Granulation

Granulating paints are used to add texture and interest to a painting due to the paint’s ability to form grains or particles as it dries.

Some pigments tend to granulate more easily than others and they form visible dots or groups of colour on the surface of the paper due to the uneven deposition of the sediment as the paint dries.  You are either a fan or you’re not!  Personally, I love granulating paints and the textures they produce, but some artists will do everything they can to avoid them.

Even if you eventually decide that granulation is not for you, it is certainly a technique worth exploring.  And who knows, you could end up a granulation fan like me.  So here are a few tips on how to encourage granulation.

Choose colours that have heavier pigments

The following colours will work best:

Ultramarine Blues especially French Ultramarine,

Cobalt Blues, including Cerulean,

Earth pigments such as Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna,

Ivory Black, Mars Black and Paynes Grey.

Reds and yellows do not generally granulate well, but sometimes can be encouraged to granulate by mixing in some blue or earth colours.

The cheaper makes of colours (like Student ranges) have less pigment in them and therefore do not granulate as well as the more expensive Artist quality ones.  Along with many other watercolourists I love Daniel Smith paints which have a huge range of granulating colours.

Quantity and quality of water

Usually the more water that is added to the paint the more likely it is to settle into clumps as it will take longer to dry.  If you feel your wash is too watery you can always drop in some extra pigment once the wash has been laid down.

The quality of your water also plays a part, as hard water with its extra minerals is more likely to encourage a sedimentary process.

Paper Texture

Paper texture is important, with the rough textured watercolour papers helping the heavy pigment particles to settle into the dips and valleys of their uneven surface.  Paint will still granulate on Hot-pressed smooth paper but the effects will not be so dramatic.

Granulation Medium

Granulation medium is available to buy and this helps the process, especially with the non-granulating colours.  For example, Winsor and Newton make a liquid and Schmincke make a spray version.

My favourite granulating colours are from the Daniel Smith Prima Tek range.  They all have large particles which granulate beautifully.  I particularly like Green Apatite Genuine which splits into bright green and dark olive green, Bloodstone Genuine which is a useful sepia colour and Lunar Black which is truly spectacular.

Keep experimenting to find your own favourites and enjoy your painting!

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