Shire Yellow- Spectacular Granulating with NO Effort
Shire Yellow is a super-granulating watercolor from the Schmincke Horadam line. Translation: it’s going to separate on paper, and it behaves best on cold press or rough surfaces where pigment can settle into the tooth. The result is instant texture that looks like you did a ton of work.
Spoiler: you didn’t.
This is the kind of paint that makes your washes look “advanced” while you’re over there pretending you totally planned it.
What’s in it (and yes, the pigment names sound illegal)
This “color” is actually a two-pigment blend:
- PV62 — Cobalt Violet Hue
- PY159 — Zirconium Praesodyminum Yellow
And yes, Zirconium Praesodyminum Yellow absolutely sounds like something they used to defeat Superman. If Lex Luthor ever takes up watercolor, we’ll know why.
What it does on paper (aka: the fun part)
Shire Yellow is a maximum-granulation machine. It’s great when you want texture and atmosphere in:
- buildings and old stone
- foliage and fields
- moody sky washes that look like weather is happening
It’s also a strong staining color. It doesn’t blossom much, but honestly… it doesn’t need to. The main event here is the separation.
Here’s the neat bit: the yellow pigment sinks first, and the purple separation follows—slowly—like it’s taking its time making an entrance. Your job is simple: drop it in, step away, and have patience.
It’s almost like magic.
Except it’s not.
It’s chemistry.
I don’t understand chemistry. I also don’t understand how gas engines work. But I know they work… and I know these pigments separate beautifully on paper. That’s good enough for me.
Why you’ll like it (even if you’re busy “working”)
Your washes will look like you spent hours mixing and layering. You don’t have to. Great news for busy artists who need to get home and watch their favorite Mexican telenovela. Priorities.
Full review video
Check out my full review on my YouTube channel below:
Purchase these paints online:
Schmincke Super Granulating
Shire Yellow
Forest Grey
Tundra Orange
Glacier Brown
Glacier Green
Forest Brown
Desert Green
Tundra Green
Tundra Violet
Tundra Blue
Tundra Rose
How Does Shire Yellow Compare?
- Best for Granulation: Daniel Smith Sodalite Genuine – Both paints produce spectacular granulation, but Sodalite Genuine creates cool blue-gray mineral textures while Shire Yellow produces warm golden granulation that’s perfect for fields, rocks, and sunlit landscapes.
- Best for Earth Tones: Quinacridone Burnt Orange – Quinacridone Burnt Orange creates warm autumn colors and glowing sunsets. Shire Yellow is much lighter and brighter, making it ideal for highlights, dry grasses, and early morning light.
- Best for Landscape Greens: Daniel Smith Undersea Green – Undersea Green creates rich, natural foliage. Mixed with Shire Yellow, it produces beautiful sunlit greens that feel much more alive than using green straight from the tube.
- Best for Autumn Landscapes: Transparent Orange – Transparent Orange creates brilliant autumn leaves and glowing sunsets. Shire Yellow is softer and more natural, making it a better choice for fields, grasses, weathered stone, and golden highlights.
- Best Mixing Companion: Forest Gray – Forest Gray’s cool granulating neutrals pair beautifully with the warm golden tones of Shire Yellow. Together they create natural-looking landscape textures and colorful shadows.
- Best Alternative Granulating Earth Color: Glacier Green – Glacier Green creates cool blue-green granulation for misty landscapes and mountains. Shire Yellow offers the warm side of the spectrum, making the two colors an outstanding combination for creating light and atmosphere in landscape paintings.
My Recommendation
If you love granulating pigments and enjoy painting sunlit fields, autumn landscapes, rocky cliffs, weathered buildings, beaches, and glowing countryside scenes, Shire Yellow is a surprisingly versatile addition to your palette. Unlike many traditional yellows, it adds texture as well as color, creating warm passages that feel organic and full of life rather than flat washes.
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Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting
(919) 645-8345