With all the buzz around Black Friday, we thought it was the perfect time to dive into the world of black pigments. Black may seem simple, but each pigment has unique characteristics that can transform your artwork. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular black pigments and what makes them stand out.
Advantages: Faster drying than carbon-based blacks
Mars Black is a heavyweight in the world of black pigments, known for its rich, dense color and strong coverage. Its brown undertone adds warmth, making it ideal for earthy or muted palettes. Fun fact: it’s named after the alchemical symbol for iron—Mars!
Lamp Black / Carbon Black (PBk7)
Colour: Black with a cool blue tint
Opacity: Opaque
Composition: Pure carbon
Advantages: A versatile all-rounder
Lamp Black is one of the oldest black pigments, historically derived from soot collected from oil lamps. Its cool bluish tint makes it perfect for creating subtle blue-greys and cooler shadows. If you need a reliable, multi-purpose black, this is the one.
Ivory Black (PBk9)
Colour: Black with warm brown undertones
Opacity: Semi-opaque
Composition: Animal bones heated to high temperatures
Advantages: A natural, warm black
Ivory Black is a timeless classic, offering warmth and depth with its brown undertones. Traditionally made by roasting animal bones (and once, ivory), it’s a stable, natural-looking black perfect for fine art and portraiture.
Perylene Black (PBk31)
Colour: Strong black with a green undertone
Opacity: Semi-transparent
Advantages: Ideal for mixing greens and blues
For a unique twist, Perylene Black offers a striking green undertone that shines in mixtures. Use it for moody greens, rich blue tones, or as a stand-alone black to bring an extra dimension to your palette.
Which Black is Right for You?
When choosing a black pigment, think about your project's needs:
Want strong coverage? Mars Black is your go-to.
Looking for cooler shadows? Lamp Black is perfect.
Need warmth and depth? Ivory Black delivers.
Mixing blues or greens? Perylene Black adds magic to your mixes.
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