Primary Red | Matisse Studio acrylic paint

Primary Red | Matisse Studio acrylic paint

In theory, all colours can be derived from the primary trio alone—red, blue, and yellow—alongside black and white. However, practical limitations in pigment chemistry make it difficult to recreate all the shades and hues that humans can visually perceive. Nevertheless, a wide array of colours can still be mixed from this reduced combination of primaries, yielding clear and consistent results. For this reason, teachers often use this limited palette to illustrate the core principals of colour theory, introducing students to secondary and tertiary colour combinations with ease. Both conventional and more novel mixing techniques—such as Pointillism, in which small daubs of colour are placed side by side to optically mix, resembling the modern CMYK printing process—can be applied to blend colours.

Among these foundational pigments, primary red stands out as a bright, balanced tone at the centre of the red spectrum. Its remarkable mixing potential stems from the hugely successful quinacridone pigment PV19, originally developed as a deep red-violet. Over time, chemical innovations led to variations of the molecule, yielding a rich, semi-transparent red colour. When mixed with Yellow Deep, it produces brilliant sunburst oranges, while combining it with Ultramarine Blue creates evocative deep mauveine hues. Admired for its clarity and versatility, this pigment has become a favourite among professional artists and is also an excellent choice for budding painters.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse STUDIO Primary Red (SDS)

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