French Ultramarine is a rich transparent blue. It was created by French chemist Guimet in 1828 as a synthetic but chemically identical alternative to the expensive pigment derived from Lapis Lazuli.
Magenta is a rich deep violet red colour. It is a transparent pigment. The name Magenta comes from a lake colour named in 1859 after the battle in Magenta, Italy.
Scarlet Lake is a bright red with orange-yellow undertones. The name stems from a type of fine woollen cloth called scarlet cloth which was often dyed red, leading it to become the pigment's name.
Raw Sienna is a bright brown pigment. One of the oldest pigments, it can be found in prehistoric cave art. It is named after Siena, Italy where the pigment was sourced during the Renaissance.
Burnt Sienna is a rich brown pigment made by burning Raw Sienna. Named after Siena in Italy, where the pigment was sourced during the Renaissance, it is a transparent pigment with red-brown tones.
Oxide of Chromium is an opaque willow green pigment. Though discovered in 1809 it was only made available for artists in 1862. Today, it is commonly used for camouflage clothing.
Emerald Green is a bright clean emerald colour. First documented in 1822, it was originally a deadly colour containing arsenic. It is said to have killed Napoleon as his wallpaper in St Helens was...
Vermilion Hue is a bright orange red colour. The genuine pigment was made from toxic mercuric sulphide and was known to the ancient Greeks and Chinese. It is an opaque colour.
