PW White Pigments The Color of Art Pigment Database: Pigment White, PW

Artist's Paint and Pigments Reference: Color Index Names, Color index Number and Pigment Chemical Composition

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PW - Pigment White White Pigments

Historic White Pigments Without C.I. Names  |  CI Natural White  |  CI Pigment White

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Jump to CI Pigment White Number:
NW 1,
PW 1, PW 2. PW 3, PW 4, PW 5, PW 6, PW 6:1, PW 7, PW 8, PW 10, PW 11, PW 12, PW 13, PW 14, PW 15, PW 16, PW 17, PW 18, PW 18:1, PW 19, PW 20, PW 21, PW 22, PW 23, PW 24, PW 25, PW 26, PW 27, PW 28, PW 30, PW 32, PW 33,
Bone White; Ceramic White; Diamond Powder; Egg Shells; Hartshorn; Lead Chloride Hydroxide; Lead Phosphite; Lime White; Manganese Carbonate; Oyster Shells; Sodium Aluminium Silicate

Where applicable, you can click on the artist paint or pigment company code found in the "Common Historic and Marketing Name Column" next to the pigments name. The links will take you off site where you can find more specific paint, binder, and pigment properties, including MSDS sheets and/or retailers that stock that brand of paint or pigment. Just hit your back button to return to this site or right click to open in a new window. Many of the links and ads are Affiliates of this site. You can purchase items directly at no extra cost and you can help support this site by purchasing items through these Affiliate links. All Blick art materials links are Affiliate links, and the Blick Art Materials site is a great resource of more pigment and paint information. See the Key at the bottom of any page for the artist media or binder company codes and links to the brands websites. NOTE: d in italics indicates a discontinued paint or pigment, all other medium or binder codes in italics mean the pigment/paint is in the student grade, not the "artist's" professional premium paint. See the Key (at the bottom of the page) for artist media and binder codes.

Historic White Pigments Historic White Pigments and Mineral Pigments without Color Index Names
Historic White Pigments Without C.I. Names  |  CI Natural White  |  CI Pigment White  | KEYPage Top^

Color Index Generic Name
CI Common or Historical Name
Common, Historic and
Marketing Names
C.I.
Constitution Number
Chemical Composition
Color Description
† = Long Term Effects of Light
Opacity
1 = opaque
4 = trans.
Light
Fastness
I = excell.
IV=Fugitive

Oil Absorption
g/100g
Toxic
Side Notes

N/A

Bone White

Bone Ash [KP.p];
Bone White

see Hartshorn

N/A

Bone calcined in the presence of oxygen until all organic matter has been burned away. Mostly tribasic phosphate with traces of calcium carbonate and other salts.

off white

-

-

-

A

MSDS

Used to prepare paper for silver point

N/A

Ceramic White

Ceramic White [HO.o.wo];

Strontium Titanate;

Strontium Titanate Nano Powder;

Tausonite*

N/A

Strontium Titanate; Titanic Acid Strontium

Bright pure white

1-2**

I

-

A

Modern pigment

*Tausonite is a rare natural form found in siberia (Ref).

**Not quite as opaque as Titanium White but more opaque than Zinc White

N/A

Diamond Powder

Diamond Powder [KP.p]

N/A

Powdered Diamonds

Translucent white

3-4*

I

-

A

* depends on binder medium.

N/A

Egg Shell

Eggshell White [KP.p];

Calx de tistis ovorum;

Shell White

N/A

Powdered egg shells; mostly calcium carbonate; Brown eggs contain Ooporphyrin with a small amount of biliverdin with 2-3% eggshell pigment; (Ref)

Recipe from Secrets of Alessio Piemontese, 1557:
"Take fresh well washed eggshells, which are the pureset white, and grind them with the cleanest water on a marble slab until they are perfectly ground. Then put these crushed eggshells and water into a clean bowl, and let the powder settle to the bottom and then drain away the water carefully and allow the powder to dry naturally and you will have an incomparable white which cannot be surpassed by lead white or any other white in the world, if it is made carefully and well.." - (*Secreti di Don Alessio Piemontese [Secrets of Alessio Piemontese], 1557).

White; light brown*; light blue*

† Any tint is from natural protoporphyrin, ooporphyrin and biliverdin (brown) or bilirubin (blue) and will quickly fade, however the white from Calcium Carbonate will not.

2-4

Very trans. in oils, opaque in water colors and acrylics

I (NR)*

BWS
8; 8; 8
(Kremer)

-

A

Used as a white in watercolor and fresco in olden days, also used as a base for lake pigments and filler / extender in oils.

* Any coloring other than white is fugitive;

Not rated by the ASTM, calcium carbonate has a long history used as a pigment and will not fade from sunlight. However it can become discolored with age from atmospheric pollution, dust, smoke and yellowing of the binder. It is also susceptible to chemical breakdown from acids.

N/A

Hartshorn

Hart's Horn;

Hartshorn;

Antler of Hart;

Horn of hind

see Bone White

N/A

The horn of the male European red deer Calcined in the presence of oxygen to burn off all organic matter and produce white; Chemically about 80% tribasic phosphate with some calcium carbonate. Other deer horns or bone may also have been used.

see Bone White

"Earthy" White

-

-

-

A

MSDS

Used for mixing with pigments that can't be mixed with lead white i.e. Orpiment, etc.;

Calcined hartshorn is 'a useful earthy white for watercolors' according to Tingry (1830) . (Ref)

N/A

Lead Chloride Hydroxide

laurionite;

Lead chloride hydroxide;

Pattinson’s White

77593

Lead chloride hydroxide

-

-

-

-

C

-

N/A

Lead Phosphite

lead Phosphite

77620

lead phosphite

-

-

-

-

C

Anti-corrosive

N/A

Lime White

Armenini's White;

Bianco di San Giovanni [NP.p];

Cennini's White;

Lime White;

Portlandite;

Saint John's white

N/A

Mostly Calcium hydroxide with smaller amounts of Calcium Carbonate

bright white

1*

I

N/A

B

Excellent white for fresco (Ref);

*transparency can depend on binder

N/A

Manganese Carbonate

Manganese Carbonate;

Manganese White*?;

Rhodochrosite

77733

Manganous carbonate;

Manganese Carbonate (Ref wikipedia);

Rhodochrosite (MnCO3) is a rare red Manganese Carbonate (wikipedia mineral Reference);

CAS 598-62-9

Pink to almost white powder

-

-

-

A

MSDS

*? The chemical Manganous carbonate (MnCO3), Is said to be "Manganese White" by the Color index 3rd Ed., V.4, Inorganic colorants, under CI 77733, However Manganous carbonate or Manganese Carbonate usually exists as pale pink to dark to bright red in both it's natural and synthetic forms.(see pictures of Rhodochrosite and Manganese Carbonate at wikipedia);

Magnesium carbonate, (MgCO3), is quite white (see Magnesium carbonate and Magnesite),

"Manganese White" is also a name for Manganese Sulphate

N/A

Oyster Shells

Shell White;

Gofun;

Gofun Shirayuki [KP.p];

Japanese Pearl White;

Mother of Pearl [KP.p];

N/A

Powdered oyster shells; Mostly calcium carbonate in the form of an aragonite (Ref);

White may have a iridescence?

3

I

-

A

Has been used in Japan for centuries

N/A Sodium Aluminium Silicate

Albite;

Alumina White* [SCH.p];

Aluminosilicic acid, sodium salt;

Aluminum Silicate;

Aluminium Sodium Salt;

Aluminum Sodium Silicate [SCH.p];

Fixwool;

Jadeite;

SODASIL®;

Sasil;

Sodium Aluminium Silicate;

Sodium Aluminosilicate;

Sodium Silicoaluminate;

Sodium Silico Aluminate;

Synthetic Zeolite;

Zeolite

N/A

Sodium Aluminium Silicate;

Manufactured by the precipitation of sodium silicate solution with aluminum sulphate.

Not a specific compound but a group of related compounds consisting of sodium, aluminum, silicate and oxygen;

Used in foods as anti caking agent;(Ref: wikipedia);

Used in water based / acrylic emulsion paints, internal and external applications. Also it is a Defoaming agent , matting / Flattening agent, Thickening and Thixotropic agent, Free flow / anti-caking agent in powder coatings. (Ref: Madhu Silica - PDF);

Used as a filler (extender) and as a white pigment in paints, printing inks and paper, where it acts as a partial substitute for titanium dioxide. (Ref: SODASIL® P95, IQE);

chemically inert, non-toxic

CAS 1344-00-9

Translucent White to greenish 2-3** I H A

*Particularly suitable for use as a translucent filler in oil colors. Making colors “short” and “buttery”. (Ref: Schmincke Pigment Info -PDF);

**depends on binding medium, semi transparent in oils

HostMonster

Natural White Pigments - NW Natural White - Color Index Name: NW
Historic White Pigments Without C.I. Names  |  CI Natural White  |  CI Pigment White  | KEY border=Page Top^

Color Index Generic Name
CI Common or Historical Name
Common, Historic and
Marketing Names
C.I.
Constitution Number
Chemical Composition
Color Description
† = Long Term Effects of Light
Opacity
1 = opaque
4 = trans.
Light
Fastness
I = excell.
IV=Fugitive

Oil Absorption
g/100g
Toxic
Side Notes

NW1

Guanine

C.I. Natural White 1;

Dew Pearl;

Essence d'orient;

Fischsilber;

Fish Silver [KP.p];

Guanin;

Guanine;

Guanine enol;

Mearlmaid;

Natural Fish Silver;

Natural Pearl Essence;

Naturon;

Natural White 1;

Pathocicin;

Perlglanzmittel;

Purine;

Stella Polaris

75170

Guanin, Iminoxanthin, 2-Amino-6-oxypurin;

Pearl essence extracted from scales of fish, mostly from herring and sardines.;

CAS 73-40-5

Iridescent white to silver to yellow off white

4

-

-

A

Usually used to give iridescence or pearl lustre to other pigments (Ref)

25% off!

