Blue is a popular colour – 90% of the global population say it is their favourite colour. You probably use more blue shades in your palette than other colour. Do you have a favourite shade of blue?
Here is a video link that explains some interesting facts about blue pigment – A Story of Blue
Ultramarine has become a visual standard for sacred figures – especially the Virgin Mary.
The pigment was a rare and expensive extract of lapis lazuli.
Nowadays, it is made synthetically and is therefore much more affordable – it's hard
to imagine painting without it.
It's interesting to consider how pigments have evolved over time – from earth tones in early cave art, through new mineral discoveries and technological advances.
If you visit the Musee des Beaux Arts in Rennes, the main collection is arranged chronologically so you can clearly see the rise and fall in the use of various colours through time.
The cost of rare pigments added to the prestige of those commissioning great works of art. They would often insist on minimum amounts of the most expensive hues to demonstrate their wealth and devotion.
How do you see this reflected in the modern art world?
Your challenge for this third primary colour is to apply all the thought processes outlined previously for yellow and find your connection with blue.
And finally, here's a little research project for you – International Klein Blue is a deep blue first mixed by Avant Garde artist Yves Klein. Do a little research and see how a single hue can inspire so many things!