Sennelier Watercolour S1 Prussian Blue (318)

Prussian Blue is a semi-transparent, deep cyan-blue with a greenish undertone and a very high tinting strength unequalled by most pigments. It is similar to Phthalo Blue unless mixed with white when it gives up intensity and becomes smoky. It can behave erratically and less reliably depending on its manufacture in oil and watercolour form. For permanent painting, Phthalo Blue is considered a more reliable choice. Chemical Name: ferric ferrocyanide/iron(III)-hexacyanoferrate(II)

Permanence: Prussian Blue is lightfast and permanent in all techniques except for fresco. When mixed with Zinc White in watercolour or tempera form, it fades upon exposure to light and completely regains its chromatic strength in the dark. Modern manufacturing techniques have made this tendency less of an issue in recent years.

Toxicity: Prussian Blue is moderately toxic if ingested. It will emit toxic hydrogen cyanide gas if heated, exposed to ultraviolet radiation, or treated with acid.

History: "The first of the modern pigments," Prussian Blue is the first artificial pigment with a known history. It was discovered by accident in 1704 by the Berlin colour maker Heinrich Diesbach, who tried to create a pigment with a red hue by mixing iron sulphate and potash. The potash Diesbach purchased from a local laboratory had been contaminated by animal oil and blood during previous experimentation. The resulting mixture yielded a pale red that changed to purple and deep blue when he tried to concentrate it. Since previous blue pigments came from lapis lazuli, an expensive stone, Diesbach’s discovery was significant for artists of the time.

Alternate Names: Berlin Blue, Bronze Blue, Iron Blue, Paris Blue, Paste Blue. Celestial Blue, Monthier Blue and Soluble Blue are varieties of Prussian Blue. Blue Lake is a reduced or let-down variety of Prussian Blue. Chinese Blue, Milori Blue, and Steel Blue are the three highest grades of Prussian Blue.