17 Fascinating Facts About Painting: From Ancient Tricks to Modern Fixes

Think painting is just about picking a color and grabbing a brush? Think again.

Behind every swipe of a roller and dip of a brush lies a story, some ancient, some oddly practical, and a few that might just change how you approach your next project.

In this article, you’ll discover:

• The wild ancient origins of painting (hint: bird bones and sea snails are involved)

• How paint influenced royalty, religion, and even the Olympics

• Ingredients in historical paint recipes you’ll be glad aren’t used anymore

• The surprising psychology and biology of color, why green feels “safe” and red doors make bold statements

• Practical tips homeowners often overlook that can make or break a paint job

• Mistakes that cost thousands (and how to dodge them)

Why Painting Isn’t Just About Color: 4 Mind-Blowing Origins

Painting may feel like a modern invention, but it’s actually one of humanity’s oldest forms of self-expression. 

These unexpected facts reveal how painting has evolved from survival to style, and why the act of painting still holds deep meaning today.

Fact 1: Humans have been painting walls for over 30,000 years, starting with cave murals and bird-bone spray tools.

Long before there were brushes or paint cans, ancient humans were spraying pigment through hollow bones onto cave walls. 

They mixed ash, ochre, animal fat, and water to create the first murals, often of animals, rituals, and celestial patterns. 

These weren’t just doodles; they were early communication tools, designed to mark place and identity.

Takeaway: Painting is primal. Even early humans used it to make a space their own, proof that design instincts are in our DNA.

Fact 2: Purple pigment was once more valuable than gold, made from crushed sea snails.

In ancient Phoenicia and Rome, purple dye was created by boiling thousands of sea snails. Because of its rarity, it became a symbol of royalty and privilege, so much so that unauthorized use could lead to punishment. 

The pigment, known as Tyrian purple, often cost more than its weight in gold.

Takeaway: Color isn’t just aesthetic, it carries legacy. Today, purple still evokes power and elegance, especially in spaces meant to impress.

Fact 3: Painting was an Olympic event until 1948.

From 1912 to 1948, the Olympics awarded medals not only in sports, but also in fine arts, including painting. 

Artists submitted works inspired by athleticism, judged by international juries alongside runners and wrestlers. 

The practice eventually ended, but the message was clear: creativity deserved the same stage as competition.

Takeaway: Great painting is performance. Whether you're painting cabinets or ceilings, skill and style matter more than speed.

Fact 4: Michelangelo took four years to paint the Sistine Chapel, and 20 years to restore it.

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is made up of hundreds of individual scenes, all painted overhead. Michelangelo worked in brutal conditions with custom scaffolding, mixing his own pigments. 

Centuries later, dirt and smoke had so darkened his work that a two-decade restoration was needed just to reveal the original colors.

Takeaway: Quality paintwork lasts, but only when it’s built on care, time, and protection. Rushed work rarely ages well.

How History, Invention, and Symbolism Still Shape the Way We Paint Today

Not all painting breakthroughs come from a brushstroke. 

Some of the most fascinating facts come from the chemistry, history, and culture behind how we use paint, and why it matters more than ever today. 

These next few facts show how practicality, innovation, and symbolism have shaped what we now consider a “good” paint job.

Fact 5: The White House wasn’t always white, it was whitewashed to protect its stone, not for aesthetics.

Contrary to popular belief, America’s most iconic residence didn’t start as a design statement. 

After being burned in the War of 1812, the White House was coated in white lime-based paint to seal and protect its scorched sandstone walls. The look stuck, and eventually became symbolic.

Takeaway: The origin of “whitewashing” was practical. Today, we still use paint to shield surfaces, not just beautify them, especially against sun, moisture, and time.

Fact 6: Sherwin-Williams changed everything in 1866 by inventing resealable, ready-to-use paint cans.

Before Sherwin-Williams, painting meant grinding pigments, mixing oils, and hoping you didn’t mess up the recipe. 

This innovation didn’t just make painting easier, it launched an entire industry and opened the door to DIY. For the first time, color came pre-mixed and shelf-stable.

Takeaway: Convenience revolutionized painting. And it’s why homeowners today have access to consistent quality, without needing to be chemists.

Fact 7: Some Native American tribes associate black with life and yellow with death, opposite of Western norms.

Color doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. 

In Navajo and Lakota traditions, for example, black represents life, strength, and rebirth. Meanwhile, yellow can symbolize decay or endings. 

This runs counter to the typical Western view, where black is seen as somber and yellow as cheerful.

Takeaway: Color meaning isn't universal. When choosing paints, especially on exteriors or commercial properties, cultural context matters more than you think.

Fact 8: Red doors have symbolized everything from hospitality to a paid-off mortgage.

In Scotland, a red door means your home is paid off. In the American South, it signals warmth and welcome. 

In Feng Shui, it invites energy and prosperity. The symbolism varies, but the red door always means something.

Takeaway: Your front door isn’t just an entrance, it’s a message. The right color can speak volumes before anyone steps inside.

Fact 9: Ancient paints used ingredients like eggs, honey, and even blood.

Thousands of years ago, paint recipes were closer to baking than chemistry. 

