Sepia

Classical sketch ink, the deep brown of cuttlefish ink

HEX#5B4636

RGBrgb(91, 70, 54)

HSLhsl(26, 26%, 28%)

HSVhsv(26, 41%, 36%)

CMYKcmyk(0%, 23%, 41%, 64%)

HEXA#5B4636FF

RGBArgba(91, 70, 54, 1)

HSLAhsla(26, 26%, 28%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(66.2%, 0.032, 64)

LCHlch(60.6%, 7.7, 101)

🎨 Color Palettes

Analogous2-3 adjacent hues (≤60°)

Triadic3 hues spaced 120° apart

Split ComplementaryMain color + colors adjacent to its complement

Complementary2 hues spaced 180° apart

Tetradic (Rectangle)4 hues forming a rectangle

MonochromaticSingle hue with varying saturation and lightness

♿ WCAG Contrast Colors

Learn More →

Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#EAE2DCRatio 6.9:1AA

Suitable for body text, headings, and primary content, ensuring readability for all users

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#BDBA8FRatio 4.5:1AA

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#84A15ERatio 3:1AA Large

Suitable for large text (≥18px bold or ≥24px), icons, UI component boundaries

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#4D8465Ratio 2:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

Online Color Picker → Gradient Generator →

Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, stepwise lightness adjustment ±30%

#201913

#3A2C22

#5A4535

#7A5E48

#9A765B

#B09078

Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, stepwise saturation adjustment ±30%

#4F4640

#53463C

#5A4535

#61442E

#684327

#6F421F

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation adjustment

#2C2521

#392F28

#554334

#74563E

#956846

#B77B4E

Hue Fine-TuningFixed saturation and lightness, stepwise hue fine-tuning ±15°

#5A3C35

#5A3F35

#5A4235

#5A4535

#5A4835

#5A4B35

#5A4E35

💡 Use Cases

✒️

Calligraphy Ink

Sepia-colored ink used for English calligraphy or Chinese small-regular script produces warm, elegant lines, not as harsh as pure black.

📷

Vintage Filters

As a photo filter or preset tone, Sepia can quickly give digital photographs the texture of century-old prints.

🛋️

Linen Curtains

Sepia-colored linen curtains produce a soft halo when backlit, creating a warm and peaceful indoor atmosphere.

📜

Faux Antique Book Covers

Used for the cover material of hardcover classics, Sepia faithfully recreates the rustic style of medieval manuscripts.

📜 Origin & History

Sepia is extracted from the ink sac secretion of cuttlefish or octopus, used as writing and drawing ink since Ancient Greek and Roman times. The Roman writer Pliny the Elder documented its preparation method in his 'Natural History'.

During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo used sepia ink for sketches and drafts. The dark brown lines possessed an irreversible definitiveness, making it an important medium in the history of Western drawing.

After the birth of photography in the 19th century, sepia toning (Sepia tone) became the standard toning process for black-and-white photographs, giving them a warm, nostalgic, antique beauty that remains popular to this day.

In modern times, Sepia, as a classic retro color in painting and design, represents a deep, affectionate gaze at the past, often used to express a sense of history and narrative.

🧠 Color Psychology

SereneA uniform and soft deep brown, visually extremely quiet, effectively reducing mental noise and bringing focus and calm.

NostalgicA color intimately tied to old photographs and ancient books, instantly pulling thoughts back to bygone days with great warmth.

LiteraryHistory associated with writing and sketching endows this color with a strong scholarly air and refined taste.

SteadySaturated and even in tone, not jumpy or restless, giving a psychological sense of stability and reliability.

WarmthCompared to pure black or cool gray, Sepia contains a brown component, maintaining human warmth while being nostalgic.

MysteriousLike the cuttlefish from the deep sea, this color carries a sense of mystery from the ocean depths, provoking thought and exploration.

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