ZenART's Membership Plans Terms & Conditions

(Updates effective 17/08/2020)

These terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) govern the ZenART Supplies Rewards & Referral Plan as well as Subscribe & Save Plan (“Membership Plans”), and members of the programs will earn zen coins in connection with the purchase of qualifying online products and online activities that are redeemable towards the purchase of certain products online. For the re-occurring members (Subscribe & Save Plan) this includes exclusive gifts & content.

1. REWARDS & REFERRAL

  • Free. No purchase is necessary to obtain membership in the Rewards & Referral Program, but you must establish an account at https://shop.zenartsupplies.co/account/register . Please see our privacy policy, located here, to understand how information you provide us will be used. This program is void where prohibited.
  • Eligibility. In order to be eligible for the Rewards & Referral Program, you must create an account as outlined in these Terms and Conditions. You may create an account if you are at least seventeen (17) years of age, have Internet access, and have a valid mailing address. If you are between the ages of 17 and 18, you must have your parent’s permission to register for an account. If you choose to create an account, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account, username and password and for restricting access to your account. You are responsible for keeping such information current, complete, accurate and truthful. You agree to accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account, username and/or password. You agree to provide only current, complete, accurate and truthful information. If you are accessing and using the Site on someone else’s behalf, you represent that you have the authority to bind that person as the principal to all Terms and Conditions provided herein, and to the extent you do not have such authority you agree to be bound to these Terms and Conditions and to accept liability for harm caused by any wrongful use of the Site or Content resulting from such access or use. You may only have one member account per natural person. Persons who are discovered to have more than one account forfeit their zen coins and will be unsubscribed from the Loyalty Program.
  • How To Enroll in the Rewards & Referral Program. (a) Create an account: Visit www.zenartsupplies.com (the "Site" or "Online") and become a registered user of the Site. Click here to be taken directly to the registration page. You will be asked for your first and last name, your email address, and a password. You will also be given the option to sign up for our newsletter. Once you have submitted the requisite information, you will be sent an email to the address you listed confirming your membership. Once you have confirmed your email address, you are automatically enrolled in the Reward & Referral Program and are a member (“Member”).
  • How to Access/Change Your Member Information. You must keep your personal information on your Account up-to-date. To do so, click on the "My Account" section and access your account by entering your registered email address and current password. From your dashboard you can access your account information; review your current and past orders; change your profile; manage your subscriptions and applications, and access your previous purchases.
  • How to Cancel Your Membership. You may cancel an account at any time. To cancel your account, please send an email to support@zenartsupplies.co and write “cancel membership” in the subject line. The email must come from the account currently listed on our servers as being associated with your Rewards & Referral Program. If you no longer have access to that email address, please email our customer service department and we will verify your status and cancel your account. Upon cancellation, you are no longer a member, and any unused zen coins accrued in your account will be forfeited and cannot be redeemed. Zen coins maintain their value only on valid accounts in good standing, and except as otherwise provided here for redemption, have no cash value outside of their redemption value on the Site.

