Peerless Watercolors Original 1885 Edition: Hand Colouring Prints

Quick answer

Use Peerless Watercolors Original 1885 Complete Edition for hand colouring prints by lifting colour from a single sheet with a barely damp brush and building transparent layers on a test print first. The dry sheets dissolve instantly, so control comes from water discipline, not from mixing a palette.

Step-by-step hand colouring with Peerless sheets

1. Prepare a test print: Print or select a spare black and white print on the same paper as your final image. Test every colour mix on this print first, because the paper's absorbency and surface finish change how the transparent sheets appear. Never test on the final print; keep a dedicated test strip for each session.
2. Lift colour with a barely damp brush: Touch a damp brush to the corner of a Peerless sheet and pick up a small amount of colour. The sheet releases colour instantly, so a little goes a long way. If the brush is too wet, you will dissolve more colour than you need and risk puddling on the print. Wipe excess water from the brush before touching the sheet; a damp brush, not a wet one, gives control.
3. Apply colour in thin layers: Brush a thin, even layer onto the test print and let it dry completely before adding more. Peerless colours are transparent, so depth comes from layering rather than from one heavy application. Common mistake: applying too much colour at once, which can dry unevenly and obscure detail. Build up to the desired intensity gradually; stop while the colour still looks slightly lighter than your target.
4. Work from light to dark and from large to small areas: Start with the lightest colours and broadest areas, such as skies or skin tones, then move to smaller details like lips or foliage. This order lets you correct mistakes more easily because dark colours are harder to lift. Common mistake: starting with a strong colour and then trying to lighten it. Reserve your darkest colours for the final accents.
5. Keep the sheet dry between uses: After lifting colour, blot the sheet with a paper towel and let it air-dry before storing. Moisture left on the sheet can cause colours to bleed into each other or weaken the sheet over time. Store the set flat in a dry place. A dry sheet stays predictable; never stack sheets while damp.
6. Check the final print under daylight: Once the print is dry, view it under neutral daylight rather than tungsten or fluorescent light. Transparent watercolour layers can shift in colour temperature under different lighting. If a tint looks too strong, you can lift some colour with a clean damp brush, but do so sparingly. Make your final colour adjustments under the same lighting conditions where the print will be displayed.

Product facts

• Peerless Watercolors Original 1885 Complete Edition: The set contains 15 transparent, hand-made watercolour sheets in the same format used for well over a century. A small number of sheets covers a wide range of tinting needs, but you should plan your colour choices before starting because each sheet is a single colour.