If you think back to the early days of our history, you might imagine that those who could afford painted finishes adorned their homes with bright and vibrant colors like the legendary Prussian blue famously used by George Washington. However, the reality is quite different. Historical palettes were dominated by earth pigments, which were mixed with minerals and binders to create subtle and harmonious colors that complemented the natural hues of building materials such as stone and brick.
The palette of colonial colors was surprisingly diverse, considering that they were derived from just eight core colors sourced from iron oxide or copper. The warm and familiar hues we associate with early American applications, such as brown, burnt orange, tawny red and pink, rich tan, and yellow, all come from iron oxides like ochre, umber, and sienna. Copper forms the basis for blues and greens, including the magnificent turquoise shade known as Egyptian blue, which has been mixed for over 5,000 years.
These eight essential colonial colors, derived from stable natural colorants, were readily available almost everywhere. This made it easy for German and Swiss immigrants settling in Pennsylvania to bring their folk painting traditions to the New World, resulting in the distinctive Pennsylvania Deutsch furniture and decoration.
Before pre-mixed paints became popular in the 1870s, paints were mixed on-site by blending dry pigments with minerals like sand from nearby beaches, quarries, or deserts. This meant that a historical paint made from red ochre, for example, could vary greatly in color, ranging from earthy brown to reddish purple, depending on the materials available. As a result, historical color palettes often reflect regional characteristics and local influences.
Unlike modern synthetic paints, traditional pigments give painted surfaces a subtle movement and life that cannot be replicated. Interestingly, white and pure blue were not among the essential colonial colors. When the first modern pigment, Prussian blue, was introduced in the 18th century, it became a sensation. This rich, dark blue with greenish undertones had a high tinting strength but was also prone to change when exposed to light and air.
Our first president, George Washington, proudly showcased this late 18th-century status symbol in his Virginia home, Mount Vernon. The West Parlor was painted a bold robin's-egg blue, while the grand dining room received a luxurious emerald verdigris with blue undertones. However, over time, these fashionable colors began to fade and undergo color shifts, which continue to influence our perception of "authentic" colonial colors. In fact, the use of Prussian blue in the interiors of wealthy landowners like Washington eventually led to the popularity of subdued grey-greens and pale blues in Greek Revival architecture two decades later.
Today, the faded and color-shifting look is highly sought after, particularly in blues. It's fascinating how adding even a tiny drop of black or green colorant or a few drops of white can completely transform the appearance of blue paint. Depending on the tweaks in the formula, the final result can range from nearly black to a startling green or the softest pale blue.
White, an essential color used as a ground for pigments and to lighten darker paints, was available in the form of lime and chalk. Lime was commonly used as a coating, brightening the paint underneath. It's most famously associated with whitewash, as depicted in the Mark Twain novel where Tom Sawyer is seen whitewashing fences. Lime washes create a powdery finish that imparts a subtle translucency, allowing the wood or wall surface beneath to breathe.
Chalk, a pigment with a long history dating back to Roman times, is an affordable option. When powdered and mixed with water, it dries to an opaque finish. However, when mixed with oil or wax, it becomes transparent. This versatility makes chalk paints highly desirable for various decorative finishes, from burnishing to crackled and alligatored effects.
The Original Organic Paint
Milk paint, made from casein, a protein found in milk, has been used throughout history on furniture, walls, and even exterior cladding. When combined with natural earth pigments, milk paint produces a unique, flat finish with subtle shading variations that mimic the patina of age.
Milk paints are commonly associated with earth tones, particularly those containing oxides. However, the palette is not limited to these colors. Since milk paint comes in dry powder form, the painter has complete control over the outcome. By adjusting the amount of water added to the mix, effects can range from translucence to a soft color wash or a solid opaque hue.
One of the greatest advantages of milk paint is its resistance to fading over time. It bonds well to porous surfaces like wood, preventing chips and peeling. However, it is prone to staining. Most companies recommend sealing high-traffic areas and offer complementary lines of sealants.
In the past, homeowners often added linseed oil or tar derivatives to enhance the durability of milk paint for outdoor use. Today, companies like Olde Century Colors have developed acrylic latex milk paint that retains the colors and appearance of traditional milk paint while providing the durability of modern formulations.
Core Paint Colors
The core paint colors that formed the foundation of early American paints were primarily derived from iron oxide. On the other hand, copper-based colors, although expensive and somewhat unstable, were rare and highly prized.
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Yellow Ochre: This pigment is among the most versatile and universal. It is bright, warm, and rich, with no green undertones. It serves as an excellent base for cream tones, and when mixed with white, it becomes cooler and creamier.
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Red Ochre: Known for its association with the buildings of ancient Rome, this colorant possesses great psychological power. Mixed with white, it can produce shades ranging from bright red to salmon or pale pink. It is often applied underneath gold leaf or paint to intensify the top color when burnished.
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Raw Sienna: Originally from the Tuscan region of Italy, raw sienna is a clean light brown pigment that offers transparency and richness. It is ideal for mixing with other colors to create various effects.
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Burnt Sienna: Deeper and richer than red ochre, this pigment produces rich, clean browns and pinky browns when combined with white paint.
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Black: Carbon provides the strongest natural black pigment. Lamp black, collected from chambers positioned over flames, has been used since ancient times. Black is essential for darkening or toning down other pigments and can create off-whites and pale blues when mixed with whites such as casein.
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Raw Umber: Considered a universal toning color, raw umber is used with white and other light paints. It is particularly effective for aging techniques that simulate dirt or varnish.
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Burnt Umber: This reduced and oxidized version of raw umber produces dark, rich browns. Historically, it was used as a top coat and for decorative treatments such as graining.
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Terra Verde: A blend of iron oxides and small amounts of manganese, this green earth pigment is unsuitable as a body color. However, its transparency makes it excellent for glazing.
By exploring the authentic colonial colors and understanding their origins and characteristics, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and timeless beauty they bring to our homes and surroundings. Whether you wish to recreate a historically accurate interior or simply draw inspiration from the past, these colors offer a sense of connection to our shared history and a touch of nostalgic charm.