Internal Structures and Air Bubbles in Handmade Watercolors

Internal Structures Form During Making and Drying Processes

During the long-term production of handmade watercolors, small air bubbles, fine hollow spaces, or visible structure marks can be observed forming inside individual paints.

These features develop during step-by-step filling, natural drying, and the following hardening of the paint material.

No Clear Influence Observed on Normal Use

Long-term material observations show the following results during practical use:

• Unchanged dissolving of the paint material upon contact with water
• Consistent paint pickup with the brush during painting
• No visible changes in painting behavior caused by internal hollow spaces

Internal Structure Features Do Not Mean Material Separation

Visible marks inside describe the physical structure formed after drying:

• Air bubbles do not indicate a separation of pigments and binders
• Structure marks form as a natural part of material hardening
• Painting properties remain independent of these internal features

Different Colors Develop Different Internal Structures

Every pigment shows its own hardening behavior during production:

• Some paint cakes show a very smooth interior after drying
• Other paint lines retain small air bubbles or visible hollow spaces
• These variations belong to long-term documented material properties

Internal Structure Does Not Directly Indicate Painting Quality

Long-term records show no direct connection between internal structure and function:

• A smooth inner structure does not guarantee higher paint output
• Visible hollow spaces do not indicate lower material function
• Internal features and practical use share no fixed relationship

Long-Term Material Documentation Continues

Current records are based on ongoing production and use observations of handmade watercolors. As more pigments are documented, the material archive expands continuously.

Complementary observations on this material behavior are documented in the Pigment Behavior Archive.