A viscous flow and binding medium for all gouache and watercolour paints.
Gum arabic is used as a binder for watercolour painting because it dissolves easily in water. Pigment of any color is suspended within the acacia gum in varying amounts, resulting in watercolour paint.
Gum arabic allows more precise control over washes, because it prevents them from flowing or bleeding beyond the brush stroke. Acacia gum also slows the evaporation of water, giving slightly longer working time.
When gum arabic is added to Schmincke Horadam watercolour or gouache the transparency increases as does the flow and gloss of a colour.
