Ektachrome
1946–presentKodak's cooler, bluer transparency film. Where Kodachrome was warm and golden, Ektachrome was crisp and clean.
E-6 process reversal film. Color couplers built into emulsion layers (unlike Kodachrome). User-processable.
American
Kodak's E-6 transparency film. Cooler palette than Kodachrome. Revived by Kodak in 2018 after discontinuation.
Color couplers in the emulsion itself — simpler processing than Kodachrome (E-6 vs K-14). Cool blue bias. Less archival stability.
Ektachrome blue
Cool, crisp blue — cooler than Kodachrome. Ektachrome's signature.
Material: Cyan dye layer, E-6 process
RGB(59, 122, 186)
Ektachrome highlight
Clean, neutral highlights — no warm cast.
Material: Clear film base, maximum density
RGB(234, 232, 224)
Neutral shadow
Neutral-to-cool shadows — not warm like Kodachrome.
Material: Minimum density, E-6 dye layers
RGB(42, 42, 42)
Ektachrome flesh
Slightly cooler flesh tone than Kodachrome.
Material: Balanced dye layers rendering skin
RGB(208, 168, 144)
Vivid green
Greens more saturated than Kodachrome.
Material: Cyan + yellow dye couplers, E-6
RGB(42, 122, 74)
Magenta cast
Slight magenta tendency in expired or incorrectly stored Ektachrome.
Material: Dye instability in aged E-6 film
RGB(154, 106, 138)
Related Materials
If this palette inspired you, here’s what to paint with.
Copic Ciao Alcohol Markers, Set of 6View on Amazon
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists’ Colour Pencils, Tin of 24View on Amazon
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Studio Set, 24 Whole PansView on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, Pigmentoria earns from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links.