Shades of Maya Blue Paint Kit

Description

Shades of Maya Blue Paint Kit

Maya Blue is an ancient blue pigment invented by the Maya and created from indigo and clay. The striking turquoise-teal-green blue shade is associated with the rain god deity Chaak and it serves as a deeply spiritual color of Maya culture. The color is evocative of mist, water, rivers and pools and was used for offerings, sacrifices and rituals for abundant rain and bountiful harvest. Vivid murals dating from 790 CE at Bonampak, (Chiapas, Mexico) show turquoise painted walls that are still rich and beautiful today. The great mystery surrounding Maya Blue was how the Maya created this color, and how could it be so durable and still a brilliant shade for over 1200 years in a tropical climate? Scientists were able to discern that it did not come from a blue mineral (like lapis lazuli), but was made from something else. The technology behind these colors was a puzzle for centuries until scientific analysis in the 1960s helped identify the constituents in Maya Blue. A combination of clay, indigo and other elements created this incredible pigment.  

Inspired by this ingenious and historic color, we’ve created a modern day Shades of Maya Blue Paint Kit. We offer a range of 6 Maya Blue colors for your personal creativity to make paints for paper. The pigments come in glass vials with aluminum screw caps and all are packaged in a hinged lid tin with window with QR code instructions. The kit makes a marvelous gift for the artist and anyone interested in indigo. Each vial contains approximately 5 grams pigment. To apply, add a paint binder such as gum arabic, tempera or casein (or other paint binders) and mix to the consistency you prefer.  The paint is a fine powder and you may wish to further grind it in a mortar and pestle or paint muller if desired.

Note: These colors are in powder form and are intended for works on paper and are not a textile dye.

Safety: we recommend the use of a dust mask when working with the powder.