Creativity though constraint and continuity.

Before industrialisation, artists worked with ingredients they had access to, making paints, dyes, and inks in small batches using methods passed down through generations. Even with individual, artistic goals, artists had to work within the constraints of what was available.

While I have the benefit of a wide gamut of colours in almost any application, I decided to restrict myself to what previous generations of artists have relied on and in my own way, attach my thread to theirs like a backstrap loom, and see what else we can create from the same colours.

Sometimes, the choice of a cinnabar orange over a rosso corsa is intentional due to the cultural and period usage differences. Other times, I just like the vibrancy that a flood of cobalt blue adds over a moody indigo blue.

0°

Titanium
White

Bright, opaque white pigment made from titanium dioxide, introduced in the early 20th century as a safer, more permanent alternative to lead white.

0°

Jet
Black

Derived from lignite, used since antiquity for jewelry, sculpture, and mourning attire. It may have subtle warm or cool undertones depending on light and finish.

0°

Rosso
Corsa

Italian racing red, popularized by Ferrari and other Italian racing teams since the 1920s, symbolizing speed and passion.

8.24°

Minium
Orange

Made from lead tetroxide, used in medieval manuscripts, Renaissance art, and as a corrosion-resistant paint for metal structures.

10°

Chalk
White

Calcium carbonate, used since prehistory in cave paintings, Egyptian tombs, and as a ground for painting and drawing.

12°

Cinder
Grey

Evocative of ash and soot, commonly used in industrial design and modern architecture, symbolizing urban landscapes and minimalism.

12°

Keshizumiiro
Grey

Traditional Japanese grey named after extinguished charcoal, evoking stillness and restraint; used in Edo-period textiles, ceramics, and understated architectural details.

12.47°

Cinnabar
Orange

Derived from mercury sulfide, used in ancient East Asian lacquerware, Roman murals, and Renaissance art, valued for its vivid, durable hue.

32.47°

Deep
Saffron

Derived from saffron crocus stigmas, significant in Indian culture and religion, used in textiles, art, and as a symbol of sacrifice and courage.

38.59°

Golden
Yellow

Symbolizing wealth and divinity, used in Byzantine mosaics, religious art, and royal regalia throughout various cultures.

43.07°

Chrome
Yellow

Lead chromate pigment, popular in the 19th century for its bright yellow hue, used by Van Gogh, later replaced due to toxicity.

54.77°

Lead-tin
Yellow

Lead-based pigment used in the Renaissance for its bright, durable color, eventually phased out due to health hazards.

95.91°

Terre
Verte

Earthy green pigment, used in medieval and Renaissance underpainting, valued for its natural, muted tone and stability.

100°

Ash
Grey

A soft, neutral tone reminiscent of wood ash and weathered stone, historically used in Japanese ink paintings and European wash drawings for subtle shading and atmosphere.

162°

Racing
Green

Deep, rich green originally adopted by British motorsport teams in the early 1900s, most famously Bentley and Jaguar. Associated with tradition, engineering, and understated style.

177.27°

178.89°

Verdigris
Green

A blue-green pigment formed by copper oxidation, used since antiquity in painting and architecture; known for its vivid hue and tendency to shift over time.

185°

Indigo
White

Pre-industrial processes for converting indigo into white indigo dye were used in Japan for fabric decoration techniques and in Europe for general fabric dyeing.

188.98°

New Bridge
Blue

Created with chemical dyes and used on fabrics in Japan during the Meiji period, this colour was instantly fashionable after it was developed.

203.21°

Indigo
Dye

Natural dye from the indigo plant, used since ancient times for textiles, especially in India, Africa, and East Asia, prized for its rich blue color.

204.83°

Payne's
Grey

Mixture of blue, black, and yellow, developed by 18th-century watercolorist William Payne, used for its cool, neutral tone in shadows and landscapes.

220°

Selvedge
Blue

Developed specifically for jeans, it became popular for its durability, symbolizing quality and classic denim craftsmanship.

251.05°

Cobalt
Blue

Cobalt aluminate pigment, discovered in the 18th century, used by artists like Turner and Van Gogh for its bright, stable blue hue.

291.11°

Tyrian
Purple

Ancient dye from Murex snails, used by Phoenicians, symbolizing royalty and luxury, highly prized for its vibrant, lasting hue.

336.92°

Orchil
Purple

Natural dye made from lichen, used from antiquity through the 19th century in textiles; prized for its soft violet-lavender tones, though known to fade and shift noticeably with time.

343°

Porcelain
Pink Tint

Delicate pink inspired by fine ceramics, especially 18th-century European and Chinese porcelain glazes, associated with refinement, fragility, and decorative arts.

343°

Pompadour
Pink

Rich pink popularized in 18th-century France by Madame de Pompadour, used in Rococo fashion, interiors, and Sèvres porcelain to signal taste and sophistication.