Priya Kapoor
Watercolour paints are made up of pigment and gum arabic, a water-soluble gum extracted from the acacia tree. Gum arabic acts as a binder, enveloping pigment particles and creating a paint film. It is also used in gouache, a type of opaque, water-based paint similar to watercolour. When added to paint, gum arabic increases drying time, enhances colour vibrancy and transparency, and increases gloss. Artists who make their own paints can dissolve gum arabic pieces in distilled water or purchase ready-to-use gum arabic solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To bind the pigment and create a paint film |
| Effect on Paint | Extends drying time, increases gloss, makes colours more vibrant and transparent |
| Use | Add to individual colours or to the water that you're mixing with paints |
| Use with Gouache | May result in patches of glossy sheen in the painting |
| Use with Gesso | May result in cracking and peeling |
| Use with Watercolours | Mix with colour paste or grind with pigment powder until it is a smooth, lump-free paste |
| Use with Oils | Mix with pigment and paint on gesso |
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What You'll Learn
Gum Arabic is a binder, not a medium
Gum Arabic, also known as gum acacia, gum sudani, or Senegal gum, is a tree gum produced by two species of Acacia sensu lato: Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal. It is a complex mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, with a long history of use in various industries, including art, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
In the context of paint, Gum Arabic is specifically used as a binder, not a medium. A binder is a substance that binds the pigment particles together to form a paint film. When Gum Arabic is used in watercolour paints, it dissolves easily in water, allowing the pigment to be suspended within the gum. This mixture can then be applied to a surface, such as paper. As the water evaporates, the Gum Arabic is absorbed by the deeper layers of the surface, and it functions as a true binder, increasing the luminosity of the colour and preventing it from lightening.
The key difference between a binder and a medium lies in their respective functions. A binder's primary role is to act as an adhesive, binding the pigment particles together and, in some cases, attaching the paint to the surface. On the other hand, a medium is a substance that is added to the paint to modify its properties, such as its texture, viscosity, or drying time. While Gum Arabic does impact the working properties of watercolour paints, its primary function is as a binder, not a medium.
When used in watercolours, Gum Arabic offers several advantages. Firstly, it increases the drying time of the paint, allowing artists more time to work with the paint before it dries. Secondly, it enhances the vibrancy and transparency of the colours, resulting in more luminous watercolour paintings. Additionally, Gum Arabic increases the gloss of the dried paint, further adding to the aesthetic appeal of the artwork.
It is important to note that the amount of Gum Arabic used can affect the final outcome of the paint. If too much is added, the paint may become brittle and prone to cracking. Therefore, it is crucial to experiment and find the right balance when using Gum Arabic as a binder in watercolour paints.
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It is extracted from the acacia tree
Gum arabic is derived from the sap of the Acacia senegal tree, a species of acacia tree found in tropical Africa. The gum is harvested commercially from wild trees, predominantly in Sudan, which produces about 70% of the global supply, as well as throughout the Sahel, from Senegal to Somalia. Other countries that produce gum arabic include Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Acacia gum has a long history of natural use in Africa and has been traded internationally for centuries. The first recorded use of gum arabic dates back to 2000 BC, when it was used by ancient Egyptians in foodstuffs, hieroglyphic paints, and mummification ointments. In 1445, Prince Henry the Navigator established a trading post on Arguin Island off the coast of modern-day Mauritania, which acquired acacia gum and slaves for Portugal. By the 18th century, West Africa had become the sole supplier of world acacia gum, and it played an essential role in textile printing in pre-industrial economies in France, Great Britain, and other European countries.
The gum arabic extraction process involves making incisions in the bark of the Acacia senegal tree, allowing the sap to seep out. The sap is then dried and hardened, either through the naturally warm temperatures of the region or through artificial means, in a process called curing. After curing, the gum arabic is sent to Europe for further processing, where it is cleaned, dissolved in water, and dried again to create a powder.
