November 3, 2009

Cobalt Violet mystery

This hasn't happened to any of my paints other than this one, I've had it for half and a year now, haven't used it because I still have a tiny bit of W&N Cobalt Violet but each time I pull this American Journey one out of my tubes' box it looks like this, like resin dripping off a tree, I clean it and the next time it's just the same, this can't be good LOL, maybe when I finally use it there will be only pure pigment in that tube?!?!? Hmmmmm....

2 comments:

Sandy Maudlin said...

Several colors will separate out like the Cobalt Violet does, and it's "normal" for it to happen. The resin stuff you see is the binder of watercolor - gum arabic, and it's pulled away from the pigment. Before you open the tube next time, gently squeeze the tube several times to help knead the gum arabic back into the pigment. I usually squeeze the whole tube out into the well of the palette and keep it moist. Happy painting.

Teresa Palomar Lois said...

Good to know that it's ok Sandy, 'cos I've seen the binding separating sometimes but never ever dripping out of a closed tube like this! I'll try the squeezing trick, thanks for the pointer! ^^