🔴 REDS
Red Ochre
Origin: Prehistoric times
Date: ~75,000 BCE
Country: Global (notably South Africa, Australia, France)
Notes: One of the earliest pigments used by humans, found in cave paintings and burial sites.
Vermilion (Cinnabar)
Origin: China
Date: ~5000 BCE
Country: China, later adopted in Europe
Notes: A bright red pigment derived from mercury sulfid used in art and decoration despite its toxicity.
Carmine (Cochineal)
Origin: Mesoamerica
Date: ~700 CE
Country: Mexico
Notes: Extracted from cochineal insects; became a major export to Europe in the 16th century.
Rose Madder
Origin: Ancient Egypt
Date: ~1500 BCE
Country: Egypt, later widespread in Europe and Asia
Notes: Derived from the madder plant; used in textiles and paintings.
🟡 YELLOW
Orpiment
Origin: Ancient China
Date: ~2000 BCE
Country: China
Notes: A deep yellow arsenic sulfide mineral; prized for its vibrant color despite toxicity.
Indian Yellow
Origin: India
Date: ~15th century CE
Country: India
Notes: Believed to be made from the urine of cows fed on mango leaves; known for its luminous quality.
Naples Yellow
Origin: Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
Date: ~16th–14th century BCE
Country: Egypt, Mesopotamia
Notes: One of the earliest synthetic pigments; widely used in European paintings.
🔵 BLUES
Egyptian Blue
Origin: Ancient Egypt
Date: ~2500 BCE
Country: Egypt
Notes: Considered the first synthetic pigment; used in tomb paintings and artifacts.
Ultramarine (Lapis Lazuli)
Origin: Afghanistan
Date: ~6th century CE
Country: Afghanistan, later used in Europe
Notes: Made from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli; highly valued in medieval Europe.
Indigo
Origin: Indi
Date: ~2000 BCE
Country: India
Notes: A deep blue dye obtained from the indigo plant; significant in textile dyeing.
Prussian Blue
Origin: Germany
Date: 1706 CE
Country: Germany
Notes: The first modern synthetic pigment; widely used in art and industry.
🟢 GREENS
Malachite
Origin: Ancient Egypt
Date: ~4000 BCE
Country: Egypt
Notes: A green mineral used as a pigment and in jewelry.
Verdigris
Origin: Ancient Greece
Date: ~5th century BCE
Country: Greece
Notes: Produced by applying acetic acid to copper; used in manuscripts and paintings.
Emerald Green (Paris Green)
Origin: Germany
Date: 1814 CE
Country: Germany
Notes: An arsenic-based pigment; popular in the 19th century but later found to be highly toxic.
🟣 PURPLE
Tyrian Purple
Origin: Phoenicia
Date: ~1200 BCE
Country: Lebanon (ancient Phoenicia)
Notes: Extracted from murex sea snails; associated with royalty due to its cost and labor-intensive production.
Mauveine
Origin: United Kingdom
Date: 1856 CE
Country: UK
Notes: The first synthetic dye, accidentally discovered by William Perkin; revolutionized the textile industry.
Acrylic Paint & Metallic Markers
Acrylics offer vivid colours and fast drying, metallic markers add reflective highlights.
Wood & Lacquer – Ideal for creating textured, layered effects with a polished finish.
Oil Pastels & Chalk – Allow smooth blending, rich pigmentation, and soft transitions.
Resin & Crystals – Resin gives depth and durability, crystals add texture and symbolism.
Numerical & Structural Design – Incorporating numeric patterns and mapped lines can add intention and balance.
Vinyl & Collage Work – Layering found objects and textures creates a dynamic and tactile surface.
Acrylic Pouring – Fluid techniques allow organic mixing of colors for abstract, unpredictable results.
Monochromatic – A single hue with varying shades for harmony and simplicity.
Analogous – Colours adjacent on the wheel for smooth transitions and balance.
Complementary – Opposite colours for high contrast and striking visual impact.
Triadic – Three evenly spaced colours for vibrancy and energy.
Rule of Thirds – Dividing the canvas into thirds horizontally and vertically creates natural focal points.
Symmetry & Asymmetry – Symmetry offers stability and formality, asymmetry creates movement and interest.
Negative Space – Intentional empty space enhances focal points and overall clarity.
Golden Ratio – A mathematical approach to composition that creates a sense of natural balance..
Palette Knives – Ideal for bold strokes, layering, and textural depth.
Stippling Brushes – Create soft blended transitions and atmospheric effects.
Sponges & Rags – Add organic patterns and texture variations.
Graphite & Pencil – Useful for precision, sketching, and foundational mapping.
Dry Brush – Light paint application for texture and subtle layering.
Glazing – Thin translucent layers to build depth and luminosity.
Scraping & Sgraffito – Scratching into layers to reveal colours beneath.
Impasto – Thick application for bold textures and sculptural effects
Use quality materials, start with thin layers, build depth gradually, vary techniques and brushstrokes, and pause often to reflect before finalizing your work.
Acrylic
- Fast-drying, versatile, water-soluble when wet.
- Ideal for layering, collage, impasto.
Oil
- Slow-drying, allows extended blending and reworking.
- Ideal for realism and traditional styles.
- Suits long-term projects.
Watercolour
- Transparent, delicate, and responsive to water.
- Techniques: wet-on-wet, layering, light-to-dark.
Pastel
- Dry pigment in stick form; soft and blendable.
- Creates texture, vibrancy, and depth.
- Comes in soft, hard, and oil pastel forms.
Brushwork: Varied strokes for different effects.
Palette Knife: For texture and bold application.
Finger Painting: Organic, intuitive process.
Splattering: Expressive, spontaneous texture.
Wet-on-Wet: Soft blending (ideal for watercolour).
Wet-on-Dry: Defined detail (works with acrylic/oil).
Glazing: Thin transparent layers for depth.
Impressionism: Light, colour, movement.
Abstract Expressionism: Emotion, gesture, spontaneity.
Layering: Builds visual and emotional depth.
Impasto: Thick texture for dramatic expression.
PAL Studio
VANCOUVER LONDON
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