PW - Pigment White Pigment White - Color Index Name: PW
Historic White Pigments Without C.I. Names  |  CI Natural White  |  CI Pigment White  | KEYPage Top^

Color Index Generic Name
CI Common or Historical Name
Common, Historic and
Marketing Names
C.I.
Constitution Number
Chemical Composition
Color Description
† = Long Term Effects of Light
Opacity
1 = opaque
4 = trans.
Light
Fastness
I = excell.
IV=Fugitive

Oil Absorption
g/100g
Toxic
Side Notes

PW1

Lead White

Acrusite*;

Basic Lead Carbonate2;

Basic White Lead2;

Berlin white;

Biacca;

Biacca di Venetia;

Bly-spat;

Body White;

Ceruse [NP.p];

Ceruse White [NP.p];

Cerussa;

Cerussa Native*;

Cerussete;

Cerussite1;

Cerussite* (Natural Lead White)1 [NP.p];

C.I. Pigment White 1;

Clichy White Lead;

Corroded White Lead;

Cremser White;

Cremnitz White [OH.o | WN.o];

Cremnitz White (Linseed Oil) [MH.o];

Cremnitz White (Walnut Oil) [MH.o];

Dutch Method White;

Dutch Process White;

Dutch White Lead;

Flake White [BX.o | BR | KA.o.p | KP.p | MA.p | NP.p3 | RGH.o.p | SE.p | UT.o | .o | WL.o(SF) | WN];

Flake White + Powdered Glass [RGH.o];

Flake White Extra Fine [RGH.o];

Flakelead;

Flemish White [UT.o];

Foundation White;

Genoa White;

Hamburg White;

Holland white;

Hydrocerussite;

Krems White;

Kremser White;

Kremniz White;

Kremnitz White;

Lead Salt;

Lead Spar

Lead Subcarbonate;

Lead White [NP.p];

Lead White #2 [NP.p];

London White;

Minium Album;

Nottingham White;

Neutral Lead Carbonate;

Pigment White 1;

Plumbous Carbonate;

Psmithium;

Roman White;

SF Flake White [ WL.o(SF)];

Silver White [HO.o];

Slate White;

Stack Lead White [MH.o]

Stack Process White Lead [NP.p];

Stack Process White Lead (Dutch Method) [NP.p];

Slate White;

Snowflake White;

Synthetic Hydrocerussite;

Venetian Ceruse;

Venetian White [NP.p];

Vienna White;

White lead2

77597

Synthetic Inorganic;

White Lead (Ref wikipedia);

Stack or Dutch process lead white (Flake White) is made by taking strips or sheets of lead and rolling them up into porous clay pots where they are suspended above weak acetic acid (vinegar). The pots are then buried in fermenting horse dung or cow manure producing heat and CO2. The surface crust (flakes) are scraped off and then washed, dried & ground into a powder.

Stack Process Lead White (Ref Natural Pigments);

Chemical composition and other interesting information can be found at PubChem Open Chemical Database;

"Lead carbonate is one of the compounds which can be named lead white. It is the synthetic analogue of the mineral cerussite", "Lead white usually refers to Lead Carbonate Hydroxide (Basic Lead Carbonate, Lead(II) carbonate basic or the natural form Hydrocerussite.
In addition ‘lead white’ may be extended to describe the lead chloride oxides, lead phosphates and particularly the lead sulfates" (Ref Pigment Compendium p.228, p.239)

Cerussite1 and Hydrocerussite are the natural mineral forms and may have some impurities. (Ref wikipedia); (Ref galleries.com); (Ref google images); (Ref webmineral.com);

Hydrocerussite (Ref mindat.org, and pic gallery); (Ref webmineral.com, Nice Pic here); (Ref pdf from handbook of mineralogy.org); (Ref pics at wikimedia.org);

Making pigments and more info: lead white at "Pigments through the Ages" @ WebExhibits.org Curated by Michael Douma

In tests using spectroscopic analysis some brands of Lead White represented to be genuine pure PW-1 are in fact adulterated by Lead(II) sulfate, calcium carbonate, gypsum or chalk (Reference: A Critical Analysis of Commercial Pigments, by M. Pérez, K. Castro, M.D. Rodríguez2, MA. Olazabal and J.M. Madariaga, University of the Basque Country, Dept. Analytical Chemistry and Dept. Painting).

Lead Carbonate2 (Ref wikipedia);

Basic Lead Carbonate;

Lead Carbonate Hydroxide;

Lead(2+) dicarbonate dihydroxide;

Cerussite:

CAS 598-63-0;

Hydrocerussite:

CAS 1319-47-7

Lead Carbonate2:

CAS 598-63-0;

Basic Lead (II) Carbonate;
2 PbCO3· Pb(OH)2;
C2-H2-O8-Pb3:

CAS 1319-47-7,
1319-46-6

EC 215-290-6

Silvery or creamy white;

good tinting strength

† Darkens, Darkening may be due to atmospheric sulfides or sulfur fumes

1-2

I (ASTM oil & acryl., NR in WC)

10-15

C*

MSDS1

MSDS2

MDSD3

ICSC

NLM

May be slightly yellowish or off-white in oil paints due to binder.;

May darken if exposed to sulfur fumes.;

More stable in oil paints, the oil protecting it from exposer to the atmosphere.;

Many historical names referred to specific method or place of manufacture. Today these names are mostly just marketing terms, although some pigment suppliers have genuine Ceruse, and Flake white (dutch process) still available in small batches, most notably Natural Pigments, Kremer and Michael Harding to name a few.

Some Lead Whites are adulterated with Blanc Fix or Lithopone as extenders, adulterants and/ or to improve consistency. This would not usually be on the label or indicated in the literature. (Ref. THE ARTIST’S HANDBOOK by Pip Seymour)

* all paints containing lead require a PROP 65 warning label in CA.

Take precautions when working with lead paints. Lead is an accumulative poison and can build up in your body over years.

Do not ingest, avoid skin contact.

Lead has a sweet taste (it was even used as an artificial sweetener by the Romans), so keep it far out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not inhale, wear a NIOSH certified dust mask when working with the dry pigment.

It's a bad idea to ever spray paint or airbrush with lead based pigments. Even if you wear a dusk mask and protective clothing, it would be almost impossible to control and clean up the overspray.

PW2

Lead Sulphate White

Bartlett White Lead;

C.I. Pigment White 2;

Sublimed White Lead;

Flemish White;

Freeman's Lead;

Freeman's White;

Non-poisonous White Lead*;

Patent White Lead;

Pigment White 2;

Purex White;

Lead Bottoms;

Lead Sulfate [NP.p];

Lewis White Lead;

Silver Lead;;

White Lead;

White Lead Sulfate

77633

Tetrabasic Lead Sulfate (Ref Natural Pigments Blog);

Basic Lead Sulphate plus Zinc Oxide;

Lead oxide sulphates;

CAS 7446-14-2

Grayish to White

2

I

10-22

C*

Some common names, chemical data, and pigment info is confusing or conflicting and seem to refer to PW2 and PW3 interchangeably.

* Although less soluble than Basic Lead Carbonate (PW1), "Non-poisonous White Lead" (Tetrabasic Lead Sulfate PW2) is a toxic cumulative poison if ingested over a long period of time.

PW3

Basic Lead Sulphate White

Anglesite;

Bleisulfat;

Basic Lead Sulphate;

C.I. Pigment White 3;

Fast White;

Flemish White;

Freeman White;

Freeman's White Lead;

Lanarkite;

Lead Bottoms;

Lead Dross;

Lead Sulfate;

Lead Sulphate;

Lead Vitriol;

Milk White;

Mulhaus White;

Mulhouse White;

Mulhouse White Lead;

Natural Anglesite;

Pigment White 3;

Sulfate de plomb;

Sulfate White Lead;

Sulfuric Acid Lead Salt;

White Lead

77630

Lead Sulphate;

Natural Mineral Anglesite (Ref Pigment Compendium, 2008), (Ref Mineral at webmineral.com);

lead salt of sulfuric acid;

Lead(II) Sulphate; (Ref Pigment Compendium, 2008), (Ref Boston Fine Arts);

(Ref Natural Pigments Blog);

CAS: 7446-14-2

Grayish to White

2

I

10-22

C

-

PW4

Zinc Oxide White

Blanc de Zinc [LB.o];

Chinese White [AS | BA.w | DS.w | LK | MA.w.w | RT.w | WN.w.w.wp];

C.I. Pigment White 4;

French White;

Hubbocks White;

Mixing White [WN.a];

Neo-Zinc White [HO.o];

Orr's Zinc White;

Permanent Chinese White [MR.o | SCH.w];

Permanent White;

Pigment White 4;

Sinopia Zinc White, transparent [SI.p];

Silver White;

Snow Flowers;

Snow White;

Tint White [SE.a];

Transparent Mixing White [LQ.a];

Transparent Mixing White (Zinc White) [LQ.a];

Zinc Buff Yellowish* [WL.o.p];

Zinc Flowers;

Zinc Oxide [GEN | KA | NP.p];

Zinc Mixing White [TA.a.af];

Zinc White [GEN | BA.o.w | BX.o.w | CAS.k | CH |DR.o.o.t | DS.ad.o.pd | DV.k.o | GB.o | GO.a.af.ag.ao | GR.o.o.wo | GU | HO.o | KA..o.p | KP.p | LB.o | LK | MA.a.a.g.o.o(artis).p | MG.a.g.o | MH.o | MR.o | MW.o | OH.a.o | PF.o | RGH.o.p | RT.o | SCH.a.g.o.o(Mus).p | SE.p.t | SV | UT.o | WL.o.p | WN.o.w];

Zinc White Oxide [GB.p];

Zink White [SCH]

77947

Inorganic;

Zinc Oxide;

Zincite is the natural mineral form often reddish from impurities of manganese.
It has been used since antiquity, resulting from a byproduct of brass production.
"The pure oxide is made from the controlled oxidation of zinc vapors derived from heating metallic zinc at 300°C" (Petit, 1907). - (Ref. Zinc Oxide; Pigment Compendium, A Dictionary of Historical Pigments; by Nicholas Eastaugh, Valentine Walsh, Tracey Chaplin and Ruth Siddall; 2008; p.212-213)

Making pigments: How to make Zinc White at webexhibits.org;

CAS 1314-13-2,

CAS 91315-44-5

Translucent white with slightly warm undertones, can also be slightly blueish off white;

Zinc Buff: Yellowish light pale yellow;

staining w/ good tinting strength

† Lightens slightly becomes more opaque (Handprint), becomes brittle in oils.

2

I (ASTM)

BWS
8 (Lansco)

BWS
8;8;8
(Guerra)

10-22

A

MSDS

ICSC

More info on PW-4 including a lightfastness test in watercolor by Bruce MacEvoy @ handprint.com. See Pigment White 4 @ Handprint.com;

Zinc White is often mixed with Titanium White in artist's oil paints. Titanium White is said to be soft and "spongy" and Zinc White is said to be hard and "brittle". Together they supposedly cancel out each others cons.;

New studies suggest zinc white may lead to premature cracking in oil colors (Ref. Natural Pigments),

The studies on zinc white cracking, may or may not pertain to mixtures with Titanium White in artist paints.

