Author: PIW Site Owner

Burnt Sienna watercolor is a warm, earth color that has a tonal value darker than the other browns in the semi-transparent category, Raw Sienna and Quinacridone Gold.

It is the “reddish brown” in the semi-transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, semi-transparent non-staining watercolors are generally mid-light in value ranging from 20% to a maximum of 80% value.

So, the colors in the semi-transparent non-staining category are adequate for a mid-tone palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Burnt Sienna is slightly more opaque than transparent non-staining watercolors and requires more restraint to remain luminous when mixing with other colors.

Semi-transparent non-staining watercolors have similar characteristics to transparent non-staining watercolors, but with a wider range of colors to add to a palette.

Burnt Sienna can be layered in several glazes using other semi-transparent non-staining watercolors if each layer is allowed to dry thoroughly before applying the next layer.

COLOR MIXING WITH BURNT SIENNA WATERCOLOR

Add Aureolin or New Gamboge to Burnt Sienna to mix a variety of lighter value, warmer, more transparent brown colors that resemble colors in nature.

Mix Burnt Sienna with French Ultramarine to create interesting mid-value transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, add a touch of Prussian Blue to the mix.

Burnt Sienna can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in both the transparent and semi-transparent non-staining categories.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Burnt Sienna
• New Gamboge

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Burnt Sienna

• French Ultramarine
• Prussian Blue

… also the transparent non-staining category of watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Burnt Sienna

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Permanent Rose
• Cobalt Blue
• Viridian
• Hooker’s Green

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Quinacridone Gold watercolor is a warm, earth color that has a tonal value that sits between Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna.

It is the “golden brown” in the semi-transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, semi-transparent non-staining watercolors are generally mid-light in value ranging from 20% to a maximum of 80% value.

So, the colors in the semi-transparent non-staining category are adequate for a mid-tone palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Quinacridone colors leave a trace of color behind when lifted but will not stain other watercolors. So, Quinacridone Gold harmonizes very well with other pigments.

Semi-transparent non-staining watercolors have similar characteristics to transparent non-staining watercolors, but with a wider range of colors to add to a palette.

Quinacridone Gold can be layered in several glazes using other semi-transparent non-staining watercolors if each layer is allowed to dry thoroughly before applying the next layer.

COLOR MIXING WITH QUINACRIDONE GOLD WATERCOLOR

Add Sap Green to Quinacridone Gold to mix a variety of earth-tone green colors that glow and vibrate. Also, try mixing it with Green Gold.

Mix Quinacridone Gold with Permanent Mauve plus Sap Green to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, add a touch of Prussian Blue to the mix.

Quinacridone Gold can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in both the transparent and semi-transparent non-staining categories.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Quinacridone Gold
• Green Gold

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Quinacridone Gold

• Permanent Mauve
• Sap Green
• Prussian Blue

… also the transparent non-staining category of watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Quinacridone Gold

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Permanent Rose
• Cobalt Blue
• Viridian
• Hooker’s Green

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Raw Sienna watercolor is a warm, earth color used to suggest shadows filled with reflected light and to float into moist washes of colors from the palette.

It is the “brown” in the semi-transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, semi-transparent non-staining watercolors are generally mid-light in value ranging from 20% to a maximum of 80% value.

So, the colors in the semi-transparent non-staining category are adequate for a mid-tone palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Raw Sienna is slightly more opaque than transparent non-staining watercolors and requires more restraint to remain luminous when mixing with other colors.

Semi-transparent non-staining watercolors have similar characteristics to transparent non-staining watercolors, but with a wider range of colors to add to a palette.

Raw Sienna can be layered in several glazes using other semi-transparent non-staining watercolors if each layer is allowed to dry thoroughly before applying the next layer.

COLOR MIXING WITH RAW SIENNA WATERCOLOR

Add Auerolin to Raw Sienna to mix a variety of lighter, warmer earth colors that are more transparent. Or, mix it with New Gamboge for more golden earth colors.

Mix Raw Sienna with Permanent Mauve plus Sap Green to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, add a touch of Prussian Blue to the mix.

Raw Sienna can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in both the transparent and semi-transparent non-staining categories.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Raw Sienna
• New Gamboge

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Raw Sienna

• Permanent Mauve
• Sap Green

… also the transparent non-staining category of watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Raw Sienna

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Permanent Rose
• Cobalt Blue
• Viridian
• Hooker’s Green

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

New Gamboge watercolor is a cheerful, semi-transparent non-staining yellow that is very versatile. Its color is neither warm nor cool in comparison to other yellows.

