Transparent blue watercolor paints are either staining or non-staining. In addition, there are semi-transparent blue watercolors.
Transparent Non-Staining Blue Watercolor Paints
COBALT BLUE
Cobalt Blue contains PB28-Cobalt Blue pigment. Jim Kosvanec Transparent Color Wheel lists Cobalt Blue as transparent non-staining. But, paint manufacturers label it as semi-transparent. It is commonly used as a pure color for glazing and for painting sky in landscapes. The pigment particles are large and grainy so it leaves a granulated effect on watercolor paper.
Transparent Staining Blue Watercolor Paints
WINSOR BLUE
Winsor Blue comes in two shades: Red Shade and Green Shade. Both paints contain PB15-Phthalo Blue pigments and are very strong staining transparent colors.
INDANTHRENE BLUE
Indanthrene Blue contains PB60-Indanthrene Blue pigment. It is a deep transparent blue with a tinting strength that is less overpowering than Winsor Blue. Its best mixing complements are Hansa Yellow Deep and Raw Umber.
In addition to transparent non-staining blue, there are semi-transparent blue watercolors.
Semi-Transparent Non-Staining Blue Watercolor Paints
ANTWERP BLUE
Antwerp Blue contains PB27-Antwerp Blue pigment. It is a slightly warm blue that is lighter than Prussian Blue. Lightfastness and permanence are good, but it has a tendency to fade when exposed to light. So, it is not considered ideal for permanent painting.
PRUSSIAN BLUE
Prussian Blue contains PB27-Prussian Blue pigment. It is a semi-transparent watercolor with a deep cyan-blue hue and greenish undertone. It is similar to Phthalo Blue.
CYANINE BLUE
Cyanine Blue contains two pigments: PB15:1-Phthalo Blue & PB28-Cobalt Blue. The PB15:1 pigment produces more reddish tones making Cyanine Blue a warmer blue color.
Purchase watercolor paints using my affiliate links below:
- Cobalt Blue
- Winsor Blue (Red Shade)
- Winsor Blue (Green Shade)
- Indanthrene Blue
- Antwerp Blue
- Prussian Blue
- Cyanine Blue
Blue Color Scheme
Want to know what colors work well with blue? See my Winsor Blue blog post.
To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which watercolor paints are transparent.”
See my YouTube playlist “Transparent Watercolor Paints List” for more videos about transparent colors. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.