Burnt umber AEK, Italian pigment Dolci

AEK burnt shadow earth is a natural pigment with a deep, warm character, a noble variant of natural shadow earth, transformed through calcination. The heating process causes the iron oxide contained in the earth to change composition, giving rise to an intense, velvety reddish-brown hue. The acronym AEK identifies a selection of high mineral purity, coming from carefully controlled quarries to ensure constant color yield and fine grain size.

This land has ancient roots: natural shadows were already known to the Romans and widely used in the Renaissance to define shadows and tonal passages in paintings and frescoes. The shading “burnt” accentuates its strength, giving the color a depth that recalls toasted wood, ferrous rock, the warm light of sunset. It is a pigment that retains a balanced transparency, ideal for glazes, overlays and finishes that require warmth and harmony.

Used pure, AEK burnt shadow earth offers a bold, compact brown with a red note that emerges under the light; mixed with ochres, whites, or light earths, it produces softer, more natural tones, perfect for environments that want to convey balance and matter. Compared to the redder and livelier burnt sienna, AEK stands out for its darker, fuller note, with a neutral undertone that makes it extremely versatile.

composition: iron oxides, clay silicates
Fe2O3* nH2O*+ Al2O3 MnO2+ Si
Micro characteristics: transparent grain size
Origin: Italy
Interference colors: No
Specific weight: 3.5
Covering power: good
Stability light full tone: very good 7
moisture stability: good
Lime stability: very good
Chemical stability: good
Fields of use: restoration, tempera, oil, watercolor.
Historical references: Romans