Choosing an Opaque White to use over Watercolor
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- Opaque white options for use with watercolor are numerous with advantages and disadvantages for each. In this video I go through several options and categories to help you make an informed choice or possibly identify something you already have that might work.
Jetpens White Ink Guide - www.jetpens.co...
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Ink Nib Brause B361 - amzn.to/2DiUrFs
Tachikawa Nib Holder - amzn.to/2rkYgbI
White Water Soluble Rewettable
M. Graham Zinc White Gouache - amzn.to/2DMjIZr
Winsor Newton Permanent White Gouache - amzn.to/2DKbDod
Dr. Martin's Pen White - amzn.to/2DKbDod
Aqua Cover (Arches) - amzn.to/2DNYOt5
Aqua Cover (Fabriano) - amzn.to/2DJtcol
Daler Rowney Pro White (not shown) - amzn.to/2Dpj9Hx
Dr. Martin's Bleed Proof White (not shown) - amzn.to/2BcUl02
Deleter Ink 1 (not shown)- amzn.to/2mLyGHa
White Permanent
Holbein Acryla Gouache - amzn.to/2DrRQMB
Winsor Newton Professional Acrylic - amzn.to/2mNNmp5
FW Acrylic Ink - amzn.to/2DgSr09
J. Herbin Calligraphy Ink (this link pigmented)- amzn.to/2EUHEct
Dr. Martin's Bombay India Ink - amzn.to/2DLmtud
Gelly Roll White Gel Pen - amzn.to/2DoEL6X
Prismacolor White Colored Pencil - amzn.to/2DexMdd
Pitt White Artist's Pen - amzn.to/2FUaBH4
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Can you advise when you would use white watercolors like titanium white or chinese white? I don’t really see many artists using these since colors are lightened with water for watercolors, yet most pro brands have these on their assortment?
Good question! Right, not many artists use Chinese white. Its a mixing white and not for opaque additions, highlights or corrections. Artists that use it, like to mix it into paint to give their color a milky or pastel-ish quality. Its often used in skies or water or maybe fog. Chinese white is not very opaque. Its a poor correction or highlight medium.
What about titanium white? It seems more opaque
Actually Titanium White is more opaque and unlike so many tubes that will dry out, M Grahams wont and its the best Ive found. It works as well as some brands of gouache.
Yes, Titanium White is more like gouache and suitable for corrections or highlights.
Fantastic - really helpful
So very helpful, thank you! Based on your videos, I've tried both the white gouache and Gelly Roll pen and have found them incredibly helpful in putting whiskers and fine white hairs on animal paintings in particular. I also greatly appreciate that your expertise extends beyond watercolor and that you pull all of those pieces into your tutorials. I enjoy your videos so much!
Thanks, Steve! I can always count on you to answer my questions before I even know I have them, and for taking the time to thoughtfully and clearly provide information that is non-biased and no nonsense....I continue to be thrilled that I found you online and want to tell you how refreshing it is to tune in...I learn so much everytime I do!!!
As I read this, I realized that this is the exact phrase women everywhere have been waiting to hear from a male. There is literally no way to not be flattered by it. Not being snarky and saying that's what you intended, I was just caught by the beauty of the way you arranged the words and then I realized why. :)
Don’t forget, you can also tint gesso. I love using it because it doesn’t look plasticky. Even if you match the white of the paper perfectly, if the finish reflects more light than the paper, it will be obvious. Gesso is matte, so no shine. 😊
Thank you so much for doing this! I've been trying to figure out what kind of white's to add to my watercolor supply arsenal! This helped so much :D
Cool, glad to hear it and thanks for stopping by Carrie!
Thanks so much. My watercolor teacher's knowledge of watercolor alternatives is very limited. She insists that the only way to have white in a watercolor is to leave the paper white. Just learning that gouache is considered a 'watercolor' eases my mind. Since I'm a calligrapher, I do have some of the white inks and gouache in my arsenal.
BTW: the nib you used needed to have the oily protection removed with a quick dip in a flame, or in hot water. In a pinch, you can place a new nib in your mouth to remove some of the residue. And the brand of nib is pronounced Brau-Se (not Brause. Think Porsch-e not Porsche!).). It's my favorite brand of nib. They are made in Germany.
Thanks Sue. Was not aware of the pronunciation. Yes, supposedly this nib was cleaned before but I guess not enough. Don't like the flame method as it can ruin the metal in a split second. I usually just use a few swipes of pen cleaner and its good. Any degreaser cleaners work. Some people use toothpaste. I have so many containers of nibs I forget which I've prepped and which I haven't. I too love Brause. I'm a calligraphy dabbler. The 66ef is one of my favorites for pointed pen. What is your favorite white ink for calligraphy?
