Ox gall is used in watercolor painting as a dispersant to enhance the flow and spread of the paint. It breaks the surface tension of the water, allowing the pigment to spread more easily across the paper rather than pooling in one spot. This creates a smoother wash or a more fluid effect in wet-on-wet techniques.
Ox gall can be added to the painting water or mixed directly with the paints. It's especially useful in detailed and large-scale watercolor paintings where control over the paint flow is crucial.
Smell: a light meaty smell Color: Leavy green Lifespan: 3 years
How to use ox gall with watercolor: 1. Add a few drops of ox gall to the water used for painting. This can be done by first dipping a wet brush into the ox gall, and then using the same brush to pick up the color from the watercolor pans. This allows the ox gall and water to mix with the paint and create a smoother application.
2. Mix ox gall directly with the water and watercolor paints.
Regardless of the method you choose, it's recommended to try out the effects of ox gall on a piece of scratch paper first. This will give you a better understanding of how it works with your particular paints and painting style, as the effects can vary depending on various factors.