PW5

Lithopone

Albanol;

Beckton White;

Blanc de Titane [LB.o];

Cariton white;

Charlton white;

C.I. Pigment White 5;

Diamond White;

English White;

Graves White;

Griffith's White;

Griffith's Patent Zinc White;

Jersey Lily White;

Knight's White;

Lithopone [GEN | KA.p | KP.p | SCH.p];

Lithopone Silver;

Lithopone White [SE.p];

Marbon White;

Mixing White [SCH];

Navin's White;

Oleum white;

Opaque White [LK];

Orr's White;

Orr's Zinc White;

Porcelain White [WL.o(SF)];

Pigment White 5;

Ponolith;

Ross' white;

SF Porcelain White [WL.o(SF)];

Snow White;

Structure White;

Sulphogen White;

Transparent White [LA.a];

White;

White smalt;

Zinc Baryta White;

Zinc Mixing White [DR.a(s3hb).a(s3mb)];

Zinc Sulfide [MA.p];

Zinc White [DR.a.g | HO.a.g | WN.g]

77115

Inorganic;

"an insoluble mixture of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide that precipitates upon mixing solutions of barium sulfide and zinc sulfate. The precipitate is recovered by filtration, then calcined" (Britannica.com Ref);

"Complex co-precipitate, but not a compound, of calcium sulfate and zinc sulfide" (Ref Color index 3rd Ed., V.4, Inorganic colorants CI 77115);

Barium sulfate (28 - 30%) and zinc sulfide (68 - 70%) with trace amounts of zinc oxide;

CAS 1345-05-7

White, slightly duller / greyer than PW-4 or PW-6

Non-staining w/ fair tinting strength, depending on binding medium

2

I

14

A

Sometimes used as a base for Lake pigments.;

Added to artist, and so-called "designer" or "Illustrator" gouache paints to make a pigment more opaque and to lighten the hue, this is often not indicated on the art supply manufacturer's labels.;

Often used as a extender in cheap white paints.;

Used as a white pigment or adulterant in artist paints, student grade paints and many light colored artist convenience mixes especially in economy priced paints.

PW6

Titanium White

Aeroweiss DS [SCH];

Anatase**;

Antique White [HO.w(ant)];

Buff Titanium [BA.o | CAS.k | DR.a.a.a(s3hb).a(s3mb).o(georg).o.];

C.I. Pigment White 6;

China white [PF.w];

Chinese White [HO.ag.w | MG.w | SH.w];

Chalk White;

Double White [MA.o(HD)];

Fast Drying Titanium White [CR.o];

Flake White (Hue) [DV.k];

Heavy Body White [SCH.a];

Inorganic Oxide White;

Kronos Titanium Dioxide;

Mixing White [WN.a];

Inorganic Synthetic Opaque White;

Opaque White [LK | SCH];

Permanent White [DR.g. | HO.g.wo | w | WN.g];

Permanent White EX [HO.o];

Permanent White SF [HO.o];

Pigment White 6;

Primary White [HO.g];

Quick-Dry White [HO.o];

Quick Drying White [HO.o];

Radiant White [GB.o];

Santorini White [MA.o(Med)];

SF Titanium White [WL.o(SF)];

Sinopia Titanium White Rutile [SI.p];

Super White [MA.o(artis)];

Tinting White [CR.ao.o.];

Titan Buff [ GO.a.ab.ag.ao ];

Titanium Buff [GO.a | GU];

Titanium Dioxide [ NP.p];

Titanium Dioxide White;

Titanium Opaque White [SCH.w];

Titanium White* [GEN | AS | BA.a.a.ag | BX.o.w | CAS.k | CH | CL | CR.a(jo).a.ao.o | DR.a.a(s3hb).a(s3mb).g.w.t | DS.ad.o.pd.w | DV.a.af.k.w | EP.p | GO.a.ab.af.ag.ao | GU | HO.a.ag.o.w.wo | JO.a | KA.ad.o.p | LA.a | LB.o | LK | LQ.a | MA.a.a.o.p | MG.a.w | MR.o | MT | OH.a.o | PF.o.o.w | RGH.o.p | RT.a.a.wo | SCH.a.g.p | SE.a.p.t | SQ.a | TA.a.af | UT.a | WL.o.o(SF).p | WN.a.a.k.w.w.wp];

Titanium White Dioxide [GB.p];

Titanium White Extra Opaque [OH.a];

Titanium White No. 1 [MH.o];

Titanium White No. 3 (with driers) [MH.o];

Titanium White (opaque) [HO];

Titanium White (Opaque White) [WN.w.wp];

Titanium White Rutile [KP.p];

Titanox;

Translucent White [SCH.o];

Transparent Titanium White [GU | RT.w];

Unbleached Titanium [RGH.o.p | SQ.a | TA.a.af | WL.o.p];

Warm White [SQ.a | TA.a.af ];

White [AS | DR.a | HO.af.| LA.a | MA | SE];

White Permanent [MW.wo];

White (Titanium) [DV];

XSL Titanium White;

Zinc White Imitation [PF.o];

77891

Inorganic;

Titanium Dioxide (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO);

Anatase (Natural Mineral) (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO);

Titanium (IV) Oxide Anatase;

Titanium (IV) Oxide Rutile;

Titanium (IV) Oxide Brookite

LBNLPigment Database Spectral radiative properties;

Inorganic Oxide White;

Titanium Dioxide White;

Titanium White (i);

Titanium White (ii);

Making pigments: Titanium White at webexhibits.org;

CAS 13463-67-7

Pure neutral white, can have a slight blue undertone;

Lightly staining w/ stronge tinting strength

Note: Some "Titanium White" pigments are not only PW6, but mixtures with zinc white or Lithopone. Mixtures with Lithopone are not usually marked on the label or literature and can be considered extended or adulterated.

1-2

I (ASTM)

BWS
8; 8; 8
(Guerra)

BWS
8; 8; 8
(Chroma Archival)

18-30

A

MSDS

MSDS

More info on PW-6 including a lightfastness test in watercolor by Bruce MacEvoy @ handprint.com. See Pigment White 6 @ Handprint.com;

* Often Titanium White is mixed with Zinc White in artist's oil paints. Titanium White is said to be soft and "spongy" and Zinc White is said to be hard and "brittle". Together they supposedly cancel out each others cons. This Pigment Database only has artist paints or pigments that are single pigment and not mixed.

The term Titanium White has been used for almost any white pigment containing titanium, according to M. Laver in her chapter on Titanium White, in the book Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of Their History & Characteristics, Vol 3, 1997

Some other pigments associated with the name Titanium White are Barium titanate, Lead Titanate, Potassium Titanate, Titanated lithopone, Titanium lithopone, Titanium phthalate, Titanium silicate and Zinc titanate.

PW6:1

Titanium White Buff

Buff Titanium [DR | DS.ad.o.pd.w | KP.p];

Buff Titanium Gray [CAS.k];

Buff Titanium Light [CAS.k];

Buff Titanium, natural titanium dioxide [KP.p];

Buff Titanium Oxide;

Ceruse (hue) [MA.o(Ren)];

Chinese White [GR.w];

C.I. Pigment White 6:1;

Hitox Buff Titanium Oxide;

Natural Titanium;

Natural Titanium Dioxide;

Pigment White 6:1;

Titan Buff [GO.a.ab.af.ag.ao];

Titanium Buff [ GO.a.ab.af.ag.ao | GU | SI.p];

Titanium White [BA.w | GR.a.w];

Titanium White Buff;

Unbleached Titanium [WL.o];

Unbleached Titanium Dioxide [MH.o];

Unbleached Titanium Pale [WL.o]

77891

Inorganic; Natural Titanium, Titanium Dioxide and Ferric Oxide bound together with other metallic oxides;

TiO2

CAS 13463-67-7

Off White

1

I

BWS
8;8;8
(guerra paint)

33-35

A

MSDS

-

PW7

Zinc Sulphide White

Chinese White;

C.I. Pigment White 7;

Matting;

Opaque White [SCH.o];

Pigment White 7;

Sphalerite;

Wurtzite;

Zinc blende;

Zinc Buff [WL.o];

Zinc sulfide [KP.p; MA.p];

Zinc Sulphide White;

Zinc White[RT.a.a | WL.o];

77995

77975

Inorganic;

Zinc Sulphide White;

CAS 1314-98-3

White to yellowish

1-2*

I

11-13

A**

Phosphorescent and electroluminescent properties, often used to make fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark paints;

"It is often used for "invisible ink" that glows with exposure to ultraviolet light."-Blick Art Materials site reference;

*Transparency increases the smaller the particles;

**may have traces of lead

PW8

Strontium sulfide

C.I. Pigment White 8;

Strontium Sulfide

77847

Strontium sulfide;

Strontium sulfide is fluorescent and phosphorescent. The initial brightness of strontium sulfide type phosphors is lower than that of the zinc sulfide type, and the duration of afterglow is longer.

phosphorescent

-

-

-

-

-

PW10

Barium Carbonate

Barium Carbonate;

Barium Monocarbonate;

Barium Salt;

Carbonic Acid;

C.I. Pigment White 10;

Cocks Comb Spar;

Durex White

Pigment White 10;

Ponderous Spar;

Witherite

77099

Barium Carbonate, A heavy white powder that occurs in nature as the mineral witherite (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO Art Materials Database);

CAS 513-77-9

White powder

3

-

15-25

D*

MSDS

ICSC

*used as rat poison, forms barium chloride in the presence of stomach acid

PW11

Antimony White

Algarotti White;

Antimonious Oxide;

Antimony(III) Oxide;

Antimony Bloom;

Antimony Oxide;

Antimony Peroxide;

Antimony Sesquioxide;

Antimony Trioxide;

Antimony White;

C.I. Pigment White 11;

Exitelite;

Flowers of Antimony;

Pigment White 11;

Senarmontite;

Timonox;

Valentinite (natural mineral);

White Antimony;

White Star Timonox;

77052

Antimony(III) oxide;

Antimony Oxide;

Antimony Peroxide;

Antimony Sesquioxide;

Antimony Trioxide (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO Art Materials Database);

Antimony White (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO Art Materials Database);

CAS 1309-64-4

Powder white

1

I

8-12

C

ICSC

May be darkened by hydrogen sulfide

PW12

Zirconium Oxide

Baddeleyite;

C.I. Pigment White 12;

Zircon White;

Zirconium Oxide

77990

Zirconium Oxide

Baddeleyite is the natural mineral. (Ref Pigment Compendium, 2008),

-

-

-

-

-

-

PW13

Barium Tungstate

Barium Tungstate;

Barium White;

Barium wolframate;

C.I. Pigment White 13;

Pigment White 13;

Tungstate of Baryta;

Tungstate White;

Tungsten white;

Wolfram white

77128

Barium Tungstate;

CAS 7787-42-0

White

-

I

-

C

-

PW14

Bismuth Oxychloride

Bismuth White;

Bi-Flair;

Biluna Bismuth Oxy;

Blanc d'Espagne;

Blanc de Perle;

Chloride Crystals;

C.I. Pigment White 14;

Liquid Mirror [TA.a.af];

Magistery of Bismuth;

Pigment White 14

77163

Bismuth Chloride Oxide; Bismuth Oxychloride;

CAS 7787-59-9

Silvery white with pearlescent or iridescence properties

-

-

L

A*

Often used in cosmetics to produce pearlescent shine; Often used to add metallic or pearlescent properties to paints.;

*Can cause allergies and other claimed skin problems when used as cosmetic

PW15

Tin Oxide

Cassiterite;

C.I. Pigment White 15;

Flowers of Tin;

Flowersoftin;

Mesa;

Pigment White 15;

Stannic Anhydride;

Stannic Oxide;

Stannous Oxide;

Tin Dioxide;

Tin Mono Oxide

Tin Oxide;

White Tin Oxide

77861

Tin Oxide;

Tin(IV) Oxide;

Tin Monoxide;

Tin III Oxide;

Tin Dioxide;

Tin(II) oxide / Stannous oxide= SnO

Tin(IV) oxide / Tin dioxide / Stannic oxide= SnO2

CAS # 21651-19-4 = (stannous oxide);
CAS # 18282-10-5 = (stannic oxide), tin protoxide

Tin Peroxide (Chemical references)

Cassiterite (natural tin oxide ore) -mindat.org (Ref);

white to gray with slight pearlescent sheen

1

I*

† Light fast but affected by acids.

