Jane’s Grey is a unique color in the market. Most grays, whether Payne’s Gray, Neutral Tint or others, are made with a black pigment, and often phthalo blue is included. Artist Jane Blundell wanted a gray without the often dulling effect of a black pigment, and without the staining effects of phthalo blue. She wanted a gray that was liftable and granulating to create the lovely look of stormy skies and softened shadows. It will also work as a neutral tint, darkening colors without changing them. Many artists mix ultramarine blue and burnt sienna as they work, but no one was making this gorgeous mix as a convenience color, so she did. Initially she mixed it in individual pans and palettes but the demand from her students meant she started to make it in tubes.
Using a gray that is made with palette colors maintains color harmony in an artwork. Having it available ready made makes it easy to create rich darks with ease.
Lightfastness: I – Excellent
Transparency: Semi-Transparent
Staining: 2-Low Staining
Granulation: Granulating
Pigment: PB 29, PBr 7
