Colours

The Mixhive palette

Foundational colours used by artists for generations.

Creativity in constraint

For every colour, a reason

Before industrialization, artisans made paints, dyes, and inks in limited batches. They developed innovative processes that demonstrate their generational knowledge. Artists were limited to their own materials until commercial products became available. So, even accounting for artists mixing their own pigments, the base colours they had access to were firmly associated with their works and the artistic and cultural movements they were part of.

With that in mind, I decided to choose colours that previous generations of artists relied on.

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 presence a flood of cobalt blue creates over a traditional indigo.

In Development

Shop by colour

I am in the process of developing a way to shop by colour. Once that's done, you will be able to shop by specific colours, for example "Lead Yellow", or all "Yellows".

Colours used in my art

  • Cinnabar Orange

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

  • Rosso Corsa

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

  • Minium Orange

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

  • Lead White

    Lead carbonate pigment, essential in Western art for centuries, used by Old Masters for its opacity and smooth texture, phased out for toxicity.

  • Chalk White

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

  • Cinder Grey

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

  • Chrome Yellow

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

  • Golden Yellow

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

  • 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.

  • Lead Yellow

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

  • Terre Verte

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Cobalt Blue

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

  • Selvedge Blue

    Developed specifically for jeans and originating from shuttle looms, it became popular for its durability and distinct edge, symbolizing quality and classic denim craftsmanship.

  • Tyrian Purple

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

  • Graphite Black

    Carbon allotrope used since the 16th century for pencils and art, known for its smooth texture and ability to create fine details and shading.

  • Jet Black

    Derived from lignite, used since antiquity for jewelry, sculpture, and mourning attire, symbolizing elegance, mystery, and mourning.