Gamblin 1980 Oils - PBk11 Mars Black

Gamblin’s approach is different. 1980 colours contain pure pigments, the finest refined linseed oil, and marble dust (calcium carbonate). Since oil painting began, these three ingredients have made more affordable colours.

Painters experience true colours without homogenized texture or muddy colour mixtures. Gamblin's approach to using traditional raw materials and processes ensures that artists experience the luscious working properties they expect from their oil colours.

Mars Black: Slightly warm in its tint, this leanest (more matte) black dries more quickly than Ivory Black. Though not as black as Ivory Black, Mars Black has approximately three times the tinting strength and is very opaque, cool in its masstone and strong. Mars Black is often the choice of Neo-Expressionists and others who want to make black opaque marks in thick, wet paintings.

PIGMENT COMPOSITION AND PERMANENCE

• Pigment Name: PBk11 Mars Black (Synthetic black iron oxide)
• Pigment Type: earth

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 dries more quickly and has three times the tinting strength.

Mars Black is usually the only black available in acrylic form, and it 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 primary black pigment considered non-toxic.

HISTORY

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