I learn sooooo much on this channel, I can't say enough how I appreciate you so much Steve! You will never know how much.
Singer Sergeant I think is one of the greatest watercolorist, loved white paint. Many don't but he did. I love it too.
I have several of the white options to use with watercolor painting. Now I know more than I was ever able to learn from people. Thank you!! I'm new to watercolor painting but I'm learning a great deal from you.
Steve, thanks soooo much for this - excellent info! 👏🏻❣️👏🏻
Oh FYI ... with coloured pencil, the Derwent Drawing Chinese White is actually more opaque than either Luminance Chinese White or Prismacolour White.
Really terrific topic to cover, Steve. So much information here for both beginners and newcomers!
Thanks Mark! Been taking an informal poll. As an illustrator do you have a brand or type of white you like for corrections, revisions or just for opaque white?
Thanks for asking, Steve. I've been a fan of Windsor & Newton white gouache for years, using it with brush, airbrush, dip pens, and even Q-Tips. It's great for all the reasons you described in the video. I use their black much the same way when I don't want any translucency. A lot of times it comes down to convenience and whether the project is for fun or experimentation. I've been known to use White Out, toothpaste, and even draining a Jelly Roll onto a palette just to get quick results. Currently, I am fond of the Sharpie line of white pens that come in a variety of sizes, as well as a new brand I just came across called Craftsman fine tip white paint pens. My recent grab, tho, was a tube of Daniel Smith Chinese white watercolor. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works in this kind of application as well as mixing. I'll tell you, I went through the video again and it is arguably the best out there on this topic. You nailed it shut! Great job on this one! :)
Awesome thanks! Yeah, you can't go wrong with W&N white!
The pun cracked me up! Whoops... Looks like I just made my own :)
This is so helpful as some of us do not know solutions to problems. Plus think of someone trying to figure out what products can be used and what is the outcomes. This information is really valuable not only in times but money. Thank you for sharing all that stuff you have in your mind.
Just what I was needing to help me decide what to use. Not a newbie painter, but a newbie to wc's. Thank you so much for this demo. Very helpful indeed.
Another alternative are pitt pastel pencils.. for white as well as other pastel highlights. They are softer than traditional colored pencil and blendable as well. Paul Clark uses them in many of his tutorials for really nice results, if you would like to see how they perform.
I was able to paint with the Gelli Roll Pen. If you put it down and use a wet brush, quickly in a very small area, you can blend it out.
Really enjoyed watching this video. I'm currently busy with a watercolor portrait of my uncle who passed away a year ago, and he had quite a white beard. Had no idea how I would render that. Ended up using masking fluid, but after removing it I felt the portrait was ruined. (heartbreaking because I'm painting the portrait for his children) I then glazed the whole beard area with the skin color and thought to now use white of some other medium to paint in the squiggly white beard. Your video informed me of so many options, of which most I already have in the studio! Thanks so much :)
Wonderful video, Steve. I ordered the Kuratake 30 ink after seeing you use it in another older video, and I love it. I also like the P.H. Martin Bleed Proof White, and the Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground, and the gouache. I have found I can correct most mistakes with one of these. You teach me sooooo much.
Good selection. Yep with that group you can pretty much handle any thing that come along!
Thank you for this video on using different mediums of white to work w water colors!
Also can paint with the Gelly Roll pens if use food grade glycerin & put paint on matte tape!
Have white gouache to use for some clouds & see how it works!
Out of sheer desperation I tried the white in my Masters Touch aka. Hobby Lobby brand, semi moist palette for snow. Much to my surprise and delight it created an opaque paint. Granted I mixed it to be mostly paint with water and it worked! Knowing full well that it would mix with the under paints and didn't scrub. I let it air dry as is and coming back later an hour + later there wasn't any cracking. Bonus: In the sun there is a slight shimmer to the dried paint. I couldn't be more thrilled! Just thought I would share. BTW, love your channel.
Great info I've been looking for, wow! All still valid in autumn 2022!
I use a Posca pen and blend it out when needed to make shiny/ reflective areas. Love this video!!
Wow! Such an awesome comparison for us! Thank you so much! You've save me lots of time and probably money.
This is such a wonderful thorough review. I learned about products that I didn’t even know existed! 😁
god i love the atmosphere you got in that painting. it is exactly how winter feels. Excellent job!
