Burnt Sienna is a natural brown iron oxide that has a slightly transparent quality producing complex undertones of colour. Named for its original source; open pit mines near Sienna in Italy, it is a pigment that has been known since antiquity.

Burnt Sienna is a special type of ochre that contains a high proportion of silica (a translucent material). When Raw sienna is heated in a furnace it changes shade to give a fiery–red colour called Burnt Sienna.

This is a very good choice for glazing techniques, washes and staining, as well as a pleasing colour in mass tone applications. It makes great mixes with red pigments.