-

A**

MSDS

MSDS

Used to give subtle pearlescent properties to artist paints and pigments; Probably not used much as a white pigment on it's own.

Tin dioxide (tin(IV) oxide), also known as stannic oxide [Wikiipedia Ref]

Used in make-up
(not recommended due to Persistence and bioaccumulation);

Used mostly in ceramic glazes;

Used as a polishing agent for glass and metals;

* Light fast but affected by acids. Most artist oil bases are slightly acidic. If used to make oil paint, it would be wise to conduct tests with your formulation to determine suitability.

** Respiratory irritant, wear a mask when working with dry pigment.

PW16

Lead Silicate

Alamosite;

Basic Lead Silicate;

Basic Silicate White Lead;

C.I. Pigment White 16;

Lead Bisilicate;

Lead Frits;

Lead Metasilicate;

Lead Monosilicate;

Lead-m-silicate;

Lead Silicate;

Lead White

Pigment White 16

77625

Alamosite is the natural mineral (Ref); Fused Silica sand and Litharge (Ref);

CAS 10099-76-0

White

1

-

L

C

-

PW17

Bismuth Subnitrate

Bismuth Nitrate;

Bismuth Subnitrate;

Bismuth Subnitricum;

Bismuth White [KP.p];

Bismuthyl Nitrate;

Bismuth Oxynitrate;

Bismuth Yellow;

Blanc de fard;

Bougival White;

C.I. Pigment White 17;

Magistery of Bismuth;

Novismuth;

Paint White;

Pearl White;

Pearl White Bismuth Nitrate Oxide [KP.p];

Pigment White 17;

Spanish White;

Subnitrate of Bismuth

77169

Basic Bismuth Nitrate;

Bismuth hydroxide nitrate oxide;

CAS 10361- 44-1;

CAS 54392-33-5

Pearlescent white; Microcrystalline powder

1

II

L

A*

May be darkened by hydrogen sulfide, May yellow (Ref Color index 3rd Ed., V.4, Inorganic colourants CI 77169);

Was formerly used as an antiacid and wound dressing (Ref).

*Can cause allergies and other claimed skin problems when used as cosmetic

PW18

Chalk

Aragonite [KP.p];

Alba Albula [KP.p];

Alabaster White;

Aragonite;

Bianco Carrara White Marble Dust [NP.p];

Bianco di Sangiovanni;

Bianco san Giovanni;

Biancho Secco;

Bianco Verona White Marble Dust [NP.p];

Bologna Chalk [NP.p];

Calcite [NP.p];

Calcite White [KP.p];

Calcium Carbonate;

Carrara marmor dust [KP.p];

Carrara Marble, White [KP.p];

Chalk [GEN | NP.p];

Chalk from Bologna [KP.p];

Chalk from Champagne [KP.p];

Chalk from Ruegen [KP.p];

C.I. Pigment White 18;

Coarse calcium carbonate chalk [KA];

Colourless [RT];

Egg Shell White [KP.p1 ]

English White;

Extra-fine calcium carbonate chalk [KA];

Gilders Gesso;

Gilders Whiting;

Grey Chalk from Sarti [SI.p];

Lime White;

Limestone;

Marble;

Marble Dust [GEN | DS.pd | EP.p | KP.p | SI.p | UT];

Marble Dust Italian [KP.p];

Marble Flour [EP.p];

Marble Flour Extra Fine [EP.p];

Marble Meal [EP.p];

Paris White;

PCD French Chalk [SI.p];

Pigment White 18;

Powdered Marble [SCH];

Saint John’s White;

Sarti Chalk Greyish [KP.p];

Stone Chalk [KP.p];

Tailor's Chalk;

Travertine;

Troy White;

Troyes White;

Veroneser White [KP.p];

Veronese White Marble[KP.p];

White Chalk [KP.p];

White Earth from Carrara [MA.o];

Whiting [GEN | GB.o.p | SI.p];

Whiting Chalk [EP.p];

Yellow Chalk from Sarti [SI.p]

77220 +

77713

Inorganic;

Chalk, Limestone, Marble;

Natural Calcium carbonate with Magnesium carbonate as an impurity;

Making pigments: lime white at webexhibits.org

Calcium carbonate CaCO3 / Magnesium carbonate MgCO3

CAS 471-34-1

Pure white to creamy white, blue, or gray off white;

 

1-4*

I (NR)**

BWS
8; 8; 8
(Kremer)

15-20

A***

MSDS

Can be affected by acids;

Used to neutralize acids in artist papers, painting conservation & 'sour stomachs'***;

Sometimes used as a white in watercolor & Fresco.

Generally used as base for lake pigments or an extender, thickener, and matting agent in artist paints. It is also used to add tooth to oil paint grounds, acrylic gesso and primers;

Added to watercolors to make Gouache in artist, designer and illustrator paints. Used with Titanium White to make watercolor gouache paints matte and more opaque, this is not usually indicated on the art suppliers literature, or label;

Promotes thru drying and other claimed benefits to an oil paint film, see Calsite Sun Oil and Chalk Putty. More info on Calsite mediums from Natural Pigments.;

Added to lead white to make the soft translucent mixing white Ceruse (Ref. Natural Pigments);

Marble (chalk) in solid form is used for sculpture, pottery, architecture and many other arts.

* Opaque in water media, but nearly transparent in oil Binder.;

** not rated by the ASTM. The rating given is from BWS, product literature and anecdotal evidence, but not actual personal tests.

I would suggest making your own tests in the binder or brand of choice to verify fastness.

*** Artist grade materials are not food grade or pharmaceutical grade and may contain contaminants, do not ingest, avoid dust.

1 Kremer Egg Shell White is made from actual egg shells. See Egg Shell listing above for more info.

PW18

Precipitated Chalk

C.I. Pigment White 18;

Calcium Carbonate [KP.p];

Calcium Carbonate Coarse [KA.p];

Calcium Carbonate CP;

Calcium Carbonate Extra fine [KA.p];

Calcium Carbonate (precipitated chalk) [GU];

Calcium carbonate (USP);

Calcium monocarbonate;

Calcium trioxidocarbonate;

Marly White [SE.p];

Pigment White 18;

Powdered Marble [SCH.p];

Levigated chalk;

Precipitated Chalk [DS.pd].

Also all the names above for natural chalk are often used.

77220

Inorganic;

Pure processed Calcium Carbonate;

CAS 471-34-1

White

1-4*

I (NR)**

55

A

MSDS

See above for artist uses.

** see above

PW18:1

Dolomite

Ankerite;

Aragonite;

Calcite;

C.I. Pigment White 18:1;

Dolomite [KP.p];

Dolomitic Limestone;

Egyptian Dolomite;

Huntite;

Magnacite;

Pearl Spar;

Pigment White 18:1;

Spanish White [KP.p];

Sugar Dolomite [KP.p];

77220:1 +

77713:1

Inorganic;

Natural Calcium carbonate with Magnesium carbonate;

Mineral info: (Ref. Wikipedia); (Ref. webmineral.com); (Ref. mindat.org);

"As a common component of
limestones and marbles, dolomite can be used as a base for lake pigments and in frescos where it may occur in the intonaco coat." (see Ref. Dolomite, Pigment Compendium A Dictionary of Historical Pigments; by Nicholas Eastaugh, Valentine Walsh, Tracey Chaplin and Ruth Siddall; 2008; p.147-148);

CAS 7000-29-5;

CAS 546-93-0

White to pale pink to yellowish white

1-4*

I (NR)**

12 –14

A

MSDS

* Nearly transparent extender in oils

see above for more info

** see above

PW19

Kaolin

Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide;

Argilla;

Bentone;

Bentonite [KP.p];

Bolus Alba;

Brick Dust;

Caolin;

China Clay [DS.pd; KP.p];

China clay, kaolin [KA];

C.I. Pigment White 19;

Devonshire Clay;

Electros;

English Caolin;

Hydrated Aluminium Silicate

Kaolin [GU];

Kaolinite;

Natural White Earth [KP.p];

Neokaolin;

Organoclay [NP.p];

Paper Clay;

Pipe Clay;

Pyrophyllite;

Pigment White 19;

Porcelain Clay;

Supreme White;

Vicenza Earth [NP.p];

White Bole;

White Bolus;

White Heart;

White Kaolinite [NP.p];

77004

77005

Inorganic;

White Clay Rock, mostly natural hydrated Aluminium Silicate with Impurities of Magnesium, Iron carbonates, Ferric hydroxide, Mica, Quartz-sand, etc. (Ref Colorindex 3rd Ed., V.4, Inorganic colourants CI 77004)

Kaolin (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO Art Materials Database);

*** Organoclay is a derivative of a bentonite.

CAS 8047-76-5

Bright White; can have blue, green, red, orange or brown undertones*

1-4**

I

26 - 55***

A

MSDS

MSDS

ICSC

* Calcined Kaolin produces whiter shades.;

** Opacity depends on manufacture, binder and other mineral properties.;

*** Oil absorption varies some by manufacture method & particle size. Purity and other natural mineral properties may have some effects.

see inert pigments

PW20

Mica

Biotite;

C.I. Pigment White 20;

Fine Mica [GU];

Gold Coarse Mica [GU];

Glimmer White;

Interference Blue [OH.a?*];

Interference Green [OH.a?*];

Interference Lilac [OH.a?*];

Interference Red [OH.a?*];

Iridescent Pearl White [WL.o];

Iridescent White [MA.p];

Lepidolite;

Metallic White [HO.ag];

Mica [GEN];

Mica Powder [SI.p];

Mica Titanate;

Mica White [KP.p];

Moon White [MA.o(HD)];

Mother Of Pearl [ TA.a.af ];

Muscovite;

Muscovite Mica [KP.p];

Muscovite Mica, brilliant[KP.p];

Muscovy Glass;

Natural Mica, Perlescent Powder [KA.p];

Pearl Blue [HO.a];

Pearl Lustre;

Pearl White [HO.a.g];

Pearlescent White;

Phlogopite;

Pink Mica [GU];

Pigment White 20;

Russet;

Silver [HO.w];

Stardust Blue [MA.o(HD)?*];

Stardust Purple [MA.o(HD)?*];

Super Sparkle White Mica Powder [EP.p];

Titanated Mica;

Toning Grey Mid [CR.ao.o];

White Coarse Mica [GU];

White Fine Mica [GU];

White Medium Mica [GU];

White Muscovite;

Zinnwaldite;

Also many colors with Iridescent, Pearl, or Metallic prefix or suffix.

