Watercolor Pigment with “Confidence”

How do you do?

           

            Welcome to another wonderful and insightful watercolor information session. To start, you must forget what you have heard - forget what your friends have told you, and remember that the simple fact toward achieving success in watercolor painting, is through its “simplicity.’’ No other medium can boast such a claim. So, let’s begin and get our minds prepared; repeat after me; “My Success will come from Simplicity and Confidence.”

            Yes, I think you have it. But also never forget that everything applied towards achieving success will come from your acceptance and your will-power to succeed.

Watercolor Pigments

            A pigment is a material that has the characteristics of displaying a color or colors through the transmission of light. No light, no color. Reflective light is also known as wave-lengths, and it is in these very specific wave-lengths that determine the colors that we see. Our color spectrum emits itself between the wave-lengths of ultra-violet radiation and the infrared radiation wave-lengths. It is through our eye’s sensitivity that allows us to see these wave-lengths in motion. I say motion, because wave-lengths are a form of energy, and energy has a constant hum. It is continuously vibrating and seeking balance. This is what causes pigments to fade, turn into other colors, or blacken over time. Pigments that fade or change characteristics over time are known as fugitive pigments. But in watercolor art and other mediums, we want the characteristics of stability and permanence. It is through the pigments unique material composition that determines its stability. Some materials are just simply better than others. However, It is through the environmental conditions of; light, temperatures (heat and cold), and pH moisture levels that play havoc on pigments. This is why it is important to understand the pigments you use, and the characteristics that surround them. 

Instant Coffee Pigment By. Shawn Stoffel

            It would be horrible to create such a fine work of art using a pigment material that did not lend itself to the test of time. Take a look at some images of Paleolithic cave paintings. Those paintings are known as "parietal art." They have survived some 40,000 years. Why? Because they were produced with pure pigments, and they were limited to exposure of the most harmful of environmental conditions, light. Have you noticed how light fades colors? Keeping your paintings out of direct sunlight will provide some longevity. If hidden away in a temperature and moisture controlled dark-room vault, the pigment could possibly last for an eternity.

            My advice to artists is to select and use high-quality pigments. They may be more expensive, but that is because they are purer and contain fewer fillers. Creating your own pigments from raw pure materials is an even better choice. But, user beware, if you consistently use low-quality pigments, you not only are limiting your work from the intensity of color, but your pigments and your art legacy will surely fade away.

Pigment Transparency

            The most important aspect to consider when purchasing your pigments as we have already identified is its purity. However, to determine the purity of your pigments, most manufacturers use a rating code. Most are printed on the labels as the permanence ratings of AA - Extremely Permanent; A – Permanent, and B - Moderately Durable. Extremely permanent (AA) contains more pigment purity than the A or B rating. Another important consideration is the pigments opacity. Opacity simply describes the pigments transparency levels. Can you see through that pigment into another? That is transparency, but it has drawbacks, mainly in purity levels. Opaque pigments do not perform transparency, but yet are higher in purity content. Lightfastness should also be considered. You will usually find two symbols, the I, and the II. Lightfastness simply describes the pigments ability to resist fading when exposed to light. Both symbols are considered permanent.  

Monochromatic By. Shawn Stoffel

            A good practice and one that is affordable is to purchase pigments that you can color mix with. For instance, instead of purchasing every available pigment color on the market, you would purchase a handful of pigments that you would mix together yourself to achieve the same results. Primary colors are perfect because they can achieve other colors by mixing. So, there really is no need to purchase all of the specially blended-colors, unless you simply enjoy spending more money than you have to. Mixing and creating your own colors offers the uniqueness that sets-you-apart from others, who consistently use the same tube colors. Experimentation with primary colors will lead you to discover amazing colors. Some good examples of what I use for my primary colors are Cobalt blue, Cadmium red, Viridian, Indian yellow, white, and black. From those colors, I cross mix them and create a variation for all of my paintings. 

only 3-colors used in creating this

            You now possess the knowledge to select pigments that will last and create the best color intensity. You understand the important aspects of reading a pigment tube label and understand that it is through primary colors that create all other colors. With this knowledge I have no doubt that you will soon be creating wonderfully, and long-lasting works of art. Your legacy will follow along with the pigment you choose. 40,000 years is not unheard of. Practice, practice, and practice. Use your primaries to unlock a world of unique colors for your work. Good luck, and don’t forget that:  “Success will come from Simplicity and Confidence.”