QoR Watercolor Medium contains Aquazol, which serves as QoR’s binder. It is a translucent medium with a slight amber color not noticeable when applied thinly, diluted, or mixed with color. This medium may be added directly to watercolor, mixed into the water used to dilute paint, and/or put in the water used to pre-wet a painting surface. Using a lot of this medium will add body to the paint and increase gloss. Using a little QoR Watercolor Medium in the paint or water can change the way watercolor moves and reacts, often creating smoother color areas when working wet-in-wet. What happens depends upon the binder and pigments in the paint, and how much QoR Watercolor Medium and water are being used.
Large ratios of QoR Watercolor Medium added to paint—such as diluting the paint with the medium only—will decrease flow due to the viscosity of the medium in comparison with water. Mixes with higher ratios of Watercolor Medium also might dry more slowly. When present in a higher ratio, Watercolor Medium may create a glossy moisture-sensitive film, which could become sticky and adhere to other surfaces if the atmosphere is warm and humid. Take care when storing paintings with glossy areas. When brushed onto a surface full strength, Watercolor Medium may be used as a water-removable masking medium in a manner similar to Lift Aid. Both of these products provide softer shielding with less defined edges than the protection offered by QoR Masking Fluid.