Payne's grey
A blue-grey paint mixture first made by William Payne in the 1700s
Payne's grey is a deep blue-grey colour, first mixed by the painter William Payne in the late 1700s. Artists use it as a softer alternative to black, and its recipe has changed over time, but it remains a staple for creating shadows and atmospheric effects in painting.
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- Created by William Payne in the late 1700s
- Used as a softer alternative to black in painting
- Early mixes used Prussian blue, ochre, and crimson lake
- Its colour matches dark electric blue in modern systems
- The lilac tone fades over time with light exposure
What colour is Payne's grey?
Payne's grey is a blend of blue and grey, often with a slight lilac warmth. It sits between blue and neutral grey, making it useful for painting subtle shadows and distant landscapes. Its colour is close to dark electric blue, and it is valued for being less harsh than pure black when mixed with other colours.
Where does Payne's grey come from?
The shade takes its name from William Payne, a watercolour artist active in the late 18th century. He is thought to have created it while searching for a gentler mixer than black for his painting lessons. The name first appeared in English in 1835. Though once called obsolete, it has stayed in use among artists.
How is Payne's grey made?
Payne's grey has no single formula. Early versions combined Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and crimson lake. Later recipes used indigo or ultramarine with black and sometimes burnt sienna. Today, manufacturers may use different blues and blacks, but the aim is always a dark blue-grey.
Where Payne's grey is used
Artists use Payne's grey mainly in painting, especially watercolour. It is prized for creating depth, shadows, and a sense of distance in landscapes. William Payne himself often used it for middle-distance effects. Its muted tone makes it a popular choice for atmospheric perspective.
Shades and relatives of Payne's grey
Payne's grey is often compared to neutral tint, which is made from similar pigments but in different amounts. Neutral tint is cooler, while Payne's grey has a warmer, lilac undertone. The exact look of Payne's grey can change depending on the mix of pigments used.
Colours that go with Payne's grey
Harmonies are worked out from the value #536878. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Payne's grey
What colour is Payne's grey?
Payne's grey is a dark blue-grey with a slightly warm, lilac undertone. It is used by artists for shadows and atmospheric effects.
Where does the name Payne's grey come from?
It is named after William Payne, a British watercolour painter from the late 18th century who developed the shade.
How is Payne's grey made?
The recipe has changed over time. Early versions mixed Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and crimson lake. Modern versions often use ultramarine or indigo with black and sometimes burnt sienna.
What is Payne's grey used for?
Artists use it in painting, especially watercolour, to create shadows, depth, and a sense of distance. It is valued for being less stark than black.
Does Payne's grey fade over time?
Yes, the lilac tint in Payne's grey is not very lightfast and can fade, leaving a more neutral grey.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Payne's grey", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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