Michael Harding Artists Watercolor - Sepia, 15 ml

Pigment Information

This color contains the following pigments:

PBr6-Mars Brown

PBk6-Lamp Black

Pigment Name

PBr6-Mars Brown

Chemical Name

iron oxide

Chemical Formula

Fe2O3

Properties

Mars Brown has similar general properties to the pure red oxides, and it is often a mix of synthetic forms of oxides such as PY42, PR101, and PBk11. Its tinting strength is low, and it dries quickly. Hues vary based on manufacturer.

Permanence

Mars Brown has excellent permanence and lightfastness, with outstanding resistance to chemicals, heat, and weather.

Toxicity

Mars Brown is not considered toxic, although care should be taken not to breathe its dust.

History

Unknown.

Pigment Name

PBk6-Lamp Black

Pigment Type

inorganic

Chemical Name

carbon

Chemical Formula

C

Properties

Lamp black is a very opaque, heavily staining black pigment that does not have much covering power. It is typically the most opaque black in watercolor form. Though a very pure black, it tends to muddy slightly in mixtures, is one of the slowest drying pigments in oils, and should not be used under other colors.

Permanence

Lamp Black is very lightfast and absolutely permanent. It is used in all techniques in permanent painting.

Toxicity

Lamp Black is slightly toxic by skin contact and inhalation. It is a possible human carcinogen.

History

Lamp Black is a carbon based black traditionally produced by collecting soot (known as lampblack) from oil lamps. It is the black found in Egyptian murals and tomb decorations and was the most popular black for frescoing until the development of Mars Black.