Payne’s Grey is a mixture of pigments designed as an alternative to black. In mass tone, it appears very dark, but when diluted it reveals distinctly blue undertones. Found in almost every oil, acrylic, and watercolour range, Payne’s Grey remains one of the most popular colours in artists’ palettes. This article explores where the colour originated and how it can be used effectively.
The History of Payne’s Grey
Payne’s Grey was created by British painter William Payne, born in Exeter, Devon, in 1760. Payne found acclaim in London as a watercolour tutor and became known not only for his eponymous colour, but also for his innovative brush techniques. He popularised splitting a wet brush to create varied foliage marks and using the side of a dry brush to produce rock-like textures in the foreground—earning him comparisons to an 18th-century Bob Ross.
A tranquil river scene with distant bridge, extensive use of Payne's own pigment, Payne's Grey.
At the time, Payne was criticized by more “serious” painters for reducing painting to an accessible, step-by-step approach. However, these mark-making techniques were far from new; Chinese landscape painters had been employing similar methods as early as the 15th century, if not long before.
Payne’s lasting legacy is the colour itself. Payne’s Grey is a deep, stormy grey with a pronounced blue undertone. The original mixture used by Payne appears to have combined Prussian Blue (or possibly Indigo), Yellow Ochre, and Crimson Lake.
Although William Payne’s paintings are not widely known today, his influence endures. The continued presence of Payne’s Grey across nearly all major paint ranges is evidence of its lasting appeal. It is worth noting, however, that modern ready-mixed versions vary significantly from brand to brand, meaning there is no single, definitive hue.
Colour Mixing with Payne’s Grey
Understanding the pigments within your paints adds a valuable dimension to colour work—and William Payne set an early precedent for artist-paint collaborations.
Payne’s Grey continues to inspire discussion, experimentation, and debate.
How do you use it in your own work?