Sage Green and the Autumnal Palette

To the ancients, sage was connected with immortality, or at least longevity, and it was believed to increase mental capacity. The genus name is derived from the Latin word for salvation. The plant was at one time used to counteract snakebites. It was also sought after for drinking tea, even by the Chinese, who eagerly traded their own fine green tea for it at a ratio of 4 to 1.

The oils in sage have been said to have antiseptic, astringent and irritant properties, and have been used to dry perspiration, treat sore throats and mouth sores, and even lower blood sugar in diabetes.

So what do I like about it? The color, of course! Here’s the young sage in my herb garden back in June:

And here it is now, at the end of August:

Now for a description of sage green from the classic color book: Bustonobys Color Manual:
"Grayish green of a dull character, resembling the undried narrow, wrinkled leaves of the sage plant, used as a seasoning in cooking. Sage Green was recorded as a color name as early as 1596. In the reign of King Henry VIII,when the enjoyment of food was a high art, it was customary to have kitchen gardens growing sage and other plants, used as subtle seasonings for foods. This practice is still followed today in some rural localities. "

16 parts Zinc White
8 parts Yellow Ochre
1 part Ultramarine Blue

According to the above color mixing recipe, sage green is mostly white with a scoop of yellow ochre and a pinch of blue. And that, my friend, is a far cry from bright spring green. It is a muted down grayed green, the quintessential green of autumn. We are now on the cusp of autumn, delightfully heading toward its grayed down palette of sage greens, russet reds, mustard yellows and warm browns.

Here’s something to keep in mind when arranging your palette for autumn. This ain’t no straight out of the tube green paint. No no no! Mute it down. Tone it down. Think autumnal. Start with zinc white, then a bit of yellow ochre, then a touch of blue. Or add the complementary color, but that’s another blog topic.

If its wearable art you want, here’s a couple choices literally pulled from the sage green palette:

For more choices, Go to my Etsy store here

So here’s to autumn and sage green, longevity and health!

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