An earth colour, a type of ochre containing lime, oxides of aluminium , manganese and silicon. Raw umber has a greenish-brown colour, which when roasted acquires a deeper and redder tone and is called burnt umber.
It is used as the earth pigment of choice for ageing colours, as the base for dark colours or for deepening colours whilst keeping a natural warmth when black is too hard.
Raw umber and yellow ochre together make a good glazing colour for ageing any other colour or to mixing with white to antique furniture or rub into floor boards.
See sienna, burnt umber, earth colours, natural colours, frescos