2. EARNING ZEN COINS

  • General Members can earn zen coins on the purchase of qualifying online products at zenartsupplies.co. To receive zen coins for your Online purchases, you must be signed into your account. You may check at any time to see if you are signed in to the Site by looking in the upper right-hand corner of the site. Gift cards do not qualify for zen coins. Other products that do not qualify for zen coins are noted on the Site.
  • Earning Rate. Members earn 5 sen coins for every $1.00 spent on qualifying purchases (in other words, one (5) zen coins for every one dollar ($1) spent). Zen coins are based on your order subtotal, after any discounts, only. Zen coins are rounded down to the nearest whole number. For example, if you spend $9.99, you will receive 9 zen coins. The calculation is as follows: $9.99 x 1 zen coins per dollar = 9.99 zen coins, which is rounded down to 9 zen coins. This program started on August 17, 2020, and initial levels were set on the 2020 amount spent on ordering products. Note: Shipping and Taxes are not taken into consideration. If an item is return and/or price adjusted that will also be removed from your rewards calculations.
  • Gift Cards. Gift card purchases are not eligible to receive zen coins. However, once a gift card is redeemed, zen coins will be awarded to the recipient for the subtotal after any gift card values, provided s/he is logged into the account, as outlined in these Terms and Conditions.
  • Addition of Zen Coins to Accounts. Zen Coins will be added to your Account under the following conditions, and will generally show up immediately. You will receive zen coins:
    • At the time of account registration
    • During the purchase of qualifying products
    • For other activities outlined on the Site that may show up from time to time. Note that for these other activities, including “bonus zen coins” accumulations and other zen coin promotions, zen coins may show as “pending,” depending upon the activity.
    • Joining the Birthday Club. Birthdate must be entered 30 days before your Birthday to qualify.
    • For Liking the ZenART Supplies Facebook page and sharing the ZenART Supplies Facebook page with your following. This is good one time only.
    • Following ZenART Supplies on Instagram. This is good one time only.
    • Referring a friend to ZenART Supplies. Your account will be automatically awarded the discount only if the referral friend used the link sent to them from your referral account and makes a qualifying purchase. Discount will automatically be applied to account if stipulations are met.
  • Exclusions. Members earn zen coins only on the purchase price of: (i) qualifying online products. Calculation of zen coins excludes payment by the Member for shipping charges and all taxes, including without limitation, federal, state, and local taxes or use taxes. Zen Coins will not be earned on any discounts or other credits offered in connection with a product or service. For example, if a product that is normally $50 is on sale for $25, a Member will only earn zen coins on the purchase price of $25. Purchases of gift cards, redemption of vouchers, and any type of price adjustments, including merchandise returns, are not eligible for zen coins. All purchases made: (i) by a Member prior to such member joining the Program, (ii) Online without a Member being logged onto the Website with the Member's Account number linked to the Member's Online account, are not eligible for Reward & Referral Program credit. The purchase of ZenART Supplies products outside the Zenartsupplies.co website are not eligible for the Reward & Referral Program.
  • Returns/Order Cancellations. Zen Coins earned for a purchase that is then the subject of a return, cancellation, refund, declined credit card or gift card, or other credit will be deducted from your account in an amount equal to the zen coins earned for the original transaction, including any bonus zen coins that may be applicable. Any rewards discounts that are applied to the order, will be distributed equally to the applicable items in the order when completing a return. Zen Coins redeemed on an order will not be reapplied back to your rewards account for any reason on a returned order. If a return/cancellation will cause your account to have a negative zen coin balance, you will not begin earning zen coins again until your zen coins balance is returned to zero (0), by making purchases, or engaging in other promotional activities offered from time to time. If an item is exchanged (different product) any redeemed rewards on the initial purchase may be transferred to the exchange one (1) time only. Rewards used on an order that is canceled cannot be reapplied as they are good for just one use.
  • Bonus Zen Coins Promotions. From time to time, ZenART Supplies may run certain bonus zen coin promotions. Under bonus zen coin promotions, Members can earn additional or "bonus zen coins" in connection with the purchase of certain online products. When you purchase these specially marked products or make the purchase during a bonus zen coins time period, you will earn bonus zen coins on each product, as specified in the offer. Bonus zen coin promotions are subject to the terms and conditions of the offer and may be offered at any time in ZenART Supplies sole discretion. Bonus zen coin offers cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • Limitations on Bonus Zen Coins and Zen Coins, Generally. These terms apply to zen coins and bonus zen coins accruals. If you purchase a product during a promotion and the product comes with an additional, free product, zen coins will not be issued on the retail value of the free product. If you redeem zen coins towards the purchase of a product and pay a portion of the retail price after the zen coin's redemption, you will receive zen coins only on the leftover retail amount you pay, and not on any value attributed to the zen coin you used. If you redeem zen coins towards the purchase of a product in an amount equal to the full price of the product, you will not earn any zen coins.
  • Non-purchase Options for Earning Zen Coins. You may also earn additional zen coins on non-purchase activities. From time to time, ZenART Supplies may offer you the chance to win various prizes, and earn zen coins, for entering into promotions. For sweepstakes promotions, there is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO PLAY OR TO WIN. Rules and restrictions will apply to such promotions and may be found on the entry page of any promotion.
  • Referring a friend to ZenART Supplies. Email a friend an $8 off coupon on $50 order by clicking “ Earn Zen Coins” then “ Refer a Friend”. Enter the email address of a friend who has not purchased with ZenART Supplies before (if your referral has shopped with us before the referral link will be automatically voided by the system). A referral link will be sent to your friend with an $8 off coupon on a $50 order. $8 off coupon on $50 order will automatically be rewarded to your account only if the referral friend used the link sent to them from your referral account and makes a qualifying first-time purchase with ZenART Supplies. Your Referral friend will receive an $8 off coupon on $50 order, 200 zen coins for signing up, and zen coins from their first purchase made while signed into their new ZenART Supplies account.

