Primer Red Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Primer Red in Your Space

Primer Red is one of the oldest colours in human history. Dark, earthy, and deeply warm, it is the red of iron-rich soils that have been used as pigment across virtually every culture on earth — from the walls of Venetian palaces to the temples of Vietnam, wherever red earth was plentiful and close at hand. There is something in that universality that makes Primer Red feel entirely at home in almost any context. It is a colour that belongs to the world rather than to any single tradition.

That earthy quality makes it extraordinarily versatile. Use it on rustic pieces where its raw, grounded warmth feels completely natural. Or use it as a base coat beneath more sophisticated colours — a layer of Primer Red beneath Château Grey or Versailles creates a depth and warmth in the finish that cannot be achieved any other way. And beneath gilding, it becomes something genuinely extraordinary.

Colour Companions

Soft & Classic

• Paris Grey — cool and quietly understated, alongside Primer Red it creates a pairing that feels considered, grounded, and full of quiet historical character
• Old Ochre — faded and warmly earthy, it finds a natural ease with Primer Red that feels aged, rustic, and completely resolved
• Antoinette — delicate and softly pink, alongside Primer Red it creates an unexpected contrast that feels warm, considered, and full of gentle tension

Cool & Fresh

• Duck Egg Blue — chalky and softly blue-green, it creates a pairing with Primer Red that feels bold, earthy, and full of global character

Finishing Touches

• Clear Wax — the natural finish for Primer Red, it protects while preserving the earthy, raw warmth of the colour completely
• Dark Wax — worked into details and edges, it deepens the ancient, earthy quality of Primer Red and adds a beautiful, considered patina
• Gold Gilding — applied over Primer Red it creates something genuinely opulent — the warmth of the red making the gold feel richer and more alive

When You Want to Mix

Primer Red adds earthy warmth and depth to any colour it is blended with — and as a base coat beneath other colours it creates a warmth in the finish that transforms the result entirely.

How to Apply

Primer Red works beautifully in two coats as a standalone colour, each layer deepening the rich, earthy warmth that makes it so distinctive. As a base coat, one layer is often enough — the colour showing through at edges and in distressed areas to create a finish that feels genuinely and beautifully aged.

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.