![]() Watercolour paint is made of pigment and binder. The professional grade is called the Artists' Watercolour or the Professional Artists' Watercolour. I'll cover those topics.Ĭotman is the range of student grade watercolours from Winsor & Newton. This review is for those looking for a starter box set of watercolours, or those who wonder whether to Cotman (student) or Artist grade from Winsor & Newton. Over the past three years, I've used many more sets of watercolour so I've decided to update this review with what I've learned so far. Using watercolour, acrylic, mixed media and an array of mark making techniques, Glyn endeavours to capture the underlying essence of the landscape, the essence that shapes the landscape and the people who live in it.This review was originally written in 2011. Such sketches are in turn used as the basis for the studio paintings. He can often be found roaming the harbours, moorland and coast of his native West Cornwall, with sketchbook in hand recording the details of daily Cornish life and history. Glyn Macey's paintings can be seen in many collections world-wide and his design work is found in many major high street retailers. His work has developed in response to the unique environment surrounding him. Glyn Macey was born in Newlyn, Cornwall in 1969 and currently lives in Penzance. However, I bet neither of the great artists could spot the difference against the new Cadmium free watercolours!' So, JMW Turner used Cadmium colours for the last ten years of his life and Vincent Van Gogh loved his Cadmium colours. The artists involved had no indication as to which set was which and not a single artist could pick up any differences. A few of us were also given two sets of the same as placebos to really drill down on the testing results. Each artist was given two identical sets of colours to use, one set of genuine Cadmium colours and one of Cadmium free colours, together with a journal to make judging notes. Only then were the new colours tested once more, this time by professional artists (and I was one of them). ![]() The new Cadmium free colours were developed over a three year period and tested in every conceivable way to ensure an exact match with conventional Cadmium colours, for translucency, brilliance and longevity. Turner realised this and created some of his most glowing work only after their introduction.īut when environmental and health concerns were first voiced back in 2014 about the use of heavy metal pigments in artist colours the search was on for a more environmentally friendly alternative. But Cadmium had the advantage when it came to light-fastness and brilliance, giving previously unstable colours a new lease of life. In fact, Mercury was often used in colours such as Vermilion. There were hardly any stable pigments available when first introduced in 1840, particularly for yellows, oranges and reds. Well, Cadmium is a soft, silvery white metal (a little like Mercury) and has traditionally been used to create pigments with strong colour, brilliance and permanence. So why was Cadmium so important in colour mixing? Each colour is bright, vivid and glaze perfectly for those important deep washes. The opaque pigments selected deliver maximum transparency and translucency. The new formulation precisely matches the physical spontaneity of the original cadmium colours but without the additional heavy metal cadmium. I have also asked artist friends to try them and not one could tell the difference. I couldn’t distinguish between traditional Cadmium colours and the new environmentally friendly, Cadmium free versions. I tested a batch of Cadmium free watercolours expecting change, but there was none. Well, turns out that my tossing and turning sleepless nights were unnecessary. ![]() Just how would I be able to create those Jewel like, crystal clear, luminous watercolour washes of yellows, oranges and reds without my Cadmium colours? In fact, I'm the first in the queue, but when I heard that Winsor & Newton were developing Cadmium free watercolours, I admit, I was a little concerned. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm up for trying new approaches and techniques. For me, that brand has always been Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour. The brand that gives me the best results every time. Like most professional artists, I have always used a brand that I know I can rely on. 'I have been painting with watercolour paints for over thirty years. Artist Glyn Macey’s Review On Cadmium Free Watercolours: ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |