Watercolor traditionalist is a figment of their imagination I have spent many hours in the Tate Britain Reading Room seeing up close Turner, Cottman, and Lear. (You can make appointments to go there) Their use of white and body color (transparent pigments mixed with white) is an integral part of their style These are the masters that define tradition in watercolor
They may define tradition, but they don't define transparent watercolor technique. It's just different. And transparent watercolor takes on its own tradition - that's to be expected as chemistry has created newer, more transparent pigments that have better permanence and performance than traditional (antiquated) watercolor pigments.
I was looking to discover which white paint would lift the least if one painted watercolor over it, but I got so much more out of this wonderfully detailed testing video. I love your channel and am working my way through all your videos (and subscribed/clicked the bell so I get alerted to new ones). This type of demo is both educationally and financially helpful (as you mentioned you buy the products so we don't have to). Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate that. Many thanks!
Great comparison video! Thank you. I wasn’t even aware of some of these products. The results are very interesting. It’s great to me to see that we have so many excellent options to buy. Thank you!
I love Bleedproof White and in a pinch when I need shades of white, it's easy to mix to make shades of white or pastels. Every time I finish with it, I mist it with a bit with distilled water. Thanks for the review!!
Thank you for another really really useful video. I've been using the bleed proof white and also the white gouache but I'm now tempted to try the Zig Kuretake. Keep up the great vids - much appreciated from over here in England 🙂
I thought I had discovered a miracle when I discovered Bleed Proof white…gouache just didn’t do what I wanted. I’m glad to see the differences and that there are so many alternatives! Thanks😍
Interesting. Until recently, I used white gouache or white gel pen for smaller highlights. Then I got a Rembrandt 12 pan set called Cityscape, which has a wonderfully versatile range of colours, including Opaque White. I tried it once and have never looked back, it’s better than white gouache as the pan is more convenient for travelling with, no pre-wetting required, the pigment immediately lifts from the pan, you can mix it with other colours for off whites and pale pastel shades and it really is very opaque. I use it so much, the Opaque White already needs replacing in the set and I’ve only had it a few months (no, I don’t work for Rembrandt).
Please, do you mean the REmbrandt Opaque White watercolor, works better for highlights, than the Winsor & Newton Gouche permanent white? Which one is more white and more opaque, can hou help me please? I want to order a tube, for adding highlights on watercolor illustrations. PS My palette is a mix of Rembrandt and Van Gogh watercolors, I just don't have a white for highlights yet. Thanks
Thanks for this excellent video. I appreciate the detail you give when explaining things and also for giving us the details of the supplies and links. Wow - I did not know there is 100% cotton black watercolor paper! That's funny about the fingernail comment - I had not noticed! Thanks again for all you share and guidance you offer.
Steve-I’m a calligrapher and I have always been frustrated with Bleedproof White. I do like using Holbein’s Acrylic Gouache and Ziller’s Northwind White (it is waterproof and you have to really, really mix it well). I’m interested in trying the Copic ink, the Zig and the Pen white now after seeing your experiments. Thank you. I wish someone would invent an opaque white fine brush pen (like Tombow Fudenosuke.)
Very interesting, thanks! I’ve got the Daler Rowney Bleed-proof White - slightly cheaper than Dr M’s but very similar. Haven’t used it much so I gave it a stir while watching the video. I then used the white on my palette knife for a quick sketch on tinted paper, which actually worked very well! With the gouache it might be worth mentioning that they usually have an opaque white and a mixing white, which is slightly more transparent.
After watching this video, I'm having fun going through my failed paintings and using white gouache to correct and put in highlights I didn't leave originally. I'm doing this as a learning experience because I still struggle with poor planning and with going too dark too soon. Thanks for the tips!
Your nails are perfectly nice! I did wonder if you played guitar when I saw them in a previous video. 😊 This video was very useful because I was wondering weather to invest in a bottle of P. H. Martin, but for the amount I'd use and the kind of painting I like to do, I think my Signo white gel pen and white gouache do just fine for me. 😊
I have all except the Copic. Was searching for a true bleed proof white. Ended up with posca pen white. But looking at your tests, I learned to stir well..🥴 now will have to re-visit the Zig. Always a pleasure-thanks Steve!!!
Great and helpful comparison Steve, I've used a few of these. One other non-liquid white I use frequently is the white Viarco Art Graf Tailor Shape (water soluble pigment). I drag a damp brush over it to pick up the required amount of pigment - a drier brush for greater opacity. All the best!
Loved the comparison. Thank you for doing these videos, they're informative and inspirational, and fun. Hope all is well with you and your family. Happy New Year.
I know it's not really traditional - but I never understood why I should shun stuff that works for me. I'm more of a "whatever floats your boat"-type of person and got both whites and blacks on my palette: I got Schmincke's Chinese and Titanium White and Van Gogh's Titanium Buff (which I'd consider an off-white) and Lamp and Ivory Black (both Van Gogh's if I remember right), plus several dark browns and Payne's Greys and several other almost black, but somewhat tinted, water-soluble paints (not all of which are watercolours), for bottled ink type Winsor and Newton's and Standardgraph ink in white which are more waterfast, some cheap white gouache and probably even some old "Deckweiß" from our infamous German "Deckfarbenkasten" (=opaque watercolours, a bit of a weird mix between transparent watercolours and gouache, they don't feel like either of the two). Yeah, I'm that much of a hoarder, I probably don't need as much of those ^^'
As a calligrapher and artist i have learned to have one empty bottle and one new one of doc martens white and halve the new one into the two jars and top up each with a quarter jar of water and mix well to a consistency of whipping cream . Add a bit of fresh water to close up the jar too. Great success with tinting with wc.
Thank you for that tip! I just bought my first bottle and was dismayed to find a solid paste. I'll try putting some in a separate small ink bottle with a bit of distilled water.
I was literally trying to decide which white to use in my florals a few days ago. I purchased an eye dropper type and it performed like white watercolour would. I had already tried gouache and didn't get the result I needed, so I finally purchased Dr. PH Martin, but haven't used it yet. I should have checked your channel first. Thank you!
Wow this video was fantastic and incredibly helpful! I wanna get that Zig white and the PH martins Pen White! Great video and thanks for sharing. Much much love🤍
It's very useful to know the Zig is waterproof! I have some but haven't used it yet, so now I'm wondering what it could be like to use on top of one layer of colour then paint over it... Thanks for this run through!
Thank You so much Steve, 💓 looks like ZIG FOR me. I love light, so I use a lot of white Gouache, & D-M Blead Prof for sprinkling. But there is as you no running. So impressed with your demo, and now I want to tell you have been watching U for some time. Love your trees. Have done a few of yours by choice. I love the way you suspend them in mid air, as if they are floating on clouds, not to mention your wise color choices. Well you have a happy new year Dear Artist, Love Ya, Judy.
Thank you for this content. Still not sure what white I will use. However I do know I need to trim my fingernails, before any of your other followers see my hands
It would be really interesting to see how watercolor over the ZIG 30 works. Also, if you can tint the ZIG with watercolor and if the tint then runs out of it. Ultimately, my interest would be, could you successfully tint the ZIG to match the non-pure white of your paper to block out an area while matching the paper color and not having to worry about lifting.
Thank you very much for this. I've been seeking to determine the best opaque white to use. I've had constant problem with Bleedproof White drying out. I obviously don't use it enough and by the time I notice, it's just dust. I'm mainly an Urban Sketcher so a tube of white gouache is most convenient to have in my bag. At home, I've tried the BPW and Copic Opaque White, which also dried out. I do have Dr. Martin's Pen White which I've used during Inktober, when I primarily draw on toned paper. It has worked well. Based on my previous experience and your testing here, I might try Zig Kuretake White Ink 30
I can't believe people would take the time to comment on something as... unimportant as someone's nails. I'm sorry that person was so nasty! Love the video, it inspired me to try a portrait in lightly tinted whites with a fine nib pen. Thanks for the vid!
Whoever complained about your nails probably could have profited by growing up on a farm. The vast majority of people who WORK for a living look a little ragged at least now and then. I’m retired now but you should have seen my hands and nails back in the day. YIKES! 😀
Can you tint & glaze over the White Ink 30? I was waiting at the end to hear & see you go over the White Ink swatch. Saw the "Choosing an opaque White to use over watercolor" video, but needed this information, and it wasn't mentioned.
Black watercolor paper, right? I have some too but nothing looks good on it to me. Bleed proof white works great but the first time I open the jar those granules start. Hoping to see something better today.
Thank you. I will keep it in mind for sure. Actually today I was wondering what would work besides a super blinding white for just quick paintings of very glittery water. A white gel pen or gouache is great but I also saw a transparent gel pen that leaves a transparent glitter look without the glitter specks. So I haven’t tried it yet but it is on my order. I scumble my brush but don’t mind adding a different media. Thanks Steve and take care.
@@TuxieTude Blick’s gel pens. Might be a jelly roll pen but labeled “stardust transparent” There are different colors and I thought maybe I should give it a try or use the DS duo chrome “fire and ice”.
Thank you for all the comparisons. This is so interesting and helpful! As far as your nails go, please don’t pay attention to the person that made that nasty comment! Some people must enjoy picking on other people! What a sad thing, and a waste of valuable time!! May God bless you! Thank you for your wonderful videos.
I bought that pen white and tried it in a Rapidiograph.. didn’t work. But I filled a Pilot parallel with de altar e this doc white, that works, but it does dry not so opaque..thanks Steve very helpful..
I've been an avid pen-white user since I started painting because I don't have to add water to make it flow off the brush, I can just dip straight from the jar and paint with it without any dry brushing, I use it for white feather flicks mostly. I would like to see an extension of this test where you compare "bleeding" where the paint bleeds up through the white. This seems to be really bad with my white gel pens, it's not quite as bad with the pen-white as long as the paint underneath is super dry, I'm just curious if there's any difference in these products. I think the bleed-proof white is supposed to be the best for this.
Interesting to know. I use Acrylic ink white for non-rewettable applications. I will have a look at the Zig as that seems handier than my gigantic bottle of acrylic ink that keeps drying up.
I've used Martin's Pen White for corrections and highlights with ballpoint pens and micron pens. I've noticed the ball point pens turn the pen white areas blue because of bleeding, but I have micron drawings with pen white corrections from years ago that have no bleeding issues. I've recently started watercolor, and this is a timely video! I'm gonna run some tests with white acrylic paint over watercolor as well.
@@mindofwatercolor update. I'm working on a watercolor piece of a church/street scene. There's a stop sign in the front. I was able to tint the PHM Pen White to bring the text and border back in. I also tinted it to reestablish some of the fascia that some shadows bled into.
Can you tell me what nib size you used? I looked up the pen you were using, but I was not sure what nib size. As I get back into art, I have NEVER used a pen, so this looks like it would be a good one to do "whiskers" or "fur" with - unless you recommend something else. I would only use this for watercolor.
These whites are great for vibrancy and permanence, and since I'm using gouache, the white gouache is quite versatile in mixing and highlighting indeed. I recommend on placing timestamps on your videos, to know what brands and/or colors are used on this video, and perhaps to skip for rewatching. Thanks.
Can any of these be used in a waterbrush (if watered down)? It seems like the most helpful way to use an opaque white. **I'm only 28minutes through this video, so I don't know if this had been answered.
@@mindofwatercolor I thought so, I have yet to add white to my art but I've been considering it as I've been wanting to branch out into narrative art instead of only portraits. I think I'll take your advice on preserving the white of the page since I'm new to this particular style of creating art.
I am looking for the best white guache to use on watercolor for snow. I have heard that winsor newton for a brand is the best but which one..zinc? Permanent white? Or other....I have a few painting I did a while ago when I could still paint but I wanted to boost the white , then I became incompasitated..I can still do those highlights and wanted to finish them for my daughters and grandchildren. If you can help me, I will appreciate it. It's time to get it done..now or never. Ps. I have been inspired watching your videos .thank you.
@mindofwatercolor thank you..just ordered..merry christmas. Hopefully Liron will be safe and escape into his painting. During times that were horrible I either escaped to my garden or studio.
You know, after adding extra details with a questionable white gel pen and getting furstrated about drawing on the same line over and over again, until you get a desired white tone, Zig Kuretake looks like a must-investment 😅
Complaining about someone's fingernails, on a painting channel. :-) :-) I recently added gouache paints (MGraham). I love the change in the look of the paint, I like the melty quality as well as the opacity, I like everything about it. You can use a tiny bit to make subtle changes, rather than the typical heavy application.
About the zig white being waterproof after drying - any indication if it is acrylic based or shellac based? (I don't own it or I would look for myself)
No indication. I'm guessing acrylic. The website doesn't say. The bottle fine print is all in Japanese but it's not common to list ingredients on the product anyway.
Thank you for this video! I recently watched your last video about whites and was interested in the AquaCover since you mentioned it doesn't crack, but I can't find it for sale anywhere now, unfortunately. May I ask how you find these ones work in that regard? 🙂
It's been discontinued I think. I actually planned to add it to this review since its water soluble but noticed Jerry's didn't carry it anymore. It was a Jerry's Artarama product. What I like about it is it was tinted naturally to match watercolor papers. You might find it somewhere second hand like Ebay or Etsy.
I fell over laughing at the Ghostbusters clip. I am constantly yelling, "Don't cross the streams!" and, "That was your whole plan, Ray?! Get her!" with my online gaming friends. @The Mind of Watercolor the bleed proof white still dries out. I try to remember to spray mine periodically. I've taken to Holbein's titanium white acryla gouache instead.
@@mindofwatercolor I haven't experienced that lately, but I'll definitely keep an eye out. I think it may be an aging thing, if you mean the issue with the product and binder kind of "separating". If not, please correct my interpretation! On a different note, yet still in the art supply realm, I did discover that my DS transparent watercolor ground yellowed, for whatever reason, after applying it to a large canvas. That's disappointing.
@@mindofwatercolor I think I can top you on old paint. I recently started taking watercolor classes and pulled out the old paints from my college days, 50+ years ago. The Bleed Proof White (as a point of reference the price tag on the jar was $1.75) was dried to the point of a crack through the jar but still slightly moist. It took a little time but it reconstituted nicely with no granulation. I wonder if they had changed the formula in the interim? Most of the other paints reconstituted as well, except for the Prussian Blue and I think it was the VanDyck Brown which were hopelessly granulated.
Your videos are great learning lessons. I wish I could grow my fingernails, maybe that would improve my guitar playing. I have to use a pick. negativity is a mystery to me. We have only one life and it is too short to concentrate on the negative. Especially when it is in our faces 24/7. can you spell ostrich? oh well. keep on teaching. 🤟 ps. I found 8 of the products in your two videos on this subject in my stash. is that good or bad?
I paint with watercolor I painted picture of daisies probably about 5 to 10 years ago .I didn’t finish it i’ve been painting on it and I realize there’s a couple flowers or too dark I tried lifting it still too dark are there anything that I can paint over it to finish it to cover up the darkness some kind of white paint doesn’t bleed through or I can finish it ? I’ve tried white while her color bleeds through looks chalky 😖 help please Thank you 😊
Thank you Steve, I was wondering about white highlights. I used mainly in coloured pencils and markers art, for watercolour I rarely used. Have you ever paint with white paint?
@@mindofwatercolor thank you for your reply. I was actually referring to white watercolour paint. I see a lot of student friendly brands have titanium white, and just wanted to know if you ever attempted using only white watercolour?
@@MadebyDawn23 If I use white I use gouache. Titanium white watercolor is often just white gouache. Tit. White is the most opaque white. Many WC sets have what is called Chinese White which is not very opaque. It really is just a mixing white and creates a milky, creamy look to the colors. I never use that white personally.
If my ultimate goal is to master watercolor should I avoid adding white? I know that the only medium I want to pursue is watercolor, so if I have high ambitions in the watercolor community should I eliminate adding white? Would artists who add white be banned from a national watercolor society or a watercolor competition? In what situation would adding white be frowned upon?
If you're a beginner and transparent watercolor is your aim, I suggest avoiding white at first but only as a training point. Knowing hot to get the maximum benefit out of the white of the paper should always be the learning goal. I suggest using white when you have the experience to know when and how to use it well. As for National Societies. Most are pretty tolerant of some opaque white but read their show submission rules carefully. Societies like the Transparent Watercolor Society may be more strict but I don't know the specifics.
@@mindofwatercolor Thank you very much. I really appreciate you for sharing your time, knowledge & the wisdom of the scripture at the end of the video. May God continue to bless you & your family.
Gotta say....I never paid any attention to your fingernails. LOL I too play guitar so I keep my nails short. I always wondered how Dolly Parton played her guitar with such long nails.
I don't play an instrument, but I've had long nails all of my adult life. I often wonder how people with short nails get anything done. My nails are such necessary tools in my daily life.
Seems to do fine with a glaze. It's matte. You can mix color into it too. BUT If you do, just be careful about getting any of the white ink back in your watercolor palette.
Fingernails! Fingernails! I get furious when viewers make negative comments about female artists’ fingernails, let alone yours. If the viewer wants fingernail appearance, there are channels for that.
Seriously. I laughed when I heard his explanation. I can't believe people feel pressed enough over his fingernails to comment. I never even noticed. AND I like looking at pretty fingers and nail art. I like my nails done, but strangers' nails are never a concern.
When you put both hands up, I immediately recognized "guitar nails". 😆 My husband and I both play guitars, and the instant I see someone with very short nails on one hand and somewhat longer on the other (especially if they're filed at a slight angle, ala Aaron Shearer Classic Guitar Technique) I automatically assume they play a stringed instrument, and i usually ask. Guitar nails are a beautiful badge of honor and a token of musical tribal kinship!!!🎖️ I'm so sorry you got negativity from someone who was uninformed, unkind and impolite. I'm a much better musician than artist, but I thank you for all the help you give me as an earnest beginner. 🙏🏻🪕🖌️🙏🏻
Watercolor traditionalist is a figment of their imagination
I have spent many hours in the Tate Britain Reading Room seeing up close Turner, Cottman, and Lear. (You can make appointments to go there)
Their use of white and body color (transparent pigments mixed with white) is an integral part of their style
These are the masters that define tradition in watercolor
Exactly!
They may define tradition, but they don't define transparent watercolor technique. It's just different. And transparent watercolor takes on its own tradition - that's to be expected as chemistry has created newer, more transparent pigments that have better permanence and performance than traditional (antiquated) watercolor pigments.
Thank you!!!
@@majrminer 🙄
Steve, thanks for all the great product reviews. I'd like to suggest that you do a video on how you organize and store all this stuff!
I love seeing brand comparisons like this! One always learns something.
Thanks for the timely comparison, Steve. I’ve been searching for comparisons between all theses products; yours is the most complete and informative!
I was looking to discover which white paint would lift the least if one painted watercolor over it, but I got so much more out of this wonderfully detailed testing video. I love your channel and am working my way through all your videos (and subscribed/clicked the bell so I get alerted to new ones). This type of demo is both educationally and financially helpful (as you mentioned you buy the products so we don't have to). Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate that. Many thanks!
Thanks so much, very interesting, since I just bought black w. c. paper to try. This helps to know about those whites in your demo.
Great that you have the passion of music! Ignore the haters… most people who see nails see a beautiful guitarist
Great comparison video! Thank you. I wasn’t even aware of some of these products. The results are very interesting. It’s great to me to see that we have so many excellent options to buy. Thank you!
I love Bleedproof White and in a pinch when I need shades of white, it's easy to mix to make shades of white or pastels. Every time I finish with it, I mist it with a bit with distilled water. Thanks for the review!!
I was about to toss a new bottle of bleed proof white. So glad I watched this.
Thanks, this was very useful to me. Now I know which white ink I want to buy.
Thanks for this comparison. I’m normally a white gouache user, but I’m going to order the ZIG ASAP. Thanks again.
Hi Steve thank you so much for this video. I was searching for a bright white for highlights watching this video was very helpful.
Thank you for another really really useful video. I've been using the bleed proof white and also the white gouache but I'm now tempted to try the Zig Kuretake. Keep up the great vids - much appreciated from over here in England 🙂
I thought I had discovered a miracle when I discovered Bleed Proof white…gouache just didn’t do what I wanted. I’m glad to see the differences and that there are so many alternatives! Thanks😍
Interesting. Until recently, I used white gouache or white gel pen for smaller highlights. Then I got a Rembrandt 12 pan set called Cityscape, which has a wonderfully versatile range of colours, including Opaque White. I tried it once and have never looked back, it’s better than white gouache as the pan is more convenient for travelling with, no pre-wetting required, the pigment immediately lifts from the pan, you can mix it with other colours for off whites and pale pastel shades and it really is very opaque. I use it so much, the Opaque White already needs replacing in the set and I’ve only had it a few months (no, I don’t work for Rembrandt).
Please, do you mean the REmbrandt Opaque White watercolor, works better for highlights, than the Winsor & Newton Gouche permanent white? Which one is more white and more opaque, can hou help me please? I want to order a tube, for adding highlights on watercolor illustrations. PS My palette is a mix of Rembrandt and Van Gogh watercolors, I just don't have a white for highlights yet. Thanks
Thanks for this excellent video. I appreciate the detail you give when explaining things and also for giving us the details of the supplies and links. Wow - I did not know there is 100% cotton black watercolor paper! That's funny about the fingernail comment - I had not noticed! Thanks again for all you share and guidance you offer.
Steve-I’m a calligrapher and I have always been frustrated with Bleedproof White. I do like using Holbein’s Acrylic Gouache and Ziller’s Northwind White (it is waterproof and you have to really, really mix it well). I’m interested in trying the Copic ink, the Zig and the Pen white now after seeing your experiments. Thank you. I wish someone would invent an opaque white fine brush pen (like Tombow Fudenosuke.)
Faber Castell has a Pitt Artist brush pen in white. It's between a small and medium size. It's not super opaque, but does show up on black paper 👍🏻
Have you tried a Kuretake Zig Brush Pen White Ultra Fine?
Can you elaborate on your frustration with Bleedproof White please?
Posca has a paint pen with brush tip now too. Maybe that’s a good one
Loved this video. Your timing is ridiculously on point for me. Haha
Thank you so much
Very interesting, thanks! I’ve got the Daler Rowney Bleed-proof White - slightly cheaper than Dr M’s but very similar. Haven’t used it much so I gave it a stir while watching the video. I then used the white on my palette knife for a quick sketch on tinted paper, which actually worked very well!
With the gouache it might be worth mentioning that they usually have an opaque white and a mixing white, which is slightly more transparent.
Thanks, Steve, for a very useful comparisons demo.
After watching this video, I'm having fun going through my failed paintings and using white gouache to correct and put in highlights I didn't leave originally. I'm doing this as a learning experience because I still struggle with poor planning and with going too dark too soon. Thanks for the tips!
So informative! Thank you and God bless you!
Your nails are perfectly nice! I did wonder if you played guitar when I saw them in a previous video. 😊
This video was very useful because I was wondering weather to invest in a bottle of P. H. Martin, but for the amount I'd use and the kind of painting I like to do, I think my Signo white gel pen and white gouache do just fine for me. 😊
I have all except the Copic. Was searching for a true bleed proof white. Ended up with posca pen white. But looking at your tests, I learned to stir well..🥴 now will have to re-visit the Zig. Always a pleasure-thanks Steve!!!
Great and helpful comparison Steve, I've used a few of these. One other non-liquid white I use frequently is the white Viarco Art Graf Tailor Shape (water soluble pigment). I drag a damp brush over it to pick up the required amount of pigment - a drier brush for greater opacity. All the best!
Interesting. I'll try that one at some point.
Very useful info and demo. Thank you
Loved the comparison. Thank you for doing these videos, they're informative and inspirational, and fun. Hope all is well with you and your family. Happy New Year.
Thanks for the review Steve and happy new year to you. ✨🤗✨
I know it's not really traditional - but I never understood why I should shun stuff that works for me. I'm more of a "whatever floats your boat"-type of person and got both whites and blacks on my palette: I got Schmincke's Chinese and Titanium White and Van Gogh's Titanium Buff (which I'd consider an off-white) and Lamp and Ivory Black (both Van Gogh's if I remember right), plus several dark browns and Payne's Greys and several other almost black, but somewhat tinted, water-soluble paints (not all of which are watercolours), for bottled ink type Winsor and Newton's and Standardgraph ink in white which are more waterfast, some cheap white gouache and probably even some old "Deckweiß" from our infamous German "Deckfarbenkasten" (=opaque watercolours, a bit of a weird mix between transparent watercolours and gouache, they don't feel like either of the two). Yeah, I'm that much of a hoarder, I probably don't need as much of those ^^'
Thank you for this extremely helpful information!
As a calligrapher and artist i have learned to have one empty bottle and one new one of doc martens white and halve the new one into the two jars and top up each with a quarter jar of water and mix well to a consistency of whipping cream . Add a bit of fresh water to close up the jar too. Great success with tinting with wc.
Thank you for that tip! I just bought my first bottle and was dismayed to find a solid paste. I'll try putting some in a separate small ink bottle with a bit of distilled water.
I was literally trying to decide which white to use in my florals a few days ago. I purchased an eye dropper type and it performed like white watercolour would. I had already tried gouache and didn't get the result I needed, so I finally purchased Dr. PH Martin, but haven't used it yet. I should have checked your channel first. Thank you!
Wow this video was fantastic and incredibly helpful! I wanna get that Zig white and the PH martins Pen White! Great video and thanks for sharing. Much much love🤍
Very helpful and interesting. I recently bought Dr PH's bleed proof, but now I'm interested in trying the Zig. Thanks so much!
Thanks Steve!
It's very useful to know the Zig is waterproof! I have some but haven't used it yet, so now I'm wondering what it could be like to use on top of one layer of colour then paint over it... Thanks for this run through!
It works well. My next video will show me do some of that.
@@mindofwatercolor ooh excellent! I'll look forward to watching that one!
Thank You so much Steve, 💓 looks like ZIG FOR me. I love light, so I use a lot of white Gouache, & D-M Blead Prof for sprinkling. But there is as you no running. So impressed with your demo, and now I want to tell you have been watching U for some time. Love your trees. Have done a few of yours by choice. I love the way you suspend them in mid air, as if they are floating on clouds, not to mention your wise color choices. Well you have a happy new year Dear Artist, Love Ya, Judy.
Love the Wolverine clip. I died laughing.
(Vook that ugly commenter. We love you)
Thank you for this content. Still not sure what white I will use. However I do know I need to trim my fingernails, before any of your other followers see my hands
Oh, the zig white maybe useful for me! Lol but I’m trying for a art supply No buy. Really like this test, it was very helpful. Thank you Steve!
The ZIG-30 didn’t bleed perhaps because it’s a true India ink? Anyhow, good to know; I’m loving your videos as usual😊
Thanks - this is a great review!
It would be really interesting to see how watercolor over the ZIG 30 works. Also, if you can tint the ZIG with watercolor and if the tint then runs out of it. Ultimately, my interest would be, could you successfully tint the ZIG to match the non-pure white of your paper to block out an area while matching the paper color and not having to worry about lifting.
Yes, agreed. I will be testing that.
Thank you very much for this. I've been seeking to determine the best opaque white to use. I've had constant problem with Bleedproof White drying out. I obviously don't use it enough and by the time I notice, it's just dust.
I'm mainly an Urban Sketcher so a tube of white gouache is most convenient to have in my bag. At home, I've tried the BPW and Copic Opaque White, which also dried out. I do have Dr. Martin's Pen White which I've used during Inktober, when I primarily draw on toned paper. It has worked well. Based on my previous experience and your testing here, I might try Zig Kuretake White Ink 30
I can't believe people would take the time to comment on something as... unimportant as someone's nails. I'm sorry that person was so nasty! Love the video, it inspired me to try a portrait in lightly tinted whites with a fine nib pen. Thanks for the vid!
Oh well, trolls are out there. They're a sad lot. Negative comments are what they do to feel good about themselves.
Steve, did you get a new camera? This video quality is 👌
Whoever complained about your nails probably could have profited by growing up on a farm. The vast majority of people who WORK for a living look a little ragged at least now and then. I’m retired now but you should have seen my hands and nails back in the day. YIKES! 😀
I wish I could grow my nails like that.
Can you tint & glaze over the White Ink 30? I was waiting at the end to hear & see you go over the White Ink swatch. Saw the "Choosing an opaque White to use over watercolor" video, but needed this information, and it wasn't mentioned.
Yes.
Black watercolor paper, right? I have some too but nothing looks good on it to me.
Bleed proof white works great but the first time I open the jar those granules start. Hoping to see something better today.
11:35 is gold
😂
Wondering if the Zig would work as masking fluid for whiskers and highlights on water droplets? Great comparison. Thank you.
That's super clever, please let us know if you try!
@@jennw6809 I'll let you know how it works.
Thank you. I will keep it in mind for sure. Actually today I was wondering what would work besides a super blinding white for just quick paintings of very glittery water. A white gel pen or gouache is great but I also saw a transparent gel pen that leaves a transparent glitter look without the glitter specks. So I haven’t tried it yet but it is on my order. I scumble my brush but don’t mind adding a different media. Thanks Steve and take care.
Hi, where did you find the transparent gel pen that doesn't leave sparkle behind? Ty :)
@@TuxieTude Blick’s gel pens. Might be a jelly roll pen but labeled “stardust transparent” There are different colors and I thought maybe I should give it a try or use the DS duo chrome “fire and ice”.
Thank you for all the comparisons. This is so interesting and helpful! As far as your nails go, please don’t pay attention to the person that made that nasty comment! Some people must enjoy picking on other people! What a sad thing, and a waste of valuable time!! May God bless you! Thank you for your wonderful videos.
Right. I learned a long time ago these comments are just a form of entertainment for trolls. Sad indeed! Thanks!
I bought that pen white and tried it in a Rapidiograph.. didn’t work. But I filled a Pilot parallel with de altar e this doc white, that works, but it does dry not so opaque..thanks Steve very helpful..
I noticed that about the drying.
That was a good comparison I like the dr Martin ink results the best
Hello. I was wondering what kind of wooden stick do you use to stir the Kuretake White Ink 30, and what's the best brush to use with it? Thanks.
Any kind of stick will do. Craft stick is fine.
Every time I see the word Stonehenge I immediately think of Spinal Tap.
I've been an avid pen-white user since I started painting because I don't have to add water to make it flow off the brush, I can just dip straight from the jar and paint with it without any dry brushing, I use it for white feather flicks mostly. I would like to see an extension of this test where you compare "bleeding" where the paint bleeds up through the white. This seems to be really bad with my white gel pens, it's not quite as bad with the pen-white as long as the paint underneath is super dry, I'm just curious if there's any difference in these products. I think the bleed-proof white is supposed to be the best for this.
I'd also be curious to know if the Zig white resists watercolor like gel pens do? I would assume so since it's waterproof.
None bleed through with watercolor or ink unless you vigorously re-wet to the underlying layer. Can’t say for alcohol markers.
Interesting to know. I use Acrylic ink white for non-rewettable applications. I will have a look at the Zig as that seems handier than my gigantic bottle of acrylic ink that keeps drying up.
This is so useful! I have two jars of BPW. Both have crystallized. Can I just add water to the bottle and hope for the shaken best?
I've used Martin's Pen White for corrections and highlights with ballpoint pens and micron pens. I've noticed the ball point pens turn the pen white areas blue because of bleeding, but I have micron drawings with pen white corrections from years ago that have no bleeding issues.
I've recently started watercolor, and this is a timely video! I'm gonna run some tests with white acrylic paint over watercolor as well.
Nice! Thanks for that input. I was impressed with it.
@@mindofwatercolor thank you!
@@mindofwatercolor update. I'm working on a watercolor piece of a church/street scene. There's a stop sign in the front. I was able to tint the PHM Pen White to bring the text and border back in. I also tinted it to reestablish some of the fascia that some shadows bled into.
Can you tell me what nib size you used? I looked up the pen you were using, but I was not sure what nib size. As I get back into art, I have NEVER used a pen, so this looks like it would be a good one to do "whiskers" or "fur" with - unless you recommend something else. I would only use this for watercolor.
It's a Zebra G nib.
Steve it would be nice if you could educate us on matting a watercolour before framing. White versus colour etc ratio/sizing etc. thanks. 🇨🇦👍🏻
These whites are great for vibrancy and permanence, and since I'm using gouache, the white gouache is quite versatile in mixing and highlighting indeed.
I recommend on placing timestamps on your videos, to know what brands and/or colors are used on this video, and perhaps to skip for rewatching. Thanks.
Will you do a complete painting on the black paper
Thanks, Steve! Looks like Zig for me. Interestingly, it's half the cost of Bleedproof White on Blick's site. Bonus! 😉
Can any of these be used in a waterbrush (if watered down)? It seems like the most helpful way to use an opaque white.
**I'm only 28minutes through this video, so I don't know if this had been answered.
Maybe but thinning much it will make it less opaque.
@@mindofwatercolor I thought so, I have yet to add white to my art but I've been considering it as I've been wanting to branch out into narrative art instead of only portraits. I think I'll take your advice on preserving the white of the page since I'm new to this particular style of creating art.
Great tutorial! I wonder if you could fill a water brush with the Zig?
Worth a try I suppose.
I am looking for the best white guache to use on watercolor for snow. I have heard that winsor newton for a brand is the best but which one..zinc? Permanent white? Or other....I have a few painting I did a while ago when I could still paint but I wanted to boost the white , then I became incompasitated..I can still do those highlights and wanted to finish them for my daughters and grandchildren. If you can help me, I will appreciate it. It's time to get it done..now or never. Ps. I have been inspired watching your videos .thank you.
Permanent white (it’s actually Titanium white). Zinc isn’t as opaque.
@mindofwatercolor thank you..just ordered..merry christmas. Hopefully Liron will be safe and escape into his painting. During times that were horrible I either escaped to my garden or studio.
You know, after adding extra details with a questionable white gel pen and getting furstrated about drawing on the same line over and over again, until you get a desired white tone, Zig Kuretake looks like a must-investment 😅
Complaining about someone's fingernails, on a painting channel. :-) :-) I recently added gouache paints (MGraham). I love the change in the look of the paint, I like the melty quality as well as the opacity, I like everything about it. You can use a tiny bit to make subtle changes, rather than the typical heavy application.
Yes indeed!
About the zig white being waterproof after drying - any indication if it is acrylic based or shellac based? (I don't own it or I would look for myself)
No indication. I'm guessing acrylic. The website doesn't say. The bottle fine print is all in Japanese but it's not common to list ingredients on the product anyway.
Hi! JetPens Guide says that Kuretake White Ink "it will crack when used with heavy ink or watercolors"... is that true??
Not unless you put it on very thick. Gouache will do the same thing btw.
Thank you for this video! I recently watched your last video about whites and was interested in the AquaCover since you mentioned it doesn't crack, but I can't find it for sale anywhere now, unfortunately. May I ask how you find these ones work in that regard? 🙂
It's been discontinued I think. I actually planned to add it to this review since its water soluble but noticed Jerry's didn't carry it anymore. It was a Jerry's Artarama product. What I like about it is it was tinted naturally to match watercolor papers. You might find it somewhere second hand like Ebay or Etsy.
@@mindofwatercolor Thank you! Have you noticed any cracking in these ones you showed us now 🙂
@@hannahthufvesson None so far. Usually a problem that comes from putting it on too thick.
@@mindofwatercolor Thank you for letting me know! I really appreciate it! ☺️
I'm surprised you don't have Daler Rowney's Pro White in there. I did a test and that one outperformed all the others.
Do you have to worry about the zig white ink 30 drying in your good rigger and not rinsing out??? I worry now, that maybe it's an acrylic ink.
Yes, it can dry permanently.
@@mindofwatercolor Thank you. 🙏🏼
I'd choose Zig
Finally. Thank you.
I fell over laughing at the Ghostbusters clip. I am constantly yelling, "Don't cross the streams!" and, "That was your whole plan, Ray?! Get her!" with my online gaming friends.
@The Mind of Watercolor the bleed proof white still dries out. I try to remember to spray mine periodically. I've taken to Holbein's titanium white acryla gouache instead.
Do you still have the problem with it granulating? It becomes almost useless when that happens.
@@mindofwatercolor I haven't experienced that lately, but I'll definitely keep an eye out. I think it may be an aging thing, if you mean the issue with the product and binder kind of "separating". If not, please correct my interpretation! On a different note, yet still in the art supply realm, I did discover that my DS transparent watercolor ground yellowed, for whatever reason, after applying it to a large canvas. That's disappointing.