The best video I’ve ever seen on whites. I have a couple. I think I will add a few more
I've only been using white gouache and white gel pen so far. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and recommending jetpens! I will definitely try some of the inks. Thank you again!
Thank you for the thorough demo and review! I am a mixed media artist coming in sideways to watercolor and that was all very useful information that I can use immediately. Great channel!
Wow that’s great assortment of things to use for whites. So far I have been using the Chinese White & Titanium White in my watercolor sets, along with the Uni-ball Signo Pens. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us.
I didn't know about using paint with dip pens. Thank you!
tried some of these techniques from your last vid in a painting recently. I still have a ways to go with watercolor, but your videos have been invaluable.
You are such a wealth of information! I had no idea India ink had shellac in it or that my Uni-Ball Signo's are water soluble. Thank you for that information and for all of this because white and watercolor have been an issue for me from the start. I bought a tube of M. Graham Gouache Titanium White hoping to find a transparent to have on hand but if there is a better choice I'm open to recommendations... and I love that pen nib. Nice. You get all the good stuff and know how to use it.
I didn't think of putting m graham gouache through a nib! Now I can! Thanks for the tip :)
Yes, its powerful. Calligraphers have been doing this for a long, long time. Less well known for other artists.
Thank you! This was so helpful. I have seen people use white gouache or Dr. Martins Bleedproof white. This was so complete and had great options. I appreciate your time.
I have recently used a Conte White Pastel pencil to add white to specific areas. Not large areas. But it does work.
Sharpie makes a water based white paint marker similar to the paint marker at the end of the video. Although line weight is limited because of the tip size, it seems to work rather well, though the opacity isn't 100%. Great content Steve.
Steve-the most thorough video I have ever seen on whites!! Thank you.
Personally, I have had really good luck with the Copic Opaque white. It is water soluble and comes in a container similar to your Kuretake.
What’s your favorite method for painting whiskers? I can’t ever seem to get those really fine lines!!!
Thanks so much! Honestly I would probably just use a gel pen for those. Quick and easy. Gelly Roll now comes in a fine and a bold which is nice. This is the fine. amzn.to/2DPwk20 Second choice would be to pull out the dip pen and thin out the Kuretake White Ink 30. If you don't care if its waterproof just use gouache through a dip pen.
Hello Rita Gjefle, I am new to watercolors, so I hope I'm not presuming here. I found a "real-time" painting of a cat (including whiskers) by Christine Karron ua-cam.com/video/S3y4SsSmKxg/v-deo.html . Here is the title of the UA-cam in case the url doesn't work: Cat Watercolor portrait REAL TIME painting demo by Ch.Karron.
I'm adding this because at the end, she lifts whiskers. Move to about 1:03:00 in the video to see. I wish I knew what brush she used; she gets amazing results ( I think). take care, --nina from Chicago.
This was so helpful, thank you!
Daler Rowney Pro White is an opaque watercolour. Use with brush, pen and airbrush. Stir well. It was quite liquid when new but now is thicker. Does a good job for whites in the eyes, etc.
Great topic Steve, thank you! Other options for small corrections and white highlights are white posca paint pens or inktense watercolor blocks or pencils. I have also used white correction pens/whiteout or gesso in some of my mixed media pieces due to its interesting texture. Additionally liquitex, decocolor and sharpie all make decent paint pens, although the decocolor smells terrible and dries shiny .
My (small) set of Faber Castell Albrecht Duerer watercolor pencils seems to have take legs, but when I find (or replace) it I will try that in various ways. For now, gouache if need be.
Awesome video, thank you for going over all these options, so informative!
I find your reviews, as well as your tutorials, extremely helpful. I would like to hear more about dip pen nibs, the ones that are your favorites, how to use them and why. If you have already done a video on this, please let me know. Thank you for all of the time and effort you spend on these videos; they are very helpful, and I have learned a lot from you.
In this video you're seeing one of my favorites for putting paint or viscous fluid on to work. Its the Brause 361. Nicknamed the Blue Pumpkin. I put a link in the video description. For black ink drawing I like the Zebra G nib best. I did a video on that and other ink options back during InkTober.
great deals - very informative - lovely art work
I just had questions about this about a year ago when i first started painting in watercolor! What a great video to stumble on.
Nibs come with an oil on them to protect the metal. They must be conditioned before using. You may use dish soap/shampoo and warm water to remove it (if the ink beads, keep cleaning). One of the most opaque gel pens is the Signo Uniball (although it isn’t as fine tipped as the Gelly Roll). The best white colored pencil I have found is the Caran d’Ache Luminance. Thanks for showing such a variety!
