How to Use Winsor & Newton Neutral Tint

Use the beginnner's mixing technique: Mix only small amounts of paint.

Winsor & Newton color 430 Neutral Tint is a gray watercolor paint used for mixing when the desire is to not have the tone disturbed. Other grays used for toning are made of brown, blue or black pigment. These colors will affect the final color when mixing. Neutral tint comes in 5 milliliter, 14 milliliter and half pan tubes. Winsor & Newton Neutral Tint is priced about the same as other colors, though it may be more difficult to find. Dedicated art supply stores will have it.

Things You'll Need

• Well-ventilated area
• Clear workspace
• Clean palette
• 1 or 2 brushes
• Palette knife (wide)
• Rags/paper towel
• Painting or work surface
• 1 tube Winsor & Newton 430 Neutral Tint
• Mixing paint

Instructions

1. 

   A test of a paint color is a "swatch."

   Take a small amount of the tint, about the size of a pea, and test it. This can be done on the palette, the canvas or simply on a paper towel. Note the difference from other paints used.

2. Take the color to be tinted and place a pea-sized amount near the edge of the palette with your preferred mixing tool. Mix in a little Neutral Tint. If you are unsure of the amount to use, instead of wasting paint, try using some white to start. Note that not all white paint is created equal. Mixing should be done with small flicks of the wrist.

3. 

   A Master makes a masterpiece; a novice makes a mess.

   Mix in a little more tint until the desired color is reached. Notice that the saturation does not change, only the brightness.

4. Make sure you have made enough paint to cover the desired area. Paint your heart out.

Tips & Warnings

• Be comfortable. Painting should be relaxing.

• Remember there are no mistakes that can't be painted over.

• Good lighting can be the difference between a good painting and a bad one.

• Some people have reactions to the pigments. Make sure that your studio or work area has good ventilation.

• This paint contains copper phthalocyanine, carbon black and quinacidone. These mineral pigments are toxic and should not be eaten. In rare cases, some people may have mild allergic reactions from skin contact.

References

• Winsor & Newton: Colour Chart---Neutral Tint

Resources

• Art Instruction Blog: Color Mixing Tutorials & Resources For Oil Paints