PIGMENT STORIES: ULTRAMARINE BLUE
From Lapis Lazuli to Legend
Ultramarine was once made from crushed lapis lazuli, mined in Afghanistan and prized during the Renaissance. It was more valuable than gold and reserved for sacred subjects like the Virgin Mary’s robes.
What it Feels Like
Depth, calm, mystery. Ultramarine evokes the infinite - skies, seas, and silent contemplation. A color that breathes with emotion.
Artists Who Love It
Examples of Ultramarine Blue in Paintings
Thomas Schaller – Architectural Drama
Thomas Schaller frequently uses ultramarine blue to infuse his architectural watercolors with drama, depth, and mood. His work often features contrast between light and dark, vertical and horizontal forms, with the deep cool richness typical of ultramarine.
Ultramarine was once made from crushed lapis lazuli, mined in Afghanistan and prized during the Renaissance. It was more valuable than gold and reserved for sacred subjects like the Virgin Mary’s robes.
What it Feels Like
Depth, calm, mystery. Ultramarine evokes the infinite - skies, seas, and silent contemplation. A color that breathes with emotion.
Artists Who Love It
Examples of Ultramarine Blue in Paintings
Thomas Schaller – Architectural Drama
Thomas Schaller frequently uses ultramarine blue to infuse his architectural watercolors with drama, depth, and mood. His work often features contrast between light and dark, vertical and horizontal forms, with the deep cool richness typical of ultramarine.
Carol Carter – Watery Richness
One standout example is Carol's painting "Caribbean Blue", where the fluid, vibrant ultramarine washes create a luminous aquatic environment. The painting radiates the "watery richness" associated with Carter’s palette.
One standout example is Carol's painting "Caribbean Blue", where the fluid, vibrant ultramarine washes create a luminous aquatic environment. The painting radiates the "watery richness" associated with Carter’s palette.
Alvaro Castagnet – Powerful Cool Contrasts
Castagnet is known for layering ultramarine blue with burnt sienna or ochre to form strong, cool contrasts in landscape and street scenes. In our example you can see how Alvaro creates a moody urban scene featuring a deep ultramarine-rich structure rising out of more neutral surroundings—highlighting cool tones in contrast with the foggy environment.
Castagnet is known for layering ultramarine blue with burnt sienna or ochre to form strong, cool contrasts in landscape and street scenes. In our example you can see how Alvaro creates a moody urban scene featuring a deep ultramarine-rich structure rising out of more neutral surroundings—highlighting cool tones in contrast with the foggy environment.
Ultramarine blue is Masters' favorite.
Mixing Magic
Ultramarine + Burnt Sienna = Perfect shadow neutrals
Ultramarine + Quin Rose = Luminous violets
Ultramarine + Cobalt Teal = Vivid skies
✨ It granulates beautifully and glazes like silk.
Try This:
Paint a moody sky or emotional portrait using only Ultramarine + one other pigment.
Mixing Magic
Ultramarine + Burnt Sienna = Perfect shadow neutrals
Ultramarine + Quin Rose = Luminous violets
Ultramarine + Cobalt Teal = Vivid skies
✨ It granulates beautifully and glazes like silk.
Try This:
Paint a moody sky or emotional portrait using only Ultramarine + one other pigment.