3. REDEEMING ZEN COINS

  • How To Use Your Zen Coins. Zen Coins must be used in increments outlined in these Terms and Conditions. The maximum number of zen coins that may be used in a single transaction is 10,000 zen coins. Zen Coins may only be used Online at the ZenART Supplies website. Zen Coins towards Products: Members can use their zen coins to reduce the purchase price of a product or to receive a product for free based on the following scale:
    • 500 zen coins = $5.00 off
    • 1,000 zen coins = $10.00 off your at least $50 order
    • 1,500 zen coins = $15.00 off your at least $50 order
    • 2,500 zen coins = $25.00 off your at least $50 order

    Zen Coins can only be redeemed in any combination of the zen coin and increment amounts set forth above. Redemption of zen coins towards purchases of products is subject to product availability. Any rewards discounts that are applied to the order, will be distributed equally to the applicable items in the order when completing a return.

  • Gift cards. Once available, zen coins cannot be used towards the purchase of gift cards. Gift card redemption, however, is eligible for zen coins. Zen Coins accrued pursuant to the use of a gift card will benefit the gift card user, provided the user has an account in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
  • To Redeem your Zen Coins. Before you begin shopping with us, sign in to your Shop account on our site. Select “Redeem Zen Coins” from the red tab housed in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and select the amount of zen coins you would like to redeem. You will be issued a custom code that you can copy and paste into the discount bar during check out (Please note - only one code can be used). Your total payment amount will be discounted by the amount of zen coins you allocate to the purchase. Note that zen coins may only be redeemed for the purchase price of the product. Sales tax, shipping, and other handling charges assessed in addition to the price of the product are your responsibility and zen coins may not be used to discount these additional charges.
  • Exclusions. Only one account per natural person. Only one discount code can be redeemed per transaction. Rewards redemption codes may not be combined with any other discount codes. Zen Coins may not be transferred or gifted at this time. Zen Coins cannot be used on past purchases. Zen Coins accumulated on different accounts by different members may not be combined or aggregated to make purchases of products or for any other reason. Zen Coins earned in a transaction cannot be redeemed in the same transaction. Redeemed zen coins cannot be retroactively applied to any past order or receive a price adjustment on any order where redeemed zen coins were not applied. Zen Coins have no cash value outside of the ZenART Supplies website and are available only to members in good standing.
  • Zen Coins Expiration and Time Lapses. All zen coins acquired, whether standard zen coins or bonus zen coins, shall expire 180 days from the date the zen coins are added to your account. Zen Coins expire 180 days from the date in which they were assigned to your account. Specific onsite activities in which zen coins will be awarded are set to accrue zen coins based on a time-lapse at the discretion of ZenART Supplies.
    • Sign up: zen coins are added to your account instantly
    • Order: zen coins are added to your account when your order is placed.
  • Once zen coins are redeemed, a discount code will be assigned and we are unable to cancel the discount code and reapply the zen coins to your Reward & Referral account. Discount codes generated by redeeming zen coins do not expire until used. They are a one-time use code, so once it is used it is gone. If an order is returned zen coins will not be reinstated.

