In conclusion, ultramarine and phthalo blue are two popular blue pigments used by artists. While ultramarine is a warmer, traditional blue with moderate transparency, phthalo blue is a cooler, vibrant blue with high transparency. Both pigments offer excellent lightfastness and permanence, making them ideal choices for various painting techniques and subject matters.
What is the Difference Between Phthalocyanine Blue and Ultramarine Blue?
As a China Pigment Manufacturer, share with you. Both are blue coloring pigments. What is the difference between phthalocyan blue and ultramarine blue in color and performance?
The difference between the two mainly depends on the following aspects:
Judging from the color
Phthalocyanine blue is dark blue, and ultramarine blue is light blue. There are 3 hues of phthalocyanine blue, red, purple, and green. Generally speaking, there is only one hue of ultramarine blue-red. The difference in hue has a great impact on the actual use of these two blue toners.
Ultramarine Blue 462
From the perspective of the type of pigment
Phthalocyanine blue belongs to the phthalocyanine pigment in the organic pigment system. Ultramarine blue belongs to the blue pigment in inorganic pigments. Therefore, phthalocyanine blue does not contain heavy metals, and ultramarine blue contains trace amounts of heavy metals. But ultramarine blue is different from other inorganic blue pigments, such as iron blue. It contains very small amounts of heavy metals and belongs to non-toxic inorganic blue pigments.
From the performance of the pigment
Phthalocyanine blue has strong tinting power, but its light fastness and weather resistance are not as good as ultramarine blue. Ultramarine blue has strong hiding power and good resistance, but its tinting power is not as good as phthalocyanine blue. The performance of ultramarine blue that has to be mentioned is whitening. When used in yellow products, it can effectively remove the yellow light in yellow products and make them whiter.
From the point of view of the use of pigments
Phthalocyanine blue is usually used mainly in inks and plastics, but also in coatings and paints. Ultramarine blue is mostly used in various coatings, plastics, and daily chemicals, such as laundry detergent, laundry soap, and washing powder.
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Ultramarine vs Phthalo Blue
The purpose of this article is to delve into the fascinating world of ultramarine and phthalo blue, comparing their properties and discussing their various applications in art. By understanding the differences and similarities between these two remarkable pigments, artists can make informed decisions when choosing the ideal blue for their projects and better harness the potential of these vibrant colors in their work.
Origins and History
Ultramarine
Historical background
Ultramarine, with roots dating back to the 6th century, was first used in ancient Afghanistan for various artifacts and religious art. Imported to Europe from Asia, its name, derived from the Latin “ultramarinus,” means “beyond the sea.” The pigment was highly prized during the Renaissance for its vivid hue and scarcity, often valued more than gold. Renowned artists like Michelangelo and Titian favored ultramarine for its unparalleled depth and richness.
Extraction from lapis lazuli and synthetic production
Natural ultramarine comes from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, mainly found in Afghanistan. The extraction process involves grinding the stone into powder, washing it to remove impurities, and separating the pigment through multiple steps. Due to its labor-intensive nature and rarity, natural ultramarine was historically expensive. However, the 19th-century development of synthetic “French ultramarine” made the pigment more accessible and affordable for artists.
Phthalo Blue
Historical background
- Phthalo blue, or phthalocyanine blue, is a relatively modern pigment compared to ultramarine. Discovered in 1935 during a chemical research project, it quickly gained popularity for its vibrant hue, impressive tinting strength, and excellent lightfastness. Today, phthalo blue is widely used by artists across various mediums due to its versatility and affordability.
- Development and chemical synthesis Phthalo blue is a synthetic pigment created through a chemical reaction involving phthalocyanine, a large, stable, and highly chromatic organic compound. The production process results in a pigment that boasts a strong and intense color, as well as excellent lightfastness and durability. These characteristics have made phthalo blue a popular choice among artists who seek a reliable, vibrant, and cost-effective blue pigment for their work.
Color Characteristics and Properties
Ultramarine
- Color profile: Ultramarine exhibits a deep, rich blue hue with a slight reddish undertone. Its color leans towards the warmer side of the blue spectrum, making it ideal for creating shadows and cooler tones when mixed with other colors.
- Transparency and tinting strength: Ultramarine is a moderately transparent pigment, allowing for subtle glazing techniques and layering in artwork. Its tinting strength is moderate, meaning that a small amount can be used to create lighter tints when mixed with white or other colors without overpowering them.
- Lightfastness and permanence: Ultramarine has excellent lightfastness, meaning it is resistant to fading when exposed to light over time. This characteristic, combined with its good permanence, ensures that ultramarine-based artworks maintain their vibrancy and color integrity for years to come.
Phthalo Blue
- Color profile: Phthalo blue has a bright, intense blue hue with a slight greenish undertone. It falls on the cooler side of the blue spectrum, making it an excellent choice for creating vibrant and bold colors in artwork.
- Transparency and tinting strength: Phthalo blue is a highly transparent pigment, offering artists the ability to create delicate glazes and layers. Its tinting strength is very high, meaning only a small amount is needed to create lighter tints when mixed with white or other colors. Care should be taken when using phthalo blue, as its strong tinting strength can quickly overpower other colors in a mix.
- Lightfastness and permanence: Phthalo blue boasts excellent lightfastness, ensuring that its vibrant color remains resistant to fading when exposed to light over time. Its high permanence also contributes to the long-lasting quality of artworks that incorporate phthalo blue, maintaining their color integrity for years to come. This combination of lightfastness and permanence has made phthalo blue a popular choice among artists for various applications and mediums.
Mixing and Application
Ultramarine
Mixing with other colors
Ultramarine mixes well with a variety of colors, creating a range of hues from cool to warm. When mixed with white, it produces soft and delicate blues, perfect for skies and highlights. When combined with burnt sienna or burnt umber, ultramarine creates rich, natural-looking grays and muted earth tones. Ultramarine’s warm undertones also make it an ideal choice for mixing with other warm colors like reds and oranges.
Popular uses in painting
Ultramarine is a favorite among landscape and portrait painters due to its versatility and rich color. It is commonly used for painting skies, shadows, and cooler tones, as well as being an essential component in many artists’ palettes for creating harmonious color schemes.
Techniques and tips
Ultramarine works well with various techniques, including glazing, layering, and wet-in-wet applications. When using ultramarine in glazes, thin the pigment with a suitable medium to create transparent layers, building up depth and luminosity in the painting. For a more controlled application, allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
Phthalo Blue
Mixing with other colors
Phthalo blue’s strong tinting strength means that only a small amount is needed to create vibrant mixtures. When combined with white, it produces bright, cool blues. Mixing phthalo blue with yellows yields brilliant greens, while blending it with reds creates rich purples. Its cool undertones make it an excellent choice for mixing with other cool colors like greens and cool grays.
Popular uses in painting
Phthalo blue’s intense color and transparency make it popular among artists working in various mediums, such as watercolors, acrylics, and oils. Its versatility allows it to be used in a range of subjects, including landscapes, seascapes, and abstract art. The pigment is particularly well-suited for creating bright, bold colors and dynamic contrasts in paintings.
Techniques and tips
Phthalo blue is compatible with various painting techniques, such as glazing, wet-in-wet, and impasto. To harness its full potential, experiment with different mediums and application methods. When using phthalo blue in glazes, it’s important to control the amount of pigment used to avoid overpowering other colors. For wet-in-wet techniques, take advantage of phthalo blue’s transparency to create smooth color transitions and gradients. When using impasto, mix phthalo blue with a thickening medium to create bold, textured brushstrokes that add dimension to your artwork.