It is the “yellow” in the semi-transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, semi-transparent non-staining watercolors are generally mid-light in value ranging from 20% to a maximum of 80% value.

So, the colors in the semi-transparent non-staining category are adequate for a mid-tone palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

New Gamboge is slightly more opaque than transparent non-staining watercolors and requires more restraint to remain luminous when mixing with other colors.

Semi-transparent non-staining watercolors have similar characteristics to transparent non-staining watercolors, but with a wider range of colors to add to a palette.

New Gamboge can be layered in several glazes using other semi-transparent non-staining watercolors if each layer is allowed to dry thoroughly before applying the next layer.

COLOR MIXING WITH NEW GAMBOGE WATERCOLOR

Add Viridian or Hooker’s Green to New Gamboge to mix a variety of green colors that resemble greens in nature. Mix it with reds for more interesting orange colors instead of using Cadmium Orange.

Mix New Gamboge with Mars Violet to create interesting mid-value transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix New Gamboge with Perylene Maroon plus Indigo.

New Gamboge can also be successfully mixed with the other watercolors in its semi-transparent non-staining category.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed or mixed with watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• New Gamboge

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with New Gamboge

• Mars Violet
• Perylene Maroon
• Indigo

… also the transparent non-staining category of watercolors for glazing or color mixing with New Gamboge

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Permanent Rose
• Cobalt Blue
• Viridian
• Hooker’s Green

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Hooker’s Green watercolor is a pure transparent non-staining watercolor that is a warm, natural green that can be used as a primary green.

It is one of the “greens” in the transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, transparent non-staining watercolors are generally light in value ranging from 10% to a maximum of 70% value.

So, the colors in the transparent non-staining category are adequate for a complete palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

The characteristics of Hooker’s Green differ in hue from one brand to another. Holbein’s brand has a yellow summer green color and Winsor Newton’s brand is cooler and darker.

Like other transparent non-staining watercolors, Hooker’s Green can be lifted from a dampened watercolor paper without leaving a strong stain behind.

COLOR MIXING WITH HOOKER’S GREEN WATERCOLOR

Add Aureolin or New Gamboge to Hooker’s Green to mix a variety of green colors that look more natural than using it straight from the tube.

Mix Hooker’s Green with Permanent Rose to create interesting mid-value transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix Hooker’s Green with Quinacridone Violet.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed or mixed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Hooker’s Green can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in the semi-transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Hooker’s Green

… and the recommended transparent non-staining watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Hooker’s Green

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Permanent Rose
• Cobalt Blue
• Viridian

… also the recommended semi-transparent and semi-opaque watercolors for mixing with Hooker’s Green

• New Gamboge
• Quinacridone Violet

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Viridian watercolor is a pure transparent non-staining watercolor that has a distinctive metallic blue-green color that is rarely used on its own as a primary green.

It is one of the “greens” in the transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, transparent non-staining watercolors are generally light in value ranging from 10% to a maximum of 70% value.

So, the colors in the transparent non-staining category are adequate for a complete palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Viridian is considered to be a cool bluish green, that is tricky to mix when a warm green color is desired.

Like other transparent non-staining watercolors, Viridian can be lifted from a dampened watercolor paper without leaving a strong stain behind.

COLOR MIXING WITH VIRIDIAN WATERCOLOR

Add Aureolin or New Gamboge to Viridian to mix a variety of green colors that look more natural than using it straight from the tube.

Create special foliage effects by combining Viridian with a mixture of yellows, oranges, reds, and/or earth colors.

Mix Viridian with Rose Madder Genuine or mix Viridian, Cobalt Blue, and Vermilion together to create interesting mid-value transparent gray colors.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed or mixed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Viridian can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in the semi-transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Viridian

… and the recommended transparent non-staining watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Viridian

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Permanent Rose
• Cobalt Blue
• Hooker’s Green

… also the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing with Viridian

• New Gamboge
• Vermilion

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Cobalt Blue watercolor is a pure transparent non-staining watercolor that has a distinctive color that is rarely used on its own as a primary blue.

It is the “blue” in the transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, transparent non-staining watercolors are generally light in value ranging from 10% to a maximum of 70% value.

So, the colors in the transparent non-staining category are adequate for a complete palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Cobalt Blue is considered to be a neutral blue, neither warm nor cool, that can be used to tone down other colors it is mixed with.

Like other transparent non-staining watercolors, Cobalt Blue can be lifted from a dampened watercolor paper without leaving a strong stain behind.