This is one of your best ! You are so good to keep us up to date on what is available, and I really appreciate all the work you do to show us? Thank you
Excellent advise! Thank you so much Steve:) Your tutorials are so thorough and well taught. I love listening to you whilst I paint or draw:)
Thank you for this, it always confused me as to why they companies would include the white paint in the set whether tube or pan, and typically they are not use. My thought then what is the use of doing that. Thank you for showing us how to use white paint in watercolours. I really enjoy your V-logs. Always informative, and interesting. Cheers to you.
Brilliant! Answered all my questions about white in watercolor. Thanks Steve!
Thanks for being such a fountain of great information!
Thank you for the follow up. Wow so many ideas. I never would have thought to use the nib for so many products. The glazing over will be helpful too. Thanks for the ink info and all the products. The only thing I have a question on or I just need to experiment with is transparent watercolor ground. i ordered Daniel Smith brand and just thought it was regular ground. It’s clear when dried and I guess that threw me off. I couldnt see where I put it, guess you dont have to. Time will tell on this one. Again thanks for all the information. Essie
Great video & review Steve! I am familiar with gouache but I really appreciate you evaluating other options. It's been drummed into me to avoid white with watercolors. But I'm feeling brave enough now to "sneak" in a bit here and there in moderation. My art critics (ie. my wife & cat) won't object too much.
Steve, this was a great show on a subject that every watercolorist needs to deal with. I often use a Derwent watercolor pencil or for strong details an Inktense pencil. I like a General's Charcoal White pencil, it is even more opaque than the Prismacolor white pencil.
Thanks for that input Paul!
I absolutely love my posca paint pens for this purpose. Great video as usual Steve!
This was wonderfully helpful, Steve. I have some of these items already and am inspired to do some experimenting with them. Thanks!
This is wonderful. Thank you for all this information. I will go back to it often. 😊
This is a fantastic list of options all together in one place....really helpful!
well after watching your best gouache , I decided I only need white so i did a search on the best white gouache and................. drum roll please . you are the only one that made one . at least on youtube. =) so thank you.
As ever, your video is helpful. My wallet is poised. Some of these whites are bound to be better than others applied on cold press watercolour paper already laid down with a wash. I've inferred some of what you've depended on, but it would be good to actually see how the best of these performs for you on top of bumpier paper & a layer of paint. Thanks again.
This answered so many questions I had!
Thank you for all the information. This was a really helpful video for comparing the different products and how they perform. I am sure I will refer back to it in the future :)
Hi Steve, this was a great review on using whites in watercolor painting. I really enjoyed the video and now have a broader understanding of using whites. Thank you so much. 💞💫
Super thorough and helpful. It’s great to hear some of the pros and cons, and your best use suggestions. Thank you so much.
Wonderful! So much excellent information. I learned so much from you. I appreciate you posting this video. Thanks for sharing.
Very cool video. I would just say that when some inks and paint dry completely in a dip pen does not have to lead to a disaster. Shellac thinner (denatured alcohol) will dissolve both waterproof ink (Shellac based) and the latex acrylic paint. If it is really stubborn you can put it in an ultrasonic cleaner. Acetone will also dissolve both but do that outside in a windstorm because the fumes are deadly. Or you can wear a gas mask. Not so good for brushes, it will um...change them
Thank you for this information
Thanks so much, these whites are so complex and you summarized them so well. I was just about to start doing this for 🐦 birds feathers, and layering over. I also want to try the Schmincke White guache seeing their watercolors are so good. Thanks, Murray, South Africa
What a superb guide, many thanks
This video, as so many of yours, inspired me and gave me some new ideas to try.
Very helpful! I've been wondering about many of these, what their opacity is etc. It made me realize that I don't need any of these: I'll stick to my Schmincke titanium white gouache. (And bin my pentel gel pen)
Sennelier titanium white watercolor is hands down the best to carry in a tube or dried in a pan.
Thank you so much...just what I needed, I go crazy with all my whites!
That was excellent! I am trying to incorporate in a painting a technique I see used in 18th cent. Chinese wall-paper, where the foliage (usually bamboo) is painted in white upon a solid coloured ground, giving it an etherial quality. I know the Chinese traditionally used water-colour, gouache, and tempera for these panels. From your tests, it seems as though the water-colour ground might be the most forgiving in terms of going back and adding shading and detail without having the white start to dissolve., and the gouache a good second--IF one has a light hand... Thank you again--Franklin John Kakies
Thank you so much!!! Only one thing that I would have liked to know, and that's the lightfastness of each.
