Paints vary greatly in viscosity. Tubes, jars and liquid squirt containers all have wonderful applications, and choosing the right one for the job you have can sometimes be frustrating. Many artists swear by jar pigments, while others like the creaminess of tube colors. Crafters use the most fluid paints for speed and cost and because their work is less critical from a fine art criteria. But just what is the reason for the differences in viscosity? What makes up the composition of the different paint types? What difference does it make what you use where?

Viscosity is an important dimension of paints, whether they are watercolors, oils, acrylics or any other. Viscosity is defined as the thickness of a fluid. In painting it can mean that the quantity of pigment is higher in the mix of components in a given color. That relates to the strength of the colorant or how well it covers the canvas or another color. The higher the pigment quantity, the stronger the color is and the less it will take to do the job. Strength of colorant equates directly to the amount of color that is imparted when the brush is full and a stroke is laid onto the artwork.

There is a totally informal way to gauge the viscosity of paint. Examine the way the paint container is designed. Little tips mean thin paints; larger tops mean thick and robust paints. When paints (such as quality craft paints) are packaged in snap top bottles with small openings, the indication is that the paint is thin and can easily be dispensed with a gentle squeeze. These paints generally contain the least strong pigments and are usually blended to achieve a fixed tone of color. Because of their composition, they are usually the least costly.

Tube colors are thicker (higher viscosity) and need a firm squeeze to dispense them from the tube. These paints are designed to work in tandem with mediums that even out the viscosity, flow and application of the paint. A much stronger quantity of pure pigment is used to create tube colors. Among the myriad brands, tube colors are generally artist quality, made of high quality materials, and are permanent.

If the paint is packaged in a jar with a screw lid, the contents of the jar are thick and do not spill if the jar is tipped over. This type of container usually holds the highest viscosity, highest concentration of pigment and the most professional quality of paint.

But there are some contradictions to these guidelines. Airbrush acrylics, for instance, are diluted to the perfect application consistency, which is thinner than brush painters want. The nature of some colors is such that many components may be needed to create a given tone. Earth tones contain many basic minerals to make them rich and dark. But, by most standards, the thickest paints usually contain the highest degree of pure pigment.

Several manufacturers offer more than one line of paints and, in doing so, offer the artist a choice of pure pigment content (and appropriately varying costs). For example, Savoir Faire offers Sennelier Artists’ Oil paints that are premier oil paints made from only the highest quality traditional and modern pigments ground extra fine, while Etude Art Student Oil Paints allow the artist to experience the feel of Sennelier’s French paintmaking quality at an affordable price. In addition, Lascaux Artist Acrylics are the premier professional artists’ quality acrylic paints, while Lascaux Studio Acrylics are professional fluid acrylics that offer quality and economy for large-scale artworks and murals. (Visit www.savoirfaire.com).

The brands that you might find on an art material retailer’s shelves will offer differing quantities of pigment, but there is another way to gauge the quality of the product, and that is cost. Pure pigments are refined to a high degree and are costly. When the price of paints seems high, it is generally a sure sign of high pigment content. For full details on the paints you are interested in, contact the manufacturer and ask for technical info.

Additives and compounds that you can use to change the viscosity of your paints include a variety of mediums and texturing agents. Thickening agents are offered to tighten some paints; textures such as pumice, sand and even mica are available to incorporate interesting textural elements to your finished works. Thinning paint is often accomplished with mediums that even out the sheen and final appearance of the painting. The strength of these high pigment content paints is not diminished by using a measured amount of medium.

Try some different brands and colors of paints and see what you think about the amounts of pigment they contain. There is a huge world of experimentation and exploration out there awaiting you. In the area of metallic colors alone there are several dry powders that you can mix into your paints to create not only a shimmering personal palette but also a dryer and thicker paint with which to work.

Stroll the aisle of paints at your local art material retailer and take a look. Try a few of the more costly brands and experience for yourself the difference in color saturation and coverage capabilities. Depending upon your particular project, you may use less paint to do the same job.