PIGMENTS::
Traditionally, the colours used in Chinese painting are made from mineral and vegetable.Today, pigments are sold in tubeds which are both easy to carry and convenient to use. however, the solid colours sold in chips or as cakes in ceramic dishes are more econom ical. The chips should be dissolved in sufficient warm water so that the colour has a smooth and even appearance when it is applied. Yellow is an exception-it is made from the eongealed resin of the sub-tropical rattan plant; it is poisonous and should be used with care. It is not necessary to dissolve the lump of resin when you are painting; just pass a wet brush over it .Remember to use a different brush for each colour.
Colours are also a available in boxed sets of sticks of colour (like the ink sticks ) but you will need many inkstones to grind them upon. If you find it difficult to obtain Chinese colour, whether it be the tubes, chips or sticks, you can substitute Japanese colours which are more widely available, although some of the colours are slightly different. Western watercolours and gouache colours can also be used. Students can use Winsor and Newton Cotman water colours and progress on to the more expensive Artists' water colours.
The basic colours for Chinese painting are as follows: indigo, rattan yellow, umber (raw and burnt), rouge,carmine, cinnabar, mineral blue, mineral green lead white. Some western alternatives are: indigo, ultramarine, cadmium yellow, yellow ochre, raw umber, burnt sienna, alizarin crimson,scarlet vermilion, cadmium red,viridian, Chinese white.