Black Out?
In a majority of watercolour literature and tutorials, the use of black is frequently discouraged as the devil's own work! The thinking being that it will deaden the painting and one should mix one's own blacks. The over use of black will make the painting dull, and I mainly mix my own blacks. Having said that, two of my favourite watercolour painters, Rowland Holder and John Blockley frequently used lamp black in their painting albeit with great skill and discretion. Rowland Holder used lamp black, as he maintained ivory black had a greasy quality and was difficult to use in a wash. So recently I have been using small amounts of black in some mixes, and even occasionally as a wash, and am not displeased with the results.
All this preamble brings me to my question, do any other forum members use lamp or ivory black? If so, how do you use it, and what is your opinion? All the major paint manufacturers have blacks in their range, so they must be selling it to someone! (Apart from me!)
I always smile if someone is mix his own black. Because it is impossible to mix lamp or ivoryblack.
If someone says you cannot use black, just don't listen because he probably not use it.
But you can use it, and surely I use it. Bit you need learn to use it. Like said here a lot of old artists used it.
But I don't encourage you should use it.
Since Zbukvic used turquoise in his paintings, a lot of people going to buy and use it.
Sure I have a tube. But when I try it it doesn't feel as watercolour but as gouache. And that I don't expierence with black.