All about BLOCKX Watercolour Paint

Blockx watercolour paint is made in Belgium with a tradition of craftsmanship and carefully selected raw materials that have been passed down through generations. The colours are known for their pure pigments, high lightfastness and the classic manufacturing process where each pan is built up in several stages. In this article we take a closer look at what makes these colours so special: the pigments and their properties, the traditional manufacturing process and the different colours and sets available in the range.

Pure pigments, intense colours

What truly sets BLOCKX watercolour paint apart is the pigments. Pure, finely ground pigments are blended with high quality gum arabic and a small amount of honey. This classic combination gives the paint a creamy feel and makes it easy to activate with water.

The pigments are also highly lightfast, meaning the colours resist fading when exposed to light. They rank above level 7 on the so called Blue Wool scale (where 8 is the highest possible value), a measurement often used to evaluate how well a pigment retains its colour over time. For artists this means that the colours in a painting can maintain their intensity and brilliance for many years to come.

The traditional three stage casting process

Behind every watercolour pan lies a long established, artisanal production method. Instead of filling the pan in a single step, the paint is poured in three stages, with drying time between each layer. Pigment and binder, a mixture of gum arabic and honey, are built up layer by layer until the pan is filled. This time consuming process produces well filled, stable pans with a high pigment content and paint that activates easily with water, qualities that characterise extra fine watercolour.

The method offers several clear advantages:

Richer pigments and deeper colour

Working in layers allows each casting to reach optimal density without the paint cracking or shrinking as it dries. The result is a pan densely packed with pigment, even in structure and rich in colour.

Stronger and more stable structure

A single large casting risks shrinking, cracking or detaching from the edges of the pan during drying. When the paint is instead built up in several stages, the colour block becomes more compact, stable and better anchored in the pan.

Quick and smooth activation

The successive layers allow the paint to dissolve smoothly on the surface when the brush touches the pan. This allows the colour to activate quickly with water while the pan itself lasts longer.

Lasts for many years

The gradual drying reduces tension in the paint and prevents air bubbles or cavities from forming. The result is a watercolour that retains its properties for a long time.

Optimal lightfastness

The Blue Wool scale is a colour scale used to assess the lightfastness of a pigment, meaning how well the colour resists fading when exposed to light. The scale consists of eight blue reference samples, where each step represents a higher level of light resistance.

When a colour is tested it is exposed to light at the same time as the reference scale. Afterwards the degree of fading is compared with the blue reference samples. In this way it is possible to determine the level of lightfastness of the pigment.

Blockx watercolour paint ranks above level 7 on the Blue Wool scale (where 8 is the highest possible value), meaning very high lightfastness and colours that maintain their intensity for a long time.

The palette that is also a jewel

Bijou, meaning jewel in French, is the name of the luxurious watercolour box in the Blockx range. The lid is shaped with faceted surfaces that resemble cut gemstones. The glossy surfaces catch the light from different angles and give the box an elegant shimmer that truly attracts attention in the studio. The case is made of solid metal that feels just as exclusive as it looks. A palette that is both practical to work with and beautiful enough to keep on display. In other words, a perfect gift idea for the watercolourist you want to spoil a little extra.

If you prefer a more understated design, there is also a classic metal case available in the range. It contains the same colours, but in a simpler design.

Ready to choose your colours?

Blockx watercolour paint is available both as single colours and ready made sets, in tubes or half pans, so you can build your own palette or start straight away with a carefully selected range.

In the Blockx watercolour range at Pen Store you will find:

• Single tube 5 ml (72 colours)
• Single half pan (72 colours)
• "Bijou" luxury metal box with half pans (sets of 8, 12 and 16)
• Metal case with half pans (sets of 12 and 24)
• "Bijou" luxury metal box with tubes 5 ml (set of 15)