Red, a vibrant and captivating hue, holds immense power in both the natural and artistic realms. Its presence transcends cultural boundaries, eliciting emotions as diverse as passion, danger, and love. Whether you seek to create a bold statement in your home decor, evoke a sense of urgency in your marketing materials, or capture the fiery intensity of a sunset on canvas, mastering the art of creating red is essential.
Before embarking on this chromatic journey, it is imperative to understand the fundamental nature of color. Red belongs to the primary color trio, alongside yellow and blue. These hues, when combined, form the basis of all other colors. In the traditional color wheel, red occupies a prominent position, diametrically opposed to green. This complementary relationship creates striking visual contrasts when used in design.
To achieve a true red, several pigments and dyes can be utilized. Red ochre, an earthy mineral, has been employed for centuries to create cave paintings and pottery. Vermilion, a brilliant scarlet pigment derived from the mineral cinnabar, offers exceptional durability and was prized by ancient civilizations. Synthetic red pigments, such as cadmium red and alizarin crimson, provide vibrant and long-lasting options for artists and designers.
Natural Pigments
These are some of the most common natural pigments used to get red colour:
| Name | Source | Colour | Stability | Uses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alizarin | Madder root | Deep red | Good | Textiles, paints, dyes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carmine | Cochineal insect | Bright red | Good | Food, cosmetics, textiles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Henna | Henna plant | Orange-red | Good | Hair dye, skin dye, textiles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indigo | Indigo plant | Blue-red | Good | Textiles, dyes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Logwood | Logwood tree | Red-purple | Poor | Textiles, dyes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Madder | Madder root | Deep red | Good | Textiles, paints, dyes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ocher | Iron oxide | Red-brown | Excellent | Paints, ceramics, cosmetics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Safflower | Safflower plant | Red-orange | Good | Food, dyes, paints | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vermilion | Cinnabar | Bright red | Poor | Paints, ceramics, textiles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Color | Toxicity |
|---|---|---|
| Cadmium Red | Bright red | Toxic |
| Alizarin Crimson | Deep reddish-purple | Relatively safe |
| Quinacridone Red | Bright reddish-orange | Relatively safe |
| Iron Oxide Red | Reddish-brown | Safe |
| Carmine | Deep reddish-purple | Safe |
Naphthol Red
Naphthol Red, also known as Permanent Red F4R, is a synthetic organic compound used as a red or maroon pigment. It was discovered in 1864 by the German chemist Heinrich Caro. Naphthol Red is derived from 1-naphthol and is a member of the azo dye family.
Naphthol Red is a reddish-brown powder that is insoluble in water and most organic solvents. It is stable to heat and light and is resistant to acids and alkalis. Naphthol Red is used in a variety of applications, including:
- Paints and coatings
- Printing inks
- Textiles
- Plastics
- Rubber
Properties
Some of the properties of Naphthol Red are listed in the table below:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C10H7N2O2 |
| Molecular weight | 183.18 g/mol |
| Melting point | 250-255 °C |
| Boiling point | >300 °C |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| Solubility in organic solvents | Insoluble |
How to Get Red Colour
Red is a primary colour, which means it cannot be created by mixing other colours. However, there are a few ways to get red, depending on the medium you are using.
For paint:
- Use a red pigment, such as cadmium red or alizarin crimson.
- Mix yellow and blue paint together in equal proportions.
- Add a small amount of black paint to yellow paint to create a reddish-orange hue.
For fabric:
- Use a red dye, such as madder root or cochineal.
- Soak the fabric in a solution of vinegar and red wine.
- Boil the fabric in a solution of alum and red cabbage.
For food:
- Use red food colouring.
- Add beets, tomatoes, or paprika to your dish.
- Infuse your dish with hibiscus flowers.
People Also Ask
How do you make red naturally?
You can make red naturally by mixing yellow and blue paint together in equal proportions. You can also use a red pigment, such as cadmium red or alizarin crimson. For food, you can add beets, tomatoes, or paprika to your dish.
What colour is red?
Red is a primary colour, which means it cannot be created by mixing other colours. It is a warm colour that is often associated with energy, passion, and danger.
What are the different shades of red?
There are many different shades of red, including scarlet, crimson, carmine, and burgundy. The shade of red will vary depending on the amount of yellow and blue paint that is used to create it.
