This week I received my first paints from Greenleaf & Blueberry, an amazing duo that handcrafts their own line of watercolors right here in Colorado. This is only my second brand of paints I’ve purchased (my first being a set from Sennelier) and playing around with my three new paints from G&B showed me how diverse in character each paint truly is. They have “personalities” that I don’t really have the language for yet, but I can see the differences as I work with them.
To try to get to know my new paints (Mayan Red, Azurite, and Mayan Blue #2), and I did a variety of experiments:
Above are all three colors on hot press paper showing the effects of a wash, blooming, and salt techniques.
I noticed immediately that salt doesn’t interact with these G&B paints the same way it does with my other brand. The salt just bleaches the precise spot that it lands on and the effect doesn’t spread out to create the same marbling effect I was used to.
Here’s the same experiment but done on a very textured paper (this level of texture is too much for my taste).
Unlike my Sennelier paints, the G&B ones are far more texturally “gritty,” often leaving a grainy pigment behind as they dry. I actually LOVE this look. I’m sure that with more practice I could get a more diverse range of effects as well. Either way, I’m so happy to have some paints with grit in my arsenal.
The Azurite is my absolute favorite, and it creates a texture that reminds me of the ocean’s surface, all foam and flux. The Mayan Blue is the most smooth of the paints, and looks almost wet to me even when dry (I could see using this to create some beautiful skies). Mayan Red also has a beautiful earthy grit to it when dried. 
I went and bought a tin of Altoids to use as a holding case for my magnetized paints. G&B actually sells traveling paint sets in these Altoid tins, so kudos to them for the clever idea.
Competition is stiff to get your hands on G&B paints, and they sell out almost immediately after updating their shop. Signing up for their newsletter let’s you know when the next paint shop update will be coming out, but even then you need to be ready, card in hand. But trust me, it’s so worth the wait and I’m already itching to get my hands on some more colors. Truly, these paints are made with love, the highest quality pigments, and a unique handmade style. I’m a fan for life!
Full Disclosure: I’m not receiving anything from G&B for writing this post. This is genuine love, people!
Compulsive Creation 