Transparent yellow is a true powerhouse in watercolour! Why? Because of its warm, sunny glow and sheer transparent quality. When used as a glaze over dried layers of paint, it creates a wonderful vibrancy, bringing depth, richness, and luminosity to your work. It's a perfect example of how watercolours are alive, constantly interacting with light and with each other.

Today, I'm sharing how a single layer of transparent yellow can transform nine of my favourite colours, and also itself — Transparent Orange, Winsor Red Deep, Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Turquoise, Quinacridone Magenta, Winsor Violet, Alizarin Crimson, Quinacridone Gold and Olive Green — transforming them into beautifully vibrant and glowing layered hues.

Watercolour is a medium full of surprises, and one of its most magical qualities is its transparency. By layering colours, you can create glowing effects, luminous tones, and a vibrancy that’s impossible to achieve with just a single layer. One colour that works absolute magic when glazed over others is transparent yellow.

A Word About Layering

When working with glazes, less is often more. A single layer of transparent yellow can bring out the best in your colours, but overdoing it can muddy the vibrancy. As a personal recommendation, I suggest keeping to no more than three layers — at a push, four — to preserve the clarity and luminosity that makes watercolour so special.

Mastering the Wet-on-Dry Technique

  • Step 1: Apply your base colour and let it dry completely.
  • Step 2: Load your brush with a diluted transparent paint and gently glaze (paint) over the dried layer.
  • Step 3: Build layers gradually, observing how each colour interacts with the ones beneath.

Why Transparent Yellow Works Its Magic

Transparent yellow’s sheer quality allows the underlying colours to show through, creating a glowing effect that feels almost alive. It’s particularly effective when glazed over cooler tones (like blues and greens) because it warms them up and gives them that elusive pop. Remember to keep your brush clean between dried layers.

watercolour brush and water in pots, rinsed and being dabbed onto paper kitchen towel to remove excess water.

Chart for layering with transparent yellow swatches.

How to chart on Layering with transparent yellow and test swatch patches for layering over different colours.

Layering with transparent yellow watercolour paint in chart form with test swatches over different colours.

A chart showing how layering transparent yellow over itself when dry creates a depth of hue, and a reminder to document your discoveries with layering colours in a sketchbook or you may forget how you found one favourite way!

Final Thoughts

Transparent watercolours teach us to trust the process, to embrace curiosity, and to marvel at the unexpected beauty they create. Watercolour also teaches us patience, trust, and the art of letting go. It’s a little dance between control and surrender, and that’s where the magic happens. 

So, keep layering, keep experimenting, and let your creativity flow!Experiment with it over different colours and see how it transforms your own palette with your favourite colours. And remember — keep your layers light and purposeful, don’t overdo it.

Glazing with transparent yellow is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to breathe life into your art, and to create luminous, eye-catching colours in your watercolour paintings. Whether you’re warming up a moody crimson, brightening a soft blue, or making your greens glow, transparent yellow brings a unique vibrancy and life to your work. Watercolour teaches patience, trust, and the art of letting go. It’s a little dance between control and surrender, and that’s where the magic happens.