I loved that he used ultramarine for non-blue objects when he could have easily used an alternative - no cutting corners. Just think about the cost per square inch!
EXCEPTIONAL READ! As someone who loves navy blue perhaps too much, this was such a great look into the history of my favourite colour. Hope you do more colour studies!
Agreed it could be a whole other piece - woad blue is so fascinating to me. Have you seen a video of wool being dipped in woad?! The way the color transforms - breathtaking!
Such a great read, ty! Unreal to send your family into debt so you can mix blue into your leaves, horror and respect at that tbh🫡 also there’s a yves klein table up for auction at Doyle’s rn!! If someone has a cool 6-10K laying around, they can grab it. Not in my tax bracket lol but was very fun to see in person anyway 💙💙
YES! The shock and horror of all art 101 students. Didn’t make it into the post but France hosted a contest in 1824 to find an alt for real ultramarine pigment. The result was French ultramarine - and you can buy both at the paint store!! You’ll now know why one is a little more expensive:)
Thanks for another excellent article. Loved the history of blue in art and design. I painted a full sized copy of Gainsborough’s Blue Boy. It took a long time to complete and I used ultramarine, cobalt, Prussian, cerulean, blue and turquoise. I learned a lot during the time it took to complete that painting.
This just made me love Vermeers psintings more than I thought was possible - paintings so precious - literal “ jewel boxes”
I loved that he used ultramarine for non-blue objects when he could have easily used an alternative - no cutting corners. Just think about the cost per square inch!
EXCEPTIONAL READ! As someone who loves navy blue perhaps too much, this was such a great look into the history of my favourite colour. Hope you do more colour studies!
Blue has staying power! There’s a reason. OK let me know your other fave colors to keep in mind🫡
Honestly would love to know more about yellow and red! It’s a big season for primary colours!
I learned so much. Obsessed with that Picasso blue period painting.
It was my phone background forever. So sad but so beautiful!
Freaking loved this
You can also go down a rabbit hole on two natural blues …
Woad – used in dyeing fabrics in Europe in the pre-medieval period
Indigo – used, errr, in lots of places – but think blue jeans, etc.
Both are naturally-derived from plants and you can spend hours looking into the history, use of both.
Agreed it could be a whole other piece - woad blue is so fascinating to me. Have you seen a video of wool being dipped in woad?! The way the color transforms - breathtaking!
Also… didn’t realize you work at Alex Mill. I’m a big fan of the brand 🥰
Omg thanks reading it with my matcha this AM! Yes!!! I do brand. So glad you’re a fan - we need more men in our corner🫡
I’ll look for that! Also this was in the Times recently https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/fashion/craftsmanship-woad-blue-dye-france.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Such a great read, ty! Unreal to send your family into debt so you can mix blue into your leaves, horror and respect at that tbh🫡 also there’s a yves klein table up for auction at Doyle’s rn!! If someone has a cool 6-10K laying around, they can grab it. Not in my tax bracket lol but was very fun to see in person anyway 💙💙
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/200474480
UNREAL. Going once, twice?! Someone must buy!
I remember my first year of art school having to buy paint for the first time the blue was a SHOCK for a 17 year olds bank account lol. Still is 😂
YES! The shock and horror of all art 101 students. Didn’t make it into the post but France hosted a contest in 1824 to find an alt for real ultramarine pigment. The result was French ultramarine - and you can buy both at the paint store!! You’ll now know why one is a little more expensive:)
So fascinating, and loved all the art examples 🩵
My camera roll is now a sea of Vermeer and Yves Klein - not the worst thing💙
Thanks for another excellent article. Loved the history of blue in art and design. I painted a full sized copy of Gainsborough’s Blue Boy. It took a long time to complete and I used ultramarine, cobalt, Prussian, cerulean, blue and turquoise. I learned a lot during the time it took to complete that painting.
Love it!
I've never been more obsessed with blue🩵
Thank you for this wondering article, I loved it!
Such a fun and informative read! THANK YOU 💙
I so appreciated reading about the various shades of blue and then seeing the different paintings that contain the color. Outstanding research!!!
Just fascinated by Yves and all his grand gestures. More colour studies pls! Learned so much from this one <3
Looooved this blue deep dive omg