@@mindofwatercolor I think I can top you on old paint. I recently started taking watercolor classes and pulled out the old paints from my college days, 50+ years ago. The Bleed Proof White (as a point of reference the price tag on the jar was $1.75) was dried to the point of a crack through the jar but still slightly moist. It took a little time but it reconstituted nicely with no granulation. I wonder if they had changed the formula in the interim? Most of the other paints reconstituted as well, except for the Prussian Blue and I think it was the VanDyck Brown which were hopelessly granulated.
Your videos are great learning lessons. I wish I could grow my fingernails, maybe that would improve my guitar playing. I have to use a pick. negativity is a mystery to me. We have only one life and it is too short to concentrate on the negative. Especially when it is in our faces 24/7. can you spell ostrich?
oh well. keep on teaching. 🤟 ps. I found 8 of the products in your two videos on this subject in my stash. is that good or bad?
Definitely good! 😄
Ph Martin white dries up way before I finish the jar. And is like sand. I don't use it anymore. I got tired of picking pieces out of my paintings.
I paint with watercolor I painted picture of daisies probably about 5 to 10 years ago .I didn’t finish it i’ve been painting on it and I realize there’s a couple flowers or too dark I tried lifting it still too dark are there anything that I can paint over it to finish it to cover up the darkness some kind of white paint doesn’t bleed through or I can finish it ? I’ve tried white while her color bleeds through looks chalky 😖 help please Thank you 😊
Thank you Steve, I was wondering about white highlights. I used mainly in coloured pencils and markers art, for watercolour I rarely used. Have you ever paint with white paint?
Do you mean like gouache paint? Sure several times actually.
@@mindofwatercolor thank you for your reply. I was actually referring to white watercolour paint. I see a lot of student friendly brands have titanium white, and just wanted to know if you ever attempted using only white watercolour?
@@MadebyDawn23 If I use white I use gouache. Titanium white watercolor is often just white gouache. Tit. White is the most opaque white. Many WC sets have what is called Chinese White which is not very opaque. It really is just a mixing white and creates a milky, creamy look to the colors. I never use that white personally.
@@mindofwatercolor thank you
How do these white go when overpainted with watercolour? Thanks for the demo.
I did a rewetting test near the end of the video. Thats probably the best indicator. Gouache rewets the quickest and easiest.
Well this was a topic I just was moaning about to my daughter...she thanks you for getting me to quit!
If my ultimate goal is to master watercolor should I avoid adding white?
I know that the only medium I want to pursue is watercolor, so if I have high ambitions in the watercolor community should I eliminate adding white?
Would artists who add white be banned from a national watercolor society or a watercolor competition? In what situation would adding white be frowned upon?
If you're a beginner and transparent watercolor is your aim, I suggest avoiding white at first but only as a training point. Knowing hot to get the maximum benefit out of the white of the paper should always be the learning goal. I suggest using white when you have the experience to know when and how to use it well. As for National Societies. Most are pretty tolerant of some opaque white but read their show submission rules carefully. Societies like the Transparent Watercolor Society may be more strict but I don't know the specifics.
@@mindofwatercolor Thank you very much. I really appreciate you for sharing your time, knowledge & the wisdom of the scripture at the end of the video. May God continue to bless you & your family.
Gotta say....I never paid any attention to your fingernails. LOL I too play guitar so I keep my nails short. I always wondered how Dolly Parton played her guitar with such long nails.
I don't play an instrument, but I've had long nails all of my adult life. I often wonder how people with short nails get anything done. My nails are such necessary tools in my daily life.
@@nilawarriorprincess LOL
Does the zig tint well ?
Seems to do fine with a glaze. It's matte. You can mix color into it too. BUT If you do, just be careful about getting any of the white ink back in your watercolor palette.
Fingernails! Fingernails! I get furious when viewers make negative comments about female artists’ fingernails, let alone yours. If the viewer wants fingernail appearance, there are channels for that.
Seriously. I laughed when I heard his explanation. I can't believe people feel pressed enough over his fingernails to comment. I never even noticed. AND I like looking at pretty fingers and nail art. I like my nails done, but strangers' nails are never a concern.
When you put both hands up, I immediately recognized "guitar nails".
😆
My husband and I both play guitars, and the instant I see someone with very short nails on one hand and somewhat longer on the other (especially if they're filed at a slight angle, ala Aaron Shearer Classic Guitar Technique) I automatically assume they play a stringed instrument, and i usually ask.
Guitar nails are a beautiful badge of honor and a token of musical tribal kinship!!!🎖️
I'm so sorry you got negativity from someone who was uninformed, unkind and impolite.
I'm a much better musician than artist, but I thank you for all the help you give me as an earnest beginner.
🙏🏻🪕🖌️🙏🏻
😁👍
Can you play Recuerdos DE LA Alhambra with those nails???🥰
Nope.
I love (not really) when the white stays white and the paper and everything else turns yellow brown. It’s great.
What pen are you using?
Can you glaze on top of the Zig W I 30?
Yes, totally matte.
Does anyone have a problem getting watercolor out of their clothes? I get pretty messy and haven't really found a way to get it out.
Anyone who comments on your fingernails is a shallow asshole. I'm so sorry you get comments like that.
Some people are so ugly with their comments. Play the guitar for us, Steve!
Oh for heavens sake, people can be so ugly about what is none of their business.