Love Letters in Crayon: Brown
One of the oldest colors in art is a signature shade of life on Earth.
Every Friday afternoon, “64 to Infinity: Love Letters in Crayon” will illustrate the long, strange story of humankind in one of the 64 colors that make up this world-famous primary palette. In last week’s Love Letter, we witnessed the rise of civilization one Brick Red building block at a time. This time around, we explore the indulgent richness of the Brown crayon, along with its indispensable practicality in everyday life.
This richly refined tone is a charter member of the Original 8, and has been showcased in art since the very first humans endeavored to commit their ineffable visions to the physical world, where they could become part of our shared perspective.
These first forays into the artistic medium are currently believed to have unfolded in the area today known as France, giving the citizenry's reputed eye for æsthetics ancient underpinnings.
The Brown crayon is indispensable to appealing natural scenes, represented in the bark and branches of lush flowering gardens as well as in the coloring of fantastic beasts such as the fearsome Grizzly that rules over the forests of North America and the legendary Golden Eagle, which can reach speeds of over 320 km/h (200mph) during one of its precision kinetic strikes.
This sensuous shade portends moments of culinary bliss, like the intoxicating immersion delivered by the finest chocolate, the most substantial stouts, and the ethereal halo of a perfectly prepared edge.
Brown can also set the tone for aspirations and agendas, from the vivifying vigor contained within every freshly brewed cup of coffee to the chaotic capriciousness that lies at the bottom of a freshly drained vessel of overproof rum.
Lavish shades of Brown are a staple of premium decor, with warm wooden furnishings exuding heirloom quality as well as spotlighting the natural beauty of their swirling grain patterns.
Decadent Brown leather and suede are also timeless marks of sartorial savvy, and whether it is implemented in a finely tailored Italian shoe, the supple skin of premium seating, or the urbane yet rugged appeal of casual clothing in these luxurious materials, it represents a distinctive and confident choice.
At once simple and splendid, fundamental and fabulous, Brown is among the more versatile shades in the artist's toolbox and typically experiences a surprising amount of use as a member of The 64.
Many have even discovered its potential as an outstanding base shade for showcasing the true brilliance of a polychromatic palette, and now you see why I am obsessed with this color.
The Brown crayon isn’t exactly a common first favorite, and so I hope this Love Letter helped inspire a newfound appreciation for one of human handcraft’s oldest colors. Join us next Friday as this colorful cavalcade continues with another chronochromatic touchstone: Burnt Orange marks our past, present, and future!
Hey, AJ here. You’ve already made my day by taking the time to check out this selection from my book, “64 to Infinity: Love Letters in Crayon!” Most writers live and die without ever being appreciated, and so every moment of your time is a personal gift to me.
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