Cyanine Blue watercolor is similar to phthalo blue in hue and tonal value, but it is less transparent and not a staining color.
It is one of the three “blues” in the semi-transparent non-staining watercolor palette used for the glazing technique and mixing with other colors.
Measured against a gray scale value finder, semi-transparent non-staining watercolors are generally mid-light in value ranging from 20% to a maximum of 80% value.
So, the colors in the semi-transparent non-staining category are adequate for a mid-tone palette, except for where darker passages require colors with values higher on the gray scale.
PAINT CHARACTERISTICS
Cyanine Blue is slightly more opaque than transparent non-staining watercolors and requires more restraint to remain luminous when mixing with other colors.
Semi-transparent non-staining watercolors have similar characteristics to transparent non-staining watercolors, but with a wider range of colors to add to a palette.
Cyanine Blue can be layered in several glazes using other semi-transparent non-staining watercolors if each layer is allowed to dry thoroughly before applying the next layer.
COLOR MIXING WITH CYANINE BLUE WATERCOLOR
Add yellows such as Aureolin or New Gamboge and reds such as Permanent Rose or Vermilion to Cyanine Blue to mix a variety of green and purple colors.
Mix Cyanine Blue with an orange mixture of New Gamboge plus Vermilion to create interesting mid-value semi-transparent gray colors. For a darker gray, mix it with Quinacridone Burnt Orange.
Cyanine Blue can also be successfully mixed with watercolors in both the transparent and semi-transparent non-staining categories.
It also makes beautiful, luminous washes when glazed with the other watercolors in the transparent non-staining category.
Mixed with semi-opaque or opaque colors, it will create a combination that is cleaner and more transparent than using only opaque colors.
Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:
… and the recommended semi-transparent non-staining watercolor for mixing grays with Cyanine Blue
… also the transparent non-staining category of watercolors for glazing or color mixing with Cyanine Blue
To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which watercolor paints are transparent.”
See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Paint Characteristics & Color Mixing” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Support me on BuyMeACoffee. Thanks!