Author: PIW Site Owner

Winsor Yellow watercolor is a clear, transparent yellow with a cool temperature similar in color to Cadmium Yellow Light, the lightest color on the color wheel.

It is one of the “yellows” in the transparent staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors in its category.

Measured against a gray scale value finder, transparent staining watercolors range in value from 10% light to a maximum of 90% dark.

Colors in the transparent staining category can portray intensity and dark values without becoming muddy and are adequate for a full palette except for where opacity is desired.

PAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Winsor Yellow is a supersaturated, stronger color than watercolors in the non-staining category and more restraint is required when mixing or glazing it with other watercolors.

Transparent staining watercolors will stain the fibers of the paper they are applied to, and stain, overpower and dull non-staining watercolors they are mixed with.

For the best results, Winsor Yellow can be glazed and mixed with colors in the transparent staining watercolor category.

COLOR MIXING WITH WINSOR YELLOW WATERCOLOR

Add Winsor Red (thalo red) or Winsor Blue (phthalo blue) or Winsor Green (phthalo green) to Winsor Yellow to mix a variety of orange and green colors.

Mix Winsor Yellow with Winsor Violet to create interesting mid-value transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix it with Permanent Violet.

Transparent staining watercolors can be layered one over another, wet over bone dry, successfully as long as the number of layers and density is controlled.

Before applying a layer of color from another category, use the transparent staining watercolor as the first layer.

Interesting textures and effects can be achieved by painting opaque colors over a layer of transparent staining watercolor and allowing some of the staining color to peek through using various lifting methods.

Semi-opaque or opaque colors are composed of coarser pigments that are stained and discolored when mixed with transparent staining watercolors. So, they are the least successful combinations.

Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:

• Winsor Yellow

… and the recommended transparent staining watercolor for mixing grays with Winsor Yellow

• Winsor Violet
• Permanent Violet

… in addition to the above list of colors, the following transparent staining watercolors are best for glazing or color mixing with Winsor Yellow

• Permanent Yellow Deep
• Winsor Red
• Carmine
• Alizarin Crimson
• Indanthrene Blue
• Winsor Blue GS
• Winsor Blue RS
• Winsor Green BS
• Permanent Green #1
• Hooker’s Green Light
• Winsor Green YS

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.

Green Gold watercolor is a vibrant glowing spring green color as seen in flower stems, leaves, and grasses lighted or backlit by the sun.

It is one of the “yellow greens” 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

Green Gold 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.

Green 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 GREEN GOLD WATERCOLOR

For a variety of green colors, add Green Gold to Sap Green, Viridian, or Hooker’s Green to lighten them. Or add a touch of these green colors to Green Gold to darken it.

Mix Green Gold with Permanent Magenta to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix it with Permanent Mauve.

Green 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:

• Green Gold
• Sap Green

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

• Permanent Magenta
• Permanent Mauve

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

Sap Green watercolor is a warm green color similar to Hooker’s Green Light, but it is less transparent and will not stain other colors it is mixed with.

It is one of the “yellow greens” 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

Sap Green 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.

Sap Green 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 SAP GREEN WATERCOLOR

For interesting greens or glowing reds, try mixing Sap Green with Alizarin Crimson or Carmine, earth colors such as Raw Sienna or Burnt Sienna, and yellows such as Aureolin or New Gamboge.

Mix red-violet watercolors such as Permanent Magenta or Cobalt Violet with Sap Green to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix it with Permanent Mauve.

Sap Green 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:

• Sap Green
• Alizarin Crimson
• Carmine
• Burnt Sienna
• Raw Sienna
• New Gamboge

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Sap Green

• Permanent Magenta
• Permanent Mauve

… or for a semi-opaque gray mixture use

• Cobalt Violet

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

• 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.

Antwerp Blue watercolor is the darkest tonal value blue in its category of watercolors, it is blue-green similar in color to turquoise and has a sensational granular texture.

It is one of the three “blues” 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

Antwerp Blue 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.

Antwerp Blue 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 ANTWERP BLUE WATERCOLOR

Add yellows such as Aureolin or New Gamboge and reds such as Permanent Rose or Vermilion to Antwerp Blue to mix a variety of green and purple colors.

Mix Antwerp Blue with a red-orange color such as Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a more opaque gray mixture, use Cadmium Red Medium.

Antwerp Blue 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:

• Antwerp Blue

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Antwerp Blue

• Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet

… or for an opaque gray mixture use

• Cadmium Red Medium Hue

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

• 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.

