I’ve recently treated myself to some new watercolors.
Since my painting explorations have spanned a number of decades and may swing from one medium to the next over the course of years, I own many paints that are older than many of my readers.
However, somehow I’ve always overlooked one group of hues. Since I’ve been planning on a series of floral paintings, I decided to expand my palette and include some very vibrant pigments to make my flower petals really pop.
I purchased a full array of the Quinacridone hues, and I’ve been playing with them for a full week now. All I can say is ‘wow!’ But first, let me tell you a bit about Quinacridone pigments.
History Of Quinacridone Pigment
Quinacridone was discovered in the late 19th century, and it’s one of the first truly synthetic organic pigments. It was in 1935 that it was synthesized into a formulation that was suitable as a paint pigment. However, it wasn’t until 1958 that DuPont finally began marketing it.
The New York abstract expressionist movement, which included the likes of Jackson Pollack and Robert Rauschenberg, quickly adopted these vibrant, bold colors and the colors began to make their way onto the palettes of the avant-garde.
Qualities Of Quinacridone Paint
If you’re a fan of bright, bold jewel-like colors, you’re going to love the Quinacridone family of hues. These almost shocking colors range from deep purples and violets, brilliant reds, pinks, oranges and opulent golds. The paints make lovely, smooth washes and flow very well. They’re also very transparent, so they are perfect for glazing, and they can be easily lifted when wet. These paints are very lightfast and have great permanency ratings.
- Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet
This dark, reddish brown color is perfect for creating dark reds and browns without making mud.
- Quinacridone Gold
Use Quinacridone Gold as a replacement for Raw Sienna. This golden-yellow is wonderful as a glaze to bring life to a dull section of a painting or in creating luminous golds, and corals. Use it with blues for outstandingly natural, yet vibrant greens.
- Quinacridone Deep Gold
More orange than Quinacridone Gold, Quinacridone Deep Gold is a vibrant alternative to standard Burnt Sienna.
- Quinacridone Burnt Orange
This is a perfect color for use in a limited palette landscape. Use it with French Ultramarine blue for grayed sky washes and blend it with Sap Green for trees and fields to keep a sense of color harmony
- Quinacridone Purple
This powerful purple has a bit of a reddish cast. Unlike some deep colors, it’s non-granulating, so it’s perfect for smooth washes
- Quinacridone Violet
Although it has a bit of granulation, this outstanding hue disperses evenly and goes from a deep, dark reddish-purple to a soft lavender when used as a wash.
- Quinacridone Fuchsia
An absolute necessity for pink posy painters, this presumptuous hue remains strong, no matter how much water is mixed into it.
- Quinacridone Magenta
This red-violet paint is certainly not as flashy as the Fuchsia, but it makes lovely, deep shadows for all your red-hued blossoms. The blue undertones blend well with yellow greens.
- Quinacridone Rose
One may not think of this red-violet as a color for flesh tones, but mixed with Quinacridone Burnt Orange or Sienna, a pale wash of this lovely combination may be just the shade you portrait painters are searching.
- Quinacridone Pink
Quinacridone Pink is a low-staining pink that can be mixed with blues to create clear or dusty purples. Used with Quinacridone Burnt Orange or Sienna, it makes lovely skin tones. Try adding a little less water to the mix and create spectacular sunsets.
- Quinacridone Red
This tone is a really true red. You’ll paint the reddest apples and tomatoes when you add this to your produce palette. Use a bit of Naples yellow, and you’re ready to add a peach to your composition.
- Quinacridone Coral
This color may be the favorite for an all-around unique color. Quinacridone Coral is a little bit red, a little bit pink and just a touch of orange. I think I can use this in any floral painting I may want to create.
You may not want to purchase the entire spectrum of Quinacridone paints as I did. However, I haven’t spent any real money on watercolor paints in probably a decade, so I figured I truly deserved a treat! But, you simply must give at least a few of these spectacular colors a try. Pick up a tube of Quinacridone Gold, for sure. I’d also go with the red, rose, coral and one of the burnt shades as well. You’re so going to thank me for turning you on to these colors!
If you want to check out a wide assortment of Quinacridone paints, check Amazon for all sorts of Quinacridone paints and inks.
