Alizarin Crimson is a classic, cool red valued for its depth, transparency, and expressive range. Long favored by watercolorists for its dramatic shadows and rich mixtures, it occupies a central role in traditional and color-theory–based palettes alike.
Understanding Alizarin Crimson on the Palette
Alizarin Crimson sits on the cool side of red, leaning toward violet rather than orange. This placement makes it especially effective for shadow work, florals, and atmospheric passages where warmth must be tempered with depth.
As a transparent, staining color, Alizarin Crimson excels in layered washes and glazing. It produces luminous darks when built gradually and maintains clarity even in complex mixtures.
Pigment Information: What Alizarin Crimson Is Made Of
Traditional Alizarin Crimson was based on PR83, a pigment known historically for its beauty but also for its poor lightfastness. Many “modern” Alizarin Crimson formulations now use more lightfast synthetic alternatives such as Permanent Alizarin Crimson while preserving the characteristic hue.
Typical characteristics include:
- Transparent
- High staining strength
- Moderate to high tinting power
- Smooth, non-granulating washes
- Variable lightfastness depending on formulation
Artists should always check pigment codes and lightfastness ratings for their specific brand.
Handling & Mixing Characteristics
Alizarin Crimson is known for:
- Smooth, flowing washes
- Strong staining behavior
- Excellent glazing performance
Because of its staining nature:
- It is difficult to lift once dry
- It benefits from controlled dilution
- Small amounts can significantly shift a mixture
It pairs especially well with blues and greens to create deep neutrals and expressive shadow colors.
Why Alizarin Crimson Works Well in Color Theory Systems
As a primary red, Alizarin Crimson:
- Establishes strong complementary contrast
- Produces a wide range of cool neutrals
- Anchors triadic palettes with clarity and balance
Its transparency makes color relationships visible and instructive, which is why it is frequently used in teaching color theory.
Color Schemes Using Alizarin Crimson
I use Alizarin Crimson as the PRIMARY RED on the color wheel because it is a pure transparent staining watercolor that is perfect for its complementary color listed below.
The following color schemes are based on Stephen Quiller’s “Quiller Color Wheel” and his book “Color Choices: Making Color Sense Out of Color Theory.“
Complementary
The complementary color sits on the opposite side of the color wheel. For Alizarin Crimson, the complementary color is:
This pairing creates deep, dramatic neutrals and strong visual contrast ideal for shadows and compositional structure.
Split-Complementary
The split-complementary colors are the two colors located on either side of the complementary color on the color wheel. The following are the split-complementary colors for Alizarin Crimson:
This scheme offers balance and harmony while retaining chromatic interest.
Analogous
Going clockwise on the color wheel from RED to ORANGE, the analogous colors for Alizarin Crimson are:
These combinations are especially effective for florals, skin tones, and warm expressive passages.
Triadic
The three PRIMARY colors on the color wheel are YELLOW, BLUE, and RED. In addition to Alizarin Crimson, the other colors that make up this Triadic color scheme are:
This classic triad forms a foundational palette capable of producing a full range of hues and neutrals.
Alizarin Crimson Compared to Other Reds
- Alizarin Crimson: cool, transparent, staining
- Cadmium Red Deep: warm, opaque, powerful
- Permanent Rose: lighter, cleaner, more modern
Alizarin Crimson excels where depth and subtlety are required rather than bold opacity.
Best Uses for Alizarin Crimson
Alizarin Crimson is particularly effective for:
- Shadow passages
- Florals and botanicals
- Glazing and layered washes
- Cool red mixtures
- Traditional and classical watercolor palettes
Limitations of Alizarin Crimson
While expressive, Alizarin Crimson:
- May have lightfastness concerns depending on pigment
- Can overpower mixtures if overused
- Is difficult to lift due to staining
Understanding these limitations helps artists use it intentionally and responsibly.
A Note on Alizarin Crimson’s Role on the Palette
Alizarin Crimson brings emotional depth and atmospheric richness to the palette. When used with awareness of its staining strength and pigment properties, it remains one of the most expressive and instructive reds available to watercolor artists.