Watercolour is a medium that utilizes water as its base and is typically applied with a brush to white paper. Renowned for the brilliance of its transparent hues, watercolor is a water-based medium that is applied by brush, usually to white paper. It is available in color cakes known as "pans" or in tubes containing thickened paint, consisting of finely-ground pigment mixed with water and gum arabic, which acts as a binder to disperse the pigment particles, creating a consistent solution that adheres to the surface. Contemporary watercolors can create washes with minimal water, enhancing their usability.
The watercolor palette features an extensive array of pigments. These pigments include those derived from natural minerals, resins, or plant sources; for instance, the "earths" (such as ocher and burnt umber), azurite, terre verte, madder root, and gamboge. Synthetic colors derived from minerals encompass Prussian blue, vermilion, lead white, and cadmium yellow. Beginning in the late nineteenth century, synthetic organic colors were developed in laboratories, resulting in vibrant shades that span from oranges to violets and mauves.