Articles
Colour story: Indian Ink
The roots of Indian ink stretch back thousands of years. Find out how this artists’ staple was first used, and why it’s still so popular today.
Colour Story: Cerulean blue
Bright and opaque, cerulean blue is invaluable to artists. Find out why painters including Monet and Signac prized this beautiful sky blue.
Colour story: Ultramarine
Once considered more precious than gold, ultramarine was often used for the Virgin Mary's robes. Trace the evolution of this special colour.
Colour story: Chromium Oxide Green
Commonly used in camouflage paint, chromium oxide green is relied on by artists to make a wide range of greens when mixed with other colours.
Colour story: Indian Yellow
Indian Yellow is a luminous golden pigment with excellent transparency and glazing qualities. It is widely admired for its depth, body and radiance in oil and watercolour painting.
Colour Story: Sienna
Sienna was one of the first pigments used for painting. Learn why it took off in the Renaissance and remains a staple in artists’ palettes.
Colour story: Raw Umber
Discover the story behind the colour raw umber, an artists' go-to for under-painting, monochromatic works and the rendering of shadows.
Colour story: Emerald Green
Discover the troubled history of emerald green, and learn about Winsor & Newton’s non-toxic, brilliant blue-green replacement, Winsor Emerald.
Colour story: Indian Red
Trace the development of Indian red, an essential colour for watercolorists and oil painters alike with a history spanning thousands of years.
Colour Story: Vermilion
Brilliant, distinctive and dangerous, vermilion has made its mark on art history over thousands of years. Find out more about this dramatic red.
Colour story: Alizarin Crimson
Learn more about alizarin crimson, a deep red pigment with an eventful history to match its dramatic colour.