevent buildup.
Dedicated Tools: Use specific brushes or tools for applying mediums like masking fluid or gum arabic to avoid mixing with your primary painting tools and colors.
Proper Storage: Store brushes with their bristles facing upwards or in a way that allows them to dry completely, preventing deformation and maintaining their shape.
Avoid Prolonged Exposure: Do not leave brushes soaked in mediums. This can degrade the bristles and reduce their effectiveness over time.

Do Watercolor Mediums Impact Drying Time?

Yes, watercolor mediums can impact the drying time of your paints:

Gum Arabic and Blending Medium: These mediums tend to slow the drying time, providing more flexibility for blending and layering colors. This extended working time allows for smoother transitions and more controlled applications.
Granulation Medium: While primarily used to add texture, some granulation mediums can also affect drying time by altering the paint's consistency and flow.
Aqua Gloss: This medium may slightly extend drying time due to its added gloss and binding properties, but its primary function is to enhance the paint's finish rather than modify drying time.

Understanding how each medium affects drying time enables you to better plan your painting process and achieve the desired effects with precision and ease.

For more information, read A Guide to Watercolor Mediums on Jackson’s Art Blog.