Artist Paints Tips & Techniques

STRAIGHT FROM THE POT - CHROMA CAN BE USED AS A GOUACHE

Chroma used straight from the pot gives the appearance of gouache - it is highly opaque and dries to a velvety matt finish. All 80 colours are permanent and waterproof which makes painting in this technique more predictable. For example, with traditional gouache, colours change considerably during the drying process; with light colours becoming darker and dark colours becoming lighter, which results in a reduction of tone and colour contrast for the inexperienced. In theory the opaqueness of gouache allows it to be used for overpainting any such mistake. However, in practice there is always a chance that moisture from the covering paint will soak into the lower layer, causing it to soften and mix with the new paint. With Chroma these problems are a thing of the past. The colours are rich and smooth with good covering power and remarkably little change in tone value when dry. Added to this because the colour is impervious to water when dry, overpainting can be achieved without problems manifesting themselves in the lower layers.

ADD WATER - USE IT AS AN INK

By adding water to the pot colours, because there is no granulation of the pigment upon drying, you can use Chroma as an ink. This can either be opaque or transparent according to the amount of water added. Because Chroma is waterproof when dry, it lends itself perfectly to line and wash techniques. Simply draw with Chroma as an ink, (remember there are 80 colours to choose from) when dry apply Chroma as a wash.

ADD MORE WATER - USE IT AS A WATERCOLOUR

By adding yet more water, Chroma can be used as a top quality watercolour capable of producing deliciously vibrant and clear brush strokes as well as subtle, pale and translucent washes.

Because Chroma dries to an impervious finish, successive washes or glazes may be applied without any danger of previous applications being disturbed, as can happen with traditional watercolour unless subsequent washes are applied with the very lightest touch.

Traditional watercolours fade appreciably on drying; what appears to be a strong and lively wash in the liquid state will often dry out to give a weak and ineffective result. Chroma Artists Colours evince remarkably little change in tone value when dry, so what you see, is what you end up with. Used as a watercolour, Chroma goes a long, long way; a tiny quantity produces a surprisingly large wash, it is extremely economical. Chroma Artists Colours are so concentrated, that when used as a watercolour, it is necessary to dilute up to seven times more than with other leading makes in order to achieve a wash of similar strength. Chroma is capable of massive dilution: 1 part paint to 500 parts water. Even at this dilution Chroma still retains its structure and is therefore still water resistant when dry. This makes Chroma ideal for even the most discerning watercolourist as it is possible to lay wash over wash to build up subtle shades without reactivating the previous wash and producing the inevitable "muddy" result.

STRAIGHT FROM THE TUBE - USE CHROMA AS AN ACRYLIC

Chroma can produce most of the effects obtainable with acrylics in addition to being consistently more opaque and having the ability to cover well. When squeezed onto the palette, Chroma has a rich, smooth, buttery texture; the colours are vivid and strong. It is a delight to use, flows easily, mixes well and doesn't dry on the palette too quickly. With Chroma the wet colour matches the dry colour quite closely- making colour mixing much simpler than with acrylics, the colour of which can become alarmingly garish as they dry.

ADD GEL THICKENER - USE IT FOR IMPASTO TECHNIQUES

By mixing Chroma tube colour with its own Gel Thickener, as much as 140% can be added without a detrimental effect on the tone value, it will produce a very satisfactory impasto, which can be applied with bristle brushes or palette knife without fear of the texture and thickness breaking down because of the amount of shear created by these implements. At a much higher percentage, Gel thickener is particularly useful for reducing the opacity of Chroma when transparent glazes are required.

ADD RETARDER - EXTEND DRYING TIME

Although Chroma is slower drying than acrylics, it is sometimes desirable to extend the drying time on the palette, especially when working out of doors. As much as 20% can be added without affecting colour, strength or opacity and this amount will increase working time by a factor of four. Up to 50% can be added but at this level opacity becomes less.

ADD FLOW IMPROVER - FOR SOFT EDGES AND INK TECHNIQUES

When using Chroma as an ink, flow improver helps the paint to run off the nib of a dip pen more easily and so helps the execution of lines in one unbroken motion. When using Chroma as a watercolour, flow improver helps to control wet into wet techniques and helps to soften hard edges.

ADD GLOSS MEDIUM - FOR AN ACRYLIC FINISH

Chroma naturally dries to a matt finish; to produce an end result with a glossy sheen simply add a small amount of gloss medium to the colours on the palette. Gloss medium is also particularly useful for reducing the opacity of Chroma when transparent glazes are required.

USE CHROMA VARNISH - FOR ADDED PROTECTION

Some artists prefer their finished work to be matt, others prefer a gloss finish. In order to satisfy both, two varnishes are available, matt and gloss. Both will give a strong measure of protection and will not yellow, crack or deteriorate. When applied, both varnishes will have the effect of deepening the colours, giving an even greater intensity of hue.

USE EXTENDER - FOR GLAZING

For painters wishing to use transparent washes or glazes but wanting to retain the original viscosity. Simply dilute with extender instead of water.

USE CHROMA GESSO - FOR PRIMING ABSORBENT SURFACES

When painting on unprimed canvas or other absorbent surfaces, it may be necessary to prime with Chroma Gesso; this dries quickly to a matt white finish with some 'tooth'. It can be sanded if need be and can also be diluted and applied in several coats. It can be tinted with Chroma if a coloured ground is required and can even be used as a base for oils and acrylics.