Golden Ocher - No. 44

Golden Ocher

Golden Ocher is the color I reach for when I want warmth that actually looks real.

It’s that golden earth tone you see in old walls, dry fields, pottery, sandstone, and sunlit skin. Not bright yellow. Not muddy brown. It sits right in that perfect middle zone where it instantly makes a painting feel grounded and believable, like you know what you’re doing even if you’re still figuring it out.

In a light wash it becomes soft and dusty, like warm paper or dried grass. Push it and it turns richer and deeper, perfect for shadows in buildings, landscape depth, tree trunks, portraits, and anything that needs that “earth is involved here” vibe. It also mixes beautifully. Add it to blues and greens and suddenly everything looks more natural. Add it to reds and you get warm brick and terracotta tones.

It’s one of those paints that doesn’t try to steal the show, but somehow ends up being the reason the whole painting works.

Lightfastness 6/6