Cyanine Blue watercolor is similar to phthalo blue in hue and tonal value, but it is less transparent and not a staining color.

It is one of the three “blues” 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

Cyanine Blue 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.

Cyanine Blue 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 CYANINE BLUE WATERCOLOR

Add yellows such as Aureolin or New Gamboge and reds such as Permanent Rose or Vermilion to Cyanine Blue to mix a variety of green and purple colors.

Mix Cyanine Blue with an orange mixture of New Gamboge plus Vermilion to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix it with Quinacridone Burnt Orange.

Cyanine Blue 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:

• Cyanine Blue

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Cyanine Blue

• New Gamboge
• Vermilion Hue
• Quinacridone Burnt Orange

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

• 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.

Prussian Blue watercolor is similar to phthalo blue in hue and tonal value, but it is less transparent and not a staining color.

It is one of the three “blues” 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

Prussian Blue 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.

Prussian Blue 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 PRUSSIAN BLUE WATERCOLOR

Add yellows such as Aureolin or New Gamboge and reds such as Permanent Rose or Vermilion to Prussian Blue to mix a variety of green and purple colors.

Mix Prussian Blue with an orange mixture of New Gamboge plus Vermilion to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix it with Quinacridone Burnt Orange.

Prussian Blue 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:

• Prussian Blue

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Prussian Blue

• New Gamboge
• Vermilion Hue
• Quinacridone Burnt Orange

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

• 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.

Permanent Mauve watercolor is similar in color to Cobalt Violet, a semi-opaque color, but its transparency differs in that it is semi-transparent and darker in tone.

It is the “purple” 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

Permanent Mauve 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.

Permanent Mauve 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 PERMANENT MAUVE WATERCOLOR

Add Opera Rose to Permanent Mauve to mix a variety of lighter pink-purple colors. Or, add Permanent Magenta to mix a redder purple color.

Mix Permanent Mauve with yellow watercolors such as Aureolin or New Gamboge to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors.

Permanent Mauve 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:

• Permanent Mauve
• Opera Rose
• Permanent Magenta

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Permanent Mauve

• New Gamboge
• Green Gold

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

• 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.

Opera Rose watercolor is an intense pink that is a fantastic color to use in flesh-tone mixtures. It is similar in color to Permanent Rose, but it is more saturated and less transparent.

It is the “rose pink” 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

Opera Rose 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.

Opera Rose 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 OPERA ROSE WATERCOLOR

Add Permanent Magenta or Permanent Mauve to Opera Rose to mix a variety of deeper violet-pink colors.

Mix Opera Rose with yellow-green watercolors such as Green Gold or Sap Green to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a more opaque, darker gray, mix it with Olive Green.

Opera Rose 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:

• Opera Rose
• Permanent Magenta
• Permanent Mauve

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Opera Rose

• Green Gold
• Sap Green
• Olive Green

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

• 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.

Permanent Magenta watercolor is similar in color to Quinacridone Violet, a semi-opaque color, but its transparency differs in that it is semi-transparent.

It is the “violet” 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

Permanent Magenta 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.

Permanent Magenta 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 PERMANENT MAGENTA WATERCOLOR

Add Opera Rose to Permanent Magenta to mix a variety of lighter pink-violet colors. Or, add Permanent Mauve to mix deeper purple-violet colors.

Mix Permanent Magenta with yellow-green watercolors such as Green Gold or Sap Green to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a more opaque, darker gray, mix it with Olive Green.

Permanent Magenta 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:

• Permanent Magenta
• Opera Rose
• Permanent Mauve

… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Permanent Magenta

• Green Gold
• Sap Green
• Olive Green

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

• 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 Burnt Scarlet watercolor is a warm, earth color more radiant than Burnt Sienna, and it is useful for flesh tones and landscape palettes.

It is the “red 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 Burnt Scarlet is very similar to Quinacridone Burnt Orange in a saturated wash, but when thinned appears very different.

Quinacridone colors leave a trace of color behind when lifted but will not stain other watercolors. So, Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet 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 Burnt Scarlet 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 BURNT SCARLET WATERCOLOR

Add Green Gold to Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet to mix a variety of earth-tone greenish brown colors. Add Aureolin or New Gamboge to lighten it. Also, try mixing it with Sap Green to darken it.

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

Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet 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 Burnt Scarlet
• New Gamboge
• Green Gold
• Sap Green

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

• French Ultramarine
• Prussian Blue

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

• 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.