3 January 2012

Happy New Year to everyone in Painting land! 
I'm starting the year with a warm optimistic colour
Scandinavian Pink
I love it because it is pink but not pink.  It is earthy and dusky,  yet the colour of a delicate sunset, and it's warm, natural and mellow, and yet can look sophisticated 
Carl Larsson's dining room in Sundborn Sweden

Carl Larsson's painting of his bedroom 
I was first introduced to this very special colour through the work of Carl Larsson the 19th century Swedish painter.  He looked to traditional Swedish decoration and folk work for his
 inspiration often using a traditional colour made from a local pigment called Fala Red, a potent red brown ochre/iron oxide earth mixed with copper from the local mines which gives it its distinctive look.  He would add various quantities of white to make it softer and used it extensively in his house.   
 
Swedish houses continue to be painted this colour made according to the traditional recipe using the local pigment mixed with rye flour and linseed oil.

A 19th century Swedish secrétaire with the interior painted in this unique Swedish pink. 

Aubusson Blue
Chateau Grey

Country Grey
The colours above are all the traditional Swedish farmhouse colours but it also works  Duck Egg Blue and also with Old Ochre and Cream 
                       Annie

21 comments:

  1. Love it! Thanks Annie, you ROCK!!

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  2. The Aubusson blue was mixed with Chateau and Country Grey to get that gorgeous color on secretary? I thought that was Graphite at first glance:) Loving this combo. THink I will try on an armoire I have:)

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  3. I love this color as well as all that Carl Larrson created. His interiors were so magical. I also love reading your blog with all its history and color.

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  4. Annie do you have a book on Mixology of your colors? I am loving this color and would love the ratio. My husband bought me one of your books for Christmas,Creating the French Look". but would love a mixology of color sort of book:) I am SURE you wrote one!:)

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  5. This color is so pretty, and so romantic. I love it!I have Creating the French Look and your book on Colour in Decoration

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  6. Happy New Year to you also Annie!

    I can't thank you enough for these wonderful posts about your colors...I always learn so much!

    janet xox

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  7. Happy New Year to you too Annie! Thank you for another excellent post - I'm slowly warming to this colour (as it goes so well with Aubusson, my fave)........Vikki

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  8. I do like having the inside of furniture a different colour. It really works.

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  9. Gypsy Fleur - I so glad you like it all so much. The piece of furniture pictured is about 200 years old - from Sweden - and I am showing it to illustrate that is where my inspiration comes from. The colours below it are colours that work with Scandinavian Pink.
    When you say Mixology - this is a new word to me - but I assume you mean showing ratios. I don't think you will need it because Graphite would definitely be best for this with the Scandinavian Pink. Annie

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  10. Hi Annie! Mixology I made up!!LOL. I did buy Graphite today from Robyn STory..love her:) I will have to go back and buy Scandinavian Pink now for the inside.Bc of your post here, I decided to do an armoire that has been waiting for graphite paint.Will just go back to Robyn's!:) Maybe your next book should be called.."Mixology de Annie" :)I did mean mixing ratios though! So glad I bought Graphite today!xoxo

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  11. I love this pink!!
    Hugs
    SUeAnn

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  12. Love your paint! Annie Sloan Tour 2012!

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  13. Excited about the American Tour 2012!

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  14. Have been talking to Claire at Les Couronnes Sauvages here in France, about producing some flower paintings for her shop using your paints on canvas and wood. Do you produce small pots?

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  15. Neil what an entirely wonderful and exciting idea. Yes we do small testers 100ml size. Doesn't Claire have any?
    I am a painter by training and love painting with my paints encase they do so much - a bit like a thick gouache paint.
    Annie

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  16. I love your story about Carl Larsson and the Fala red. It's so interesting .Would love to see the interiors of his home. I am hoping to catch one of your upcoming tours in the Northeastern US.
    Thanks for all the great inspiration!
    Eileen @ Cottage Beach House

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  17. I fell in love with this paint while online and now even in more LOVE that I can use it!!! Annie Sloan Tour 2012 ROCKS!!!

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  18. Hi Annie,

    I love that mix of charcoal and pink. It's absolutely stunning. I thought it was a piece that *you* had done, until I read further!!

    Sarahx

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  19. I'm reading backwards for some inspiration, and I found it! Have my Grandmother's reproduction bureau which needs colour to overcome that it is repro not real. Perfect! Now .... which shades? Do love this pink, looks lived in rather than bright. Minerva ~

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  20. The swedish secretary was from Linda Horsley's in Atlanta when I visited in 2009. It was quite stunning.

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  21. does anyone know how to make graphite more black

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