Colour Chemistry Episode 2: Opera Rose. How fluorescence works, for painters.

In this episode I focus on the paint Opera Rose and how it appears to have the same composition as Quinacridone Magenta (PR122 - Quinacridone Red is the only declared pigment), but actually contains a secret - Rhodamine 6B (BV10) is used to dye the binder and give a subtle fluorescence when viewed under natural light or any light that has a trace of violet or ultra-violet. You may want to refer back to Episode 1 to remind yourself how the visible spectrum works (   • Colour Chemistry Episode 1 - What is colou...  ). I talk about fluorescence is and how it works, but I'll follow up with a more detailed video on it and the different types later in the series.

Colour Chemistry is my new series for watercolourists focusing on how our pigments, paints and mediums actually work - the detail of how different pigments are made, how they interact and what their limits are. You will learn how to make beautiful mixes without so much guess work and you'll learn how to get a particular effect straight off the bat - because you'll understand the theory, you'll be able to adapt things to your own end much more easily.

You don't need to know ANY chemistry as a background to this - I've kept these videos pretty short, pretty 'light' on fine detail and I've skipped over everything except what you as a watercolourist could really benefit from knowing.

If you have questions or comments PLEASE ask away - I love answering your questions as you know and I'm more than happy to help people of all levels.

MATERIALS USED:
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour:
Quinacridone Magenta (545):
Half-pan: http://amzn.to/29nhsMg
Tube: http://amzn.to/29vdAJ1

Opera Rose (448)
Half-pan: http://amzn.to/29s2b9b
Tube: http://amzn.to/29sIfZ6

System 3 Acrylic Paint (Daler & Rowney):
500mL Tub: http://amzn.to/29sIkf8

Ultraviolet LED torch as used in this video:
http://amzn.to/29s2qkI