4. Subscribe & Save Plan

  • Re-occurring purchase. Purchase is necessary in order to participate in this plan. The plan is worth $6.95 and will be charged to your account on the same date of the month that you purchased the plan, i.e. if you purchased the plan on 19th of January, you will be charged for the plan on the 19th of each month you are a Subscribe & Save Plan member.
  • 15% re-occurring discount. As a member of the subscribe & Save Plan, you are eligible for a 15% discount every time you put an order in place. You are qualified for the discount as soon as you purchase the plan.
  • Cancellation. After a purchase made with a Subscribe & Save Plan, you are not able to get a refund for the plan for the month the purchase was valid for but you can cancel for the following months.
  • Free samples & accessories. These are included for members of Subscribe & Save Plan only. These are not included in each order but the member will be informed when they will receive "extras" in their order.
  • Access to exclusive content. Exclusive access to tutorials, guides, tips & tricks in video, pdf, or audio format will be part of the membership program. Not all exclusive content is available but what is and will be available is up to ZenART Supplies sole discretion.

5. GENERAL

  • By registering with Zenartsupplies.co and joining the Reward & Referral Program, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in these Terms and Conditions, as well as any other terms that may be associated with the Reward & Referral Program. ZenART Supplies reserves the right to cancel, modify, suspend or restrict the Reward & Referral Program, your account, the redemption of zen coins, or any aspect of the Program, including, without limitation, the zen coin conversion ratio and the zen coin expiration policy at any time. Any changes can be made without advance notice. ZenART Supplies may make these changes even though such changes may affect your ability to use zen coins already accumulated. You are responsible for remaining knowledgeable about the Program Terms and Conditions. A Member's zen coins balance, as reflected in ZenART Supplies records, shall be deemed correct. ZenART Supplies reserves the right to determine the amount of zen coins in any Member's account based on ZenART Supplies' internal records related to such Member's account. In the event of an inconsistency between the amount accrued in a Member's account as stated on any Member's receipt and ZenART Supplies internal records, ZenART Supplies internal records will control. ZenART Supplies assumes no responsibility for errors caused by incorrect Member information. Your right to transfer zen coins earned or granted under the Program is strictly limited. The sale of zen coins is prohibited and may result in the confiscation or cancellation of your zen coins as well as suspension or termination of your membership, which in each case shall be final and conclusive. All transactions involving zen coins and all Member accounts are subject to review and verification by ZenART Supplies. The zen coins balance in a Member's account may be unavailable for use when an account or transaction is under review. ZenART Supplies may revoke any Member's membership in the Reward & Referral Program at any time if such Member engages in abuse of the Reward & Referral Program or fails to follow the terms and conditions of the Program. Fraud or abuse relating to the accrual of zen coins or redemption of rewards may result in revocation of membership in the Program and may affect a Member's eligibility for participation in any other ZenART Supplies program, present or future. Zen Coins are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. The interpretation and application of the Program's Terms and Conditions are at the sole discretion and determination of ZenART Supplies. For more information or other questions, click on Contact Us.
  • The Terms and Conditions of the loyalty program are subject to change at ZenART Supplies’ sole discretion at any time and without notice to customers. Upon customer’s at-will termination of their Zenartsupplies.com registered account, or if a customer is termination for violation of these Terms and Conditions or other activities in violation of the intent and good faith intended use of this Site, all zen coins will immediately be forfeited and will no longer be redeemable. ZenART Supplies will make reasonable efforts to award zen coins as outlined above to all 1. registered and 2. qualifying Zenartsupplies.co customers but is not responsible for any technical or unforeseen errors that may occur.
  • Zen Coins are nontransferable, nonredeemable for cash, are nonrefundable and are not valid outside of Zenartsupplies.co. Purchases made outside Zenartsupplies.co are not valid for zen coin accrual (this includes, but is not limited to Facebook resell groups, Ebay, and Amazon).
  • Employees of ZenART Supplies are not eligible to participate in the Reward & Referral Program.

