{tocify} $title={Table Of Content}
Definition of opaque color –
Substances or colors which can not pass light through them or light can not penetrate from them are known as opaque colors.
or
The material or color which have the ability to block the light is called opaque colors/materials.
What does opaque color mean?
Opaque word is originated from the Latin language. It means dark or Transparent.
Opaque substance generally termed as the substances or fluids which does not pass any light through them or if they applied on the surface then light can not reach up to the underneath surface it reflects from the surface of opaque paint.
What does the opaque color look like?
Opaques are solid colors that are non-transparent. They give a flatter look to the painting.
If they have applied on any color they will dominant that color and cover it all. And the underneath color is non-visible for us.
Gouache, Chalks, Pastel colors are always opaque because of the material. They have solid materials in them which is non-transparent. That’s why it gives solid color when applied.
For more understanding of opaque and translucent colors, you can watch the following video.
List and Examples of Opaque colors
Opaque | Semi-Opaque |
---|---|
Bismuth Yellow Chrome Green Deep Hue Cobalt Turquoise Cobalt Green Deep Terra Rosa Cadmium Green Cadmium Green Pale Venetian Red Cadmium Lemon Cadmium Orange Cadmium Red Cadmium Red Deep Cadmium Scarlet Cadmium Yellow Cadmium Yellow Pale Cadmium Yellow Deep Vermilion Hue Winsor Emerald Yellow Ochre Pale |
Blue Black Bronze Chrome Yellow Hue Cerulean Blue Cobalt Green Copper Gold Ivory Black Pewter Renaissance Gold Scarlet Lake Silver Winsor Orange Winsor Red |
List and examples of Transparent colors
Transparent | Semi-Transparent |
---|---|
Alizarin Crimson Aureolin Bright Red Brown Madder Burnt Sienna Burnt Umber Carmine French Ultramarine ( Ultramarine Blue ) Indian Yellow Indigo Indanthrene Blue Manganese Blue Hue Mauve (Blue Shade) Olive Green Winsor Violet (Dioxazine) Winsor Green (Yellow Shade) Winsor Green (phthalo) Winsor Blue (Red Shade) Winsor Blue (Green Shade) Viridian Vandyke Brown Ultramarine Violet Ultramarine Green Shade Terre Verte Transparent Gold Ochre Transparent Yellow Sap Green Rose Madder Genuine Rose Madder Deep Rose Doré Purple Madder Purple Lake Prussian Blue Phthalo Turquoise Phthalo Blue Permanent Magenta Permanent Green |
Charcoal Grey Cobalt Blue Deep Cobalt Violet Cobalt Blue Davy’s Grey Payne’s Grey Permanent Green Deep Permanent Green Light Permanent Mauve Raw Sienna Raw Umber Winsor Lemon Winsor Red Deep Winsor Yellow Deep Winsor Yellow Yellow Ochre Yellow Ochre Light |
What is the difference between Transparent and opaque colors?
You can imagine transparent and opaque colors as Watercolor vs Acrylic.
Acrylic colors or Oil colors can react both as Translucent and Opaque depend upon what pigment they have.
Sr.No. | Translucent | Opaque |
1. | Translucent colors are thin | Opaque paints are thick |
2. | It gives a three-dimensional effect | it gives a flattering effect to the painting |
3. | Translucent color required more liquid binder. | It has less or no liquid binder |
4. | Watercolors are examples of translucent colors. Acrylics and oils can be translucent according to what color pigment they have. | They are generally solid. Like Gouache, Chalks, Pastel colors, crayons, etc. |
Mixing of Transparent and Opaque colors –
- If Opaque paint is applied over transparent color then we cant see that transparent color because opaque paint blocks the path of light from penetrating.
- If we apply transparent color over Dark opaque paint then the light will penetrate from both layers. And we see the transparent color with less vibrancy and saturation.
- If we applied transparent color over Bright or White Opaque paint then we see transparent color with less contrast or with foggy effect.
How to use Opaque colors in paintings
1. Selection of brand –
Brand of color is also matters in the pigments of paint. Some brands may have different pigment than another.
Also in Professional and Student grade paint, there is a difference between the quality of paint. So I would suggest that use good quality paint for better results.
2. Thickness of paint –
The thickness of paint is really matters when you are using opaque colors. Opaque paints can create emphasis in your painting. If you use thick opaque paints on objects that are closer to the viewer then it will emphasize that object. Many great artists used this technique in their famous paintings.
3. Selecting a brush –
The type of brushes and brands can also affect on applying opaque colors in the painting. If you use a cheap quality brush that has rigid or fizzy hair then it will give a scratchy effect to your painting.
And also there are different types of brushes like Fan brush, soft brush, Flat brushes, Pointed brush, Select your type of brush wisely and use them according to condition.
4. Surface –
The surface can also matter the quality of the painting if you are using opaque colors. A porous and rough surface will give a Thick and solid effect and it also required more paint. On the other hand, a Smooth and solid surface-like glass gives a more transparent look to the color.
5. Applying layers –
If you are using Oil or Acrylic colors then you have to work on your painting layerwise.
You can use Fat over Lean technique in your painting. That means you have to apply opaque colors or thick colors first to block the area of painting. and then use transparent colors or use more medium to thin the colors and apply to the second or third layer. It will give three dimensional and realistic look.
If you use the transparent color and then applied thick paint over it. then thick paint will cover the all surface or value of that underneath color. and gives a flattering look.
Summary
Opaque word is originated from Latin and it means dark or non-transparent.
Opaque colors are generally termed as the substances or fluids which does not pass any light through them or if they are applied on the surface then light can not reach up to the underneath surface it reflects from the surface of opaque paint.
The opacity of Opaque color can depend upon Brand, Pigment ratio, and quality, Surface to paint, etc.