Schmincke Liquid Earth 852 Umbra, 15 ml tube

Schmincke Liquid Earth Umbra – gouache-like earth paint for painting and underdrawing

Schmincke Liquid Earth 852 Umbra is a vegan, gouache-like paint for painting and underdrawing with a brush. It is based on natural earth pigments mined regionally in Germany and complements the liquid charcoal range. You can use it on light, coloured and dark surfaces, including larger areas. As an alternative or addition to a pencil or Carré stick, you apply Umbra as a liquid with a brush.

The paint is semi-opaque and, according to Schmincke, has the highest lightfastness. On a dark ground, it is best to make a small test patch first, because a semi-opaque paint lets the surface show through.

Working with liquid earth

The paint is ready to use and behaves like a gouache. Squeeze a little paint from the tube onto the palette and paint directly with the brush. For transparent, lighter tones, dilute it with water. It is suitable for paper, canvas board and canvas. It can also be used as a thin underpainting, for example for an oil painting, and can be combined with drawing charcoal.

Blendable or fixed? It depends on the application

The dried paint remains water-soluble. Depending on the surface and the thickness of the layer, it can be smudged and lifted off with water, and you can reactivate it with water. This helps with corrections and soft transitions. If you want an underdrawing to stay in place when you paint over it, work carefully with a damp brush and test first on a spare piece to see how your painting surface reacts.

Which shade?

Liquid Earth comes in three shades: 850 Chalk, 852 Umber (Umbra) and 854 Red Chalk. You apply Umbra with a brush like the other shades and can combine it with them.

Schmincke Liquid Earth Umbra product details

• Manufacturer: Schmincke, art. no. 18 852
• Shade: 852 Umbra
• Contents: 15 ml tube
• Base: natural earth pigments, mined regionally in Germany
• Binder: gum arabic
• Opacity: semi-opaque
• Lightfastness: highest
• Vegan
• Ready to use, dilutable with water

You will also need: brush, water and a palette or small dish for mixing; a painting surface of your choice, e.g. paper, canvas board or canvas.

Contains biocidal products BIT, CIT, MIT, OIT. May produce an allergic reaction.