Transparent pigments include:
Definition: Transparent pigments, like a
transparent sheet of glass, allow
light and the underlying layers of a painting to be seen. However, layers of transparent
paint or transparent paint applied to an opaque layer of paint will appear more
opaque.
Related Terms
• opacity
• opaque
• translucent
| Phthalo Blue | Phthalo Green |
| Hansa Yellow | Alizarin Crimson |
| Burnt Sienna | Prussian Blue |
| Davy's Gray | Watercolors |
When a transparent color, such as alizarin crimson, is used to tint white paint, each particle of white is surrounded by the transparent red -- light will pass through the transparent red and reflection will mostly come from the opaque white. The transparent pigment, when mixed with white, does not convey its color effect of its surface color to the mixture but its transparency has much to do with the clarity of tone produced by the mixture.
Related Resources:
Paint Properties: Opaque & Transparent Pigments
A guide to paint properties and grouping of opaque and transparent pigments in a basic painting palette.Color Wheel Basics
Learn to mix pigments by creating your own color wheel with primary, secondary and intermediate colors.Basic Shades and Highlights
A guide to basic shades and highlights for painters.
