R&F Pigment Stick - Mars Black, 38 ml

Mars Black is a very dense black with a slightly violet undertone and greys. It mixes cleaner than other blacks and is a faster drier in our Pigment Stick line. 

The name 'Mars' is derived from the god of war, whose metal is iron. The name ‘Mars Yellow’ and the colours that stem from this name emerged in the eighteenth century as a literal translation of the Latin crocus Martis. Martis refers to Mars and the ancient alchemical name for iron. These"synthetic ochres" are cleaner, more powerful, and opaquer than many earth pigments, such as our Siennas and Umbers, which have a wider variation in their top tone and undertone.

• Pigment Composition: PBk11-Mars Black
• Dimension: 38 ml. stick measuring 5" x 3/4"diameter
• Paint Lines: Encaustic Pigment Stick
• Opacity: Opaque
• Pigment Stick Drying Rate: Fast
• Classification: Synthetic Inorganic
• Chemical Composition: Ferroso-ferric oxide
• Safety Information: Conforms to ASTM D-4236

Pigment Name: PBk11 Mars Black

Classification: Synthetic Inorganic, Earth

Chemical Composition: Iron oxides

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 an acrylic form, which 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

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