Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor – Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey 15ml: The Perfect Neutral for Cityscapes and Dramatic Monolithic Shapes
Designed by master watercolorist Joseph Zbukvic, Daniel Smith Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey is an essential color for artists seeking to capture the raw beauty of cityscapes, shadows, and the dynamic interplay of light and form. Part of the Daniel Smith Signature Series, this grey is described by Zbukvic as "perfect for those strong, New York-type cityscapes" due to its ability to produce bold, monolithic shapes without appearing chalky. Its rich, deep black-grey tone is versatile enough for a wide range of subjects while offering the unique ability to mimic the look of charcoal drawings or vintage photography.
Introduction
When it comes to creating dramatic cityscapes, capturing the essence of towering buildings, or shading moody, atmospheric scenes, you need a color that offers both strength and subtlety. Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey was developed specifically for this purpose, offering a rich, dark grey that can be used undiluted for intense, monolithic shapes or watered down for soft, subtle washes. This watercolor brings a unique balance of power and control to any piece, making it a favorite for artists seeking to create depth, contrast, and mood.
Product Specifications
• Size: 15ml tube, providing ample paint for multiple projects and large-scale works
• Color Properties: Dark grey in mass tone, with no color bias, perfect for toning down other colors
• Pigments: PB 29, PBk 9, PBk 10 – A blend of pigments creating a strong, neutral grey
• Lightfastness: I – Excellent, ensuring long-lasting color that won’t fade over time
• Transparency: Semi-transparent, allowing for layering and smooth washes
• Staining: 2 – Low Staining, making it easy to lift and manipulate on the paper
• Granulation: Granulating, adding texture and dimension to your work
• SKU: 284600244 | Series 2
Why Choose Daniel Smith Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey?
Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey is perfect for artists who want a versatile grey that can be used in everything from dramatic cityscapes to moody winter landscapes. Whether applied in thick, dark strokes or thinned out for delicate shading, this grey offers a wide range of possibilities. Its unique balance of pigments makes it a go-to color for toning down brighter shades, creating seamless gradients, or adding a rich, neutral background to any scene.
Here’s why Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey is perfect for your palette:
• Bold Cityscapes and Monolithic Forms: This grey was designed with powerful cityscapes in mind, creating deep, rich tones that add weight and structure to buildings, shadows, and other architectural elements. When undiluted, it mimics the look of charcoal or old photographs, adding a timeless, artistic quality to your work.
• Versatile Mixing Capabilities: Because Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey has almost no color bias, it mixes beautifully with other colors, toning them down without skewing their hue. This makes it perfect for adding subtle shadows or creating muted tones in landscape and portrait work.
• Granulation for Texture: The granulating nature of this watercolor adds depth and interest to your pieces. As the pigments settle into the texture of the paper, they create beautiful granulated patterns that enhance the overall look of your painting.
• Professional Quality: As part of Daniel Smith’s Extra Fine Watercolor range, Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey is crafted with the highest-quality pigments, ensuring smooth application, excellent lightfastness, and professional-grade results.
How to Use Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey
This versatile color can be used in a wide range of artistic applications. Here are a few ways to make the most of Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey:
Great for:
• Cityscape Artists: Perfect for painting dramatic, monolithic buildings, shadows, and architectural elements with a rich, deep tone.
• Landscape Artists: Excellent for creating moody skies, reflections, and shadows, especially in overcast or winter scenes.
• Portrait Artists: The subtle undertones in this grey are ideal for adding depth and detail to portraits, creating realistic shadows and skin tones.
• Mixed Media Artists: Great for adding texture, depth, and neutral tones to mixed media projects.
Testimonials
Here’s what artists are saying about Daniel Smith Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey:
"This is the perfect color for cityscapes! The depth and richness it gives to my buildings is incredible, and it never feels chalky or flat." — Emma D.
"I love using this grey to mix with other colors. It tones them down just enough without changing their hue, and the granulation is beautiful." — Jake T.
"Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey gives my landscapes a timeless feel, like old photographs. It’s become a must-have in my palette." — Lisa M.
Care and Maintenance
To keep your Daniel Smith Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey Watercolor in top condition, follow these care tips:
• Seal the Tube Properly: Ensure the tube is tightly sealed after each use to prevent the paint from drying out.
• Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Keep your watercolor stored properly to maintain its quality over time.
• Clean Brushes Promptly: Clean your brushes thoroughly after each session to maintain their performance and prevent the paint from hardening.
Conclusion
Whether you’re painting bold cityscapes, moody landscapes, or adding depth to portraits, Daniel Smith Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey is an essential addition to any artist’s palette. With its rich tone, granulating texture, and versatile mixing capabilities, this color is perfect for creating powerful, atmospheric works of art. Take your paintings to the next level with this professional-grade grey. With free shipping on orders over $125 in Canada, now’s the perfect time to add Joseph Z’s Neutral Grey to your collection. Buy now and start creating with confidence!
C$20.47C$20.99
