August 21, 2026

How to pick the right colors for a golden glow in watercolor

To find the right colors for a golden glow in watercolor, I test them first on a scrap sheet of paper. I lay down each yellow, add water on top, and let the colors fuse on the paper instead of mixing them. For my golden painting, this test showed me the exact order: new gamboge, then yellow ochre, then burnt sienna mixed with new gamboge.

Where did this golden glow painting come from?

It all started with a photo from one of my students. I painted it with them during a workshop session whose goal was to spot where they struggle and how to overcome the difficulties they encounter.

We worked on the same photo several times:

1. A first sketch, so they could see how to convey the moody atmosphere.
2. A colored version, in a pinkish purple harmony.
3. A 3rd version, with the trees painted directly wet on wet.

For this 3rd try, I wanted another color harmony. I told my students: "You pick the color you want. What kind of color do you want me to create for this version?" One of the students suggested the golden color.

Why is it hard to choose the right yellows for a golden glow?

I looked at the yellow colors I had:

• New gamboge, which is quite a warm yellow
• Yellow ochre
• Raw sienna

It had been a while since I had created a watercolor with golden colors, so I couldn't remember which colors were perfect for that kind of golden glow.

Before this technique, I used to go blindly and pick random colors that could fit the golden glow. What's wonderful about this technique is that it guarantees you'll pick the right colors.

How does the test sheet technique work?

Here is the technique, step by step:

1. Pick a scrap sheet of paper.
2. Put down your 1st color. I started with new gamboge.
3. Put down the next color you want to test. I chose yellow ochre because I thought it could be a good fit, but I wasn't sure. So I decided to give it a go and see: do I have this golden glow or not?
4. Add some water on top of the wash. This is when the golden glow starts to appear.
5. Don't mix the colors on the palette. Just let them fuse on the paper.
6. Compare and decide which color, or which combination, gives you the glow you are looking for.

If the golden glow doesn't appear, there are 2 possible reasons. First, the color may not be the right one. Second, you may not have put enough water.

This technique lets you answer the question "Is new gamboge the right color for this golden glow, or is it yellow ochre?" with certainty.

What happened when I tested burnt sienna?

Next, I added some burnt sienna to see if I still had the right glow. With pure burnt sienna, it didn't feel like a golden glow.

So I mixed the burnt sienna with new gamboge. When I put new gamboge plus burnt sienna, I realized how much better the outcome was.

That's the point of testing on a small sheet: you try burnt sienna alone, then with a little more new gamboge, and you see. After that, you get your answer: "I'm going to pick this color, in that order, with this mix of water and pigment."

How did I use the test results in the final painting?

I painted in the exact order that came out of my little test sheet:

1. New gamboge first. This was the exact output of the test.
2. Yellow ochre next. I realized that with new gamboge alone, the golden glow wasn't right. Something was missing, and the missing color was yellow ochre. Adding it created nuances in my wash that were much more beautiful than with new gamboge alone.
3. Burnt sienna plus new gamboge. Exactly the mix I found during the test.
4. Darker colors after that.

I used lots of water, and I managed to create the golden glow I was looking for.

Then I added the trees wet on wet, which was my first intention for this version. And I realized it looked like a snowy landscape, almost a night scene. That's why I added some white to create lights in the night.

I found it so much more fun than sticking to one plan and one way of doing things. You can let it go and paint loosely, and at the same time this technique guarantees that you picked the right colors.

Does this technique only work for golden colors?

No. Start from the color intention you have. Maybe it's a golden color, and you can try exactly the same way I did. But it could also be a bluish or a pinkish version.

My students managed to create very beautiful color atmospheres and color harmonies in their own watercolor paintings with it. None of those paintings would have been possible without this technique, especially when you don't know exactly which colors you need to pick.

FAQ

Why doesn't my golden glow appear in my watercolor wash?

Either the color isn't the right one, or you didn't put enough water. On my test sheet, the golden glow only started to appear once I added water on top of the wash.

Should I mix the colors before testing them?

No. Lay the colors side by side on the scrap sheet and let them fuse on the paper. That's how you see which combination really gives you the glow.

Which colors did I use for the golden glow?

New gamboge first, then yellow ochre, then burnt sienna mixed with new gamboge, and darker colors after that. Pure burnt sienna didn't give a golden glow on its own.

Read next

• How to make a watercolor sky shine
• How to break down any photo before painting it in watercolor
• Why do my watercolors look dull?