Some useful resources that other wonderful #pigmentnerds have created for all of us to use.
Databases
Art Is Creation (Color of Art) Database
This is the most comprehensive pigment database I know. If you want to know the Color Index or Historical name of each pigment code, or the chemical compositions of them, this is your site. It also covers pigments not used in watercolors, it’s very thorough!
Hand Print Database
This classic watercolor database is for you if you want to get technical in numbers about the paint. Bruce has tested hundreds of watercolor paints in technical terms. It is also packed with the extensive knowledge he has about watercolor pigments. However it was last updated in 2015 so a lot of new brands and new colors are not listed.
Sun & Colors Database
This database run by my friend Lana is an amazing resource if lightfastness is important to your art practice. She has tested so many paints and also has a beautiful searchable website.
Jane Brundell
Jane is the queen of swatches and her website is full of swatches from many brands. It is a little hard to navigate through as it’s done in the style of blog posts so the link I’ve given above will take you to the index page of where to find each brand.
Kim Crick’s Database
Kim’s database encompasses swatches for watercolor, paint, ink and gouache. It’s great that she has worked in other mediums, as it’s very interesting to see how the same pigment looks and paints in different medium. I also love her honest reviews on her product reviews section.
Lee Angold Spreadsheet
Lee is a talented botanical painter and a #pigmentnerd. She has a spreadsheet that lists pigment codes along with what brand has a paint in that pigment (including the paint name). The spreadsheet is restricted to single pigments.
YouTube Channels
My YouTube channel 😅
Sorry for the self promotion but if I didn’t believe my videos contained the most detailed look at watercolor paints, I wouldn’t be making them. So if you are after seeing thorough tests of watercolors, comparisons of colors of the same name, and easy way to learn color theory, please do check out my channel.
Eve Bolt
She’s my bestie, but also she is someone I respect a lot because she’s been reviewing watercolors for way longer than me. The way she knows so much about pigments and also can tell what paint is what color just by looking at it is amazing. Her Saturday livestream is also a fun place to hang out.
In Liquid Color
Denise is both a talented animal watercolorist and a #pigmentnerd. Her videos are beautifully put together. In particular, I like her Color Spotlight series – comparing colors of the same pigment code and Brand by Brand series where she selects a palette from one specific brand.