G&B Blog

Pigment Histories: Tiger's Eye

Pigment Histories: Tiger's Eye

Using Tiger's Eye stone as an artist's pigment is a relatively recent development.  Either unknown to or overlooked by artists of the past, it is just recently finding its way onto the modern day watercolorist's palette, despite being a commonly available and inexpensive mineral that has been known and used at least ceremonially since antiquity.  

Read more
Student Grade vs. Artist Grade/Professional Grade Watercolor Paint

Student Grade vs. Artist Grade/Professional Grade Watercolor Paint

Some of our most frequently asked questions: What is the difference between student and artist grade paint?  Which is the best choice for beginners and why the price difference?  

I'm going to dive into answers for each of these questions in this article so that you can decide which is best for YOU.

Read more
Pigment Histories: Smalt, PB32

Pigment Histories: Smalt, PB32

Smalt is an artist's pigment seldom found in modern palettes or paint lines, despite  historically being one of the most important blue pigments, used by such titans of art history as Vermeer, Rembrandt, and J.M.W. Turner.

Most artists, if they are even familiar with Smalt at all, have at best a hazy notion of what it is, and what little is known is shaped by its use in oil painting, which, if you are a watercolorist, will offer a distorted view at best.

Read more
Understanding Value Range For Watercolors (Free Download)

Understanding Value Range For Watercolors (Free Download)

Value Range is absolutely one of the most important characteristics in watercolor paints.  Understanding this concept will unlock untapped potential in each and every single one of your colors.

In this post we will also cover how to make your own value scale swatches and value finder - free templates included!

Read more
Single Pigment Paints & Three Advantages To Using Them

Single Pigment Paints & Three Advantages To Using Them

When I was newer to the technical side of art supplies, a descriptor such as "single-pigment", would probably have meant just about nothing to me.  Now I look at paint wrappers with the same scrutiny I apply to nutrition facts on food labels - I am looking for as few ingredients as possible in both cases.  And in paints, I want just one pigment and no more...
Read more
How To Magnetize Your Pans

How To Magnetize Your Pans

Magnetized pans not only hold your colors in place while you travel (if the magnets are strong), but also allow you to quickly rearrange your color layout.  Additionally, they allow you to use a very wide variety of different tins - even the beautiful vintage tins from antique shops.

Adding magnets to your tins is straightforward, however, I thought I would share a few pro tips that we have accumulated from over the years of magnetizing thousands of pans.

Read more
How To Use A Waterbrush

How To Use A Waterbrush

I'll admit that I really did not enjoy waterbrushes at first.  Actually, I kind of despised them.  After giving them a serious try though, I've become a total convert and something of a waterbrush evangelist.  Their convenience is unbeatable.  And there are even some hidden perks to painting with them. 
Read more
All About Drybrush Technique For Watercolor With Cherry Painting Mini Tutorial

All About Drybrush Technique For Watercolor With Cherry Painting Mini Tutorial

Drybrushing is easily my favorite watercolor technique.  Learning how to incorporate it into my practice gave me much greater control, broadened my skillset, and ultimately brought greater enjoyment to the painting process and satisfaction in the final work.

I'm going to explain it from the ground up as concisely as I can, and then illlustrate how it all works with a mini watercolor tutorial where I will show you how to paint a cherry.

Read more
How To Mix Watercolors: Three Approaches

How To Mix Watercolors: Three Approaches

In this post, I'll be talking the often-overlooked mechanics of color mixing - where to mix your colors, how much paint to use, how to adjust mixtures, and different mixing methods.
Read more
Color Category Chronicles: Red

Color Category Chronicles: Red

I'm excited to introduce a new blog post series: The Color Category Chronicles, which will detail the origin of different color names, summarize their relevant light science, explore their position on the color wheel, overview pigments that typically represent the category, and offer information on how to mix various shades and hues within each category.  This series is designed to bring the color wheel to life, combining history, science, and color theory in a way that is relevant for the watercolor painter.  We'll begin with Red...
Read more
How To Use Salt With Watercolors

How To Use Salt With Watercolors

Using salt in watercolor painting is one of the most fun effects, but it's unpredictability generally relegates it to a bit of a novelty effect.  However, if you understand the factors at play when using salt in watercolors, it can become legitimate technique.  To get the results you want each time there are a few things to know...
Read more
Wild Bird's Eggs, The Two Color Palette, And How To Use One...

Wild Bird's Eggs, The Two Color Palette, And How To Use One...

The two-color palette is often overshadowed by either monochrome painting (using a single color palette) or the primary color palette.  My very favorite two-color palette was inspired by the fascinating fact that only two pigments are responsible for the wide range of colors found in bird's eggshells.
Read more
51 results
Left Continue shopping
Your Order

Your cart is empty!