I thought it would be useful to drop in a quick tip about my new discovery, Cerulean Blue and the wonderful graining / granulation effect this pigment can have on a painting.
I picked up Cerulean blue from my local art shop years ago but I’ve never really had an excuse to try it properly, until recently, when I used it when I painted the Grassy Meadow with Poppies from The Watercolour Landscape Painter’s Pocket Palette by Adelene Fletcher.
Interesting texture
To be honest, I was blown away by its sheer vibrance and luminosity. In particular I loved the way that when you get the mix of the wash just right, when it dries the grain in the pigment becomes amplified and, as in the example blow, it leaves such a beautiful and interesting texture to the finished sky wash.
I think you will agree that the effect is rather striking as it adds an extra dimension and depth to the painting. Click the thumbnail here to view a close up of the effect.
Click to view
I now feel inspired to experiment with this a little more, and to explore to find out if I can find other ways that I can put this unusual granulation effect to good use in my future painting projects.
If you have any observations, hints, tips, or advice that you would like to share with us then please share your feedback in the comments below.
Next steps
If you would like to offer your feedback, or have any of your own observations about the special properties of particular pigments then please share them with us using the comments below.
Watercolour and pencil artist, passionate about drawing and painting the world around me in watercolour, and using social media to share my story. Join in and take part in my journey by using the links below.
I have not “gotten into” graining effects of w/c yet. I really like what you did. It is just another surprise effect for those of us who are still on the journey of watercolor discovery.
I have been experimenting with watercolor on YUPO (synthetic paper)for some interesting effects. Have you tried YUPO before?
Thank you for your feedback Becky, and many thanks for the compliment!
I haven’t heard of YUPO before but I’ll look into it and see if I can find a local supplier.
If I can then I’ll have a play with it and post my experiences here.
IT is a marvelous effect . I have to try it , I also like the color
I Just came back from vacation in Provence , found there a shop selling natural pigments powder you can use as watercolor by adding water and its got a real nice texture too , They also sell synthetic colors the company is lacompagniedesocres
Thanks for the info, I’ll take a look
I love cerulean not as much for the granulation properties but for it’s non-permanence. It’s one of those colours that sits on the paper instead of staining and I love pushing water around on top to get interesting blooms and edges.