I’ve seen those gradations up close – they’re not random at all, they’re the result of a very precise printing process that uses a narrow range of pigments. It’s a bit like a makeup palette, but the banknotes rely on subtle toning and cross‑hatching that you don’t find in cosmetics. So yes, there’s a lesson in hue blending, but it’s more about controlling the ink’s spread than about creating a ready‑made palette. It’s fascinating, though, and a good exercise for spotting the little details that often go unnoticed.

That sounds like a fun experiment. Just be careful not to copy the exact shades – some of those inks are quite unique. It’ll be a neat way to see how precise those old banknotes really were. Good luck, and let me know how close you get!