77019

Inorganic;

Hydrous Aluminium Potassium Silicate;

Mica Titanate (micronized mica flakes);

"a type of natural quartz, which occurs in the form of compressed thin sheets or plates that divide easily" (Ref THE ARTIST’S HANDBOOK by Pip Seymour);

H2KAl3(SiO4)3

CAS 12001-26-2

Translucent pearlescent or shimmering off-white

4

I

45-50

A

MSDS

Adds metallic, iridescent and pearlescent properties to paints.;

Natural Mica and larger particles may harm oil paint film, very fine particles and micronized Mica Titanate is more suitable for oil (Ref).

?* may have small amount of other pigment added for tint.

PW21

Barium Sulfate

(Synthetic)

Artificial Barite;

Barite [NP.p];

Barium Sulfate [KA];

Barium White;

Baryta White;

Blanc Fixe [KP.p | SCH.p];

C.I. Pigment White 21;

Constant White;

Hepatite;

Italian Gesso [NP.p];

Permalba;

Pigment White 21;

Pigment White 22 (natural);

Precipitated Barium Sulphate;

Sulfate de Baryum;

Sulfato de Bario;

Synthetic Barium Sulfate;

Tyrol White

77120

Inorganic;

Synthetic Barium Sulfate:

used as a white pigment, more often as as an extender or adulterant.

The natural mineral baryte is roasted with coal, burning off the carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The product is then dissolved in water and filtered. The pure barium sulfate can then be precipitated out with sodium sulfate. (Ref Pigment Compendium, by Nicholas Eastaugh, Valentine Walsh, Tracey Chaplin and Ruth Siddall, Copyright © 2008, p.44-45);

Barium Sulfate (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO Art material Database);

CAS 7727-43-7

White

2-3*

I

15-25

A**

ICSC

*Used as an filler, extender, to improve handling, increase opacity (in watercolor and gouache), and/or adulterant in oil colors.;

Barium Sulfate or Blanc Fix is very heavy and when used in paints may make the tube feel heavy. Because of that it is often used to adulterate Lead White, or added to paints as a adulterant filler simulating a high pigment load (Ref THE ARTIST’S HANDBOOK by Pip Seymour);

Used as a base for more opaque lake pigments;

** Pure Barium Sulfate is not soluble so it is safe, but poorly made synthetic Barium Sulfate may have free soluble barium compounds as impurities that are very poisonous (Ref). I Recommend only getting from a reliable source.

see inert pigments

PW22

Barytes

(Natural Barium Sulfate)

Barite [NP.p];

Baryta White;

Baryte;

Barytes;

Basofor;

Bologna Stone;

Bolognian Spar;

Bologna white;

Calk;

Cauk;

Cawk;

C.I. Pigment White 22;

Heavy Spar;

Mineral White;

Natural Barium Sulfate;

Pigment White 21;

Pigment White 22;

Ponderous Spar;

Sulfate de Baryum;

Sulfato de Bario;

Tiff;

Tyrol white

Also see Pigment White 21 above

77120

Inorganic;

Natural Barium Sulfate: Usually white or off white, impurities may tint it a wide variety of colors. (Ref Pigment Compendium, by Nicholas Eastaugh, Valentine Walsh, Tracey Chaplin and Ruth Siddall, Copyright © 2008, p.46);

Natural Barium Sulfate Ore (Pigment White 22) (Ref: Natural Pigments);

Barite (Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO Materials Database);

CAS 7727-43-7

White to off white

2-3*

I

11

A**

Used as an filler, extender, to improve handling, increase opacity (in watercolor and gouache), and/or adulterant in oil colors. Also used as a base for more opaque lake pigments;

Barium Sulfate or Blanc Fix is very heavy and when used in paints may make the tube feel heavy. Because of that it is often used to adulterate Lead White, or added to paints as a adulterant filler simulating a high pigment load (Ref THE ARTIST’S HANDBOOK by Pip Seymour);

** Barium Sulfate is not soluble so it is safe, but poorly made Barium Sulfate, or raw natural Barium Sulfate may have impurities or free soluble barium compounds that are very poisonous (Ref)

PW23

Alumina Blanc Fixe

Alum;

Alumina Blanc Fixe;

Aluminium Hydrate;

Blancopone;

C.I. Pigment White 23;

Gloss White;

Pigment White 23

77122

Aluminum hydrate, Barium sulfate;

Coprecipitate of about. 25% aluminium hydroxide and 75% barium sulfate (Ref Color index 3rd Ed., V.4, Inorganic colorants, chemical constitution number CI 77122)

used as “clear oil colour” (Ref Color Index Third Ed)

White Crystalline Powder

-

I

-

A**

ICSC

** Barium Sulfate is not soluble so it is safe, but poorly made Barium Sulfate may have free soluble barium compounds that are very poisonous (Ref)

PW24

Aluminium Hydroxide

Alumina;

Alumina Hydrate [KA.p];

Alumina Trihydrate;

Aluminum Hydrate;

Aluminum Hydrate White;

Aluminum Hydroxide1;

Aluminum Hydroxide Fine [KP.p];

Aluminum Hydroxide Medium [KP.p];

Aluminum Oxide Trihydrate;

Aluminum Trihydrate [NP.p];

Aluminum White;

C.I. Pigment White 24;

Gloss White;

Hydrated Alumina;

Hydrated Aluminum Oxide;

Transparent Blender [DS.o];

Transparent White;

Trihydroxyaluminum;

Alumina White;

Pigment White 24

77002

Aluminum Hydroxide can have varying amounts of basic aluminium sulfate (Ref Colorindex 3rd Ed., V.4, Inorganic colourants CI 77002);

Alumina Trihydrate

(Ref at Boston Fine Arts CAMEO);

Aluminum hydroxide, is a metallic salt and soap of aluminum.

CAS 21645-51-2

Translucent White powder*

3-4**

I

33-55***

A

MSDS

ICSC1

*see inert pigments

**Transparent in oils

*** Oil absorption depends on particle size

One of the most common metallic bases for precipitating dyes to make lake pigments (Ref).

Often used as a filler, extender and adulterant to increase volume of a paint or pigment. Used this way it lowers the tinting strength of the mixed pigment. In the case of very strong colors like the Phthalo's it is not considered an adulterant, it is also added in small amounts to improve paint handling.

Very often it is used to greatly extend pigments in cheaper paints and pigments where it is considered an adulterant. Overuse may cause some yellowing and darkening in oil paints. (Ref The Artist's Handbook by Pip Seymour); (Ref The Artist's Handbook by Ralph Mayer)

PW24

Gibbsite (Natural form of Aluminum Hydroxide)

Aluminum Hydroxide;

Bayerite;

Boehmite;

C.I. Pigment White 24;

Diaspore;

Doyleite;

Gibbsite;

Hydrargillite;

Natural Aluminum Hydroxide;

Nordstrandite

Pigment White 24

-

Natural Aluminum Hydroxide with varying amounts of basic aluminium sulfate

CAS 21645-51-2

Brown tinted Translucent Flakes

4

I

33

A

Can be used the same as Aluminum Hydroxide, but may could have impurities and be more opaque or off color in artist paints.

PW25

Gypsum

Anhydrous sulfate of lime**;

Alabastar [NP.p];

Alabaster Gypsum;

Alabaster White [KP.p];

Albarine;

Annalin**;

Atlas Spar;

Bologna White;

C.I. Pigment White 25;

Crown Filler;

Gesso;

Gypsum;

Lady's Ice;

Light Spar;

Mineral White;

Magnesia White?;

Native Calcium Sulfate;

Natural Gypsum;

Natural Calcium Sulfate;

Natural Sulfate of Lime;

Pigment White 25;

Plaster of Paris**;

Precipitated Calcium Sulfate;

Puritan Filler;

Satin Spar;

Silk Spar;

Selenite;

Specular Stone;

Sulfate of Lime;

Terra Alba [DS.pd; KP.p | NP.p];

77231

Inorganic;

Hydrated calcium sulfate (Ref); (Gypsum Ref at Boston Fine Arts); (Alabaster Ref at Boston Fine Arts);

CAS 91315-45-6

CAS 10101-14-4

** Anhydrous form of calcium sulfate or calcined gypsum

White

1-3*

I

18-22

A

*Nearly transparent in oils used as an extender, filler and/or adulterant;

Used in traditional artists gesso.;

May make brittle gesso? (Ref);

High quality pure Calcium Sulfate Terra Alba available from Natural Pigments.

