Improve Your Watercolor Paintings by Creating a Glazing Chart

Today, I am creating a glazing chart of some of my watercolors. I decided to create a large glazing chart for this, but you can actually create many smaller glazing charts to experiment with your own paints. Glazing Charts are a tool that you can use to dramatically improve your paintings. Some of the benefits include the following: 1. You learn how transparent each color really is. Some watercolor paints glow beautifully in glazes, while others become chalky or muddy. A glazing chart shows which pigments stay luminous when layered. 2. You predict color mixtures before painting. Instead of guessing how two layers will interact, you already know the result from your chart. This reduces surprises and wasted paintings. 3. You avoid muddy color combinations. Certain pigments neutralize each other quickly. A glazing chart reveals which pairings lose vibrancy so you can steer around them intentionally. 4. You gain cleaner, more controlled color harmony. By understanding layered interactions, you can build subtle, unified palettes rather than relying solely on direct mixing. 5. You improve depth and luminosity. Watercolor glazing is one of the best ways to create glowing shadows, atmospheric distance, and rich, transparent color. Charts teach you which combinations create that effect. 6. You understand staining vs. lifting behavior. While making the chart, you notice which paints lock into the paper and which can be softened or lifted later—important for corrections and layering strategy. 7. You become more familiar with pigment properties. Granulation, transparency, tinting strength, and texture become obvious when paints are layered systematically. 8. You paint faster with more confidence. Once you’ve tested combinations ahead of time, decision-making during actual paintings becomes much easier. 9. You discover unexpected “signature” color combinations. Many artists find unique atmospheric neutrals, skin tones, foliage mixtures, or shadow colors through glazing experiments they wouldn’t have mixed traditionally. 10. You train your eye for subtle shifts in temperature and value. Layering transparent washes teaches you to see tiny changes in warm/cool balance and light intensity. 11. You improve consistency across paintings. If you want recurring palettes or effects, the chart acts like a personal reference library. 12. You build a stronger technical discipline. Creating charts encourages patience, even wash application, water control, and proper drying between layers—all skills that directly improve finished work. I am working on a PDF handout delving deeper into the benefits of glazing charts, so keep an eye on the description below and my website, where you will be able to get the link to download it for free. 🖼️ Check out my curated supply list at Utrecht Art Supplies by clicking my personal list: https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-10163273... 🖼️ Another option is my affiliate link with Meeden Art Supplies, use promo code MBW70 - for up to 12% off your purchase. https://meedenart.com/michaelbullochw... 🖌️🖌️Additionally, check out Michael Bulloch Watercolors on Instagram and Facebook. 🍩   / michaelbullochwatercolors   🖼️   / michaelbullochwatercolors  . 💻 My Website is http://www.bullochgallery.com Music by Shinji from Pixabay