White Watercolor?

GOODROB · #1 08-20-2003, 04:54 PM

Quick question for everyone...... will adding titanium white to another color take away some of its transparency, such as with oil?

I'm trying to figure out the purpose for white watercolor.

Thanks guys,
Rob

lag1029 · #2 08-20-2003, 05:02 PM

Ahhhh, I was told never to use white - though I've secretly played around with it hehe and I think it actually makes the paint more opaque.

**painterbear** · #3 08-20-2003, 05:06 PM

Hi Rob,

If you add white to transparent watercolor, in essence you are creating gouache, which is an opaque watercolor.

Gouache is also manufactured by companies and many beautiful paintings are done completely with gouache. Use the Search button above and you can probably see some of the ones that have been posted here.

**pampe** · #4 08-20-2003, 06:33 PM

yup....it will make your watercolors opaque.....

Strawberry Wine · #5 08-20-2003, 06:48 PM

I have used white watercolour paint very occasionally. To add a bit more texture to snow on a branch or fence post in a winter scene. I have tried to use it to fix a glaring mistake with some success. DA Vinci makes a nice titanium white which is not too opaque.

Gail

Loki · #6 08-20-2003, 07:10 PM

Ideally you shouldn't use it, but It's true it has particular applications, like correcting mistakes, adding highlights or creating some effects.

You may want to try white goauche a it has a more robust consistency than white watercolor.

laudesan · #7 08-20-2003, 10:28 PM

Good question, great advice/comments.

I was told never to use white to save the whites of the paper. If you use white you can't put that painting into a show??
Real/traditional watercolourists do not use white I was told.........

AND I was also told not to use black, but to mix my own.

JJ

Johnnie · #8 08-20-2003, 10:35 PM

Hi all

I got a bunch of DeVinci top grade Artist Watercolor tubes of paint a bit ago and they had a Titanium white there. I got a tube but now I am wondering why I did.

Johnnie

**Alan Cross** · #9 08-20-2003, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnnie
Hi all

I got a bunch of DeVinci top grade Artist Watercolor tubes of paint a bit ago and they had a Titanium white there. I got a tube but now I am wondering why I did.

Johnnie

Its good stuff Johnnie you just have to learn when and how to use it!
Alan

Sylvielu · #10 06-16-2004, 10:42 AM

Rob, a good book to read about an artist who uses a lot of white is "Painting the Impressionist Watercolor" by Lee Boynton and Linda Gottlieb. The artist, Lee Boynton paints rapidly on very, very wet paper. He uses a lot of white in his paintings. Because of that his work looks opaque but to me is beautiful.

Neeman · #11 06-16-2004, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Cross

Its good stuff Johnnie you just have to learn when and how to use it!
Alan

Alan,

Yes, we are listening!!!

Neeman.

Ottersong · #12 06-16-2004, 02:39 PM

I am puzzled as to why so many of you think that yoou can't use white. It makes lovely peach and other pasteel colors if you don't use it too heavily. I don't hink that I have heard of a show that you can't use it in unless it might be one of the national watercolor societies restricted shows.

MArymc

**Alan Cross** · #13 06-16-2004, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottersong

I am puzzled as to why so many of you think that yoou can't use white. It makes lovely peach and other pasteel colors if you don't use it too heavily. I don't hink that I have heard of a show that you can't use it in unless it might be one of the national watercolor societies restricted shows.

MArymc

Yes some shows are for only transparent watercolors....but really who cares I use whatever I can to make the painting better.....but I really try and stay away from mixed media I try to keep watercolors as watercolors and as soon as I mix anything into it , then it becomes mixed media.....

And Neeman I use white all the time....I just never use it to fix a mistake those stand out a mile away I only use it for highlights If I use it at all.....
Alan

Gisele · #14 06-17-2004, 08:35 AM

Hi everyone, I have come upon beautiful watercolors that used white in major art shows. It seemed like the white was used very sparingly and at the very last steps in the painting. The toothbrush technique was often used and water, sea coast subjects. In my opinion, to use white succesfully it shouldn't draw your immediate attention away from the subject of the painting. And also, should be used alone and not in a mix....unless you want an opaque color.

Gisele

Ruth Grinstead · #15 06-17-2004, 09:17 AM

Why has watercolour been overtaken by so many rules? Who made them up?

The greats used white and black and whatever else suited. They often painted on paper that wasn't white so they could not use the paper to be their white. I agree some of their pigments we now know do not last well. So as long as the paint you use is relatively permanent everything else should be OK.

Certain colours you can only get by adding white, water just won't give you the same thing.

Just relax and enjoy.

Ruth

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