French vermilion, the vibrant red pigment, has been used in art and textiles for centuries. However, there are synonyms for this intense hue that artists and designers can use to add variety to their projects. One alternative is Venetian red, which is similar in color but deeper and more muted. Another synonym is cadmium red, a brighter red-orange shade originally derived from the mineral cadmium sulfide. Scarlet and carmine are also similar red shades that can be used interchangeably with French vermilion. Finally, some artists may opt for crimson, a darker red with blue undertones, instead of French vermilion for a richer, more textured effect.