Non-staining Holbein watercolors
13 colors in Holbein Artists' Watercolor are rated non-staining by Holbein. They are the easiest to lift off the paper.
Why staining matters
Staining describes how firmly a color holds on to the paper fibres. A non-staining color can usually be lifted back toward white with a damp brush or tissue, which helps when you correct mistakes, soften edges or lift out highlights such as clouds. Staining colors resist this, which is useful when an under-layer should stay put while you glaze over it.
How easily a color lifts also depends on the paper. Holbein rates the rest of the range semi-staining (62) or staining (33).
Open this list in the filter to sort it, narrow it further or compare colors.
Yellow 7
- W030 Naples Yellow ネイプルス イエロー PY35 + PY42 + PW6 ¥220 ≈ $1.40 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★☆OpaqueNon-staining
- W031 Jaune Brillant No.1 ジョーン ブリヤン No.1 PO20 + PY35 + PW6 ¥220 ≈ $1.40 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★☆OpaqueNon-staining
- W033 Lemon Yellow レモン イエロー PY3 + PY184 ¥220 ≈ $1.40 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★☆☆Semi-opaqueNon-staining
- W039 Aureolin オーレオリン PY154 + PY175 + PY150 ¥400 ≈ $2.55 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★☆TransparentNon-staining
- W048 Gamboge Nova ガンボージ ノーバ PY154 + PY150 + PY110 ¥240 ≈ $1.53 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★☆TransparentNon-staining
- W050 Imidazolone Yellow イミダゾロン イエロー PY154 ¥240 ≈ $1.53 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★☆Semi-transparentNon-staining
- W051 Imidazolone Lemon イミダゾロン レモン PY175 ¥240 ≈ $1.53 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★☆Semi-transparentNon-staining
Green 2
- W071 Compose Green コンポーズ グリーン PY3 + PG7 + PW6 ¥220 ≈ $1.40 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★☆☆OpaqueNon-staining
- W077 Leaf Green リーフ グリーン PY154 + PG7 ¥240 ≈ $1.53 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★☆Semi-transparentNon-staining
Violet 1
Grey 1
Metallic 2
- W190 Gold ゴールド PW20 ¥320 ≈ $2.04 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★★Semi-opaqueNon-stainingGranulating
- W191 Silver シルバー PW20 ¥320 ≈ $2.04 · 5 ml, Japan list ★★★★Semi-opaqueNon-stainingGranulating
More lists
Single pigment · Granulating · Most lightfast ★★★★ · Lower lightfastness · Transparent · Cadmium and cobalt
Ratings and pigments are from Holbein's catalog. Prices are Japan list prices excluding tax; USD figures are rough conversions. On-screen colors are approximate.