Subscribe & Save Plan

Membership Benefits for Just $6.95/Month

For other currencies, the respective conversion applies.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS
Inspiration

Color Blue in Art: What It Means and How to Utilize it In Artwork

Color Blue in Art: What It Means and How to Utilize it In Artwork

In this article, we discuss the various features of the color blue in art. We will talk about its discovery, ancient and modern importance in society, what does the blue mean symbolically, and how we can effectively use it in creating outstanding work.

"Blue thou art, intensely blue; Flower, whence came thy dazzling hue?" - James Montgomery, British poet

What does the color blue mean? One with the great skies and seas, blue is a color that has been regarded with reverence since time immemorial. Intense, profound, and deep in nature, its beauty has mystified thousands of generations; making it one of the most valuable colors in mankind.

Unlike red and yellow hues that were extracted from soil, the early humans had no easy access to the color blue.

Where did the color blue come from?

The origin of blue started with the discovery of lapis lazuli -- a rare, deep blue metamorphic rock that was exclusively mined in the Sar-i Sang mines in Afghanistan, as early as the 7th millennium BCE.

what does the colour blue meanClose-up shot of lazurite rock, aka lapis lazuli

The pigment was imported to Europe by Italian traders in the 15th century, where it was renamed 'ultramarine', from the Latin word 'ultramarinus' which translates to 'beyond the sea'. Egyptians loved this bold color and would pulverize lapis lazuli stones to mix with animal fat or vegetable gum, creating a thick blue paste. Elusive in nature, the pigment symbolized power and wealth, and became the most sought-after color in medieval Europe. For hundreds of years, lapis lazuli rivaled even the price of gold.

Evolution of the Color Blue

With the emergence of lapis lazuli, Egyptians longed for a more stable and accessible pigment. This led them to manufacture their own type of blue, called 'Egyptian blue', which quickly spread throughout the ancient world. Soon after, many other variations were created by scientists and chemists, and up until this day, more pigments of blue are continually being discovered.

what does the colour blue mean

A collection of various blue powdered pigments

Symbolism and Meaning

Blue In The Ancient World

What does the color blue mean in a historical context? Perhaps brought by its beauty and extreme rarity, the color blue was associated with old magic, and Egyptians adorned the dead bodies of their royalty with lapis lazuli paste.

They used it for their jewelery and amulets, believing that it will defend them from jealousy or 'the evil eye'. The Eye of Horus, also known as Wadjet, is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, royal power, and good health that is often illustrated using the color blue.

Blue art - The Eye of Horus sculpture, from the tomb of Tutankhamun, Cairo, EgyptThe Eye of Horus sculpture, from the tomb of Tutankhamun, Cairo, Egypt

Tutankhamun

Upon the excavation of his tomb, scientists saw that lapis lazuli was used for the inlaid eyebrows and kohl on King Tutankhamen's funeral mask. The body also came with a small paintbox with yellow pigment out of orpiment - a deep-colored, orange-yellow mineral that symbolized eternity and imperishability.

Cleopatra

Aside from her classic kohl liner, Cleopatra is known for wearing a bright blue eyeshadow on her eyelids, which was made of powdered lapis lazuli. According to historians, ancient Egyptians wore make-up to protect their eyes from the sun, and also to represent the eye of Horus that ward off evil.

Blue art - Funeral mask of King Tutankhamun, Valley of the Kings, Egypt

Funeral mask of King Tutankhamun, Valley of the Kings, Egypt

What does blue mean in China?

In ancient Chinese culture, both blue and green are representative of wood. It symbolizes spring and stands for healing, trust and long life. Shades of blue and green were used to decorate homes for longevity and harmony, and were also used to paint on ancient Chinese ceramics - which we will discuss further below.

Marian Blue: What does the blue mean spiritually?

Since the Medieval era, painters have depicted the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus, clothed in Marian blue - a tone of the color celeste, named for its exclusive use with the Virgin Mary. This associated the color blue with holiness and purity. When artists weren't using lapis lazuli, they used azurite - a less expensive mineral and a common secondary product found in copper mines. Sometimes, artists would use azurite for initial underpainting, and would later enhance the artwork with lapis lazuli.

