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Explorations of Green and Blue (Turquoise)

Here is how to make Turquoise:

Turquoise, in painting terms, is the infinite relationship between green and blue. It is defined as a greenish-blue or a sky blue colour. Given the vast spectrum of green and blue pigments that are available to us as artists, the exploration of mixing them in combinations is endless. We have provided samples below of blending turquoise as a wash (paint diluted with water) and with Titanium White.

 

Turquoise Washes:

1.  Cobalt Blue with Phthalo Green
2.  Cerulean Blue with Phthalo Green
3.  Sap Green with Phthalo Blue
4.  Cerulean Blue with Raw Titanium and Phthalo Green
5.  Benzi Burnt Orange with Phthalo Blue and Phthalo Green
6.  Phthalo Green and Phthalo Blue
7.  Cobalt Blue with Raw Titanium and Phthalo Green
8.  Ultramarine Blue with Phthalo Green
9.  Alizarin Crimson Hue with Phthalo Green
10.  Cobalt Blue with Phthalo Blue and Phthalo Green
11.  Cobalt Blue with Phthalo Green
12.  Phthalo Blue with Phthalo Green

 

Turquoise Blends with Titanium White: 

1.  Cobalt Blue and Phthalo Green with Titanium White
2.  Alizarin Crimson Hue and Phthalo Green with Titanium White
3.  Benzi Burnt Orange and Phthalo Green with Titanium White
4.  Phthalo Green and Phthalo blue with Titanium White
5.  Cobalt Blue and Phthalo Green with Titanium White
6.  Cerulean Blue and Phthalo Green with Titanium White
7.  Cobalt Blue and Phthalo Green with Titanium White
8.  Phthalo Blue and Phthalo Green with Titanium White

Vancouver Grey is back!

Vancouver Grey

Vancouver Grey pigment sludge

Each time we grind a different colour we rinse out the mill and save the pigment residue. Over the year this residue accumulates into a beautiful sludge made up of layers of different colours. When enough has accumulated to make a batch we put it through the mill again and blend it all together to make Vancouver Grey. If you looked at this grey through a microscope you would see all kinds of brightly coloured pigment particles. 

Each dated annual batch is a different grey varying from warm to cool depending on the range of colours milled through the year. Vancouver grey can be a very useful colour for subtly desaturating your mixes. Used in a composition, it shows off the surrounding colours, and is a beautiful colour in its own right.