French Vermilion

A bright orange-red synthetic formulated to simulate the characteristics of the mineral pigment Vermilion, without the use of mercury. This lovely core color is highly opaque, smooth and lightfast.

True Vermilion is a brilliant red pigment with a rich history of use around the world, from Ancient Rome’s decorative arts, to illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, to lacquerware in China since the Song dynasty. Vermillion was even used as a cosmetic rouge in ancient West Asia. The pigment derives from the bright, scarlet-to-brick colored mineral cinnabar, a common source of elemental mercury.

All of our watercolors are handmade in our shop using the highest quality earth and synthetic pigments, plus natural watercolor binding medium made from gum arabic (sap from acacia trees), honey, glycerine, distilled water, and a dash of clove oil for freshness!

Half Pans measure ~3/4" x 1/2" x 3/8" and contain ~2ml of paint.

Color Index number as provided by vendor: PR4, PY1. All of our watercolors conform to ASTM D-4236.