Blue art - The Virgin in Prayer, Sassoferatto, Oil on canvas, 1640-50

The Virgin in Prayer, Sassoferatto, Oil on canvas, 1640-50

Universal meaning in past society and today

All of these factors have greatly contributed to the color blue's identity as one of wealth. The inclination of humans towards blue is so profound, that the deeper the blue becomes, the more strongly it calls man towards the infinite. With all its variations and hues, blue continues to be one of the most favored shades on the color spectrum.

Today, it is embraced as the color of heaven, royalty, and authority. As opposed to red that's warm, fiery, and intense, blue is breezy, comforting, and majestic. With its rich history, we come to understand why to this day, blue still carry an inherent charm that sweeps people off their feet.

From its use in ancient civilizations to modern-day discoveries, the pigment has enticed artists and designers all over the world.

What does blue mean in fashion?

Due to its image of luxury, the color blue is a symbol of class and elegance in fashion. It was developed as the power suit in the corporate world, and used as uniforms of many authoritative figures. Especially in medium and dark shades, blue is associated with intelligence, stability, unity, and conservatism.

Color royal blue

During the Elizabethan period in England, only the royals were allowed to wear this color. Royal blue was created for a competition to make a dress for Queen Charlotte, and the designer created this specific blue tone by using very expensive pigments from India. Today, the color royal blue is featured on the United Kingdom's flag, known as the Union Jack.

Blue art -  Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, Quentin Mestys the Younger, Oil on canvas, c. 1583

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, Quentin Mestys the Younger, Oil on canvas, c. 1583

Denim Blue

Contrary to color royal blue, denim fabrics dyed with the indigo plant were associated with a lower class of society. The use of blue denim began with American gold miners who needed strong and long-lasting work clothes to get them through hard labor. In the 1950s, denim stood as a symbol of rebellion by the young people, and it continued to do so until celebrities and politicians started wearing them to send political messages. Today, trousers and jackets made out of denim are a universal fashion staple!

Armani Blue

Renowned Italian designer Giorgio Armani has had the 'Armani Blue' associated with his brand since the 1990s. He is known to work with neutral color palettes, and prefers timeless and elegant designs over too much detail. The designer has a long history of fascination with blue, making it a staple color in all his collections. His most recent collection, the Fall/Winter 2019 showed an all-blue ensemble on the runway of Milan Fashion Week.

American workers in Levi's denim overalls, USA

The Psychology of Blue

Blue is the color of the ocean and the sky, also symbolizing distance, divinity, and dreams. It has a cool, calming effect that delivers a sense of security and relaxation, but what does the color blue mean in psychology?

"The Blue Mind" is a term that was coined by Wallace J. Nichols in his 2014 book: Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.

It refers to the immeasurable sense of peace that we, humans, feel, when we are around water. It is defined as our escape to the hyper-connected, over-stimulated state of modern-day life, in favor of solitude. In his book, he states how research has long found that humans are pulled toward Mother Nature's blue for (in part) its restorative benefits to the soul.

However, just as "seeing red" alludes to strong emotions, "feeling blue" also represents the extremely calm feelings associated with this color. It can sometimes mean sadness, melancholy, or lack of strong emotion. In the eighteenth century, the Blaue Blume or blue flower emerged as a central symbol for metaphysical longing.

Using the color blue in our artworks

Blues in creating seascapes and landscapes

Given that, we must use the color with the utmost care in our artworks and not leave our viewers guessing what does the color blue mean in our creations! We should know the difference between its hues, and understand how it impacts our work overall.

In art, seascapes and landscapes are two subjects where blue tones are generously used all the time.

Blue art - Red Right Returning, Whitney Knapp Bowditch, Oil on paper, 2018

Red Right Returning, Whitney Knapp Bowditch, Oil on paper, 2018

Seascapes usually depict any view that has a body of moving water included in the work - like a lakeside with a faraway mountain view, or a beach sunset with crashing waves. It includes other elements of nature but focuses on the texture of water.

On the other hand, landscapes are typically composed of a vast sky, a horizon, and natural elements on the foreground, middle ground, and background. These include mountains, various types of trees, bushes, flowers, animals, and still life.

