bistre

American  

[bis-ter] / ˈbɪs tər /

Or bister

noun

1. a brown pigment extracted from the soot of wood, often used in pen and wash drawings.

2. a yellowish to dark-brown color.

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bistre British  

/ ˈbɪstə /

noun

1. a transparent water-soluble brownish-yellow pigment made by boiling the soot of wood, used for pen and wash drawings

2. 1. a yellowish-brown to dark brown colour

   2. ( as modifier )

      bistre paint

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Other Word Forms

• bistred adjective

Etymology

Origin of bistre

1720–30; < French, Middle French, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

A bistre pen drawing for the St. Sebastian at Panicale.

From Great Masters in Painting: Perugino by Williamson, George C.

She has also pretty eyes, of a bluish tint; but they are scarce observed after looking into those orbs of dark bistre, that seem to burn with an everlasting love-light.

From The Child Wife by Reid, Mayne

No. 403 of four hundred and fifteen copies printed on large paper, with the engravings in duplicate, bistre on Japan paper, and the initial letters and rules printed in red.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 3 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

The resulting tints were very delicate in detail, of a colour varying between a bistre and olive tint, and after washing dried with a brilliant surface.

From The Evolution of Photography With a Chronological Record of Discoveries, Inventions, etc., Contributions to Photographic Literature, and Personal Reminescences Extending over Forty Years by Werge, John

All the dark shadows in every part of the picture were done with a mixture of Prussian blue and bistre, and of these two colours there was consequently a vast consumption in Mr. Gummage's school.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza