Watercolor Megilp - Gel-like Watercolor Medium
Rublev Colours Watercolor Megilp is a historical watercolor medium used in the 19th and early 20th centuries by British and American watercolorists to thicken watercolor and gouache, allowing the laying in of multiple glazes and making colors more matte. The Gift Edition of Watercolor Megilp (pictured with steampunk gear) is available in the U.S. only until December 31.
Rublev Colours Watercolor Megilp is a historical watercolor medium used in the 19th and early 20th centuries by British and American watercolorists to thicken watercolor and gouache paint, allowing the laying in of multiple glazes and making colors matte. Watercolor megilp is a gel-like watercolor medium made primarily from gum tragacanth (a plant gum). Historically, it was even called “watercolor megilp” because it plays a similar role to oil-paint megilp—it thickens the paint and changes handling—but it’s completely water-based.
Read more about its origin and use in Historical Watercolor Mediums
What it does and what you’ll see in watercolor painting
- Increases viscosity/body so washes spread less and brushstrokes stay “placed.”
- Reduces “washing up” / rewetting because watercolor megilp is not as readily resoluble once dry as gum arabic—useful for glazing over earlier layers with less disturbance.
- Can produce a more matte look than typical gum-arabic-rich films (useful if you dislike the sheen some watercolor mediums create).
How to use it in watercolor painting
1) For tighter control in wet-in-wet
- Make your normal puddle of color.
- Add a tiny amount of watercolor megilp gel (think: pinhead to pea-sized, depending on puddle size).
- Mix thoroughly until the wash feels slightly “ropy” or creamy.
- Paint into a damp area—edges stay cleaner, blooms are less likely to form, and small shapes hold better.
2) For glazing without lifting
- Let the underlayer dry fully.
- Mix a thin glaze (more water than paint) and add just a trace of megilp.
- Apply with minimal brushing. The added tragacanth can help the new layer sit closer to the surface and reduce reactivation of the underlying layer.
3) For thicker accents (still “watercolor,” not gouache)
Note: It is best if stored in a refrigerator after opening. Store away from light in a cool location. While there is no expiry date, this is a natural product that is best used within 3 months of purchase.
| SKU | 510-61 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Rublev Colours |
| Vendor | Natural Pigments |
| Processing Time | Usually ships the next business day. |
Health & Safety: There are no acute or known chronic health hazards with the anticipated use of this product (most chemicals are not thoroughly tested for chronic toxicity). Protect yourself against potentially unknown chronic hazards of this and other chemical products by avoiding ingestion, excessive skin contact, and inhaling spraying mists, sanding dust, and concentrated vapors from heating. Contact us for further information or consult the SDS for more information. Conforms to ASTM D-4236.
