Payne’s Gray is a dark blue grey made from a mixture of Ultramarine, Mars Black and sometimes Crimson. It was named after the 18th c. water colorist William Payne who created the mixture and often recommended it to his students as an alternative to plain black. These magnificent paints are designed to look and work just like traditional oil paint, but they’re a bit special. You can use them without hazardous solvents – they’re happy being thinned down and cleaned up with water. They’re especially good for artists who share a work space or don’t want solvents in school or at home. We make Artisan Water Mixable Oil Color in 40 vibrant tones with a thick, buttery consistency so you can use them in a variety of ways. We’ve added a selection of special thinners, oils and mediums to this range, too.