What is granulation?
Granulation is the texture that appears when a pigment’s particles settle unevenly into the tooth of watercolour paper as the wash dries, producing soft, mottled variation rather than a flat, even film. It is a property of the pigment and the paper, not the brand - a fine synthetic pigment will lay down smooth on any paper, while a coarse, heavy pigment will granulate on a textured sheet. No formulation can add granulation to a pigment that lacks it.
Which pigments granulate
Granulation tracks particle size and weight. The strongly granulating families are:
- Ultramarine (PB29) - the classic granulating blue, prized for skies and shadows.
- Cerulean and cobalt (PB35, PB28) - granulating, semi-opaque blues that soften and lift for cloud work.
- The iron oxides (PBr7, PR101, PY42) - Burnt and Raw Sienna, the Umbers and the synthetic iron oxides, which sediment warmly for rock, earth and flesh.
- Manganese Blue and some cobalt greens - less common, but strongly granulating where available.
The fine synthetics - the phthalocyanines (PB15, PG7, PG36), the quinacridones (PV19, PR122) and the dioxazines (PV23) - lay down smooth and even. They are valued for staining intensity and clean glazing, not for texture.
The best granulating watercolours, named
These are the granulating colours in the Michael Harding watercolour range, drawn live from the published technical data. Each links to its full pigment page with lightfastness, transparency and granulation ratings.
| Colour | Pigment | Granulation | Transparency | Lightfastness | Why it’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadmium Yellow Lemon | PY35 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating yellows and oranges with strong sediment texture. pigment PY35, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cadmium Orange | PO20 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating yellows and oranges with strong sediment texture. pigment PO20, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Permanent Orange | PO73 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating yellows and oranges with strong sediment texture. pigment PO73, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Orange Sunset | PO34 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating yellows and oranges with strong sediment texture. pigment PO34, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cadmium Red Light | PR108 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR108, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Scarlet Lake | PR170 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR170, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cadmium Red | PR108 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR108, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Pyrrole Red | PR254 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR254, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cadmium Red Deep | PR108 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR108, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Perrindo Maroon | PR179 | Granulating | Transparent | Very Good | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR179, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Rose Madder | NR9 | Granulating | Transparent | Low | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment NR9, low lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Alizarin Claret | PR177 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR177, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Quinacridone Rose | PV19 | Granulating | Transparent | Very Good | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PV19, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Opera Rose | PR122 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Good | Semi-transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR122, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Amethyst | PR122, PB29 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR122, PB29, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cobalt Violet Light | PV14 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Very Good | Semi-opaque granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PV14, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cobalt Violet Dark | PV14 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PV14, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Manganese Violet | PV16 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Very Good | Semi-opaque granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PV16, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Potters Pink | PR233 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PR233, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Belladonna | PV23, PR112, PB29 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Very Good | Semi-transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PV23, PR112, PB29, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Ultramarine Violet | PV15 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PV15, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Imperial Purple | PB29, PV19 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PB29, PV19, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Deep Purple (Dioxazine) | PV23 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating reds and violets with strong sediment texture. pigment PV23, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Phthalocyanine Blue Lake | PB15.3 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB15.3, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Phthalo Blue Red Shade | PB15.1 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB15.1, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Prussian Blue | PB27 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB27, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cobalt Blue Deep | PB74 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB74, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Ultramarine Blue | PB29 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB29, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Blue Verditer | PB28, PW4, PB36 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB28, PW4, PB36, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Lapis Lazuli (Afghan) | PB29 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Very Good | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB29, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cerulean Blue | PB36 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB36, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Pale Violet | PW6, PW4, PB29, PV23 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PW6, PW4, PB29, PV23, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Lavender | PW6, PV15, PB29 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PW6, PV15, PB29, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Kings Blue Deep | PW6, PW4, PB29 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PW6, PW4, PB29, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Kings Blue Light | PW6, PW4, PB29 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PW6, PW4, PB29, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cobalt Teal Blue Shade | PB50 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB50, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cobalt Teal | PG50 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG50, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Caribbean Turquoise | PB15.3, PG7 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB15.3, PG7, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cobalt Turquoise Deep | PB36 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PB36, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Phthalocyanine Green Lake | PG7 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG7, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Phthalo Green Yellow Shade | PG36 | Granulating | Transparent | Very Good | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG36, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Italian Green Umber | PBr7, PG23 | Granulating | Transparent | Very Good | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, PG23, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Terre Verte | PG23 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG23, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Terre Verte Blue Shade | PG23 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG23, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cobalt Green Deep | PG19 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Very Good | Semi-opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG19, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Viridian | PG18 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG18, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Emerald Green | PW6, PW4, PG7, PY3 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PW6, PW4, PG7, PY3, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Oxide of Chromium | PG17 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG17, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Hookers Green | PG36, PR101, PY180 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG36, PR101, PY180, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Sap Green | PG7, PBr6 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PG7, PBr6, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Forest Green | PBr7, PB15.1 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, PB15.1, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Perylene Green | PBk31 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Very