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EP #09: Jane Blundell | Essential Watercolor Wisdom & Pigment Mastery

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Welcome to Wet on Wet – the podcast that dives deep into the world of watercolor and the minds of the artists who master it.


In this episode, host Sunil Kalbandi sits down with Jane Blundell, a Sydney-based watercolor artist, pigment expert, and author whose passion for color studies and teaching continues to inspire artists worldwide. From her first watercolor box as a child to helping Daniel Smith develop the Ultimate Mixing Set, Jane’s lifelong devotion to pigments and mixing has shaped her unique artistic journey.

You’ll discover how Jane approaches paper, brushes, pigments, and palettes with precision—and why she believes understanding wetness is the key to mastering watercolor. She also shares her insights on teaching, exhibitions, publishing her own books, and how she balances creativity with the business of being an artist.

Whether you’re a beginner choosing your first pigments or an advanced painter exploring color bias and harmony, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and deep inspiration.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

  • Why paper is the most important watercolor material
  • How Jane designed the Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing Set (15 colors)
  • Essential pigments for beginners (yellow, red, blue + burnt sienna)
  • How to think about warm/cool bias when mixing colors
  • Jane’s favorite papers, brushes, and palettes for studio & plein air
  • The role of gouache, masking fluid, and granulating pigments
  • How to choose and balance materials without overspending
  • Jane’s process for exhibitions, teaching, and writing books

Jane’s Favorite Tools & Materials:

  • Paper: Arches Cold Press 300gsm, Fabriano Artistico
  • Brushes: Raphael Sable & Squirrel, DaVinci Casaneo, Rosemary & Co, Silver Black Velvet
  • Pigments: Daniel Smith (Ultimate Mixing Set, Jane’s Grey, Transparent Pyrrole Orange, Cobalt Blue)
  • Palettes: Brass studio palette, Herring Compact (UK) for travel

Follow Jane Blundell:

Host – Sunil Kalbandi:

Quotes from Jane Blundell:

  • “Paper is the most important. The best watercolours will struggle if the paper is blotting paper.”
  • “With fewer colours, you have to understand mixing—but that’s how you unlock harmony.”
  • “Understanding how wet your brush, paper, and paint are—that’s the real secret of watercolor.”
  • “Deadlines can be inspiring. They push you to finish, even when time feels short.”

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