Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Before the sixteenth century, there wasn’t a single word for the colour orange in the English language. In Old English, you might call it ġeolu-rēad, literally ‘yellow-red’. So what came first, the fruit or the colour? While various oranges can be mixed with yellow and red, a single pigment orange can offer more vibrancy and create cleaner mixtures than any mixed orange. Apart from natural orange ochres, the only orange pigments available to artists of the ancient world were highly toxic.
We're thrilled to announce the publication of ‘Pigment Stories’, a book by Jackson’s made up of sixty richly-illustrated pigment entries that bring the history of artists’ colour to life. A book for artists and art enthusiasts alike, ‘Pigment Stories’ reveals the hidden secrets behind pigments, uncovering tales of discovery, innovation, and transformation. We hope it offers new ways to see and appreciate the materials that have defined art across time. Pre-order now on our website: jacksonsart.com/pigment-stories-book-by-jackson-s-art?utm_campaign=ps_preorder_orange&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_content=youtube_social_organic_shorts_to_ecom
Filmed by the Jackson's Team in the Jackson's Studio. This film features Evie Hatch, Studio and Materials Specialist at Jackson’s Art Supplies.
Before the sixteenth century, there wasn’t a single word for the colour orange in the English language. In Old English, you might call it ġeolu-rēad, literally ‘yellow-red’. So what came first, the fruit or the colour? While various oranges can be mixed with yellow and red, a single pigment orange can offer more vibrancy and create cleaner mixtures than any mixed orange. Apart from natural orange ochres, the only orange pigments available to artists of the ancient world were highly toxic.
We're thrilled to announce the publication of ‘Pigment Stories’, a book by Jackson’s made up of sixty richly-illustrated pigment entries that bring the history of artists’ colour to life. A book for artists and art enthusiasts alike, ‘Pigment Stories’ reveals the hidden secrets behind pigments, uncovering tales of discovery, innovation, and transformation. We hope it offers new ways to see and appreciate the materials that have defined art across time. Pre-order now on our website: jacksonsart.com/pigment-stories-book-by-jackson-s-art?utm_campaign=ps_preorder_orange&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_content=youtube_social_organic_shorts_to_ecom
Filmed by the Jackson's Team in the Jackson's Studio. This film features Evie Hatch, Studio and Materials Specialist at Jackson’s Art Supplies.
