R&F Pigment Stick - Neutral Grey Deep, 38 ml

Its value is similar to that of Chromium Oxide Green and Cadmium Red Deep. On drying, it acquires a slate-like characteristic, with much more complex undertones than from mixes of black and white.

• Pigment Composition: PW6-Titanium White; PB28-Cobalt Blue; PBr7-Raw Umber; PW4-Zinc White
• Dimension: 38 ml. stick measuring 5" x 3/4" diameter
• Paint Lines: Pigment Stick
• Opacity: Opaque
• Pigment Stick Drying Rate: Fast
• Classification: Mixed
• Chemical Composition: Natural earth, Cobalt blue, Zinc-titanium white
• Safety Information: Conforms to ASTM D-4236
• Safety Warnings: This product contains cobalt, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.

Pigment Name: PW6-Titanium White

Classification: Synthetic Inorganic

Chemical Composition: Titanium dioxide

Properties

Titanium White is the most brilliant of the white pigments. It is considered an all-purpose oil colour that is useful in all techniques and the best all-around white. Its masstone is neither warm nor cool, placing it 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 watercolour 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 do not indicate that it is absorbed biologically, even after long periods of exposure. The primary safety concern is with the inhalation of fine pigment dust particles.

History

Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust. However, mineral deposits that are economical to mine are rare. 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 the ancestor of the Titans, and the Greek word tito, meaning day or sun.

Pigment Name: PB28-Cobalt Blue

Classification: Synthetic Inorganic

Chemical Composition: Cobalt (II) oxide + aluminum oxide

Properties

Cobalt blue is a semi-transparent pigment with low to moderate tinting strength. When it dries, it appears lighter and less saturated. Pigment particles are large and grainy. Differences in how the pigment is ground and mixed lead to considerable differences in performance among various manufacturers.

Permanence

Cobalt blue is absolutely lightfast and extraordinarily stable. The stability of cobalt salts at high temperatures makes them the standard for blues used in ceramics and glassware.

Toxicity

Cobalt salts are toxic. Avoid respiratory and skin contact. Soluble cobalt may cause irritation and allergic reactions through contact with the skin. It is considered a possible carcinogen.

History

Since ancient times, smalt blue has been used to colour glass and ceramics. Cobalt salts, which give smalt its characteristic blue colour, were identified in the 18th century. Techniques for manufacturing Cobalt Blue, a chemically pure salt of cobalt and aluminum oxide, were developed in 1802.

Pigment Name: PBr7-Raw Umber

Classification: Synthetic Inorganic, Earth

Chemical Composition: Hydrated iron oxide

Properties

Raw Umber is a cool, transparent brown ranging from yellowish-brown to greenish-brown. It has surprisingly good tinting strength and a high opacity level, mixes well with greens, and quickly dries in oil form. It has excellent colour properties and can create a variety of subtle, clear tints when combined with white. It grays when mixed with blue and white. Raw Umber can tend towards chalkiness in dark mixes in oil form.

Permanence

Raw Umber has excellent permanence.

Toxicity

Raw Umber itself is considered non-toxic. If contaminated by manganese compounds, it may be highly toxic if inhaled and moderately toxic if ingested.

History

This pigment comes from the Latin word umbra, meaning shadow or shade. Its full name is terra di ombra, meaning earth of shadow/shade, due to its original extraction from Umbria, Italy. It has been used as a pigment since prehistoric times. Currently, the finest umber comes from Cyprus.

Pigment Name: PW4 Zinc White

Classification: Synthetic Inorganic

Chemical Composition: Zinc (II)-oxide

Properties

Zinc White is the coolest white with a cold, clean masstone and a slightly bluish tint. It has less hiding power and is more transparent than other whites. It dries slowly and is suitable for painting wet into wet and glazing and scumbling. Zinc White is neither as opaque nor heavy as Lead White; its covering power is not as good and takes much longer to dry. However, it does not blacken when exposed to sulphur in the air as Lead White does. It is precious for making tints with other colours. Unmixed Zinc White dries to a brittle and dry paint film that may crack over the years, so it is unsuitable for frescoing. It is more transparent in acrylic than Titanium White and is the most commonly used white with gouache. Chinese White is a version of Zinc White appropriate for opaque watercolour techniques.

Permanence

Zinc White has excellent permanence and lightfastness.

Toxicity

Zinc White is moderately toxic if ingested and slightly toxic if inhaled.

History

Though historians are divided on who first isolated the element zinc, they agree it was first suggested as a white pigment in 1782. Zinc White was accepted as a watercolour in 1834 and was called Chinese White due to the popularity of oriental porcelain in Europe at the time. Ten years later, a suitable oil form was produced. By the early 20th century, it had improved to the point where it was an acceptable alternative to Flake White.