What do you know about watercolor paints?
På SvenskaThis is a little quiz about watercolor paints. Since you who read this blog know a lot about watercolor and watercolor paints, the questions are quite difficult, the limit for passing is set at 60% correct answers. This is just a fun thing, a little amusement for geeks, don’t take it too seriously. I will create more quizzes later.
#1. Who manufactured the first commercial watercolor paint?
The first commercial watercolor paint in the form of hard cakes (“paint-cakes”) was developed by the Reeves brothers (William and Thomas Reeves) in London around the 1780s. They even received an award, the “Silver Palette of the Society of Arts”, for their invention in 1781.
The Reeves brothers’ invention made watercolor paint more accessible and convenient for artists to use. Later, Winsor & Newton further developed watercolor paint and introduced moist colors in tubes in 1846.
#2. What is most commonly used as a binder in watercolor paint?
Gum Arabic, which is the binder in watercolor paint, is primarily responsible for holding the fine pigment particles together to form a homogeneous color. Without a binder, the pigments would just be a loose powder.
Attach the paint to the substrate: This ensures that the paint adheres to the paper when the water evaporates.
#3. Sap Green is a common watercolor paint, what is the origin of the name?
The original color sap green was made from plant juices that were usually squeezed from unripe buckthorn berries but also from other plants.
By the way: Sapphire is blue.
#4. List three ingredients that are included in watercolor paint, three of the options are incorrect.
Select all that apply: - Markera alla som gäller:
A watercolor paint consists of:
Pigment: This is what gives the paint its color.
Binder: The binder is the “glue” that holds the pigment particles together and ensures that the paint adheres to the substrate when the water evaporates.
Honey (or Glycerin): acts as a humectant and softener.
Ox gall (or other wetting agent): Reduces the surface tension of the paint, which improves its flow and makes it spread more evenly on the paper.
Preservatives, brighteners and fillers, as well as water, may also be included.
#5. Which of these color samples is painted with French Ultramarine?
Row 1
Left: Cobalt | Right: Phthalo Blue (RS)
Row 2
Left: Manganese Blue | Right: Ultramarine
Row 3
Indanthrone
Intense warm blue and strong granulation make French Ultramarine quite easy to distinguish.
#6. Which three of the following statements about watercolor paints is correct?
Select all that apply: - Markera alla som gäller:
- Wrong, there are several opaque watercolor paints.
- On the contrary, the pigments must be insoluble.
- Watercolor has a history that is thousands of years old, while oil painting became popular in the 15th century.
- There are several toxic pigments in watercolor paints.
- There are cheap natural pigments and expensive synthetic ones.
- It is true, most watercolor paints become significantly lighter when they dry.
#7. Watercolor paint is transparent, what is opaque watercolor called?
Tempera is a paint that usually uses eggs as a binder (egg tempera), but other natural substances can also act as a binder. If linseed oil is included, the paint is called egg oil tempera.
Gouache is the correct answer. Opaque watercolor, a favorite of many illustrators.
Acrylic is indeed water-soluble paint, but it has acrylic resin as a binder and becomes waterproof when dried.
Impasto is a painting technique where the paint is applied to the substrate in very thick layers, so thick that they leave clear, visible brushstrokes or spatula marks.
#8. Most watercolor paints are lightfast, but two of the following are negatively affected by sunlight, which ones?
Select all that apply: - Markera alla som gäller:
Alizarin Crimson (PR83) and Aureolin (PY40) are strongly affected by sunlight, Alizarin Crimson fades while the yellow color Aureolin turns brownish gray. The other colors are lightfast.
#9. One of these colors is so sensitive to acidic substances that a drop of lemon juice can “erase” the dry color from the paper. Which one?
A drop of vinegar (or other acidic liquid) will ruin French Ultramarine.
