[0:00] Introduction
Hey there! Welcome to my channel. Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of color swatching—but not just any swatching! We’ll explore how to truly understand your watercolors beyond the color wheel and schemes.
If you're a watercolor artist, you know that not all greens are the same—some are warmer, some cooler, and their behaviors vary widely. By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly how to identify your pigments and make smarter color choices for your paintings.
[0:30] Understanding Watercolors
Watercolors come in various forms:
Liquid watercolors (bottled)
Tube paints
Pan sets (dried cakes)
Each behaves differently based on its brand, pigment composition, and interaction with water. This is why swatching is essential—to reveal qualities like:
✅ Granulation (texture formation)
✅ Transparency (how much the paper shows through)
✅ Staining (how well it lifts off the paper)
✅ Lightfastness (resistance to fading)
[1:30] Why Swatching Matters
Before starting any painting—whether it’s a landscape, florals, or an abstract piece—it’s crucial to know how your pigments will react. Swatching helps you:
🎨 Avoid surprises when mixing colors
🎨 Choose the right hues for your composition
🎨 Understand brand variations, as the same color name can behave differently across brands
To make this easier, I’ve designed a custom color-swatching card—a simple, efficient tool to record your paint’s properties. Many artists have found it invaluable, and I’ll link it in the description below!
[2:30] Swatching Demonstration
Let’s swatch three different green paints:
1️⃣ Liquid watercolor (PH Martin’s)
2️⃣ Pan set watercolor
3️⃣ Tube watercolor
💡 Notice how each settles on the paper differently and produces varied depths of color. This is why just seeing a color in the tube doesn’t tell you everything!
[3:30] How to Swatch Correctly
When swatching, follow these key steps:
🖌 Flat Wash – Apply a smooth, even layer to see uniformity.
🖌 Gradient Test – Dilute with water to observe transparency.
🖌 Opacity Check – Paint over a black line to test coverage.
🖌 Staining Test – Lift paint with a damp brush to see how much pigment remains.
By documenting these factors, you’ll build a personal reference guide to use before every painting session!
[5:00] Final Thoughts & Resources
Color swatching may seem simple, but it’s a game-changer for your watercolor practice. Understanding how your pigments interact with paper and water will elevate your art and make color selection a breeze!
✨ Want to try my swatch cards? Check the link in the description for details!
✨ Hit like & subscribe if this helped you, and drop a comment if you have any questions.
See you in the next video—happy swatching and painting! 🎨
Shop for these swatch cards on:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MagnoliaArtComp
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