FAQ - Watercolour: Product Quality and Ingredients
Q: Do you add a preservative to your watercolours?
A: Yes, as otherwise microbes will eat certain ingredients either causing mould or gas or both, then causing the tubes to inflate with methane and burst.
Q: Do MH Watercolours contain Oxgall?
A: No, the watercolours in the MH line do not contain Oxgall.
Q: Do MH Watercolours contain Gelatin?
A: All of our watercolours are Gelatine free. The only bone-based derivative would be PBk9, which is a bone black in both Ivory Black and Paynes Grey.
Q: What ingredients are used in Michael Harding watercolour paints?
A: Our watercolours are crafted with high-quality natural ingredients including gum Arabic, a traditional binder derived from acacia trees, and a minute amount of honey to enhance flow and rewetting properties. We typically source our gum Arabic from the Sahel region of Africa, where it is a long-standing and sustainable natural product.
Q: How does Michael Harding ensure the quality of their pigments?
A: Through rigorous quality control processes, including the use of a UV-generating light box for accelerated stability testing. Over 40 years of producing oil paints also contributes to the consistent quality of the watercolours.
Q: Are there any fugitive pigments in the Michael Harding range?
A: Yes, the range includes some historically popular but fugitive pigments such as Alizarin Crimson (PR83) and Rose Madder (NR9). These pigments are known to fade over time when exposed to light.
Q: What is the pigment load like?
A: Michael Harding watercolour paints are known for their exceptionally high pigment load, providing intense and vibrant colours even with minimal application.
Q: Are Michael Harding watercolours granulating?
A: Some paints exhibit granulation, which adds texture to the paint when applied. For example, "Titanium Buff" is particularly noted for its granulating properties.