Interesting details on the Impressionists’ use of color
February 13, 2019
While I’m working on the practical side of my in-depth study of color, I’m also reading on color theory and how artists have used color.
On our trip to London two years ago, I was delighted to find a gem at the National Gallery, Paint with the Impressionists by Jonathan Stephenson. It’s a fascinating book on how the Impressionists painted, their supplies and techniques, and, most-excitingly, their color.
The Impressionists used a wide range of bright colors, some of which are no longer available. Stephenson put together a color palette that closely resembles those palettes used by the Impressionists. Interestingly, some of the colors are actually the same as those in the original palettes.
The Modern Day Impressionist’s Color Palette (according to Stephenson)
Blues
French Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Cerulean Blue
Greens
Chrome Green
Viridian
Emerald Green
Phthalocyanine Green
Yellows
Cadmium Yellow Lemon
Cadmium Yellow Deep
Hansa Yellow Pale (might be helpful)
Yellow Ochre (might be helpful)
Reds
Cadmium Red
Scarlet Alizaren
Permanent Rose
Permanent Magenta
Red Ochre (consider adding)
Rose Pink
Crimson
Violets
Cobalt Violet (consider adding)
Manganese Violet (consider adding)
Browns
Raw Sienna (consider adding
Burnt Sienna (consider adding)
Whites
Titanium white
Zinc white
Blacks
Ivory Black
Some details and notes
And below are some of the details about color that stood out to me….
Cobalt Blue: This color tends toward the green side. It dries well. Don’t buy the imitation version of Cobalt Blue. Be sure to buy real Cobalt Blue.
Cerulean Blue was used by Monet, Morisot and Manet. It’s a medium greenish blue.
Mid and Deep Cadmium Yellows are best for an Impressionist color palette. Hansa Yellow Pale is also helpful to include.
Phthalocyanine Green is great color to use when mixing. It’s intense and transparent.
When picking colors for an Impressionist-style color palette, consider adding Cobalt and Manganese Violets. These were used by Monet and Renoir.
Interestingly, Ivory Black was also used by the impressionists.
Yellow Ochre, Red Ochre, Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna may be helpful to include in a color palette.
Rose Pink to Crimson are good to mix with white for flowers and complexions.
Reds are most useful as a mixing color. Use Cadmium either pure or with white. Cadmium muddies other colors when mixed.
Alizarin pigments are not permanent. Permanent Rose and Permanent Magenta are. This makes me wonder, why does Alizarin even exist if it won’t age well?
White Lead was used for mixing because it dries quickly, however we now know it’s toxic. (Yikes!) Use Titanium White instead.
Zinc White might be useful if you want the paint to dry slowly. The white Impressionists used was likely thick easily spread.
If you want to learn more about this color mixing project that I’m working on, you can read more details starting with this post on color, my research and how I decided to embark on Richard Schmid’s recommended color mixing project from Alla Prima. Continue reading subsequent posts for additional details and finding.