The Palette of Velazquez

ColorPigmentsModern Substitute(s)
(All paints are Micheal Harding unless otherwise specified)		In Italiano
WhiteComprised of lead white and calcite- Cremnitz White
- Optical Calcite (Kremer)
Bianco di piombo;
"Calcite"?
YellowYellow 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.
OrangeOrange Iron Oxide; Vermilion of Mercury;- Translucent Orange Oxide (Mussini)
- Genuine Chinese Vermilion		Trasparente Arancio Ossido;
Vero Vermiglione.
RedRed Iron Oxide;
Vermilion of Mercury;
Organic Red Lake.
- Transparent Red Oxide
- Genuine Chinese Vermilion
- Crimson Lake		Rosso Ossio Trasparente;
Vero Vermiglione;
Lacca di Rosso.
BlueAzurite;
Lapiz Lazuli;
Smalt.		- Ultramarine Blue
- Lapiz Lazuli
- Cobalt Blue		Blu Oltremare;
Cobalto.
BrownBrown Iron Oxide;
Manganese Oxide.		Transparent Brown OxideMarone Ossido;
?.
BlackOrganic Black of Vegetal or Animal OriginIvory BlackNero Ivorio
GreenAzurite;
Iron Oxide;
Lead-Tin Yellow.		- Ultramarine Blue
- Lead-Tin Yellow		Blu Oltremare;
Giallo di Piombo.
PurpleOrganic Red Lake;
Azurite.		- Crimson Lake
- Ultramarine Blue		Lacca di Rosso;
Blu Oltremare.

Above: the palette of Velázquez according to the book “Velázquez – The Technique of Genius” by Jonathan Brown and Carmen Garrido.

If you are interested in Velázquez, have a look at the following links:

Below: V shows off his palette (left) in Las Meninas.

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.

Update: this course is currently offline.  May 30th, 2026