A J Ludlow Gum Arabic Solution

Gum Arabic Solution is just one of the Watercolour Mediums that complement the A J Ludlow Professional Watercolour range. Made in the UK using the same fine quality materials we use to make our watercolours; this medium has been created to give an additional dimension and creativity to the artist and is supplied at a high concentration and so can be used neat or diluted with water.

Addition of Gum Arabic solution will increase the transparency and brilliance of watercolours and when this is advantageous, can then be used to slow the evaporation of water, giving the watercolour slightly longer working times as well as allowing more precise control over washes because it prevents them from flowing or bleeding beyond the brush stroke (an example of this is shown in the painting below, where gum has been added to the watercolour in the right-hand bottom corner).

When painted over completely dried colour, it can be used as a gloss medium for all gouache and watercolour. However, it does impart a degree of brittleness in the dried film, which has led to fine cracks in the example given below.

Another use of Gum Arabic solution is as a binding and so will prevent the pigment becoming under bound when the colour is applied as a very thin transparent wash. However, as mentioned above, it does impart a degree of brittleness in the dried film, which needs to be considered in the finished work.

An example of using the A J Ludlow Gum Arabic solution for “stopping out”: Un-diluted gum Arabic solution (approximately 35% to 45% gum solids) is a traditional material for preserving the paper’s whiteness (“stopping out”). It can be used as a mask either by painting on to the paper using a brush, or drawn out using a dip pen. Once completely dry, the area can be over painted, in this case using a series of washes (as shown in the photograph below).

Gum Arabic can be removed by dissolving from the paper and so care is required not to disturb the surrounding painted area as the gum is washed away.

These notes are meant for guidance only and by no means, should have a limiting effect on the user’s inspiration or creativity. So how will you use this watercolour medium?