Gum arabic is a complex mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, predominantly polymers of arabinose and galactose. It is soluble in water and has a range of uses across different industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and textiles. In the food industry, it is used as a stabilizer, emulsifier, and thickening agent, while in the beverage industry, it is commonly used in soft drinks. In the art world, gum arabic is used as a binder in watercolour paints, helping to disperse the pigments and create a vibrant, transparent, and glossy finish.
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It is a weak binder, so watercolours rely on absorbent surfaces
Watercolour paint is made of a mixture of pigments, binders such as gum arabic, and humectants such as glycerin. Gum arabic acts as a binder in which the pigments are dispersed to make watercolour paints. However, gum arabic is a weak binder, so watercolour paints rely on absorbent surfaces.
When using gum arabic to make watercolour paint, it is important to mix it with colour paste or grind it with pigment powder until it forms a smooth, lump-free paste. The amount of gum arabic added depends on the size of the painting, the amount of paint used, and the size of the water jar. The paint may then be diluted with water as needed.
The conventional support for watercolour paintings is watercolour paper, which is often made entirely or partially of cotton. This gives the paper the right texture and minimises distortion when wet. Watercolour paper provides the necessary absorbency to stabilise the paint without becoming dull. Other absorbent surfaces that can be used for watercolour include wood, canvas, and stone.
To paint on a non-absorbent surface such as canvas, an absorbent ground can be applied first. This provides the necessary absorbency for watercolour paint. Absorbent ground can be applied at full strength or diluted with water. However, it is important to note that absorbent ground can change the appearance of the watercolour paint, and it may be difficult to lift the paint from highly absorbent surfaces.
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It can be mixed with colour paste or ground with pigment powder
When creating watercolour paint, gum arabic is used as a binder, enveloping the pigment in a binder to create a paint film. The gum arabic is mixed with colour paste or ground pigment powder until it forms a smooth, lump-free paste. This mixture can then be diluted with water as required.
The amount of gum arabic added to the paint mixture will depend on the size of the painting and the amount of paint being used. It is important not to add too much gum arabic, as this can cause the paint to become brittle.
To create vibrant and transparent colours, gum arabic can be added to individual colours during the mixing process or to the water that is used to mix with the paints.
When mixing powder pigments with a resin, it is important to ensure that the powder is dry before mixing it into the resin. This is because excess moisture can prevent the resin from curing properly or cause it to cure too soft. It is also important to note that some powders, especially heavier ones, may not dissolve well and may require a different mixing process.
Powder pigments can also be used in mixed media art and craft projects. These pigments can be blended to create different colours and effects, such as metallic or pearl finishes.
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It increases the gloss and transparency of dried paint
Gum Arabic is a binder used in watercolour paints. It is a substance that is mixed with colour paste or pigment powder to create a smooth, lump-free paste. When used in conjunction with watercolour, Gum Arabic increases the gloss and transparency of dried paint. It also makes the colours seem more vibrant.
Gum Arabic increases the gloss of dried paint by enveloping the pigment in a binder to create a paint film. The addition of Gum Arabic to watercolours also makes the paint spread and flow slower, which creates interesting edges. The substance also affects the fluidity of the paint, making it easier to lift colour from the paper.
The amount of Gum Arabic added to the paint or mixing water depends on the size of the picture, the amount of paint used, and the size of the jar of mixing water. It is important not to use too much Gum Arabic, as it can make the paint brittle and too glossy. Artists should experiment with the amount of Gum Arabic added to their paint to achieve the desired level of gloss and transparency.
Winsor & Newton recommend a solution of 10% Gum Arabic and 90% water to be used with colours as one would use water alone. Artists can also add Gum Arabic directly to individual colours as they are mixing them or to the water they are mixing with their paints.
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Frequently asked questions
Watercolour paints are made with gum arabic and pigment. Gouache, a type of opaque, water-based paint similar to watercolour, can also be made with gum arabic and pigment.
Gum arabic is a binder that holds the pigment together. It also extends the drying time of the paint, makes colours more vibrant and transparent, and increases the gloss of the dried painting.
To make watercolour paint, mix a gum arabic solution with colour paste or grind it with pigment powder until it forms a smooth, lump-free paste. The paint can then be diluted with water as needed.
