Arles Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Arles in Your Space

Van Gogh moved to Arles in 1888 and painted over 300 works in fifteen months. The light there did something to him — the way it fell on the wheat fields, the sunflowers, the old stone buildings with their warm, ochre-coloured walls. That quality of light, and the deep earthy yellows it illuminated, is what this colour is named for.

Arles is a rich, deep yellow with genuine earth in it — warm and grounded in a way that synthetic yellows never quite manage. It sits comfortably in both worlds: on a rough farmhouse piece it feels ancient and completely at home; on a clean-lined contemporary cabinet it feels bold and considered. Very few colours move between those two worlds with such ease, and fewer still carry this much history with them.

Colour Companions

Warm & Earthy

• Original — Annie Sloan's warm, aged off-white, alongside Arles it creates a pairing that feels deeply Provençal — sun-bleached walls and old painted furniture that has been in the same farmhouse for generations
• Olive — earthy and sun-warmed, alongside Arles it creates a palette that feels completely Mediterranean — the colours of a southern French market in late summer

Cool & Contrasting

• Paris Grey — cool and quietly poised, it provides a beautiful contrast to the warmth of Arles that feels considered and completely resolved — the grey taking the heat out just enough to let the yellow breathe
• Duck Egg Blue — soft and gently turquoise, alongside Arles it creates a pairing that feels vintage and full of faded Provençal charm — the colours of old French pottery and sun-worn shutters

Finishing Touches

• Clear Wax — the natural finish for Arles, it protects while preserving the full earthy warmth and depth of the colour
• Dark Wax — worked into details and edges, it deepens the rustic, ochre quality of Arles and adds a beautiful aged patina that feels completely authentic and earned

How to Apply

Arles covers beautifully in two coats, each layer building the rich, earthy depth that makes this colour so distinctive. Its warmth intensifies as it dries — always let each coat dry fully before assessing coverage or applying wax.

The Chalk Paint® Difference

Annie Sloan invented Chalk Paint® in 1990 and it changed furniture painting forever. The formula is water-based, ultra-low VOC (2.2g/l), and virtually odour-free — and it bonds to almost any surface without the stripping, sanding, or priming that traditional paints demand. One tin, one brush, and you're ready to go.

It works on timber, metal, concrete, brick, laminate, and plastic. Indoors or out. Smooth and matte or heavily textured. The finish is entirely yours to decide.

Before You Begin

Give your tin a good stir — no shaking needed. Load your brush and work in smooth, even strokes. One coat often surprises you with how much it covers; a second coat gives you full, solid opacity. Always let each coat dry completely before continuing.

Making It Your Own

• Build up thick layers for a sculptural, impasto effect, then seal with wax
• Sand back lightly once dry to reveal what's underneath and create genuine, earned wear
• Add a little water to thin the paint into a translucent wash that lets the wood grain breathe through
• Blend colours directly on the piece — Chalk Paint® mixes beautifully for completely custom results

Sealing & Protection

Annie Sloan Clear Wax is the classic finish — it protects and adds a subtle, natural sheen. Dark Wax settles into mouldings and edges for depth and shadow. For outdoor pieces or high-traffic surfaces, Annie Sloan Lacquer gives a harder, weather-resistant finish.

A Few Questions We Hear Often

Will it work outside?
Yes — seal it with Annie Sloan Lacquer and it will handle the elements beautifully.

Does it have to be sealed?
Not always. Decorative pieces that won't see daily wear can be left as they are. For anything that gets touched, wiped, or sat on regularly, wax or lacquer will protect your work.

Can I mix my own colours?
Absolutely — it's one of the great joys of Chalk Paint®. Mix directly in the tin or on the piece itself.

Which brush should I use?
Annie Sloan's Flat Brush gives a smooth, even finish. Her Round Brush is ideal for working paint into carved details and creating texture.

How much do I need?
One litre covers approximately 13 square metres. The 120ml size is perfect for smaller pieces, testing colours, and mixing experiments.