Perylene Crimson Pigment

Description

Perylene Crimson (PR178) is a single pigment perylene red. It produces a deep, slightly muted crimson with a gentle maroon undertone and a richly saturated masstone. Compared to brighter quinacridone crimsons and scarlets, this pigment is a touch more subdued and atmospheric, offering a velvety, wine red character that is rich and sophisticated

In use, Perylene Crimson gives a luminous, transparent to semi-transparent red ideal for florals, textiles, fruit, autumn foliage, wood, leather, and warm shadows in portrait and figure work. It has strong tinting strength and builds beautiful darks in glazes, making it excellent for layered washes and optical mixing. It mixes beautifully with yellows for deep oranges and red earth tones, with blues and blue greens for complex near blacks and shadow neutrals, and with violets and magentas for sumptuous wine reds and plum tones that stay clear.

This perylene pigment is finely milled, chemically stable, and compatible with a wide range of binders and mediums. In artist's colors it serves as a modern, high performance alternative to traditional alizarin style crimsons, providing both a rich glazing color and a versatile mixer for warm, low key, and classical palettes.

History

Perylene pigments belong to the rylene family of organic colorants, developed in the 20th century from perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride chemistry. They were originally created for high performance industrial applications, such as automotive finishes, plastics, and protective coatings, where very high tinting strength, chemical resistance, and lightfastness were required.

As pigment grade perylenes were refined, paintmakers recognized their potential for artist colors: intense chroma, deep masstone, good permanence, and a distinctive, slightly "smoky" character in the reds and maroons. Perylene Crimson (PR178) occupies a middle position within the perylene reds, deeper and more wine like than bright scarlets, but less brown than perylene maroons, making it particularly attractive for artists seeking a dark crimson that can shift from glowing glazes to quiet, atmospheric shadows. Today, PR178 appears in select professional watercolor, oil, and acrylic ranges and is valued by painters who want a dependable, subtly muted crimson with a modern technical pedigree.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Synthetic (Organic) perylene pigment
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Lime / Fresco, Ceramic and cement applications
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Transparent to semi-transparent
Other Names: Perylene Crimson, Perylene Red (PR178), Perylene Deep Red
Color Index Code: PR178

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.