All excellent!
🖒🖒Thanks Steve. Unbiased, objective, informative, very helpful.
Hi Steve, love this video. Its full of informations. I love the fact that one can use different mediums for white details in a watercolor painting. Thank you :)
Thank you so so much for this tutorial. This is very very helpful! I do a lot of things like calligraphy so this is great!
A good white tutorial thanks! I Still want more on the watercolor grounds, so many videos that are around are little more than advertisements!
The only other episode I talked about it was where I painted on a watercolor canvas.
Excellent explanation, demonstration and comparison!! Can't thank you enough!! Most appreciated.
Hi Steve, I wanted to recommend another white opaque product (I believe it may be an ink, but I am not sure). It is called Dr. Martin’s Bleed Proof White. At $13.00 per small bottle, it is expensive, but it was recommended to me by Stan Miller as a truly opaque white that is as white as the Arches paper. He used it in a beginner class where some students had completely painted over their whites. Anyway, thanks for the video and I appreciated learning about all the other options!
Yes, used it many times. Good stuff. It fits in the gouache category I looked at here.
I was looking for a good white ink for the highlights in my illustrations, and was happy to see the good old trusty gelly roll made it onto the list :). Still wanna give the Kuretake a try tho! Thanks for the video.
Such an interesting video, the best "white comparison" I've ever seen, thanks !
I use Arches bright white liquid paper for extreme/glowing highlight areas glazed over with my most transparent yellow/orange. I love the effect and can't get it any other way as masking will be the color of my paper when removed and I want something brighter. I discovered it as I'm an oil painter of so many years that my brain just wouldn't make the light-to-dark leap and it was so frustrating. I have all the paper tints I do use for correcting but reach for the bright white most often for my intense final effects just as I did with oils. Thank you for showing this array of whites. And, I just can't help myself here: Purists just drive me up a wall with their "no white or black rules"... these pigments are already in premixed convenience pigment combos these same "purists" recommend. Once I got over that indoctrination hump, I was on my way to mixing much as I did with oils.
Well said!
Lots of great info here. Thanks for the video! 👍
Jam-packed with great info. Thank you very much for doing this it's a great help.
Hi, Thanks. This really solves my issue. I've been trying to find a proper white for my watercolours.
Very helpful video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge so generously. With the trend in varnishing over watercolor instead of framing under glass, can you say how the color pencil/wax, and other permanents would be ok or not?
I tried white ink, gouache, and acrylic. I ended up using a white jellyroll.
Yep, quick and convenient and takes care of most needs. Gelly Roll recently came out with a fine and bold version of their white. amzn.to/2Duasf8 amzn.to/2mTxEck
Did you try shellac white ink or acrylic?
Love your lessons on watercolors. Angelica in New Jersey
Excellent! All questions answered.
Higgins Super White non-permanent calligraphy ink is good in a pinch.
Ahh so helpful! Thank you very much! 💕 I was surprised you showed the white Kuretake 30 ink! I use that! haha ❤
thank you so much its very detailed informational video.
Another recommendation is airbrush paints. Createx makes outstanding paints. Especially the wicked white.
My aqua cover hardens in the bottle too.
very helpful info
I have realized that it depends on paper if the white dries bright or translucent. On my watercolour paper the white (Schmincke white gouache) dries „grayish“, on a smooth sketch paper it shows bright and opaque. I guess the problem is the surface that soaks up. That’s a problem because watercolour paper is not a smooth paper, it absorbs fluids
Thank you Steve, great explenation and very useful,
I love jelly roll pens- for the 2mtimes they work🤪. If I don’t use it for several weeks I cannot get the danged thing to write, or even make dots. Any tips? Also. The Postman’s Knock ( Lindsey) recommends putting a fresh nib in a plain raw potato for 15 min or so to get rid of the factory oils on nibs. She says do t forget to remove it because your nib will rust! Thanks for another informative session😉
Rolling a Gelly Roll tip on a wet paper towel usually frees the tip for me. Sometimes they dry out. I always have 2 or 3 on hand when one gets stubborn. The potato trick for nibs works sometimes. Not always. It should be thoroughly cleaned of all oils initially. Sometimes it just takes a few uses to break in. A new trick I've tried is bath powder. Sounds weird but it works most times. Another is coating the nib with thick paint (watercolor) and letting it sit overnight before rinsing it off.
VERY useful video. Thanks for sharing!