Egyptians used honey as a binder. 

Monks in the Middle Ages used egg yolks to make tempera paint. And in some traditions, animal blood added durability and symbolic power. 

Messy? Yes. But effective.

Takeaway: While we’ve come a long way, ingredients still matter. Today’s low-VOC, eco-conscious paints are the modern answer to ancient formulas, safer, stronger, and far less sticky.

Why Color Isn’t Just Visual, It’s Historical, Cultural, and Surprisingly Biological

Paint doesn't just change how a room looks, it changes how it feels. 

These next few facts uncover the powerful role color plays in our psychology, culture, and even real estate value. If you’ve ever stood in front of a paint wall paralyzed by 400 shades of beige, these insights might explain why.

Fact 10: Paint helped preserve history, monks used yolk and gemstones to create illuminated manuscripts in the Middle Ages.

Before mass printing, monks hand-painted books using tempera made from egg yolks and finely ground stones like lapis lazuli and malachite. 

These paints didn’t just add beauty, they helped protect the text from deterioration.

Takeaway: Paint has always been a tool for preservation. In your home, the right coatings can protect surfaces from moisture, sunlight, and daily wear, preserving both beauty and structure.

Fact 11: In traditional Chinese red paint, pig’s blood was used as a binder.

The vivid red seen in ancient Chinese temples wasn’t just about color, it was infused with meaning. 

Pig’s blood symbolized life, protection, and good fortune, making it both a practical and spiritual choice for homes and sacred spaces.

Takeaway: Color formulas once reflected beliefs and rituals. Today, choosing the right color still shapes the mood and energy of your space, whether that’s harmony in a bedroom or boldness in a boardroom.

Fact 12: In 1502, English painters formed guilds to protect trade secrets.

Before YouTube tutorials, painters belonged to exclusive guilds where techniques were kept hush-hush and passed down only to apprentices. 

Entry was restricted and reputations were built over years of training.

Takeaway: Painting has long been a craft, not a commodity. That legacy lives on today, quality results still depend on skill, not just tools.

Fact 13: Green is the most diverse hue, humans can see more shades of green than any other color.

From mint to moss to emerald, our eyes are hardwired to detect more shades of green than any other. 

It’s a biological advantage from our days as foragers, and it’s why green is often the easiest color to live with over time.

Takeaway: Green is flexible, forgiving, and timeless. Whether you're after calm, freshness, or richness, there’s a shade of green that can deliver, making it a safe, stylish bet for any room.

What Most People Overlook About Paint, But Definitely Shouldn’t

Beneath the glossy finish and color swatches, there’s a world of history, complexity, and chemistry that most people never think about. 

These surprising facts reveal the lesser-known side of painting, the kind of truths that rarely make it into the marketing brochures.

Fact 14: The Sistine Chapel isn’t just painted, it’s layered in hundreds of micro-brushstrokes invisible to the naked eye.

Michelangelo’s brushwork wasn’t just grand in scale, it was microscopic in detail. 

Up close, each figure in the Sistine Chapel contains dozens of layered strokes to create depth, movement, and shadow. It’s a masterpiece built on invisible labor.

Takeaway: Detail matters, even if no one notices at first. In modern painting, that means proper edging, clean lines, and consistent finish. You may not see every stroke, but you’ll feel the difference.

Fact 15: The average gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet, but textured walls can drop that to 250.

Labels usually assume flat, smooth surfaces. 

But stucco, knockdown, and other textured finishes soak up more paint and require more labor. That’s why many homeowners run out of paint mid-project, and wonder what went wrong.

Takeaway: Always buy more than you think you need. Texture, surface porosity, and even color changes can significantly affect how much paint you’ll use.

Fact 16: Historical pigments were so inconsistent that color matching didn’t exist until the 20th century.

Before modern manufacturing, color quality depended on who mixed the batch and what was available. 

Artists and painters couldn’t guarantee that “blue” looked the same twice, and touch-ups were virtually impossible.

Takeaway: Even today, small variations exist between cans. That’s why pros still “box” their paint, mixing gallons together to ensure consistent color across every wall.

Fact 17: Lead-based paint was banned in U.S. homes in 1978 after decades of health concerns.

For years, lead was used to improve durability and drying time, until it was linked to neurological damage, especially in children. 

The ban came late, but its legacy lingers in millions of older homes.

Takeaway: If your home was built before 1978, always test for lead before sanding or stripping paint. It’s not just about quality, it’s about safety.

Thinking About a Paint Job? Don’t Wing It.

If this article taught us anything, it’s that painting isn’t just cosmetic, it’s cultural, technical, and strategic. From ancient symbolism to modern finishes, every layer tells a story. 

And when done right, paint doesn’t just change how a space looks, it changes how it feels and performs.

That’s why working with the right pros matters.

At ProSmart Painting, we don’t just paint walls, we protect them, perfect them, and personalize them. With no deposits, no surprise fees, and expert crews across Phoenix, we make sure your project is done right the first time.

Get your free estimate today and experience what painting looks like when it’s backed by skill, care, and insight that goes deeper than the surface.

→ Schedule Your Free Estimate or call (480) 226-3200 for immediate assistance.