Sepia is a black brown colour. Originally made in the 18th century from the ink sacks of cuttlefish, it is now made from a mixture of carbon and umber. It is a highly permanent colour.
Indigo is a deep blue pigment that can range from dark black to pale blue. Originally extracted from plants similar to blue woad used by the ancient Britons, it was synthesised in 1878 in Germany. It...
A synthetic lake pigment from the Madder plant, Alizarin Crimson was the first natural dye to be synthesised in 1868. It is a deep transparent red with a blueish undertone.
Vandyke Brown is a brown pigment named after the Flemish painter Van Dyke who used it in many of his paintings. It is an earth pigment, and is often used for shading.
Payne's Gray is a dark blue grey made from a mixture of Ultramarine, Mars Black and sometimes Crimson. It was named after the 18th c. water-colourist William Payne who created the mixture and often...
Indian Yellow is a vibrant yellow pigment which has been used by artists such as Turner. Originally a colour created in India from the urine of cows exclusively fed on mango leaves, Winsor &...
