Lena Rivera
Paint tubes can be confusing, with various marks and symbols that may seem like jargon to the uninitiated. However, these labels are essential for artists to select the right paint for their work. This is especially true for Amsterdam paint tubes, which use a unique marking system to indicate the opacity and lightfastness of their paints. A black square denotes opacity, while a clear square indicates transparency. The lightfastness rating is also crucial, indicating the resistance of the paint to fading when exposed to light, with Amsterdam tubes using plus signs to indicate this property. Understanding these marks is key to making informed choices when purchasing paint and ensuring the desired outcome in your artistic endeavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opaque | Black square |
| Semi-opaque | Half-black, half-clear square |
| Transparent | Clear square |
| Lightfastness | Plus signs, with more plus signs indicating higher lightfastness |
| Series | Number or letter indicating the price band |
| Pigment | Listed on the back of the tube |
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What You'll Learn
Opaque vs transparent paint
When it comes to art, understanding the paint you are using is crucial. The marks on an Amsterdam paint tube indicate the opacity of the paint inside. A black square denotes an opaque paint, a square with a diagonal line through it and the bottom half black means semi-transparent paint, and a clear square means the paint is transparent.
The opacity or transparency of paint describes how it interacts with light. Opaque paints are more reflective and have better covering power. They sit on top of the black line and advance in front of it. Light hits the surface of the paint and bounces back to the eye. Opaque paints give a flatter, more matt or chalky finish with more density and body. They are ideal for creating thick, impasto strokes. However, they carry a greater risk of turning mixes muddy.
Transparent paints, on the other hand, allow more light to pass through them. They seem to go behind the black line because they don't have the same covering power as opaques. Light penetrates through the paint to the ground and bounces back through the paint to the eye. Transparent paints provide thinner passages and allow for optical colour mixing, as you can see one colour through another. They are perfect for creating a light, luminous finish and bright, clear colours.
The choice between transparent and opaque paints depends on the desired technique and effect. Artists can use opaque paints to create highlights and add weight and texture to their paintings. Transparent paints can be used for shadowy areas to add depth.
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Lightfastness ratings
Lightfastness is an important consideration for any serious artist. It refers to a pigment's resistance to change when exposed to light, and by extension, the paint's longevity. The lightfastness rating printed on a paint tube label is an indication of how much the colour will lighten, fade, darken, or turn grey when exposed to light. This information is usually found on the front or back of the tube.
There are several systems for rating lightfastness, and the one used depends on where the paint was manufactured. Two of the most widely used systems are the ASTM and Blue Wool systems. The American Standard Test Measure (ASTM) gives ratings from I to V, with I being excellent, II very good, III fair or non-permanent in artist's paints, and IV and V pigments rated poor and very poor, respectively, and not used in artist's quality paints. The British system (Blue Wool Standard) gives a rating from one to eight, with ratings of one to three meaning the colour is fugitive and will change within 20 years.
Amsterdam acrylic paints rate their lightfastness with plus signs. Three plus signs indicate high lightfastness, and the paint will not fade "in museum conditions" for at least 100 years. Two plus signs indicate that the paint will resist fading for 25 to 100 years.
It is important to know your paint manufacturer and whether their lightfastness information is trustworthy. It is also useful to be aware of the difference between the terms 'paint' and 'pigment'. The pigment is what gives the paint its colour and can be derived from a ground organic substance or a synthetic substance that is chemically produced. The paint is the combination of that pigment and a binder, such as oil, acrylic polymer, or gum arabic, which holds the pigment together and dries into a film when applied to a surface.
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Series numbers
It is important to note that a lower series number does not equate to inferior paint quality. Instead, it suggests that the pigments used in the paint are more accessible or straightforward to produce. However, higher-series paints may offer unique colours or effects that justify their higher price point.
The series number system provides artists with valuable information about the cost of their materials. It allows them to make informed decisions when purchasing paints, especially if they are working within a specific budget. Additionally, it offers insight into the rarity or specialised nature of the pigments within the paint.
Some paint manufacturers use letters to denote series, such as Series A, Series B, and so on, while others opt for numerical designations like Series 1, Series 2, and beyond. This variation in labelling practices can be observed across different paint brands.
Understanding the series number system empowers artists to navigate the market effectively, ensuring they acquire the necessary materials for their creative endeavours while managing their expenses efficiently.
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Hue
When it comes to paint, the term "hue" refers to the colour. For example, if a tube of paint is labelled "Cadmium Hue", it means that the paint imitates the colour of cadmium but does not contain the actual ingredient. Similarly, "Flake White Hue" is not made with lead but is instead a mix of titanium and zinc that closely resembles lead without being poisonous.
Paint manufacturers often use attractive or catchy names for their products, which may not accurately reflect the pigments used. For instance, Phthalocyanine Green may be sold as the simpler "Phtalo Green" or marketed as "Sap Green", "Rembrandt Green", or "Winsor Green".
It is important to distinguish between the terms "paint" and "pigment". The pigment is what gives the paint its colour and can be derived from ground organic substances or chemically produced synthetic substances. The paint is the combination of this pigment and a binder, such as oil, acrylic polymer, or gum arabic, which holds the pigment together.
The pigment content is the ideal way to know what you are buying, as the marketing name on the paint tube may not match the official name of the pigment it contains. Each pigment has a unique Colour Index Name, consisting of two letters indicating the colour family and numbers representing the chemical compound present. For example, "PR" stands for the red colour family, "PB" for blue, and "PY" for yellow.
Some manufacturers indicate the level of transparency or opacity of their colours with symbols or labels. For instance, Amsterdam uses squares on the side of the tube, where a black square denotes opacity, a square with a diagonal line and a black bottom half indicates semi-transparency, and a clear square represents transparency.
By understanding the ingredients and differences between various paints, artists can make better-informed choices and achieve their desired results.
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Colour index names
The name of the paint colour on the tube is often chosen by the manufacturer and is likely to be misleading. This is because the name given by the manufacturer is a marketing name and does not reveal which pigment or combination of pigments is used. For instance, Pthalocyanine Green pigment may be sold as Phtalo Green, Sap Green, Rembrandt Green, or Winsor Green.
The name of the pigment is known as the Colour Index Name. Each pigment has a unique Colour Index Name, consisting of two letters and some numbers. The two letters stand for the colour family, for example, PR stands for the red colour family, PB stands for blue, and PY stands for yellow. The numbers indicate the chemical compound present in the paint.
Only one Colour Index Name will be listed if the paint contains a single pigment. If the paint is a mixture of pigments, more than one Colour Index Name will be listed.
The Colour Index Name is a standardised scheme for naming different pigments. It is important to be "paint literate" and understand the ingredients used in the paint. The information on the labels helps artists make better choices.
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Frequently asked questions
The marks on Amsterdam paint tubes indicate the level of transparency of the paint. A black square denotes an opaque paint, a square with a diagonal line through it and the bottom half black means semi-transparent paint, and a clear square means the paint is transparent.
Lightfastness is the resistance of a pigment in paint to change when exposed to UV light. This information is important for serious artists as it can impact how their artwork will look over time.
The series number indicates the price band of the paint, with Series 1 being the cheapest and the price increasing as the series number gets higher.
"Hue" refers to the colour of the paint. Tubes labelled with Cadmium Red Hue, for example, indicate that the paint is an imitation of the real pigment.
Different brands may use the same colour name but have different pigments, resulting in variations in shade or tone. It is important to read the labels to understand the specific pigments and ingredients used.
"Permanent" does not always indicate lightfastness. Manufacturers sometimes use it as a name for the colour, so it is important to check the lightfastness rating on the tube or with the manufacturer.
