PAL
PAL
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Marketing Services
  • Art Practioner
  • Fitness
  • Photography
  • Tips
  • About
  • Partners
  • Contact
  • PAL
  • More
    • Home
    • Shop
    • Events
    • Marketing Services
    • Art Practioner
    • Fitness
    • Photography
    • Tips
    • About
    • Partners
    • Contact
    • PAL
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Marketing Services
  • Art Practioner
  • Fitness
  • Photography
  • Tips
  • About
  • Partners
  • Contact
  • PAL

Primary Colours

🔴 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. 

Art Tips, Hints & Techniques

Understanding Mediums & Materials

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

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.

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

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.

Colour Schemes

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Colour Schemes

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.

Composition & Visual Flow

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

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..

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

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.

Blending & Layering Techniques

Mixed Media & Experimental Techniques

Blending & Layering Techniques

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

General Painting Guidelines

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.

Painting Techniques

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

  • Shop
  • Events
  • Marketing Services
  • Art Practioner
  • Fitness
  • Tips
  • About
  • Contact
  • PAL

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept