GOLDEN QoR Ali Cavanaugh Portrait Watercolour Set, 6 x 5ml — Aquazol binder for luminous, high-chroma washes

GOLDEN QoR Ali Cavanaugh Portrait Colours Set is a curated six-colour watercolour tube collection made with Aquazol binder for vivid, luminous portrait washes.

This professional watercolour set was selected to echo the palette preferences of painter Ali Cavanaugh, offering a compact range that blends smoothly to create convincing skin tones, hair nuances and subtle shadows. QoR's novel Aquazol binder gives these paints exceptional clarity and intensity, so wet and dry passages keep a bright, jewel-like quality while preserving the delicate transparency artists expect from watercolour.

How will these six colours help me paint convincing portraits?

The selection includes warm and cool primaries plus versatile neutrals that work together to mix natural flesh tones and complementary accents. Because the pigments are formulated for consistent transparency and tinting strength, you can build layered washes without muddiness.

• Colours: Nickel Azo Yellow, Pyrrole Orange, Perylene Crimson, Sap Green, Ultramarine Turquoise, Payne's Grey
• Pre-selected to produce a wide range of flesh and hair tones with fewer pans
• High tinting strength for smooth gradations and controlled lifts

What makes Aquazol binder different from traditional watercolour binders?

Aquazol is a synthetic binder developed to hold pigment particles in a way that maximizes colour brilliance when dry. It increases gloss and colour saturation compared with traditional gum arabic formulations, while still allowing water-based techniques like glazing, lifting and granulation.

• Enhances pigment clarity so dried layers retain luminosity
• Supports better rewetting and flow control during washes
• Compatible with QoR mediums and grounds for expanded surface options

Can I use this set beyond traditional watercolour paper?

Yes—because QoR responds well to mediums and grounds, you can adapt these paints for use on textured or nontraditional supports. Applying appropriate grounds or using QoR mediums lets you control gloss, absorbency and flow to suit surfaces such as clayboard or primed panels.

• Works on paper, as well as prepared boards and mixed-media grounds
• Pair with QoR mediums to adjust sheen and working time
• Small 5 ml tubes are convenient for testing new surfaces and techniques

Who is this for? The GOLDEN QoR Ali Cavanaugh Portrait Colours Set is designed for portrait artists and mixed-media painters who want a compact, professional kit that favours luminous layering and rich mixing. It suits experienced watercolourists seeking higher chroma and reworking capability, as well as intermediate painters who want a thoughtfully harmonized starting palette. Made in the USA by an experienced paintmaker, these 5 ml tubes offer a portable way to experiment with Aquazol-bound watercolours while maintaining archival pigment quality.