Description
Payne's Grey | Matisse Studio acrylic paint
Payne’s Grey is a deep, moody bluish-grey that artists often favour over pure black, which can sometimes overpower a composition or dull colour mixtures. Interestingly, its name doesn’t come from a specific pigment but from William Payne (1760–1830), a pioneering British watercolourist and instructor. In his time, Payne introduced a neutral tint made from indigo, raw sienna, and lake—an innovative alternative to the stark, lifeless grey produced by mixing black and white. Today, this blend is recognized as Payne’s Grey and remains a staple in artists’ palettes worldwide.
The Matisse version of this colour consists of ultramarine blue and mars black, giving it a subtle cool blue undertone. When applied thickly and directly from the tube, it may appear nearly black, but as it is thinned or layered, its rich blue depth emerges. Unlike pure black, which can muddy colours when shading, Payne’s Grey maintains their vibrancy, making it a preferred choice for deepening reds, browns, greys, blues, and greens. Because it is semi-transparent, artists can build up multiple veiled layers to achieve a darker, near-black effect without losing its subtle luminosity.
