Watercolor Granulation Medium: Does It Actually Work?

Granulating pigments are magical. They add depth and texture without extra effort. But what if your favorite color isn't granulating at all?

That's exactly the problem I've had with PB16 phthalo turquoise. It's one of my absolute favorites, but sadly, it doesn't granulate. So when I found Winsor & Newton's Granulation Medium, I had to try it!

What Is Winsor & Newton Granulation Medium in Watercolor?

This medium is designed to add texture to watercolor paints, especially non-granulating ones. It can help pigments settle or clump together, giving that beautiful, textured effect we usually only get from certain pigments.

Why Use a Granulation Medium for Watercolor Painting?

I've always dreamed of turning PB16 into a granulating pigment. Cobalt turquoise comes close, but it feels too opaque and doesn't have that rich tinting strength. 

Plus, it looks like it has a bit of white mixed in. It just doesn't behave the way I want. So, this medium became my experiment!

Pigments Used to Test the Granulation Medium

For this test, I use:

• Van Gogh Turquoise Blue, made from PB15 (phthalo blue) and PG7 (phthalo green)
• Quinacridone Rose, made from PV19

Both are transparent, highly staining, and non-granulating. Perfect for testing what the granulation medium can really do.

How to Use Winsor & Newton Granulation Medium: A Step-by-Step Test

Let's dive into the experiment! I swatch each color normally first, then try them again with the granulation medium.

Swatching Watercolor Paints Without Granulation Medium

First, I paint basic swatches using just water. These swatches are:

• Clean
• Smooth
• Even in color

No texture, no granulation, just flat washes. That's our control sample.

Adding Winsor & Newton Granulation Medium to Watercolors

Now, it's time to add the magic! I take a pipette and add the medium directly into each paint pan. I follow Winsor & Newton's recommendation and use a generous amount.

Let's start with the turquoise blue. I'm careful to avoid any dots or specks I see appearing—oops, that's just me being clumsy!

Then, I move to the quinacridone rose. Right away, I see something happening. It's starting to flocculate! 

I even add more water below both swatches to see if extra water helps the texture show up better.

Mixing Watercolors with Granulation Medium for New Effects

After seeing some promising results, I get curious. What if I mix these two colors together with the medium?

Combining Colors to Explore Granulation and Texture

I take the granulated quinacridone rose and mix it in some turquoise blue. Maybe I go a little heavy on the turquoise—oops! But let's see what we get.

And wow! Now I can really see the granulation. There's a strong texture forming. Even more flocculation, too. It's not just color mixing—it's like pigment particles are dancing around.

How Water Amount Affects Granulation Results

Then, I test again using more water. With a lighter pigment load, the granulation becomes more obvious.

Some swatches:

• Look super clear
• Have fewer particles floating
• Show nice separation

Winsor & Newton Granulation Medium: Before and After Comparison

After drying the swatches, it's time to compare and take a closer look.

Granulation Medium Effects on Dried Watercolor Paint

I dry most of them naturally, except one puddle, and I speed up with a hairdryer. You can probably tell which one!

Then I compare:

• The clean control swatch
• The same pigment with the granulation medium

There's a big difference! You can see texture where there was none before. Still, some areas look more like flocculation than traditional granulation.

Granulation vs. Flocculation: What's Really Happening?

Let's break it down:

• Granulation happens when pigment particles settle into the paper texture
• Flocculation is when particles clump together

In these swatches, I see more clumping than settling. So technically, it's flocculation, but it gives a similar visual effect. Some swatches almost look layered because of all the pigment particles gathering in one spot.

With quinacridone rose, I notice that the granulated version has a matte, white-pink finish. It almost looks like there's a filler added. Very different from the clean, transparent wash of the original.

Can You Pre-Mix Granulation Medium with Watercolor Paint?

Next, I test something I've always wondered—can I just mix the granulation medium into my pan and let it dry?

Testing Dried Pans with Granulation Medium Added

I try exactly that. I let the granulation medium sit in the paint pan and dry completely. Once it's dry, I try rewetting it.

And guess what? It doesn't work. The pigment goes right back to its non-granulating state.

So here's the deal: you have to add the granulation medium fresh. It doesn't change the paint permanently. No pre-mix shortcut here!

Tips for Using Granulation Medium Effectively

Some artists use the medium differently. They drop it straight onto the paint after it's already on the paper. That method can create fun textures, too! You could also mix it on a ceramic plate if you prefer more control.

Is Winsor & Newton Granulation Medium Worth It?

So, after all that testing, how do I feel about it?

Pros and Cons of Granulation Medium in Watercolor Art

Honestly, I'm not 100% satisfied. In many cases, there's too much flocculation. It makes the paint look a little dirty or cloudy. It's not ideal if I want clean washes.

But that doesn't mean it's useless!

Best Uses for Granulation Medium in Watercolor Paintings

I think this medium would be amazing for:

• Abstract landscapes
• Rocky textures
• Natural scenes with depth

It's something I'll definitely explore more in those contexts. I'm curious to test it with other pigments, too. Maybe some will react better than these two. Who knows? I might find the perfect combo!

Wrapping Up

This medium is fun, no doubt! It won't turn your paint into a granulating pigment forever, but it's great for adding texture on the fly. If you love experimenting, it's worth a try. Just keep it fresh and play around with different pigments.