Good | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk31, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Olive Green | PR101, PY180, PB15.3 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PR101, PY180, PB15.3, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Moss Green | PY150, PB29, PR209 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PY150, PB29, PR209, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Green Gold | PY129 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating blues and greens with strong sediment texture. pigment PY129, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Turners Yellow | PY216 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PY216, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| French Yellow Ochre | PY43 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PY43, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Raw Sienna Light | PBr7 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Raw Sienna Dark | PBr7 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Transparent Oxide Yellow | PY42 | Granulating | Transparent | Good | Transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PY42, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Yellow Ochre | PY42 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PY42, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Naples Yellow | PBr24 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr24, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Quinacridone Gold | PY150, PR209 | Granulating | Transparent | Very Good | Transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PY150, PR209, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Yellow Ochre Deep | PY43 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PY43, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Ochre Havana of France | PY42, PR102 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PY42, PR102, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Italian Brown Ochre | PBr7 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Very Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Italian Burnt Ochre | PBr7 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Burnt Sienna | PR101 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PR101, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Pozzuoli Red | PR101 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Very Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PR101, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Herculane Red | PR101 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PR101, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Red Ochre of France | PR102 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PR102, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Puisaye Hematite | PR102 | Granulating | Opaque | Very Good | Opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PR102, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Earth of Cyprus | PBr7 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Transparent Oxide Brown | PBr7 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr7, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Permanent Brown | PBr25 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr25, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Red Umber | PBr6 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Very Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr6, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Burnt Umber | PBr6 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr6, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Indian Red | PR101 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PR101, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Dark Morellone Earth | PR101 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PR101, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Raw Umber | PBr6 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Very Good | Semi-transparent granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr6, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Sepia | PBr6, PBk6 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Very Good | Semi-opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr6, PBk6, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Van Dyke Brown | PBr8 | Granulating | Opaque | Very Good | Opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PBr8, very good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Titanium Buff | PW6.1 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating browns with strong sediment texture. pigment PW6.1, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Neutral Grey (N5) | PW4, PW6, PBk6, PBr6 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PW4, PW6, PBk6, PBr6, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Moonlight | PG18, PB29, PR177 | Granulating | Transparent | Good | Transparent granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PG18, PB29, PR177, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Purple Haze | PG18, PB29, PO73 | Granulating | Transparent | Excellent | Transparent granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PG18, PB29, PO73, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Cosmic Blue | PBk11, PB15.1 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk11, PB15.1, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Indigo | PBk6, PB15.3, PV19 | Granulating | Transparent | Good | Transparent granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk6, PB15.3, PV19, good lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Paynes Grey | PBk9, PB29, PY42 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk9, PB29, PY42, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Neutral Tint | PBk6, PV19, PB15.3 | Granulating | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | Semi-opaque granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk6, PV19, PB15.3, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Vine Black | PBk11 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk11, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Lamp Black | PBk6 | Granulating | Opaque | Excellent | Opaque granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk6, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
| Ivory Black | PBk9 | Granulating | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | Semi-transparent granulating greys and blacks with strong sediment texture. pigment PBk9, excellent lightfastness. A signature choice for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces. |
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How to maximise granulation
Granulation is a partnership between pigment and paper. To bring out the strongest texture: use a rough or cold-pressed paper with generous tooth; use plenty of water so the particles can move and settle; tilt the paper to let the pigment pool into the low points of the sheet; and - above all - resist overworking the wash. Granulation appears as the paint dries and settles, so touching the surface disrupts the very effect you are waiting for. Let it dry undisturbed.
Granulation vs staining
Granulating and staining are opposite behaviours. Granulating pigments sit on the surface and lift readily - you can blot, rewet and recover highlights. Staining pigments penetrate the fibres and resist lifting, giving permanent, vivid underpainting that will not move under later glazes. A professional palette often holds both: granulation for texture and atmosphere, staining for permanence and intensity.
Frequently asked questions
Which watercolours have the best granulation?
The most strongly granulating watercolours are the coarse, heavy pigments: Ultramarine Blue (PB29), Cerulean Blue (PB35), Cobalt Blue (PB28), and the iron-oxide earths - Burnt Sienna (PBr7), Raw Sienna, Raw Umber and Burnt Umber. These pigments settle unevenly into the paper tooth as the wash dries, producing the soft, mottled texture painters prize for skies, rock, water and natural surfaces.
What is granulation in watercolour?
Granulation is the textured, mottled effect produced when a pigment's particles settle unevenly into the tooth of watercolour paper as the wash dries. Coarse, heavy pigments granulate strongly; fine synthetic pigments lay down smooth and even. Granulation is a property of the pigment and the paper, not the brand - it cannot be added by formulation.
Does Michael Harding make granulating watercolours?
Yes. Michael Harding publishes a granulation rating for every watercolour, and the range includes the classic granulating pigments - Ultramarine Blue (PB29), Cerulean Blue (PB35), Cobalt Blue (PB28), and the earth colours (PBr7). Each colour's product page lists its granulation so painters can choose texture with certainty.
How do I get the strongest granulation effect?
Use a rough or cold-pressed paper with generous tooth, plenty of water, and resist the urge to overwork the wash - granulation appears as the paint dries and settles, so touching the surface disrupts it. Tilt the paper to let the pigment pool, and let the wash dry undisturbed. Fine synthetic pigments (phthalocyanines, quinacridones) will not granulate no matter the technique.
What is the difference between granulating and staining watercolours?
Granulating pigments (ultramarine, cerulean, earths) settle into the paper and lift readily - you can blot and rewet to soften or recover. Staining pigments (phthalocyanines, quinacridones, dioxazines) penetrate the fibres and resist lifting. They are opposite behaviours: granulation gives texture and editability; staining gives permanence and vivid underpainting that will not move under later glazes.