An old piece in modern colours

[figheadair]

Following a discussion on Weathered Colours in another thread I thought I'd post this picture as an example of just how confusing the whole dye terminology can be.



To many an eye these shades would conform to what we call Modern Colours i.e. those that are supposed to represent the darker chemical shades that came in with aniline dyes post 1855. However, this is a piece of Wilsons' Lochaber tartan and dates to c1800-20, a time before artificial dyes. This is a good example of the fact that natural, like any other dyestuffs, can be used to achieve a wide range of shades, it's just down to personal and customer preference.

[davidlpope]

Following a discussion on Weathered Colours in another thread I thought I'd post this picture as an example of just how confusing the whole dye terminology can be.



To many an eye these shades would conform to what we call Modern Colours i.e. those that are supposed to represent the darker chemical shades that came in with aniline dyes post 1855. However, this is a piece of Wilsons' Lochaber tartan and dates to c1800-20, a time before artificial dyes. This is a good example of the fact that natural, like any other dyestuffs, can be used to achieve a wide range of shades, it's just down to personal and customer preference.

Isn't the only difference here that Wilson's replaced their regular green shade with dark green? The purple, scarlet, and light blue look typical to me.

[figheadair]

Isn't the only difference here that Wilson's replaced their regular green shade with dark green? The purple, scarlet, and light blue look typical to me.

Nearly, but the blue is a true dark navy and not their purple. This is possibly (probably?) their 'dark blue' as opposed to their standard 'blue'. What's interesting is that neither darker shade is specified in the 1819 count, just the standard blue and green, which these aren't.

The point of my OP was to highlight that such dark shades can be and were obtained from natural dyes contrary to what is often said of these dyestuffs.

[GrainReaper]

Great thread, I too was following the other thread and find this technical stuff of great interest.. Keep it coming fellas!

[davidlpope]

Nearly, but the blue is a true dark navy and not their purple. This is possibly (probably?) their 'dark blue' as opposed to their standard 'blue'. What's interesting is that neither darker shade is specified in the 1819 count, just the standard blue and green, which these aren't.

The point of my OP was to highlight that such dark shades can be and were obtained from natural dyes contrary to what is often said of these dyestuffs.

Thanks. I agree completely. The notion that only pale, weak colors can be obtained by natural dyes is, as we say in the South, hogwash.

[figheadair]

Thanks. I agree completely. The notion that only pale, weak colors can be obtained by natural dyes is, as we say in the South, hogwash.

Exactly. Here's some of my own work with traditional natural dyes.

[uncle remus]

i think the only reason natural dyes appear lighter in color is without the uv protection of modern dyes they sun bleach easier

[figheadair]

i think the only reason natural dyes appear lighter in color is without the uv protection of modern dyes they sun bleach easier

That is not actually the case with all natural traditional dyes, indigo and cochineal for example, and is definitely not the case with modern dyes.

[Profane James]

That is not actually the case with all natural traditional dyes, indigo and cochineal for example, and is definitely not the case with modern dyes.

Apologies if this has been discussed in the past...

When I discovered Gloria Holmes' products, I was introduced to the color described as 'woad.' I was completely ignorant if this word and its subject. It took a few back and forth emails and pictures, and I still may not have a firm grasp on its home in the spectrum. If you have the time, could you share the knowledge you have of this color, and perhaps its origin story?

[figheadair]

Apologies if this has been discussed in the past...

When I discovered Gloria Holmes' products, I was introduced to the color described as 'woad.' I was completely ignorant if this word and its subject. It took a few back and forth emails and pictures, and I still may not have a firm grasp on its home in the spectrum. If you have the time, could you share the knowledge you have of this color, and perhaps its origin story?

Woad is not a colour per se but a dyestuff that contains indigotin, the actove ingredient as indigo although tne two species are not related. The dye exraction process for Woad is similar to indigo and it will give a range of blues from pale to navy. Pound for pound woad is not as strong as indigo, as a result the latter was preferred for dyeing. But from a technical perpective it is al but impossible to tell the two apart chemically.

Of note: rubbing woad on one's skin (the Picts) will not result in a true blue colour. It does apartently have some medicinal properties for wounds which may have been the basis for the story of the Picts/Celts/Britons etc using it..