Alabaster Natural Hydrated Calcium Sulfate also from Natural Pigments

PW26

Talc

Agalite;

Alberene® Soapstone;

Asbestine;

C.I. Pigment White 26;

French Chalk [DS.pd};

Lard Stone;

Mistron®;

Nicron®;

Pigment White 26;

Pot Stone;

Steatite;

Soapstone;

Spanish Chalk;

Tailors Chalk;

Tak;

Talc [GU | KA.p];

Talcum [SCH.p.];

Talcum Powder [SI.p];

Talcum White [KP.p];

Talk;

Vertal;

77718 +

77019

Inorganic;

Mixed Hydrated Silicate of Magnesium with varying impurities of Calcium, Iron and other compounds;

Hydrated Magnesium Silicate (Ref Boston Fine Arts);

CAS 14807-96-6

CAS 8005-37-6

Slightly off white to light grey

1-3*

I

30 - 45

A

MSDS

ICSC

*Nearly transparent in oils used as an extender, filler and to change rheological properties of paints


Provides for good colour consistency in aqueous binders. The dried colour becomes slightly water-repellent (Ref: Schmincke Pigment Info -PDF);

PW27

Silica

C.I. Pigment White 27;

Cristobalite Powder [KP.p];

Diatomaceous Earth [GU];

Diatomaceous Silica;

Diatomic Earth;

Diatomite;

Fossil Flower;

Fuller's Earth;

Infusorial Earth;

Microdol;

Mountain Crystal [KP.p];

Pigment White 27;

Precipitated amorphous silica;

Rock Crystal [KP.p];

Silica;

Silicon Dioxide;

Sand;

Tripoli;

Quartz;

Quartz Powder [KP.p];

Tripolite;

77811

Inorganic;

Two types:

Hydrous = diatomaceous earth;

Anhydrous = silica

(Ref Color Index Third Ed);

Silicon Dioxide (amorphous) or anhydrous silica is pure chemical form;

Natural Diatomaceous Earth is the Hydrous form made up of the fossilized skeletal remains of aquatic plants called diatoms (Ref);

CAS 7631-86-9

White to off white

1-4*

I

L

A

Used mostly to add tooth or texture; *Transparency depends on binder and particle size, also the crystalline structure.

PW28

Calcium Silicate

Anhydrite;

Calcium Silicate;

Calcium Metasilicate;

C.I. Pigment White 28;

Baysical K;

Pigment White 28;

Wollastonite (mineral)

77230

Inorganic;

Calcium Metasilicate;

Calcium Silicate;

CAS 10101-39-0;

CAS 10101-41-4;

CAS 13397-24-5;

CAS 26499-65-0;

CAS 7778-18-9

White to light cream

2-3*

I

M

A

*Depends on binder and particle size

PW28

Hydrated Calcium Silicate

C.I. Pigment White 28;

Hydrated Calcium Silicate;

Pigment White 28;

77230

Inorganic;

Hydrated Calcium Silicate

Bright White

4

I

H

A

-

PW 30

Lead Phosphate

C.I. Pigment White 30;

Lead Phosphate;

Pigment White 30

77622

Lead Phosphate

-

-

-

-

C

-

PW32

Zinc Phosphate

C.I. Pigment White 32;

Delta Zinc Phosphate;

Pigment White 32;

Zinkphosphate ZP 10

77964

Inorganic;

Pure Zinc Phosphate;

CAS 7779-90-0

White

1

I

-

A

-

PW33

Calcium Sulfoaluminate

C.I. Pigment White 33;

Calcium sulfoaluminate;

Pigment White 33;

7 7235

Calcium sulfoaluminate

- - - - - -

PAINT AND PIGMENT REFERANCE TABLE KEY:    Page Top^
Jump to : Supplier\Manufacturer Codes  |  Binder/Medium Codes

Opacity

1 = opaque
4 = trans.

Light
Fastness

I = excel.
IV=Fugitive

Toxic


Color Index Generic Name:
  Key Top ^ Page Top^
This is the C.I. Generic Name (abbreviated) given by the ASTM and Colour Index International (CII) for that pigment. The first 2 or 3 letters describe the general pigment color and the number is the individual pigment identifier. N/A (not applicable) means that pigment has not been given a color index name or number.

Natural Dye and Solvent Pigments
These are naturally occurring organic pigments and dyes. With a few exceptions, most are plant or animal extracts or dyes that need to be fixed to a substrate to become pigments (i.e. Madder Lake). A few are organic natural earths such as Cassel earth (Van Dyke Brown). They are designated with C.I. Generic name of which consists of the usage class "Natural" and basic hue, followed by the CI serial number (i.e. Natural Brown 8). Natural pigment CI generic names are often abbreviated with the usage class N + the hue abbreviation + the serial number. (i.e. NBr 8)
  Pigment
Pigments can be organic or Inorganic. Most modern pigments are given this usage designation by the Color Index. They can be completely synthetic, naturally occurring minerals, or lakes based on the synthetic derivatives of natural dyes. Pigments are designated with C.I. Generic name which consists of the usage class "Pigment" and the basic hue followed by the CI serial number (i.e. Pigment Red 106, Cadmium Red). The pigment CI generic names are often abbreviated with the usage class P + the hue abbreviation + the serial number. (i.e. PR83 for Pigment Red 83)

NY = Natural Yellow;
NO = Natural Orange;
NR = Natural Red;
NV = Natural Violet;
NB = Natural Blue;
NG = Natural Green;
NBr = Natural Brown;
NBk = Natural Black;
NW = Natural White;

 

PY = Pigment Yellow;
PO = Pigment Orange;
PR = Pigment Red;
PV = Pigment Violet;
PB = Pigment Blue;
PG = Pigment Green;
PBr = Pigment Brown;
PBk = Pigment Black;
PW = Pigment White;
PM = Pigment Metal

The CI (Color Index) Common Pigment Name:   Key Top ^ Page Top^
In this database the common name is the name given in the Color Index (third edition, 1997) by the Color Index International published by the Society of Dyers and Colourists and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, and are also used by the ASTM International, American Society for Testing and Materials.

When the Colour Index (3rd edition) has not specified a name, I have used the name that the first manufacturer, inventor or original patent holder has given that pigment. In the case of ancient pigments, historic pigments, minerals or other odd pigments, I have used the most commonly used traditional historic, mineral or chemical name as determined by my research.

Common, Historic and Marketing Names:   Key Top ^ Page Top^

These are the various names that have been used for that pigment whether or not it is the correct usage. This is NOT an endorsement of any particular name, but merely a collection of names that are in common usage or have been used in the past according to historic pigment books & references, paint sales literature, and pigment manufacturers references. They have been collected (in order of importance) from

1.) Paint manufacturers, pigment manufacturers and/or other pigment supplier literature;

2.) Various web sites in particular AMIEN.org, Blick Art Materials Artist Supply, Handprint.com, Kremer Pigments, Natural Pigments, Kama Pigments, Sinopia Pigments, PCImag.com and along with internet forums on art and painting, web sites of paint manufacturers, paint suppliers, chemical manufactures and pigment manufacturers;.

3.) The Color Index, Third edition (published by the Colour Index International, 1997);

4.) Historical books on pigments, oil painting, watercolor painting and other art forms (see Free Art e-Books);

5.) Artist manuals and handbooks (see the bottom of the Pigment Database's main page for a complete list of reference works);

6.) Various dictionaries and encyclopedias (both historic and contemporary).

(hue):
When a manufacturer has has used a common historical name for a pigment that is not the accepted traditional historic pigment name and has not clearly indicated it to be a hue or substitute, I have indicated it with the "(hue)"* in parenthesis. For example calling\naming a paint made with Phthalocyanine Blue as "Azure", "Smalt" or "Cobalt Blue".

*In order to stay within ASTM specification D 4302-05, manufactures are encouraged to use the word "hue" when the paint or pigment marketing name is not the real name of a paint or a pigment. Substitute and tone could be also considered acceptable means of indicating a hue substitute for the actual color. However, the ASTM specifications are usually voluntary and there is little means to enforce them. Also because of language differences, changes in the paint or pigments common identification because of contemporary usage (often perpetrated by manufacturer's incorrect color marketing names), and last but not least - the sheer multitude of historically used paint names for any given paint\pigment, it's nearly impossible to prove or say a manufacturer of art materials is being purposely deceptive.

C.I. Constitution Number or Colour Index Constitution Number (chemical composition):   Key Top ^ Page Top^

These are the chemical constitution numbers given that pigment by the Color Index International published by the Society of Dyers and Colourists and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, and are also used by the ASTM International, American Society for Testing and Materials. Each of the numbers in the "Colour Index Constitution Number" has a specific chemical or compositional meaning; for more information see the Colour Index Number Chart or go to the Color Index International and ASTM, American Society for Testing and Materials web sites (these links open in a new window)..

Chemical Composition:   Key Top ^ Page Top^

These are the basic chemical names, or mineral names along with chemical composition. I have also included CAS numbers, when I can fine them. Sometimes multiple names are given because chemical names can be stated in different ways and can also give an indication of the manufacture method. Very often a pigment can be a group of related compounds rather than one specific chemical. I have not included detailed chemical descriptions or analyses, but only basic information that should help you to find further information. I have included references designated with "(Ref)" where further information can be attained.
Adulterants, extenders and other additives may be added to artistic paints to improve the paint rheology, transparency, and\or drying time. Often inert pigments, extenders and fillers are added to the color pigments in student grade paints or to modify paint pigments with overly strong tinting strength, i.e. the Phthalocyanine Blues and Greens.
These extra ingredients are rarely listed of the label.

Color Description:   Key Top ^ Page Top^

This is a general attempt to explain the hue in plain English. The perception of color is as individual as the the people viewing it and any such description can not be completely accurate, but merely give a general idea of the what color looks like to the average person. Many pigments have a range of shades and hues. This range in hues can be due to many things such as different manufacturing processes, exact chemical composition and crystal shape. In most cases, i have not used any of the attempted means of standardizing color descriptions for this (such as the Munsell system), but where the pigment is included in the Color Index International Pigments and Solvent Dyes (The Society of Dyers and Colourists, third edition 1997), I have used that description, when there is no color hue description in the Color Index, I have used other reference sources in particularly manufacturer or supplier literature.

† = Effects of long term light exposure are given when known, this may allow an artist to anticipate color changes and possibly use them as an advantage. These effects are all relative to the pigments inherent light fastness and may take decades or even centuries in museum conditions to be visible.

Fades = Becomes more Transparent
Lightens = Loses chroma but maintains relative transparency or opaque character;
Whitens = Becomes lighter towards white and more opaque;
Darkens = Becomes darker but retains hue;
Dulls = Loses chroma towards neutral but maintains the relative tone;  
Blackens = Turns very dark or black losing chroma;  
Hue shift = Changes hue towards a different color

Opacity - Transparency:   Key Top ^ Page Top^

This designation is only a general reference to the most common encountered opacity or transparency inherit to the pigment. In paints, the transparency of a pigment can change due to what is used as the painting medium or binder (i.e., oil color, watercolor, encaustic, acrylic, etc.). There are many pigments that are opaque in watercolor but transparent or semi-transparent in oil paints. The transparency of a paint or pigment can often be manipulated by the manufacturing process for a particular purpose. The addition of inert pigments or other modifiers can also change the perceived transparency of a paint formulation or pigment.
When available, i have used the Color index's designation or manufacturers literature to arrive at this figure. When the Color Index description is unavailable i have arrived at a general figure by manufacturer literature or personal experience. A general designation such as given will not always be the case in any particular formulation.
 
