What is granulation and why do I see a textured effect?

Granulation is a natural characteristic of certain pigments, where heavier particles settle into the texture of the paper as the paint dries. This creates a visible, textured or slightly speckled effect, which many artists appreciate for the depth and visual interest it adds to a painting.

This effect is especially when painting subjects like skies, stone, foliage, or landscapes, where a more organic and irregular texture can enhance the final result.

If you prefer smoother, more even washes with less texture, you may want to choose non-granulating pigments, which disperse more uniformly across the paper.