French Vermilion

A bright orange-red vermilion pigment formulated synthetically to simulate the characteristics of the mineral pigment Vermilion and eliminate the use of mercury. This rich color has high opacity, good lightfastness and a smooth texture.

True Vermilion is a brilliant red pigment with a rich history of being used throughout history and around the world from Ancient Rome’s decorative arts and the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages to lacquerware in China since the Song dynasty. It was even used as a rouge-like cosmetic in ancient West Asia. The pigment derives from the powdered mineral cinnabar, the most common ore for sourcing elemental mercury. The mineral is generally found in its bright scarlet-to-brick color and occurs in crystals that resemble quartz.

All of our watercolors are non-toxic and handmade in our shop using the highest quality earth and synthetic pigments and natural watercolor binding medium made from gum arabic (sap from acacia trees), honey, glycerine and distilled water.