COLOR MIXING WITH COBALT BLUE WATERCOLOR

Mix Cobalt Blue with Permanent Rose to create delicate transparent violet colors.

Add Aureolin or New Gamboge to Cobalt Blue to mix a variety of green colors that look more natural than using Viridian or Hooker’s Green straight from the tube.

Mix Cobalt Blue with Aureolin plus Rose Madder Genuine to create interesting light to mid-value transparent gray colors.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed or mixed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Cobalt Blue can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in the semi-transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Cobalt Blue

… and the recommended transparent non-staining watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Cobalt Blue

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Permanent Rose
• Viridian
• Hooker’s Green

… also the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing with Cobalt Blue

• New Gamboge

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Permanent Rose watercolor is a pure transparent non-staining watercolor that has a reddish-pink color.

It is one of the “reds” in the transparent non-staining watercolor palette used primarily for the glazing technique.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, transparent non-staining watercolors are generally light in value ranging from 10% to a maximum of 70% value.

So, the colors in the transparent non-staining category are adequate for a complete palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Permanent Rose is redder and slightly darker than Rose Madder Genuine which has more blue in it.

Like other transparent non-staining watercolors, Permanent Rose can be lifted from a dampened watercolor paper without leaving a strong stain behind.

COLOR MIXING WITH PERMANENT ROSE WATERCOLOR

Mix Permanent Rose with Cobalt Blue to create delicate transparent violet colors.

Mix it with Hooker’s Green to create a beautiful transparent mid-value gray color.

Add Aureolin or New Gamboge to Permanent Rose to mix a variety of orange colors instead of using Cadmium Orange.

Permanent Rose can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in the semi-transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Permanent Rose

… and the recommended transparent non-staining watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Permanent Rose

• Aureolin
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Cobalt Blue
• Viridian
• Hooker’s Green

… also the recommended semi-transparent non-staining yellow watercolor

• New Gamboge

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Rose Madder Genuine watercolor is a pure transparent non-staining watercolor with a crimson violet color resembling rose pink.

It is one of the “reds” in the transparent non-staining watercolor palette used primarily for the glazing technique.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, transparent non-staining watercolors are generally light in value ranging from 10% to a maximum of 70% value.

So, the colors in the transparent non-staining category are adequate for a complete palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Rose Madder Genuine, like other transparent non-staining watercolors, can be lifted from a dampened watercolor paper without leaving a strong stain behind.

Rose Madder Genuine is often used as a substitute for Alizarin Crimson because it is less intense, non-staining, and more permanent than Alizarin Crimson.

COLOR MIXING WITH ROSE MADDER GENUINE WATERCOLOR

Rose Madder Genuine mixed with Aureolin creates a glowing color substitute for Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna watercolor.

It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed or mixed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.

Rose Madder Genuine can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in the semi-transparent non-staining category.

Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Rose Madder Genuine

… and the recommended transparent non-staining watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Rose Madder Genuine

• Aureolin
• Permanent Rose
• Cobalt Blue
• Viridian
• Hooker’s Green

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Aureolin watercolor is a pure primary yellow that is moderately transparent with a cool color temperature.

Aureolin watercolor is often used as the first layer of a glaze before other color glazes are applied on watercolor paper.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, transparent non-staining watercolors are generally light in value ranging from 10% to a maximum of 70% value.

So, the colors in the transparent non-staining category are adequate for a complete palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Aureolin appears grayed straight from the tube, but when water is added and the thinned paint is applied, the grayish effect disappears.

Aureolin does not overpaint with the same clarity it seems to have as a first wash.

COLOR MIXING WITH AUREOLIN WATERCOLOR

Aureolin mixes well with other transparent and semi-transparent watercolors.

Aureolin mixed with Rose Madder Genuine creates a glowing color substitute for Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna watercolor.

Aureolin mixed with Winsor Blue creates a vibrant green.

For more interesting greens, mix Aureolin with Viridian or Winsor Green with a touch of Rose Madder Genuine added.

For a lighter, transparent green, mix Aureolin with Cobalt Blue.

Instead of using dull brown colors from the tube, create luminous browns by mixing Aureolin with Rose Madder Genuine and a touch of Viridian or Winsor Green added.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Aureolin

… and the recommended watercolors for color mixing with Aureolin

• Rose Madder Genuine
• Winsor Blue (Green Shade)
• Winsor Blue (Red Shade)
• Viridian
• Winsor Green (Blue Shade)
• Winsor Green (Yellow Shade)
• Cobalt Blue

Want to know what colors work well with yellow? See my Aureolin blog post.

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.