Enkaustikos Wax Snaps Encaustic Paints - Bitumen, 40 ml, Cake

Pigment Information

This color contains the following pigments:

NBk6-Asphaltum

Pigment Name

NBk6-Asphaltum

Pigment Type

inorganic

Chemical Formula

Properties

Asphaltum is a transparent black pigment with low tinting strength. It is often used as a glazing black.

Permanence

In high concentrations it interferes with drying and bleeds into other colors. It is prone to decomposition when exposed to sunlight.

Toxicity

Asphaltum is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.

History

Asphaltum is a natural hydrocarbon mineral. Although it is found in mineral deposits, it is more often produced synthetically as a residue from petroleum processing or as a distillate from coal gases. Naturally occurring deposits of asphaltum have been used since prehistoric times for waterproofing. It has been used as a pigment since at least the 16th century, and probably much earlier.