As part of our series of Cass Colour Stories we wanted to explore one of the most important and oldest pigments to feature in an artist's palette - Cadmium yellow. Known for it’s bright, intense hue and valued for its lightfastness and opacity - plus highly favoured by the masters van Gogh & Klimt! Immerse yourself in our exploration into the anatomy of Cadmium Yellow.
LET'S DIVE IN
THE STORY OF CADMIUM YELLOW
Named after the metal 'cadmium', which is used to create the pigment that gives the colour its distinctive hue. In this article we explore the history, properties, and uses of Cadmium Yellow.
A feature on the various properties of Cadmium Yellow - including experimenting with its complimentary colours and the tonal shifts with gradual dilution to uncover its distinctive yellow hue.
Cadmium yellow plays a prominent role in Vincent van Gogh's famous series of sunflower paintings. Van Gogh used the pigment to create the bright, glowing yellow hues that give the sunflowers their iconic appearance.
In his paintings, van Gogh employed a technique known as impasto, in which the paint is applied in thick, textured layers. This allowed him to create a three-dimensional effect that gives the sunflowers a sense of depth and dimensionality. The use of cadmium yellow, which is known for its brightness and intensity, was essential to achieving this effect.
ART HISTORY
GUSTAV KLIMT
Cadmium yellow is also a prominent colour in another iconic painting - Gustav Klimt's famous painting, "The Kiss." The pigment is used to create the warm and vibrant gold tones that permeate the painting, giving it a sense of opulence and luxury.
In "The Kiss," Klimt employs a technique known as gold leafing, in which thin sheets of gold are applied to the painting's surface. This technique was a hallmark of the Art Nouveau movement, of which Klimt was a prominent figure, and it added a layer of shimmer and sheen to the already-rich colours of the painting.
"Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun"
PABLO PICASSO
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE
CADMIUM YELLOW
The colour yellow can have a powerful psychological impact on individuals, and it is often associated with feelings of happiness, optimism, and warmth. We explore some of the key psychological effects of the colour yellow
Discover cadmium free paint and learn the story behind this interesting pigment and the brands developing these exceptional paint alternatives. Whether you work in watercolour, oil or acrylic there are vibrant cadmium free options to add to your paint collection.
