In our celebration of our hero colour Viridian we wanted to delve into the anatomy of this colour and unearth what makes it such a unique pigment. To explore this a little further we did a series of colour tests such as swatching, colour wheels and dot cards using watercolour and acrylic to showcase this pigments characteristics.
Viridian green, also known as chromium oxide green, is a bright green pigment that has been used in art and industry for over 150 years. Its name is derived from the Latin word "viridis," meaning green, and it is often described as a cool, blue-green hue that has many characteristics.
These characteristics have made it a popular choice among artists and industrial manufacturers alike. Here are some of the key characteristics of viridian green:
Hue: One of the most notable characteristics of viridian green is its hue. It is a cool, blue-green colour that is distinct from other green pigments. Its hue is reminiscent of the colour of emeralds or turquoise. This cool hue is ideal for creating natural-looking greens in paintings, and it is a popular choice for artists who want to capture the beauty of nature.
Transparency: Viridian green is a semi-transparent pigment, which means that it can be used to create both opaque and transparent layers in a painting. This makes it versatile for creating different effects in an artwork. When used in a transparent glaze, viridian green can create a luminous effect, adding depth and richness to a painting.
Mixing: Another notable characteristic of viridian green is its transparency. This allows it to be mixed with other pigments to create new colours without significantly altering their opacity or hue. It is often used to create natural-looking greens when mixed with other yellows and blues. It is also an excellent pigment for creating cool, muted greys when mixed with earth tones or blues.
Durability: Viridian green is a very durable pigment that resists fading, weathering, and chemical degradation. This makes it a popular pigment in industrial applications, such as coatings, plastics, and ceramics. It is also an ideal pigment for outdoor painting, as it can withstand exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors without losing its colour or vibrancy.
Viridian and Quinacridone Magenta
Mixing Viridian with Quinacridone Magenta which is a vibrant, pinkish-red. creates a range of colours that include muted purples, warm greys, and earthy browns. I initially used a small mixture of Quinacridone Magenta and gradually increased the ratio of each Magenta into Viridian to create different hues and intensities.
As you can see if you use more Viridian than Quinacridone Magenta, you may create a range of muted green colours with a slight reddish tint. Then as you increase more Quinacridone Magenta you may create a range of warm pink or purple hues with a slightly greenish undertone with them.
It's important to note that the exact colours you create will depend on the specific shades of Viridian and Quinacridone Magenta that you are using, as well as the amount of water or medium you use to dilute the pigments. Therefore, it's always a good idea to experiment with different ratios and techniques to see how the two colours interact with each other.
Regenerate response
Viridian and Cadmium Orange
Mixing Viridian and Cadmium Orange will result in a muted olive green colour. Viridian is a blue-green colour with a strong blue undertone, while cadmium orange is a warm orange with a strong red undertone. When these two colours are mixed together, the red undertone of the Cadmium Orange will neutralise some of the blue undertone of the viridian, resulting in a muted green colour.
Colour Mixing Wheels
It's always good to showcase subtle variations in the tone of a colour by using a colour base wheel and select some complimentary colours. In the centre you place your hero colour, in this case Viridian, mixed with water. The on the outer rings. Then modify your colours the closer they get together, for example, the second ring out from your hero colour you have more a mixture of Viridian and your choice of outer colour then add more of the outer colour for the third ring. These allows you to do see the subtle variations of mixtures with the chosen colour.
