Art Spectrum Artists' Soft Pastel - Warm Gray 584N

Pigment Information

This color contains the following pigments:

PBk11-Mars Black

PW6-Titanium White

PR107-Antimony Vermilion

Pigment Name

PBk11-Mars Black

Pigment Type

earth

Chemical Name

iron oxides

Chemical Formula

FeO or Fe2O3

Properties

Mars Black is an opaque black with a strong and cool masstone, a slightly warm tint, and a warm brown undertone. It is not as black as Ivory Black, but it dries more quickly and has three times the tinting strength. Mars Black is normally the only black available in acrylic form and that is safe to over paint. It can be used in all media without reservation and is widely used as an alternative to Lamp Black and Ivory Black.

Permanence

Mars Black is very lightfast with excellent permanence.

Toxicity

Mars Black has no significant hazards and is the only major black pigment considered non-toxic.

History

The word Mars refers to the Roman god of iron and war. Mars Black was developed in the early 20th century from inorganic, synthetic iron oxide.

Pigment Name

PW6-Titanium White

Pigment Type

inorganic

Chemical Name

titanium dioxide

Chemical Formula

TiO2

Properties

Titanium White is the most brilliant of the white pigments. It is considered an all purpose oil color useful in all techniques and the best all around white. Its masstone is neither warm nor cool, placing it somewhere between Lead White and Zinc White. It is less prone to cracking and yellowing than Lead White, but it still yellows easily. Titanium White dries slowly in oil form, more slowly than Lead White but more quickly than Zinc White. It is opaque in oil and acrylic forms and semi-opaque in watercolor form. This pigment has good chemical stability, and its tinting strength is superior to both Lead White and Zinc White.

Permanence

Titanium White has excellent permanence and lightfastness.

Toxicity

Titanium dioxide is highly stable and is regarded as completely non-toxic. Animal studies give no indiciation that it is absorbed biologically, even after long periods of exposure. The primary safety concern is with inhalation of fine pigment dust particl

History

Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, however mineral deposits that are economical to mine are less common. Titanium dioxide was first discovered in 1821, although it could not be mass produced until 1919. Widespread use of the pigment began in the 1940s. Since that time, it has become the most commonly used white pigment. The name comes from the Latin word Titan, the name for the elder brother of Kronos and ancestor of the Titans, and from the Greek word tito, meaning day or sun.

Pigment Name

PR107-Antimony Vermilion

Pigment Type

inorganic

Chemical Name

antimony trisulfide

Chemical Formula

Sb2S3 or Sb2S5 or Sb2S3 + Sb2O3

Properties

Depending on conditions, the pigment can range from orange to deep red. It is insoluble in water. Because it is heat resistant, it has been used to color glass.

Permanence

Lightfast and permanent, although it blackens on contact with lead pigments.

Toxicity

Antimony Vermilion is highly toxic by inhalation and ingestion. Skin contact can cause allergies and ulcers. It reacts explosively with some organic materials.

History

Antimony trisulfide was synthesized in 1842, and was used in artist pigments during the 19th century. Antimony Vermilion developed a bad reputation in the 19th century because it reacted with lead. Antimony trisulfide pigments have been replaced by cadmiums.