1 = Opaque,
2 = Semi-Opaque,
3 = Semi-Transparent,
4 = Transparent

Light Fastness Rating:   Key Top ^ Page Top^

The light fastness rating can only be a general guide, when available, i have used the ASTM rating or manufacturers literature to arrive at this figure. The ASTM has not rated all pigments, and I believe will no longer be rating pigments. For that reason the rating in this database will not always be the ASTM rating but a rating culled from other sources, most importantly manufactures literature. The ASTM ratings have a 5 increment scale and the blue-wool scale is 8, in this database lightfastness ratings have been condensed or averaged to a less specific 4 designations. Very often, pigments in tints are less light fast and this should be taken into account when determining if a pigment or paint will meet your needs. I can can not cover every possible paint, binder, or pigment formulation in this chart as it would take too much time and space. In particular the quality of the actual pigment manufacture has much influence on a pigments fastness to light, heat and other chemicals. Additives, binder, and many other factors all have a influence on light fastness or fastness to other environmental influences. Whether a paint is watercolor, oil color, tempera, etc. has an effect on light fastness. Varnishes and other treatments to the painting surface or support can have an influence too. The only way to be sure, is to make your own tests on the paint or pigment you have. Reference the following: (ASTM D4303 - 10, Standard Test Methods for Lightfastness of Colorants Used in Artists' Materials, or ASTM D01.57, the Subcommittee on Artists' Materials doc here, opens new window); or this (AMIEN.org Thread - opens new window). Blue Wool Scale will be given when known, but be aware that these may be from tests on a single formulation, and may not be the same for all brands or binders.
 
I = Excellent,
II = Good,
III = Poor (may last many years in museum conditions, but should be used with caution for permanent works of art)
IV = Fugitive/Very Poor

BWS = Blue wool scale

7-8 = Excellent,
6 = Very Good,
4-5
= Fair (Impermanent),
2-3 Poor (fugitive),
1
= Very Poor (fugitive)*

*When known, blue wool scale ratings will be given for tints in the following format: Full;1/2 tint/;1/4 tint (i.e. Cadmium Red would be 8;8;8 with excellent light fastness in all tints). Note: these may from tests on a single formulation or pigment brand, and may not be valid for other brands or binders.

Oil Absorption: is given in g/100g or grams of oil per 100 grams of pigment   Key Top ^ Page Top^
or as H, M, L (see below)

The oil absorption figure has been arrived at from the pigment manufacturer's literature or artist reference sources (see the bottom of the Pigment Database's main page for a complete list of reference works). The higher the oil absorption, generally, the longer it will take to dry when used in oil painting. The addition of driers, siccatives, retardants and other additives can effect the drying time of any specific formulation, or they can be added by the artist to speed up or slow down the drying of oil paints. In some literature the oil absorption rate is given as ml/100g, although not technically the same as g/100g, for the purposes of this database they are close enough.

Depending on the specifications i have available I may also use the following designations:
H = High;   - These pigments absorb a lot of oil.
M = Medium;    - Average drying or cure rate
L = Low;    - Usually very fast driers

Toxicity:   Key Top ^ Page Top^

Under this heading will be a general designation of a possible hazard. It is assumed intelligent people will use at least ordinary care when handling all paints or pigments. The designation has been arrived at from, in most cases, the manufacturer's literature, art books and art reference works (see the bottom of the Pigment Database's main page for a complete list of reference works), MSDS sheets, the EPA manual: Environmental Health & Safety in the Arts: A Guide for K-12 Schools, Colleges and Artisans (full PDF here), The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI), The Health and the Arts Program - Great Lakes Centers at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health (UIC SPH), The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works has a collection of articles on art safety, The Consumer Product Safety Commission's Art and Craft Safety Guide (PDF, 250 KB) and Art Materials Business Guidance

All paints and especially dry pigments can be hazardous if carelessly handled, but, if handled properly with common sense all but the most dangerous pigments can be used safely. Very few pigments used in the arts are edible, and even so called "Food Colors" are not meant to be used in large quantities and may have unknown side effects or allergic reactions.

WARNING: Always use a dust mask when working with any dry pigments. Work in a separate area of your studio away from children, pets or other living things. Do not smoke, eat or drink around any art materials. Dispose of all waste materials in an environmentally safe way.

A = Low hazard, but do not handle carelessly;
B = Possible hazard if carelessly handled, ingested in large amounts or over long periods of time;
C = Hazardous, use appropriate precautions for handling toxic substances; 
D = Extremely Toxic, only attempt working with these pigments (especially the dry form) in laboratory like conditions with proper safety equipment (see "Prudent practices in the laboratory: handling and disposal of chemicals" at google books opens new window); or the PDF - Booklet Safe Handling of Colour Pigments Copyright © 1995: BCMA, EPSOM, ETAD, VdMI - link from VdMI


The Side Notes Column:   Key Top ^ Page Top^

These are typically interesting things I have read, or information collected on a pigment that may be worth further study. Please remember that they are NOT statements of absolute fact. Many pigment qualities are rumors, old wife's tales and misconceptions repeated over and over until they accepted as fact without any scientific proof. References (Ref) may be provided for further info.

Miscellaneous:

(hue) = When the word "hue" in in parenthesis (hue), it refers to a hue color not designated on the label, when the word "hue" is not in parenthesis is part of the pigment name as per ASTM guidelines.

(Ref) = A link to a reference source. This may be the reference source of the information that I have given, or just a link to more detailed information.

? = a question mark next to a name, note, or data code indicates that it may or may not be correct information due to conflicting information, questionable references, possible typo or other discrepancies in the manufacturer or other reference documentation. Further study is needed to clarify.

Paint or Pigment Manufacturer Code & Art Medium:*****   Key Top ^ Page Top^
Paint/Pigment Manufacturer Code:
The manufacturer code is to indicate companies that make or supply paints or pigments using the particular pigment. Only those products that are single pigments will be indicated in this database. In a few cases, the Color Index International has listed a mixture of pigments or chemicals under a single color index pigment name or code, and these will also be designated as if they were a single pigment. The codes next to the pigments in above Color of Art Database may take you off sight where you can find more info or even purchase, if you so desire. These codes are not part of any standard, but were made up by me for this database, with purpose of making them as short as possible.
The links below next to the manufacturer code below are to the official manufacturer web site and will open in a new window.

DG = Daniel Green (discontinued?)

EP = Earth Pigments

GB = Gamblin

GEN = Common Generic term

GO = Golden

GR = Grumbacher

GU = Guerra Paint & Pigment

HO = Holbien

JO = Jo Sonja

KA = Kama Pigments

KP = Kremer Pigmente  (USA site)


Paint medium or binder code:  Key Top ^ Page Top^

Clicking on the paint or pigment manufacturer code next to the pigment name will take you off site where more information can be found. The link will most often take you to an art supplier where you can find more specific art medium or paint binder info, purchasing source, pigment properties, pigment history, MSDS sheets, and whether it is the artist premium or student economy grade. If you find this site helpful you can help support this site by purchasing through these links.

d in italics next to the pigment manufacturer or art supplier code indicates a discontinued pigment or paint.
All other art medium or binder codes in italics mean the pigment under that name is in the "student" or economy grade, not the "artist's" grade paint.

a = Acrylic Paint, heavy body;

ab = Acrylic Airbrush colors;

ad = Aqueous pigment dispersions;

af = Fluid Acrylics;

ag = Matte Acrylic or Acrylic Gouache;

ao = open acrylics or slow drying

k = Alkyd paints;

c = Casein or milk paint;

d = Discontinued

e = Encaustic paints;

g = Traditional water color Gouache;

i = Ink (printing ink or pigmented drawing inks);

o = Oil Paint;

p = Dry Pigment;

t = Artist Professional Tempera or Egg Tempera;

w = Watercolor Paint in tubes;

wp = Watercolor Pan; wp = 1/2 pan, wp(f) = full pan, wp(L) = large pan

wo = Water mixable oil paint or water soluble oil paint.

am = Acrylic medium, may have a wide variety of ingredients or uses

om = Oil painting Medium, may have a wide variety of ingredients or uses

wm = Watercolor Medium, may have a wide variety of ingredients or uses

GEN = Where there is a generally accepted common historic name associated with a pigment, I have used "GEN" to denote the generic or common historical name of a particular pigment.


Other than gouache, only single pigment paints and pigments are included. Gouache is designated distinct from watercolors because it is often mixed with white or additives to make it matte and/or opaque and that is not usually indicated on the paint manufactures literature. Other art material or medium forms such as pastel, oil pastels, oil bars, dyes and ceramic glazes will not be designated with a artists medium or binder code, but may still be listed under the pigment name with a company code.


©2013 by David Myers, All Rights Reserved. Please email me with corrections, additions or comments.

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Artist Reference Resources:

Historical Artist and Pigment Reference Sources:  
This is just a partial list, for a more complete listing of Historical Pigment References see the
Free Art Books Page.

  1. The Industrial and Artistic Technology of Paint and Varnish,
    By Alvah Horton Sabin, Published by J. Wiley & Sons, 1904
  2. The Painters' Encyclopaedia,
    By Franklin B. Gardner, Published by M.T. Richardson, 1887
  3. The Science of Painting,
    By Jehan Georges Vibert, Published by P. Young, 1892
  4. A Treatise on Painting,
    By Cennino Cennini, Giuseppe Tambroni, Mary Philadelphia Merrifield, Translated by Mary Philadelphia Merrifield, Published by Lumley, 1844
  5. A Treatise on Painting,
    By Leonardo Da Vinci, John Francis Rigaud, Published by J.B. Nichols and Son 1835
  6. The Book of the Art of Cennino Cennini,
    By Cennino Cennini, Cennini, Christiana Jane Powell Herringham, Translated by Christiana Jane Powell Herringham, Published by G. Allen & Unwin, ltd., 1899
  7. The Chemistry of Paints and Painting,
    By Arthur Herbert Church, Published by Seeley, 1901
  8. A Handbook for Painters and Art Students on the Character and Use of Colours,
    By William J. Muckley, Published by Baillière, Tindall, and Cox, 1880
  9. The Household Cyclopedia,
    By Henry Hartshorne 1881
  10. The Chemistry of Pigments,
    By Ernest John Parry, John Henry Coste, Published by Scott, Greenwood, 1902
  11. Facts about Processes, Pigments and Vehicles: A Manual for Art Student,
    By Arthur Pillans Laurie, Published by Macmillan, 1895
  12. The Manufacture Of Earth Colours:
    By DR. JOSEF BERSCH, translated by CHARLES SALTER,SCOTT, GREENWOOD & SON , 1921 Link
  13. Materials for Permanent Painting,
    By Maximilian Toch 1911

Modern Pigment and Artist Reference Sources:

