Comparing Four Blue Watercolors: Real Blue, Sky Blue, Capri Blue and Turquoise
Victoria HilbrechtIn the structure of a watercolor system, the blue color group serves to represent spatial depth, atmospheric perspective, and body of water. The four handmade watercolor paints by VHaquarell (numbers VH4001 to VH4004) form a continuous range on paper from a neutral cool blue to a blue-green tone. When examining the solid half pans and the color swatches, distinct differences appear in color hue, light transmission (transparency), opacity, color depth, and surface texture after drying, even with identical color intensity and even water distribution.
VH4001 Real Blue
This shade sits on the far left and forms the neutral reference point of the group. Both the dry pan and the dense color application display a clear cool blue with no shift toward violet or green. The material properties are characterized by high light transmission and a very fine pigment distribution. No coarse pigment settling (granulation) is visible. When heavily diluted with water, the paint washes evenly and lets the underlying watercolor paper shine through.
Typical Applications for VH4001:
- Large sky and water areas
- Neutral shadow zones
- Classic, understated base blue
VH4002 Sky Blue
Positioned second from the left, VH4002 stands in direct comparison to VH4001 regarding brightness and coverage. The base tone is a bright sky blue. Unlike the other three semi-transparent colors, VH4002 has the highest opacity of this group. The surface dries evenly and fully covered, without noticeable graininess. Even with higher water ratio, the color remains stable and clearly visible on paper. This property supports uniform background areas and opaque color zones.
VH4003 Capri Blue
VH4003 sits in the third position and marks the shift in color hue. In the pan and in thick application, this shade shows the darkest color value of the group (a very deep dark blue). As it washes out with water, a subtle green undertone gradually emerges, developing into a clear blue-green. The color wash shows a smooth pigment distribution with a very fine structure.
Particularly Suitable for:
- Depicting deep water and sea floors
- Light refraction beneath the water surface
- Summer coastal scenes and depth effects
VH4004 Turquoise
On the far right is the shade with the strongest green component of the group. The color falls into the cool blue-green category. The dry pan appears dark blue-greenish, while the wet paint application shows a bright green-blue. The paint remains semi-transparent and forms clean edges without visible particles. In color mixing, VH4004 connects directly with yellow tones and extends the spectrum toward plant greens and sea greens.
Typical Applications:
- Shallow water and lagoons
- Underwater scenes
- Reflections on glass and shiny surfaces
Systemic Connection of the Four Colors
The four VHaquarell half pans form a continuous progression within the blue spectrum:
- VH4001: Provides the neutral cool blue foundation.
- VH4002: Increases brightness and opacity for clear background areas.
- VH4003: Expands the range with dark values and a subtle green undertone.
- VH4004: Continues the series into the greenish spectrum (turquoise).
The individual half pan format allows for a direct comparison of light transmission, surface texture, and color temperature on paper.
Documentation Note: Video and image records covering parts of the artisan manufacturing process and specific pigment behavior are kept within VHacademy—an independent project researching material behavior, accessible via paid access.
Color Range and Nuances: An overview of all handmade watercolor paints as well as close-up images of individual color shades can be viewed and compared on the website.
