For artists, the choice of color is essential in creating a unique and compelling work of art. Every color has its unique characteristics that can evoke different emotions and moods. Cerulean Blue has found its place in the artist’s palette is versatile and vibrant. In this article, we will explore this color’s use and significance in the art world, providing insights into why it continues to be a popular choice among artists.
Cerulean Blue by different brands
Find 9 manufacturer(s) of watercolors below. We’ve also compiled a list of our favorite art supplies here.
Cerulean Blue – Daniel Smith
A superb mixing color. Think of Cerulean Blue as a cleaner, brighter and slightly warmer alternative to the Cerulean Blue Chromium we’ve always sold. A bit less green, it’s a truer blue that will be a versatile component of any palette.
| Color No.: | Lightfastness:I – Excellent | Opacity:Semi-Transparent |
| Staining:1-Non-Staining | Granulation: | Sizes: 5ml tubes; 15ml tubes; Half Pans |
Cerulean Blue – Winsor & Newton
Cerulean Blue was developed in 1805 and entered the English market in the 1860s. Its name derives from the Latin Caeruleum meaning sky-blue pigment. It is a bright blue pigment with green undertones.
| Color No.: 137 | Lightfastness:I – Excellent | Opacity:Semi-Opaque |
| Staining: | Granulation: | Sizes: 5ml tubes; 14ml tubes; Half Pans |
Cerulean Blue – Rembrandt
| Color No.: 534 | Lightfastness: | Opacity:Semi-transparent |
| Staining: | Granulation: | Sizes: Tube 10 ml |
Cerulean Blue (Phthalo) – Van Gogh
| Color No.: 535 | Lightfastness: | Opacity:Transparent |
| Staining: | Granulation: | Sizes: Tube 10 ml |
Cerulean Blue (Phthalo) – Rembrandt
| Color No.: 535 | Lightfastness: | Opacity:Semi-transparent |
| Staining: | Granulation: | Sizes: Tube 10 ml |
Cerulean Blue (Red Shade) – Winsor & Newton
Cerulean Blue (Red Shade) is a bright blue pigment with red undertones in contrast to Cerulean Blue which has green undertones. It is a granulating opaque watercolour.
| Color No.: 140 | Lightfastness:I – Excellent | Opacity:Opaque |
| Staining: | Granulation: | Sizes: 5ml tubes; 14ml tubes; Half Pans |
Cerulean Blue Chromium – Daniel Smith
Beautiful on its own, and especially so when mixed with a transparent pigment, this sky blue inorganic pigment is granular and medium-light in value. Highly permanent and extremely low-staining, Cerulean Blue creates exciting granulation and settling washes. A drop of Cerulean Blue into a damp wash such as Burnt Sienna creates a halo effect around the more dense Cerulean. This is especially effective when Quinacridone Gold or Quinacridone Burnt Orange are used in the moist underpainting. This technique is great for rendering lichen and Spanish Moss. Add Buff Titanium, Undersea Green and touches of Lunar Black – each a DANIEL SMITH exclusive – and the creative fun truly begins! For a misty landscape or that dusky quality on eggplant, grapes and plums, think Cerulean as a mixer.
| Color No.: | Lightfastness:I – Excellent | Opacity:Semi-Transparent |
| Staining:2-Low Staining | Granulation:Granulating | Sizes: 5ml tubes; 15ml tubes; Sticks; Half Pans |
Cerulean Blue Deep – Rembrandt
| Color No.: 550 | Lightfastness: | Opacity:Semi-transparent |
| Staining: | Granulation: | Sizes: Tube 10 ml |
Cerulean Blue Greenish – Rembrandt
| Color No.: 598 | Lightfastness: | Opacity:Semi-transparent |
| Staining: | Granulation: | Sizes: Tube 10 ml |
Tips when choosing colors
When it comes to choosing colors for watercolor painting, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, consider the color wheel and how different colors interact with each other. Understanding complementary colors, warm and cool tones, and color harmonies can help you create dynamic and visually appealing artworks. Additionally, think about the subject matter and the mood you want to convey. For example, if you are painting a landscape, you may want to choose greens and blues for a calming and natural feel. Lastly, experiment with different brands and pigments to find colors that suit your style and technique. Remember, the color choices you make can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your artwork, so take your time and choose wisely.
Also read, watercolor essentials to see which colors are essential.
History of Cerulean Blue
Cerulean Blue is a bright, vibrant watercolor tone that is a popular choice among many artists. It is made from a mixture of blue and green pigments, which gives it its distinctive hue. Cerulean Blue is known for its lightfastness and its ability to create a range of blues, from pale sky blue to deep turquoise.
The color was first introduced in the 1860s by the French artist Louis-Auguste Girardot, who named it after the Latin word for sky blue, “caeruleus.” Cerulean Blue quickly became popular among artists, who appreciated its brightness and versatility. Today, it is widely used in many different mediums, including watercolor, oil, and acrylic paints.
Fun fact: Cerulean Blue was used by the famous American painter Georgia O’Keeffe in many of her paintings, including her iconic flower paintings. O’Keeffe was known for her use of color and abstraction, and Cerulean Blue was one of the colors that she used to create her vibrant, organic forms.
How watercolor paint is made
Watercolor paint is typically made from a few simple ingredients:
- pigments
- binders
- water
The pigments used in watercolor paints can be organic or inorganic compounds, such as minerals or synthetic chemicals. These pigments are finely ground and then mixed with a binder, which helps the pigment particles adhere to the paper when the paint is applied.
The most common binder used in watercolor paints is gum arabic, a natural resin extracted from the sap of the acacia tree. Gum arabic is mixed with the pigment to create a thick paste, which is then combined with water to create the final paint.
Other additives may be added to the paint to improve its performance or create specific effects. For example, some watercolor paints may include wetting agents to help the paint spread more evenly on the paper, or preservatives to extend the paint’s shelf life.
Watercolor paints are available in a wide range of colors and textures, from transparent washes to opaque and granulated pigments. Different
manufacturers may use slightly different formulations or ingredients in their paints, which can affect the quality and performance of the paint.
If you’re interested in learning about other colors, check out our pages on Manganese Blue Hue, Phthalo Turquoise, and Cobalt Turquoise Light, which provide in-depth information on these colors and their various shades.