We took the same approach to designing Azure that we used to develop our Radiants. We began with a modern organic pigment as the foundation and then pushed it toward its limit in tint. Our intention was to craft a sky blue that was warmer and paler than Sevres, and that could fit right between Radiant Blue and Radiant Turquoise in color space.
Tinting Phthalo Blue alone will give you the brightest blue, and that’s where Azure’s brilliance comes from. However, we wanted to soften the feel of modern pigments to give this sky blue a natural look and a touch of warmth, so we balanced it out with some Ultramarine Blue.
Azure will retain its chroma in mixes, more so than tints of Cobalt Blue, which is useful when you really want the blue to carry through. As with our Radiants, you can use Azure to nudge your blue-driven mixtures lighter in value or more intense.
Pigment: PB15:2, PB29, PW6
Vehicle: Alkali refined linseed oil
Lightfastness I, Series 2, Opaque
Color Temperature: Warm