Charcoal Black Pigment

Description
Charcoal Black is a handmade natural black pigment made from oak wood charred in a low oxygen fire and then ground. It produces a soft, cool, slightly bluish black with a matte finish and a slightly granular texture. It is less overpowering than lamp or bone black, giving softer, more atmospheric darks and beautiful cool greys when mixed with white.

In use, Charcoal Black is ideal for drawing, underpainting, cool shadows, and subtle grey mixtures in landscape and figure work. It granulates gently in watercolor and gives natural, airy greys in fresco and tempera. It is lightfast and chemically stable in every binder.

History
Charcoal is one of the oldest black pigments known. It was used in the cave paintings of Chauvet and Lascaux, and charcoal blacks appear throughout ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman painting. Medieval and Renaissance painters used charcoal for underdrawing and as a cool black pigment, with Cennino Cennini describing blacks made from charred vine twigs and almond shells. It remains a staple of drawing and painting today.

Pigment Information
Pigment Type: Natural (Organic) carbon black from charred wood
Source: Oak wood charcoal, ground and sieved
Origin: U.S.A.
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic, Cold Wax, Casein, Lime / Fresco
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Semi-opaque
Other Names: Charcoal, Wood Black, Carbon Black, Willow Charcoal
Color Index Code: PBk8

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.