Tips for Using Gum Arabic in Watercolors

Gum arabic is a binder, meaning it binds watercolor pigments to the watercolor paper. Watercolor painters use it because it adds gloss and vibrant colors to paintings. Self-mixing gum arabic in paints is tricky because the ratio depends on the result the painter is looking for. Beginning watercolor painters should use manufactured paints with gum arabic already in them.

No absolute rule explains exactly how much gum arabic to add to watercolor paints. Generally, test different levels of the paint mixture on watercolor paper. Wait for the paint to dry. If the dry paint is brittle, then use less gum arabic. The layers of paints with extra gum arabic should be as thin and transparent as normal watercolor paints.

Over-binding is a technique where you add more gum arabic to the paint mixture. Adding more gum arabic increases the difficulty of working with the paint layers because the paint will be stickier; however, it will also be more flexible. More gum arabic gives the paint more body and therefore more range to manipulate it. However, this means that you will have to pay more attention to your painting because the paint is harder to remove, making it harder to cover mistakes.

To renew a tube of watercolor paints that has hardened, add a few drops of gum arabic along with several drops of distilled water. The ratio is not an exact formula, but a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio -- that is, three or four drops of distilled water to one drop of gum arabic -- should work well.

Adding a few drops of clove oil when preparing gum arabic will help extend the shelf life of your mixture. Try using three drops per liter of water used. Also, store mixed gum arabic in a refrigerator to prevent mold growth. Making small batches of gum arabic as opposed to large batches that you will reopen multiple times is preferable.