Guides

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Is blending medium water-based?

Yes, blending medium is water-based. It is also slows drying and maximises the working time of your watercolours, allowing you to achieve smoother blends. Use the Blending Medium to work...

How to protect brushes when using Art Masking Fluid

Repeatedly using a brush to apply Art Masking Fluid will damage the brush over time. Although some artists swear by vaseline, soap or petrol, our tests do not show any...

How to use Art Masking Fluid

Do you want the freedom to apply broad colour washes across your painting surface, without the wash covering key details within a composition? Here’s where learning how to apply Art Masking Fluid comes in.

What is Granulation Medium and how to use it?

Winsor & Newton Granulation Medium enhances granulated texture. It gives a mottled appearance to colours that normally have a smooth wash, or it can enhance the effect of granulating colours. This...

How do I mask a watercolour painting?

Masking fluid is the best way to mask a painting; any area, no matter how delicate, will be protected from subsequent layers of colour with masking fluid. Then, when the paint...

What’s the best beginners’ watercolour set?

The best set for beginners must be the Cotman Watercolours Deluxe Sketchers' Pocket Box because it has everything needed to start enjoying watercolour; it includes 16 colours to allow for some great...

How to lift watercolour

Lifting is not just the watercolourist’s answer to an eraser. It’s a widely-used technique for portraying smoky atmospheres, cloudy skies and other such effects. But from gently sponging out a...

How to create granulation with watercolour

There are three main factors to be aware of when it comes to controlling the level of granulation in your watercolour scene: medium, paper colour.

How to check the granulation of a watercolour

A useful method for checking where a certain colour lies on the granulation spectrum involves wetting your paper and adding some colour on top. Gently rock the paper back and...

What is the difference between watercolour and gouache whites?

The difference between gouache and watercolour whites is the amount of pigment in the paint. Gouache is more opaque, which is why it is used for block colour. The two mediums are intermixable. Gouache...

Why are there two watercolour whites?

Winsor & Newton offers two watercolour whites with distinct applications. Chinese White, introduced in 1834, is favored for adding highlights or toning down colours with its semi-opaque, blue-toned formula. Alternatively,...