The Palette of Velázquez
Above: V shows off his palette (left) in Las Meninas. If you are interested in Velázquez, have a look at the following links:
Below: the palette of Velázquez according to the book “Velázquez – The Technique of Genius” by Jonathan Brown and Carmen Garrido:
The Palette of Velazquez
| Color | Pigments | Modern Substitute(s) (All paints are Micheal Harding unless otherwise specified) | In Italiano |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Comprised of lead white and calcite | - Cremnitz White - Optical Calcite (Kremer) | Bianco di piombo; "Calcite"? |
| Yellow | Yellow Iron Oxide; Lead-Tin Yellow; Naples yellow (sparingly). | - Transparent Yellow Oxide - Lead-Tin Yellow - Genuine Naples Yellow Dark | Giallo Ossido; Giallo di Piombo; Giallo di Napoli. |
| Orange | Orange Iron Oxide; Vermilion of Mercury; | - Translucent Orange Oxide (Mussini) - Genuine Chinese Vermilion | Trasparente Arancio Ossido; Vero Vermiglione. |
| Red | Red Iron Oxide; Vermilion of Mercury; Organic Red Lake. | - Transparent Red Oxide - Genuine Chinese Vermilion - Crimson Lake | Rosso Ossio Trasparente; Vero Vermiglione; Lacca di Rosso. |
| Blue | Azurite; Lapiz Lazuli; Smalt. | - Ultramarine Blue - Lapiz Lazuli - Cobalt Blue | Blu Oltremare; Cobalto. |
| Brown | Brown Iron Oxide; Manganese Oxide. | Transparent Brown Oxide | Marone Ossido; ?. |
| Black | Organic Black of Vegetal or Animal Origin | Ivory Black | Nero Ivorio |
| Green | Azurite; Iron Oxide; Lead-Tin Yellow. | - Ultramarine Blue - Lead-Tin Yellow | Blu Oltremare; Giallo di Piombo. |
| Purple | Organic Red Lake; Azurite. | - Crimson Lake - Ultramarine Blue | Lacca di Rosso; Blu Oltremare. |
Want to Learn More?
Examining Velázquez – a Painting Expedition
Conducted from September 20th to December 17th, 2021, this online course thoroughly examines the techniques of Diego Rodrigo de Silva y Velázquez, with special emphasis on how the color of his grounds changed over his career, how that may have impacted the way he painted, and how his increasing use of calcium carbonate might have influenced his process and aesthetic judgement.
Join Timothy Joseph Allen for an oil painting course like no other: an expedition into an uncharted realm that will hone your knowledge of materials and sharpen your awareness of the power inherent in drawing, value, edge and subtlety.
