French Ultramarine is a classic, expressive blue prized for its warmth, granulation, and versatility. It is one of the most widely used blues in watercolor because of its ability to create both luminous passages and richly textured darks without overwhelming other colors.
Understanding French Ultramarine on the Palette
French Ultramarine occupies a warm blue position on the color wheel, leaning toward violet rather than green. This placement allows it to create depth and atmosphere while maintaining harmony with both warm and cool colors.
Because it is semi-transparent and non-staining, French Ultramarine excels in layered washes, soft transitions, and passages where subtle color variation and texture are desired. Its warmth makes it especially effective for shadow work and spatial recession.
Pigment Information: What French Ultramarine Is Made Of
French Ultramarine is made from Ultramarine Blue (PB29), a synthetic inorganic pigment originally developed as a replacement for natural lapis lazuli.
Typical characteristics include:
- Semi-transparent
- Warm blue-violet bias
- Strong natural granulation
- Moderate tinting strength
- Excellent lightfastness
PB29 is valued for its stability, predictability, and distinctive textural qualities.
Granulation & Handling Characteristics
French Ultramarine is known for:
- Pronounced granulation
- Soft, broken color in washes
- Expressive texture on cold-press and rough paper
Because it is non-staining:
- It can be lifted more easily than staining blues
- It responds well to rewetting
- It layers beautifully without becoming heavy
These properties make it especially well suited for atmospheric landscapes and painterly techniques.
Why French Ultramarine Works Well in Color Theory Systems
As a warm blue, French Ultramarine:
- Produces rich neutrals with earth colors
- Creates natural shadow mixtures
- Maintains clarity in both complementary and analogous relationships
Its moderate strength makes color interactions easy to control and visually informative.
Color Schemes Using French Ultramarine
French Ultramarine is one of my favorite blues. It is a warm semi-transparent non-staining watercolor that mixes well with other transparent non-staining colors. It is a good color to use as foreground shadows.
Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber complement French Ultramarine when juxtaposed in a composition.
Complementary Relationships
Warm earth colors such as Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber provide strong complementary contrast to French Ultramarine. When mixed, these pairings create a wide range of expressive neutrals ideal for shadows, architecture, and landscape forms.
Analogous Relationships
Sitting between Winsor Blue (Green Shade) and Ultramarine Violet, French Ultramarine supports smooth transitions across the blue spectrum. These combinations are especially effective for skies, water, and atmospheric distance.
Triadic & Expanded Mixing Use
Within broader palettes, French Ultramarine:
- Anchors triadic schemes with warmth and texture
- Softens high-chroma colors
- Supports believable spatial depth
Its adaptability makes it a foundational blue in both limited and expanded palettes.
French Ultramarine Compared to Other Blues
- French Ultramarine: warm, granulating, non-staining
- Winsor Blue (Green Shade): cool, staining, high-chroma
- Cobalt Blue: softer, lighter, more delicate
French Ultramarine offers the greatest balance between texture, warmth, and control.
Best Uses for French Ultramarine
French Ultramarine is particularly effective for:
- Foreground and midground shadows
- Skies and water
- Landscape painting
- Architectural forms
- Expressive, painterly watercolor styles
Limitations of French Ultramarine
While highly versatile, French Ultramarine:
- Cannot achieve the intensity of staining blues
- Granulates heavily on some papers
- Requires layering for deep saturation
These qualities are often strengths when used intentionally.
A Note on French Ultramarine’s Role on the Palette
French Ultramarine brings warmth, texture, and emotional depth to the palette. Its granulation and non-staining behavior make it indispensable for artists who value atmospheric color, expressive surfaces, and nuanced shadow work in watercolor.