Burnt sienna

Burnt Sienna is a color that originated from sienna, a form of soil found in Siena, a city in Italy. The color is produced by heating raw sienna, which is yellow-brown in color, until it turns reddish-brown. The process of heating the sienna is known as calcination.

History

The use of burnt sienna dates back to the prehistoric times. It was used in cave paintings and later by the ancient Romans in their frescoes. During the Renaissance, burnt sienna was a popular color used by artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael.

Production

The production of burnt sienna involves the calcination of raw sienna. The raw sienna is heated until it turns reddish-brown. The temperature at which the sienna is heated determines the shade of the burnt sienna. The higher the temperature, the darker the shade of the burnt sienna.

Uses

Burnt sienna is used in various fields such as art, cosmetics, and construction. In art, it is used as a pigment in paintings and drawings. In cosmetics, it is used as a colorant in products such as lipstick and blush. In construction, it is used as a colorant in concrete and plaster.

See also

• List of colors
• Pigment
• Calcination