Cadmium Red Pigment

Description

Cadmium Red is a bold, opaque pigment produced by carefully controlling the ratio of cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium selenide (CdSe). It yields shades ranging from bright scarlet to deep crimson, depending on the composition. Known for its unmatched brilliance, opacity, and permanence, Cadmium Red is one of the most important and enduring modern reds in the artist's palette.

It offers strong tinting strength, smooth handling, and excellent covering power. In watercolor, it behaves as an opaque, granulating red with intense masstone. In oils and acrylics, it provides vibrant color fields and mixes beautifully into warm oranges, subdued violets, and natural flesh tones.

History

Cadmium pigments were introduced in the 19th century and quickly became prized for their stability and intensity. While Cadmium Yellow appeared first, Cadmium Red followed shortly thereafter, offering artists a permanent alternative to the fugitive organic reds (such as cochineal lakes, carmine, and madder lakes) and the unstable Vermilion substitutes.

By the early 20th century, Cadmium Red had become a staple for avant garde painters, including the Fauves and Expressionists. Henri Matisse and other modernists used it extensively for its vivid, pure intensity. Its reliability and brilliance made it equally indispensable in academic palettes and industrial applications. In the pictured atwork "Scream" by Edvard Munch, Cadmium Red, Orange, and Yellow are used throughout the sky to create the intense, overwhelming atmosphere of the piece.

Even today, Cadmium Red remains one of the most widely respected pigments in fine art for its archival stability and unsurpassed depth of color.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Synthetic Inorganic
Chemical Composition: Cadmium Sulfoselenide (CdS·CdSe)
Source: Cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide calcined at high temperature
Origin: Germany (early 20th century)
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Opaque
Other Names: Cadmium Scarlet (lighter), Cadmium Crimson (darker)
Color Index Code: PR108
Image: "The Scream" by Edvard Munch from the National Museum of Norway

Health and Safety

• For art use only. Not for cosmetic, food or children's use.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working.
• Avoid creating or breathing dust. Work in a ventilated area and wear a NIOSH approved dust respirator (P100 or better) when handling dry pigment.
• Wear gloves and eye protection. Wash hands and work surfaces after use, and never rinse pigment into drains.
• Do not spray apply, sand or burn.
• If swallowed or if you feel unwell, contact a poison control center (U.S. 1-800-222-1222) or a doctor.
• Safety Data Sheet available on request.

Caution: Contains cadmium. May cause cancer if dust is inhaled. Causes damage to the kidneys and lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child. Avoid all dust. Not for use by children or by anyone pregnant. Never sand, spray, burn or heat dry paint. Do not rinse into drains. Wear a P100 respirator (full face, or half face with goggles) when handling the dry pigment; N95 and P95 masks are not sufficient.

WARNING: This product can expose you to cadmium, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.