#ZenART Blues

In creating their very versatile oil paint palettes, ZenART Supplies selected universal blue tones that are perfect to use on their own, or can be mixed with other pigments to achieve the desired tone of blue.

Ultramarine Blue

Made by grinding lapis lazuli into powder form (cue: Cleopatra's eye makeup!), it was the finest and most expensive blue favoured by Renaissance artists, often used to represent holiness. It remained an extremely expensive pigment until a synthetic one was invented in 1826.

As a very rich color, it is included in ZenART's Impressionist Palette and can be used in creating accent points in paintings and achieving surreal colors.

A mixture of ZenART's blue-toned oil paints in a palette board

Prussian Blue

Prussian blue was the first modern synthetic pigment developed after the discovery of lapis lazuli. It is also known as Berlin Blue and Paris Blue, and was widely used in Japanese woodblock prints like Hokusai's The Great Wave Of Kanagawa.

This can be mixed with black and yellow tones to achieve the color navy blue.

Being a staple color in producing impressionist works, Prussian blue is included in ZenART Supplies' Impressionist Palette. Vincent Van Gogh used the color a whole lot in his famous 1889 work - The Starry Night!


Did you know? Crayola's crayon selection once included Prussian blue. However, they later renamed it Midnight Blue.


Cerulean Blue

Hailing from the Latin word "caeruleus" which means heaven and sky, cerulean is a shade of opaque blue ranging between azure and a darker sky blue. The pigment was discovered in 1789, and since then, artists have used it to depict deep, bright skies. It can be mixed with light tones like titanium white to achieve the color of baby blue.

Cerulean Blue is important in painting seascapes, landscapes, and still life - therefore it has a special place in ZenART's Essential Palette!

Blue art - ZenART Oil paints in Cerulean and Cobalt

Cerulean Blue and Cobalt Blue paints from ZenART's Essential oil palette

Cobalt Blue

Although it carries a deep shade of blue as well, cobalt is much lighter and less intense than Prussian Blue. It is a stable pigment that has historically been used as a coloring agent in Chinese porcelain, jewelery, and paintings.

This shade of blue can be used to depict the deeper parts of the ocean, and mixed with cerulean to render waves in seascape paintings. Its color is close to ultramarine, and can be used as a replacement in the lack thereof. Cobalt blue is included in ZenART's Essential Palette.

Famous artists who used the color blue

Sandro Botticelli - The Birth of Venus

Painted in 1486, The Birth of Venus depicts the Goddess Venus coming from the sea and rising out of a seashell in all her glory. The painting was done in a soft and romantic manner, as if luring you in; a staple style of Renaissance art.

Blue art - The Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, Tempera on Panel, 1483-1485

The Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, Tempera on Panel, 1483-1485

The painting was done in tempera on canvas, and the canvas was prepared with a mixture of gesso and blue pigment. According to art historians, Sandro Botticelli intended for the color blue to predominate the work.

Venus and the work were meant to convey a profound sense of beauty and elegance to the observer -- and his choice of the color palette does that successfully. Painted in the mid-1480s, this work was done at the height of Sandro's popularity and success; and is considered one of the most beautiful and greatest pieces of European art.

Pablo Picasso - The Blue Period

What does the color blue mean for Pablo Picasso?

In between 1900 and 1904, Picasso painted monochromatic works in shades of melancholic blues, blue-greens, and dusky greys -- only occasionally warmed by other colors. This period defined a period in his artistic career that is now known as The Blue Era.

During this time, Picasso was living in poverty in Paris, with no foreseeable success in his artistic career. His health was failing, and he was struggling to even continue with his day-to-day living. Picasso was at a very low point in his life, but it was not until his closest friend - the Spanish poet Carles Casagemas, shot himself - that Picasso's Blue Era really dominated his career.

