Multicultural Blue and White

IZNIK  BLUE AND WHITE

I have mentioned in previous posts that #classicblue the #pantone #coloroftheyear is going to be very popular because of the way its not a middle blue not quite indigo or ultramarine or cobalt but invoking similar tones.

Blue and White combinations for centuries have been a hit ever since someone applied a cobalt oxide mix over white clay or a white slip probably first in China although imports of polychrome ware from the Middle East may have influenced that along with the usage of woad and indigo on fabrics and the use of lapis  lazuli and azurite for painting.

A lesser known blue and white ware was produced at Iznik in the Ottoman empire.
Production peaked in the 17th century but then declined due to the continual import of the very Chinese ceramics that Iznik cermaics were created in response to although there has been a modern revival.

Note that Islamic ceramics wares often use geometric patterns along with botanical motifs.

If you're looking for examples of blue to inspire your own designs google Iznik Ceramics. 

Another Blue and White Medley

#classicblue

Here's some more blue and white art to inspire you

Probably one of the best color layouts featuring blue tints hues and shades is this Japanese print !

This Kiitsu painting shows how one area of intense blue and white can centre another wise minimalist near monochrome tonal work

This Chinese Ming ceramic garden stool shows dark blue contrasted with a mid blue and some white.

Vietnamese Ceramics tend to feature a more muted use of cobalt for coloring.

European painting has a different more tonal approach to using blue partly because of the expense of mineral pigments. Notice how the lighter blues contrast with the  near white foreground of fallen snow and the tones of the winter sky in this Sassetta painting.

This image of St Mark uses ultramarine pigment mixed with other colors to guide our eyes across the work from the pale blue sky across his robe down to the book's cover.

To finish our medley - Here's blue in a different medium - mosaic tiles A Byzantine work.