In this watercolor spotlight I’m testing PB33 Manganese Blue Genuine—one of those rare pigments that pigment nerds (hi, it’s me) get really excited about. I swatch it, play with it in washes, and focus on what makes it special: the incredible vibrancy and that heavy granulation that can create gorgeous texture and color-separating mixtures. If you love granulating blues, this is one of those “prodigal son returns” pigments that feels almost mythical when you finally get to paint with it. I’m using PB33 from Prodigal Son’s Artists Pigments, a small business run by Gregory Kuhar in Pennsylvania. I’m not affiliated with the shop or Etsy and I don’t make money from promoting the brand—I just genuinely love his paints and appreciate that he’s making rare, granulating pigments available to watercolor artists. I also share a more common alternative if you can’t get PB33: Daniel Smith Manganese Blue Hue (PB15-based), which is easier to find and scratches a similar itch even though it’s not the genuine pigment. And yes—when I add white highlights, I’m using white gouache (not gel pens… I’m done with the blobs and skipping).