Watercolor paint characteristics describe the physical qualities of color pigments. Understanding the characteristics of each watercolor will help in deciding which paints to use and how to use them for the best results.
Transparency
A transparent watercolor allows light to pass through its pigment particles and reflect back to the eyes the color of the surface the paint is applied to. The effect resembles light reflecting through colored glass.
- The white of the watercolor paper is reflected through the first layer of transparent paint.
- If a second layer of transparent watercolor is glazed over another, the first watercolor will reflect through the second layer causing a color change (for example, a transparent blue painted over a transparent yellow will result in a green color).
Transparent watercolor paints mix well with all other paints except for those that have strong staining characteristics. Transparent watercolor is best used for glazing and layering techniques, where luminosity and depth of color are essential.
Opacity
An opaque watercolor allows little or no light to pass through its pigment particles. Opaque watercolors are best used singly or mixed with staining transparent watercolor paints. Otherwise, they can have a flat appearance that resembles house paint and often display an earthy, neutral nature.
Opaque watercolors can be effectively used alongside transparent or semi-transparent watercolors using the variegated technique. This contrast can add visual interest and emphasis within a painting.
Saturation
Saturated watercolors are pure of other color additives in their pigment. Saturated watercolors require a lot of water to dilute them. They have intense, staining qualities that overpower other colors they are mixed with and typically display transparent or semi-transparent characteristics.
Unsaturated watercolors have white, black, or other colors added, or they are a mixture of two or more pigments. This results in a loss of purity and transparency. While less intense, unsaturated colors can be useful for subtle passages, neutral mixing, and atmospheric effects.
Permanency
Permanency refers to a paint’s ability to withstand fading when exposed to light, also known as lightfastness. It also refers to a paint’s ability to not change its hue color over time, known as fugitiveness. Watercolor paint manufacturers use a numerical rating system on their paint tubes from 1 to 4, where 4 is excellent and 1 is unsuitable.
Selecting paints with high permanency ratings is especially important for finished artwork intended for display or sale.
Granulation
Some watercolor paint pigments have granulated characteristics that are natural. These pigments contain heavier or larger particles that settle into the valleys of textured watercolor paper.
Granulated watercolors are best used for painting grainy textures such as a sandy beach, masonry or stone, organic passages in nature, or a blue sky. Granulation can add visual texture and movement that is difficult to achieve with smooth pigments alone.
Staining Characteristics in Watercolor Paint
Staining watercolors contain pigments that strongly bond with the paper fibers. Once applied, these colors are difficult or impossible to lift, even after they are dry.
Staining pigments are excellent for glazing and creating strong, clean color layers, but they allow little room for correction. Non-staining or low-staining pigments, on the other hand, are more forgiving and easier to lift, making them ideal for beginners, highlights, and soft transitions.
See my blog post Which Watercolor Paints Are Transparent for lists of transparent non-staining, simi-transparent non-staining, and transparent staining watercolors.
Single-Pigment vs. Multi-Pigment Watercolors
Single-pigment watercolors are made from one pigment only and are labeled with a single pigment code on the tube. These paints produce cleaner, more predictable color mixtures and are preferred for controlled mixing.
Multi-pigment watercolors contain two or more pigments blended together. While convenient and often beautiful straight from the tube, they can create muddy results when overmixed. Understanding whether a paint is single- or multi-pigment helps artists make better mixing and layering decisions.
Pigment Particle Size and Texture
Pigment particle size plays an important role in how watercolor behaves on paper. Larger pigment particles tend to create textured washes and granulation, while smaller particles produce smoother, more even washes.
Earth pigments often have larger particles and display granulation, whereas many modern synthetic pigments have very fine particles that disperse evenly in water. This difference affects not only texture but also how the paint flows and settles during drying.
Flow, Dispersion, and Bloom Behavior
Different pigments disperse in water at different rates. Some pigments flow freely and evenly, making them ideal for flat washes, while others settle quickly or separate, creating natural texture.
These flow characteristics influence the formation of blooms, backruns, and soft transitions in wet-on-wet techniques. Understanding how individual pigments behave helps artists better control washes and anticipate drying effects.
Matte vs. Glossy Finish in Watercolor
Some watercolor pigments dry to a matte finish, while others have a slight sheen or glossy appearance. This finish can affect the perceived depth of color and the overall surface quality of a painting.
Glossy pigments often appear darker and more saturated when dry, while matte pigments can appear softer and lighter. This characteristic may also influence how artwork is photographed, scanned, or varnished.
Why Watercolor Brands Behave Differently
Watercolor brands may use the same pigment but produce paints that behave very differently. This variation is due to differences in binders and additives used in the paint formulation.
Most watercolor paints use gum arabic as a binder, but manufacturers may add honey, glycerin, ox gall, or other wetting agents. These additives affect rewetting, flow, shine, and how the paint moves across the paper. As a result, one brand’s version of a pigment may feel creamier, more fluid, or more resistant to lifting than another’s.
Understanding these differences helps artists choose brands that best suit their painting style and techniques.
See my blog post How Watercolor Paint Is Made for more information about watercolor brands and watercolor paint manufacturing.
Choosing Watercolors Based on Paint Characteristics
Understanding watercolor paint characteristics allows artists to select pigments more intentionally. Transparent and staining colors are ideal for glazing, non-staining pigments work well for lifting and corrections, and granulating pigments add expressive texture.
Keeping a personal swatch chart and noting each paint’s transparency, staining strength, granulation, and flow can greatly improve confidence and consistency when painting.