A Brief Look at the History of Colour
Colour is so much a part of our everyday lives that we rarely, if ever, think about how extraordinary it is to have such a range available. At our studio you can use any shade wanted, yet for most of human history, the story of colour was one of scarcity, discovery, and even secrecy. Certain pigments were once worth more than gold, others were created by chance, and some were lost to time. Understanding the history of colour helps us appreciate just how fortunate we are today to dip a brush into any shade we like.
A World of Limited Hues
In the earliest days of art, people created images with whatever they could find. Cave paintings dating back tens of thousands of years reveal a palette that was earthy and simple, mainly using blacks made from charcoal, reds and yellows from ochre, and whites from chalk. These natural pigments were ground into powders, mixed with a liquid and applied to walls.
As civilisation developed, colour began to take on cultural and symbolic importance. Certain pigments became linked with wealth, power, and the divine. This was not just because of their beauty, but because of how rare and difficult they were to obtain.
One of the most famous examples is Tyrian purple, extracted from sea snails in the Mediterranean. The process was so laborious, requiring thousands of snails for even a small amount, that only royalty and the elite could afford it. Wearing purple became synonymous with power, privilege, and empire.
Similarly, lapis lazuli, a precious stone mined in Afghanistan, was ground into the most vibrant blue pigment available in the Middle Ages. It was so expensive that artists often used it sparingly, reserving it for the robes of the Virgin Mary in religious paintings. A splash of ultramarine in an artwork was more than a colour choice, it was a statement of wealth and devotion.
The Fragility of Colour
Not only were pigments rare, but many were also unstable. Some faded in sunlight, others reacted with air, and a few were downright toxic. The Romans loved a bright red pigment called cinnabar, but it contained mercury and was highly poisonous. In Renaissance Europe artists experimented with greens derived from copper, which could corrode or blacken over time. A painting was never guaranteed to look the same a century later. Today, with lightfast paints and safe pigments, we don’t worry about our colours disappearing or poisoning us.
Some of the most beloved colours were discovered completely by accident. In the early 18th century Prussian Blue was the first modern synthetic pigment, though to be created by accident when a paint maker used potash tainted with blood when trying to make a red. This invention was far cheaper than ultramarine and soon became a favourite among artists worldwide.
Later the rise of industrial chemistry in the 19th century led to an explosion of new colours. Synthetic dyes and pigments were suddenly available in shades never seen before. Artists were no longer limited to what could be ground from minerals or harvested from plants and animals.
Colour in the Modern World
Today we take colour for granted in a way that would have amazed artists of the past. You can walk into an art supply shop and buy paints, pencils, markers, and pastels in every shade imaginable. From neon pinks to soft pastels, earthy browns to metallic silvers, the possibilities are endless. Technology has also added new dimensions to colour, as digital art allows us to use any shade with just a click.
We embrace this colourful heritage. Every class is supplied with a full range of materials, no need to worry about investing in expensive paints or hunting for rare pigments! Whether you’re exploring the bold vibrancy of acrylics, the soft blending of pastels, or even the endless palette of digital art, we want you to feel the freedom that today’s colours allow.
The history of colour is a story of human curiosity and innovation. It’s easy to forget just how lucky we are to have unlimited access to colour. Imagine being an artist centuries ago, needing to save up to buy a small pot of blue pigment, or being forced to change your vision because the shade you wanted was unavailable or unstable. So the next time you pick up a brush, take a moment to appreciate the richness of the colours around you.