Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine) Watercolor – All you need to know 2023

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. Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine) 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.

Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine) by different brands

Find 9 manufacturer(s) of watercolors below. We’ve also compiled a list of our favorite art supplies here.

Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)  – Rembrandt

Watercolor Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)
Color No.: 512Lightfastness:Opacity:Semi-transparent
Staining:Granulation:Sizes: Tube 10 ml

Manufacturer website

Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)  – Van Gogh

Watercolor Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)
Color No.: 512Lightfastness:Opacity:Transparent
Staining:Granulation:Sizes: Tube 10 ml

Manufacturer website

French Ultramarine  – Winsor & Newton

Watercolor French Ultramarine

French Ultramarine is a rich transparent blue. It was created by French chemist Guimet in 1828 as a synthetic but chemically identical alternative to the expensive pigment derived from Lapis Lazuli.

Color No.: 263Lightfastness:I – ExcellentOpacity:Transparent
Staining:Granulation:Sizes: 5ml tubes; 14ml tubes; Half Pans

Manufacturer website

French Ultramarine  – Rembrandt

Watercolor French Ultramarine
Color No.: 503Lightfastness:Opacity:Transparent
Staining:Granulation:Sizes: Tube 10 ml

Manufacturer website

Rose of Ultramarine  – Daniel Smith

Watercolor Rose of Ultramarine

This exciting blend mixes Quinacridone Rose and Ultramarine Blue. The blue settles as the rose floats, creating a vibrant, dimensional purple. For those artist artists who always mix their own purples, this unique, otherwise unattainable separation is worth exploring. Juxtapose Rose of Ultramarine with pure Phthalo Blue for fun and effect.

Color No.: Lightfastness:I – ExcellentOpacity:Transparent
Staining:3-Medium StainingGranulation:GranulatingSizes: 5ml tubes; 15ml tubes; Half Pans

Manufacturer website

Ultramarine (Green Shade)  – Winsor & Newton

Watercolor Ultramarine (Green Shade)

Ultramarine (Green Shade) is a rich deep transparent blue with green undertones, differing from the red undertones of French Ultramarine. French chemist Guimet created synthetic Ultramarine in 1828.

Color No.: 667Lightfastness:I – ExcellentOpacity:Transparent
Staining:Granulation:Sizes: 5ml tubes; 14ml tubes; Half Pans

Manufacturer website

Ultramarine Blue  – Daniel Smith

Watercolor Ultramarine Blue

Ultramarine Blue plots cooler and bluer than the more saturated French Ultramarine. Temperature aside, both blues have equal permanence, lightfastness and transparency. Ultramarine Blue is slightly less granular in concentrated washes. For less saturation, sedimentation and cost, use Ultramarine Blue straight, for vibrant crayon-like color or mixed with a cool red for dark, effective neutrals.

Color No.: Lightfastness:I – ExcellentOpacity:Transparent
Staining:3-Medium StainingGranulation:GranulatingSizes: 5ml tubes; 15ml tubes; Sticks; Half Pans

Manufacturer website

Ultramarine Deep  – Rembrandt

Watercolor Ultramarine Deep
Color No.: 506Lightfastness:Opacity:Transparent
Staining:Granulation:Sizes: Tube 10 ml

Manufacturer website

Ultramarine Deep  – Van Gogh

Watercolor Ultramarine Deep
Color No.: 506Lightfastness:Opacity:Transparent
Staining:Granulation:Sizes: Tube 10 ml

Manufacturer website

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 Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)

Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine) is a popular and vibrant blue tone in watercolor painting. It is made by grinding cobalt oxide with alumina to create a deep, rich pigment that has excellent lightfastness and strong tinting strength. Cobalt Blue was first developed as a synthetic pigment in the early 19th century and quickly became popular with artists due to its unique properties.

Cobalt Blue was used extensively by French Impressionists, including Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who appreciated its luminous qualities and the way it captured the light and shadows of outdoor scenes. In watercolor painting, Cobalt Blue is often used to create subtle gradations of color in the sky or to create the shimmering reflections of water. Its versatility also makes it a popular choice for mixing with other colors to create a range of hues.

How watercolor paint is made

Watercolor paint is typically made from a few simple ingredients:

  • pigments
  • binders
  • water
Watercolor manaufacturing

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.

Testing newly made watercolor paint
Testing newly made watercolor paint

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 Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), Lunar Blue, and Cerulean Blue Chromium, which provide in-depth information on these colors and their various shades.

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