  1. The Artist’s Handbook,
    by Pip Seymour, Arcturus Publishing (September 16, 2003)
  2. The Artist's Handbook, Revised Edition,
    Ray Smith; DK Publishing 2003
  3. The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques,
    Third edition, by Ralph Mayer; Viking Press 1979
  4. Artists' Pigments: Volume 1: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics
    Edited by Robert L. Feller
  5. Artists' Pigments: Volume 2: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics
    Edited by Ashok Roy (Oct 2, 1993)
  6. Artists' Pigments: Volume 3: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics
    Edited by Elisabeth West Fitzhugh (Oct 1997)
  7. Artists' Pigments: Volume 4: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics
    Edited by Barbara Berrie (Jun 7, 2007)
  8. Collins Artist's Colour Manual,
    Simon Jennings; HarperCollins Publishers 2003
  9. Color Index International Pigments and Solvent Dyes,
    The Society of Dyers and colourists, third edition 1998
  10. A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques,
    Ralph Mayer, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969
  11. The Materials and Techniques of Painting,
    by Jonathan Stephenson (May 1993)
  12. The Painter's Handbook,
    Mark David Gottsegen; Watson-Guptill Publications 1993
  13. Painting Materials A Short Encyclopaedia,
    by Rutherford J. Gettens and George L. Stout; Dover Publications 1966
  14. Pigment Compendium,
    by Nicholas Eastaugh, Valentine Walsh, Tracey Chaplin, Ruth Siddall; Butterworth Heinemann 2004

Web Resources and Art Suppliers with Excellent Reference Materials:

  1. American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC):

    National membership organization in the United States dedicated to the preservation of cultural material, establishes and upholds professional standards, promoting research and publications, educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public.

  2. AMIEN:
    a resource for artists dedicated to providing the most comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate, and unbiased factual information about artists' materials
  3. Blick Art Materials;
    has done a extremely thorough job of indicating the pigments used in most of the paints they sell, making the Blick Art Materials art supply website much more than just a store to purchase paint and art supplies.
    Blick Art Materials also has the MSDS sheets
    for of most of the products they sell , making the Blick site a valuable resource for toxicity info and the health and safety of artist materials.
  4. Coloria.net,
    a large and thorough site on pigments, in Finnish http://www.coloria.net/index.htm
  5. Conservation and Art Materials Encyclopedia Online (CAMEO), The Materials Database,
    developed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), to be a more comprehensive and well-rounded encyclopedic resource for the art conservation and historic preservation fields. The MATERIALS database contains chemical, physical, visual, and analytical information on over 10,000 historic and contemporary materials used in the production and conservation of artistic, architectural, archaeological, and anthropological materials.
  6. Conservation OnLine (CoOL):
    A freely accessible platform to generate and disseminate vital resources for those working to preserve cultural heritage worldwide.
  7. The Handprint,com;
    site by Bruce MacEvoy has loads of excellent information on watercolor pigments and Has a excellent color wheel showing where the actual pigments are in color space. Truly an awesome site, the site is directed at watercolors, but is a good general reference for any paints or pigments.
  8. Webexhibits.org;
    Great pigment sight that even includes step by step instructions for making you own pigments.
  9. The Real Color Wheel;
    by Don Jusko is also a great color site.
  10. Studiomara;
    has a fantastic pigment reference database sorted by the marketing paint color name and brand.
  11. Health and Safety in the Arts;
    A Searchable Database of Health & Safety Information for Artists
  12. Household Products Database;
    Health and safety information on household products from the US Department of Health and Human Services
  13. Natural Pigments:
    One of the best sources of rare natural and historical pigments and information.
  14. Pigments and their Chemical and Artistic Properties; by Julie C. Sparks, is part of The Painted Word Site. Wonderful stuff.
  15. Paintmaking.com: By Tony Johansen, Great Paint making site with all types of useful pigment and binder information for the artist.
  16. PCImag.com; Paint & Coatings Indusry
        2010 Additives Handbook by Darlene Brezinski, Dr. Joseph V. Koleske, Robert Springate, June 4, 2010;
        A History of Pigment Use in Western Art Part 1;
        A History of Pigment Use in Western Art Part 2
  17. Blick Art Materials Artist Supply:
    Full Range of art supplies at discount prices and has pigment info on most paints they sell
  18. Kremer Pigmente EuropeKremer Pigments USA site;
    Has a huge amount of pigments and information.
  19. Earth Pigments:
    Specializes in earth pigments.
  20. Guerra Paint and Pigments:
    Many rare and out of production Pigments mostly in aqueous dispersions
  21. Sinopia:
    Lots of Pigments & info

Health and Safety in the Arts References and Info:

  1. Art and Craft Safety Guide (PDF, 250 KB)
    Consumer Product Safety Commission
  2. Art Materials Business Guidance
    Consumer Product Safety Commission
  3. Art Safety
    Environmental Protection, Health & Safety, California State University at Monterey Bay
  4. Artist Safety
    Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Science University
  5. Environmental Health & Safety in the Arts: A Guide for K-12 Schools, Colleges and Artisans
    U. S. Environment Protection Agency
  6. Exposing Ourselves to Art (PDF, 6.83 MB)
    Scott Fields. Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 105, Number 3, March 1997
  7. Health & Safety Bibliographic Resources and Resource Guides in Art Conservation
    CoOL – Conservation Online, Stanford University Libraries
  8. Health and Safety Guides and Publications
    American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Work
  9. Art Safety
    Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Connecticut College
  10. Health and the Arts Program
    The Occupational Health Service Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago
  11. Online Health and Safety in the Arts Library
    The Occupational Health Service Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago
  12. Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
    New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
  13. Studio Safety
    Gamblin Artists Colors

*other ASTM specifications used the the labeling of artists materials are:

D4236-94(2011) Standard Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards

D4302-05(2010) Standard Specification for Artists' Oil, Resin-Oil, and Alkyd Paints

D4303-10 Standard Test Methods for Lightfastness of Colorants Used in Artists' Materials

D4838-88(2010) Standard Test Method for Determining the Relative Tinting Strength of Chromatic Paints

D4941-06(2010) Standard Practice for Preparing Drawdowns of Artists' Paste Paints

D5067-05(2010) Standard Specification for Artists' Watercolor Paints

D5098-05a(2010) Standard Specification for Artists' Acrylic Dispersion Paints

D5383-02(2010) Standard Practice for Visual Determination of the Lightfastness of Art Materials by Art Technologists

D5398-97(2010) Standard Practice for Visual Evaluation of the Lightfastness of Art Materials by the User

D5517-07 Standard Test Method for Determining Extractability of Metals from Art Materials
See also WK41263 proposed revision

D5724-06(2010) Standard Specification for Gouache Paints

D6801-07 Standard Test Method for Measuring Maximum Spontaneous Heating Temperature of Art and Other Materials

D6901-06 Standard Specification for Artists' Colored Pencils
See also WK27266 proposed revision

D7354-11 Standard Guide for Artists’ Paint Waste Disposal in Private, Non-Commercial Settings

D7355-10 Standard Guide for Artists' Paint Waste Disposal in Smaller Commercial or Educational Settings

D7733-12 Standard Specification for Acrylic Dispersion Ground

WK28388 New Specification for Traditional Artists Watercolor Paints
WK37409 New Test Method for Measuring Aspiration Potential of Aerosol Products
WK37916 New Specification for Standard Specification for Artists Pastels

I hope you you have found the Pigment Database useful info for oil painting and watercolor painting, acrylic painting or indeed any painting medium; I have tried to make this a good resource for the fine arts, that has the important information on toxicity of paint and art materials including the hazards of some craft materials used by decorators, interior designers, illustration and graphic designer;

© 2013 by David Myers all rights reserved

This page of the Color of Art Pigment Database was designed for C.I. Pigment Brown.

CI Pigment White is indicated with the pigment code "Pigment White" followed by the color index international's pigment identification code number or pigment ID number. The full color index name or generic pigment name is usually shortened to the Color Index code which for pigment White is "PW" plus the color index # (after the "PW" pigment White code designation there is the Color index identifying number code for the specific pigment, i.e. "PW 6" or "PW 1"). All artist paints and pigments that are ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) and ASTM D4236 - 94* compliant that are sold in the United States must have the pigment identification number or generic chemical names of the White pigments that were used to make the natural earth paints or dry pigments (either powdered White pigments or in the commonly found "pigment dispersions") and should be have the generic pigment name printed on the paint label. The "White oil paint" tube or "White oil color" paint label, along with the label on tubes of acrylic paints, and on the label on tubes of watercolor even when found as pans, half-pans or dry cakes and often sold as a complete color palette or "watercolor set", will have the pigment or pigments index name on the label, or printed directly on the paint tube.

This color database is a also a great pigment reference made for DIY artist's and artisans that make their own paints with raw pigments and grind or mull the pigments into homemade paints giving them complete control over the paints grind, texture, and color. Making your own paints (paint making) by mulling the pigment in with a binding medium can be a rewarding and fun creative experience. The artist is involved in the process of creation, from the beginning with only the raw dry pigments and proceeding on to grinding pigments with a binding media (usually shortened to "binder"). For making oil paints, linseed oil is the most common binder (or medium). Walnut oil is also common oil used in making oil colors in the art studio and is less yellowing than linseed oil, There are other less common drying oils and some new alkyd resins the are sometimes used in making oil colors in the studio. Making (or grinding) watercolor paint is also fun and easy. The most common formula for making homemade watercolors is mostly water with some dissolved gum arabic (the glue that holds the paint together when dry). Honey and glycerin are common additives used in varying proportions to adjust the drying time and re-wetability of the dried watercolor. See the Art is Creation Recipe page for more info and paint making or grinding medium recipes. Egg-oil tempera and other media can be made in the art studio by DIY artists and it is creative and fun to make your very own paints. It is a very rewarded creative experience to grinding (mulling) your own paints and then finally making a painting or work of art, all entirely created by the artist themselves from start to finish.

The Art is Creation, Color of Art Pigment Database Reference has the resources and info on pigments used for artist paint, student paints, Oil color including:

  • Oil Paints
  • Watercolors
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Pigments used in making paint
  • Dry Pigments and Powders
  • Aqueous Pigment Dispersions
  • Fluid Acrylics
  • Airbrush Paint
  • Acrylic Gouache
  • Matte Acrylic Paints
  • Acrylic Vinyl
  • Acyclic paint or Alkyd Oils
  • Casein or Milk Paint
  • Encaustic painting
  • Gouache
  • Printing Inks or Pigmented Drawing inks
  • Oil sticks or Oil Bars
  • Oil Base Pigment Stick
  • Tempera or Egg Tempera
  • Watercolor Sticks
  • Watercolor Pigment Sticks or Bars
  • Water mixable oil paint or water soluble oil paint