Articles

Discover the legacy of Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald's colour system, preserved in the Winsor & Newton archives. Learn how this Nobel-winning chemist's theories influenced artists and movements like De Stijl and...

Winsor Blue was created by our experts in the 1930s to replace the less reliable Prussian blue. Discover how to use this deep, intense colour.

Lamp Black’s rich history involves ancient oil lamps, Chinese monochromatic painting and even the Gutenberg printing press. Find out more about these connections in this article.

Bright and opaque, cerulean blue is invaluable to artists. Find out why painters including Monet and Signac prized this beautiful sky blue.

Once considered more precious than gold, ultramarine was often used for the Virgin Mary's robes. Trace the evolution of this special colour.

Commonly used in camouflage paint, chromium oxide green is relied on by artists to make a wide range of greens when mixed with other colours.

Indian Yellow is a luminous golden pigment with excellent transparency and glazing qualities. It is widely admired for its depth, body and radiance in oil and watercolour painting.

Sienna was one of the first pigments used for painting. Learn why it took off in the Renaissance and remains a staple in artists’ palettes.

Discover the story behind the colour raw umber, an artists' go-to for under-painting, monochromatic works and the rendering of shadows.