Cadmium Red

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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.

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

Health and Safety

Warnings:

CANCER AGENT.

INHALATION MAY PRODUCE CANCER.

EXPOSURE MAY CAUSE HARM TO THE PREGNANT PEOPLE OR DEVELOPING FETUS.

INHALATION MAY CAUSE LUNG DAMAGE.

CONTAINS CADMIUM.

Precautions:

Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do not consume.

Not for cosmetic or food usage.

Do not spray apply.

For further health information contact a poison control center.

Use care when handling dry pigments and avoid dust formation.

Use particular caution with fibrous, fine, or toxic pigments.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke near dry pigments.

Avoid breathing in pigment dust and use a NIOSH-certified dust respirator with sufficient rating for dry pigment.

Wash hands immediately after use or handling.

If dust is likely, always wear protective clothing to keep out of eyes, lungs, off skin, and out of any contact as well as keep area ventilated.

This product may contain chemicals known by the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.

Warnings and bottle information are abbreviated.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Synthetic Inorganic

Chemical Composition: Cadmium Sulfoselenide (CdS·CdSe)

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic

Lightfastness: Excellent

Opacity: Opaque

Other Names: Cadmium Scarlet (lighter), Cadmium Crimson (darker)

Color Index Code: PR108