Color Technical Terms

 

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Pigment Classification

Organic or Inorganic Pigments

Organic pigments are based carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and are metal free.

Inorganic pigments are based on metals in the form of oxides, sulfides or silicates.

Synthetic (man-made) or Natually occurring

Most pigments are chemically made by man, synthetic. Some pigments are derived from natural ores and minerals, yet are synthetic.

The only remaining natural pigments are the Siennas and Umbers.

Opacity

For the color Opacity/Transparency range we use three classifications.

Opaque

Semi-Transparent

Transparent

Lightfastness

Lightfastness is a color's ability to resist fading. The rating we use are provided by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The Ratings are:

I - Excellent

II - Very Good

III - Fair

Color Index Name

The Color Index name is an internationally recognized reference to a particular colorant.

Pigment Stick Drying Rate

The drying process of Pigment Sticks, like that of tube oil paint, is effected by the individual pigments. Added driers have the strongest effect, but their concentration of oxidizing agents causes the drying action to continue even after the oil has dried, thus causing the film to "burn", which discolors and embrittles it. For this reason we have avoided using driers in any amount, allowing the paint to dry at its natural rate.

Key to Drying Rates

 

Light Stroke

Firm Stroke

Impasto Stroke

1 - Very Fast

1-2 days 1-3 days 2-4 days

2 - Fast

2-4 days 3-7 days 5-10 days

3 - Medium

6-9 days 7-12 days 14-17 days

4 - Slow

7-12 days 12-16 days 15-27 days

5 - Very Slow

10-12 days 16-30 days 28-50 days

5+ - Off Chart

45 days 70 days 90 days

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First posted September 1998
last changed 7/16/08
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