Schmincke Super Granulating Single Pigment Watercolors

Recreating Paul Cezanne Still Life with Milk Jug and Fruit using mainly single pigment supergranulation watercolors: Schmincke Volcano Yellow (PY159) & Schmincke Volcano Red (PR108).

When Schmincke launched their supergranulation watercolor line I was simultaneously intrigued and hesitant. After watching a couple of review videos, it seemed like all these paints were made mixing 2 or more granulating pigments.

Do not take me wrong: if I could, I would own every watercolor paint under the sun. But to keep my collection contained, I try to stick to single pigment paints, following Bruce MacEvoy’s wisdom (see his wonderful page: handprint).

When I finally got my hands on the brochure and the dot chart I learnt that there were two single pigment paints in the supergranulation line: Volcano Yellow (PY159) and Volcano Red (PR108).

I carefully checked my collection and other sources for granulating bright yellows and reds, and realized that they are actually a rare occurrence; differently from granulating blues, purples and greens.

And this is how a half pan of Volcano Red and a 5 mL tube of Volcano Yellow made it to my collection. I was very excited to try them, and decided to do a recreation of Paul Cezanne’s Still Life with Milk Jug and Fruit (see National Gallery of Art).

The paints were a joy to work with, producing bright vivid colors when used wet-on-wet and letting them mix in the paper (see the fruits detail), whereas when mixed in the palette and applied in juicy brushstrokes they created earthy mixes effortlessly with expressive granulation (see the burnt sienna tones in the wall and table). They were easy to lift and tricky to layer. I am glad I got the 5mL tube of Volcano Yellow, as opposed to a pan, because a generous amount was needed when mixing.

I also used other paints when recreating Cezanne’s still life, predominantly Winsor and Newton’s Deep Cobalt Blue (PB74), which matches the level of granulation of the volcano paints.

Overall this was a fun experience, the finished painting is mesmerizing, makes me happy and I can’t stop staring at it! I thoroughly recommend Volcano Yellow (PY159) (tube) and Volcano Red (PR108) as an addition to your collection, if you are interested in a granulating bright yellow and red.

The main 3 watercolors used in this painting: Schmincke Volcano Yellow (PY159), Schmincke Volcano Red (PR108), Winsor and Newton Deep Cobalt Blue (PB74).