Cobalt Blue

This is a sample of some Cobalt Blue mixed with black... and then some with white. From an oil painting called 'Dancing in the Living Room' by moi.

Also known as Leyden blue or Thenard's blue, it is a bright, clear blue pigment which is permanent in all techniques including fresco. Discovered by Baron Thenard in 1802, it was introduced to artists about 20 years later and became a standard color, replacing the unsatisfactory smalt. (Michael Clarke)

Red Ochre

Barnacle Vase by Brenda IE of red iron oxide glaze

Octopus oil painting by Brenda with red ochre

The only RED IRON OXIDE EARTH PIGMENT that is naturally dark red, and not made by roasting yellow iron oxide. One of the very first pigments used, it was painted on the head and chest of corpses by Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon peoples (possibly as early as 50,000 BC), who perhaps associated the color with life-giving blood. It is extremely PERMANENT and OPAQUE. (Rose Folsom)

Gamblin makes a beautiful, quality shade of red iron oxide. The photograph of the Octopus painting has a liberal amount of this color. Red Iron Oxide is also a great way to bring out detail in ceramics. On the Barnacle vase, I painted a wash of the paint on and rubbed it off, then added a clear glaze.