WINSOR & NEWTON Professional Watercolour - 14mL - 178 Cobalt Blue (PB28)

Cobalt Blue is a clean blue pigment. It was discovered in 1802 by French chemist Louis Thénard as an alternative pigment to the expensive Lapis Lazuli blue pigment.

It is a luminous, gently granulating blue that has been treasured by artists for generations for its natural beauty and versatility. Part of the Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour range, it produces clean, transparent washes with a balanced blue character that sits between the warmth of French Ultramarine and the cooler appearance of Cerulean Blue.

Its soft granulation creates subtle texture, making it especially effective for skies, distant landscapes, water and atmospheric effects. Cobalt Blue also mixes beautifully with other colours, producing fresh greens, delicate violets and a wide range of natural tones.

Cobalt Blue is one of the more expensive colours in the range because it is made using genuine cobalt pigment, a traditional inorganic pigment that is significantly more costly to manufacture than many modern organic alternatives. The raw materials, specialised production process and relatively lower tinting strength all contribute to its higher price. Despite the cost, many artists consider Cobalt Blue irreplaceable due to its unique granulation, natural appearance and distinctive handling qualities that are difficult to replicate with less expensive pigments.