Blue art - The Blue Room, Pablo Picasso, Oil on canvas, 1901The Blue Room, Pablo Picasso, Oil on canvas, 1901

Outcasts became Picasso's subjects during this blue period. In addition to artists and rebels frowned upon by society, he included prostitutes, drunks, the homeless, and those simply struggling with the pressures of everyday life. These somber but magnificent paintings are now some of his most popular works, and has helped defined Picasso's artistic identity. His story is a perfect example that adversity can always be turned into a chance for artistic growth.

But life goes on, and as the artist said, "Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions". After his blue period, Picasso's works developed a more joyful mood as he transitioned to his Rose Period, where he produced works dominated by orange and blush tones.

Alexandra Velichko - Sea paintings

Blue is still widely used in modern art, and our friend Alexandra Velichko specializes in the use of the color. Her paintings are focused on seascapes, and she beautifully depicts the ebbs and flows of waves, the changing of light, and the raw beauty of the ocean.

Blue art - Untitled seascape, Alexandra Velichko, Oil on canvas, 2018

Untitled seascape, Alexandra Velichko, Oil on canvas, 2018

We asked her a few questions regarding her work on what does the color blue meant to her. We hope that you find this short Q&A useful in creating your own works using the blue.

Q: Hi Alexandra! What is it about the color blue that draws you in?

A: I'm blue addicted. My favorite blue color is Prussian blue. This is a color of the Adriatic Sea (I've sailed there a lot), so it's like you dive there when you paint with this color. Plus - it gives you a lot of colors when you mix it with different yellows and white!

Q: What are your favorite shades of blue to use in your works?

A: My favorite shades of soft blue is definitely ultramarines. You can add some pink (kraplak) and you will get perfect violet; or add some warmth, (red ochre for example) and you will get perfect shades for the clouds.

Q: Do you think your usage of blue in artworks affect the viewers in a positive way?

A: For me - the blue color is the color of calm and happiness, so to answer your question: Yes, it does.

The charm of blue in our everyday life

Blue is a color that's so easy to love. It gives life, soothes, and communicates with us just by existing. Blue goes beyond dimensions, and incorporating this color in our everyday lives will certainly make us happier, more peaceful, and more insightful of our experiences. Did we answer your question on what does the color blue mean? We hope that through this article, we have inspired your appreciation for the color and use it more in creating your best works of art.

Blue aesthetic featuring fabric dyed by master indigo artist Aboubakar Fofana

Find your inspiration. Write down your thoughts. Create concepts. Do not let go of your ideas, and bring them to life. A trusty bullet journal will help you in achieving these goals, tracking your everyday progress.

ZenART's new line of bullet journal notebooks can do the job of keeping these precious ideas for you. Of course, they are available in the perfect shades of blue, (Turquoise and Lavender Blue) with traditional Japanese edging designs that hope to inspire you in your everyday quest to create. If you want to learn more about how bullet journaling and can act as a tool for therapy in your life, then check out this article.

ZenART Bullet Journals

ZenART's B5 Bullet Journals from the Modernista Series


How did you find this article from the #zenartcolors series? What is your favorite variation of blue, and which color would you like to learn about next? Your feedback is so important to us! If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to leave a comment down below. We're so excited to hear you out!

Share this story using the hashtag #zenartcolors!


- MEET THE AUTHOR-
Ardak Kassenova, ZenART Supplies co-founder, @ardak_zenart
Ardak Kassenova is a London based contemporary artist, co-founder and creative director of ZenART Supplies. Her visual style-contemporary impressionism-share similar aesthetic qualities with those by the French Impressionists. After 20 years of a successful corporate career, becoming a mother to two wonderful girls, and with the continuous development of her practice by taking private lessons from the best artists she could find; Ardak decided it's time to align her life with her true passion, Art. Driven by this passion and her corporate leadership background, she co-founded ZenART.
"My heart and soul were always with Art, and since my childhood as long as I remember myself, I was dreaming to be an artist. I was painting after work, when I had time, and teaching myself through the books, videos, visiting art galleries and museums. I've been very curious about different techniques and styles, and therefore accumulated knowledge and experience on a variety of mediums."
Read more about Ardak Kassenova in this feature. Say hello to @ardak_zenart on Instagram!

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