Quinacridone Violet Pigment

Description

Quinacridone Violet (PV19) is a handmade single-pigment quinacridone violet. It produces a rich, transparent violet with a clear red-leaning undertone and a deeply saturated masstone. Compared to traditional violets and mixed purples, this pigment is cleaner and higher in chroma while still capable of subtle, atmospheric glazes rather than appearing overly harsh or synthetic.

In use, Quinacridone Violet gives a luminous, transparent violet ideal for florals, twilight skies, textiles, shadows, and expressive passages in both landscape and abstract work. It has strong tinting strength with a transparent to semi-transparent character, making it excellent for glazing, layered washes, and optical mixing. It mixes beautifully with blues for intense violets and inky near-blacks, with magentas and reds for wine tones and deep pinks, and with earth colors to create sophisticated plum, aubergine, and smoky neutral shadows that stay clear rather than muddy.

This quinacridone pigment is highly chromatic, lightfast, and compatible with a wide range of binders and mediums. In artist's colors it serves as a modern alternative to less permanent violets and rose-violets, functioning both as a statement purple and as a versatile mixer for cool shadows, florals, and moody, low-key palettes.

History

The quinacridone family of pigments emerged in the mid-20th century from advances in organic chemistry aimed at creating colorants with exceptional chroma, transparency, and permanence. These pigments were first adopted in automotive and industrial coatings, where their resistance to light, weather, and chemicals quickly set them apart from earlier organic reds and violets.

Quinacridone Violet (PV19) occupies a central position within the quinacridone spectrum, bridging the gap between magenta and deep violet. Its combination of high chroma, transparency, and very good lightfastness made it especially attractive to paintmakers and artists seeking reliable replacements for fugitive violets and rose pigments. Over time it has become a staple in many professional watercolor, oil, and acrylic ranges, often appearing under names such as Quinacridone Violet, Permanent Magenta, or Quinacridone Rose, and is valued for its versatility as both a primary mixing color and a distinctive violet in its own right.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Synthetic (Organic) quinacridone pigment

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic, Cold Wax, Casein, Milk, Swedish Flour

Lightfastness: Excellent

Opacity: Transparent

Other Names: Quinacridone Violet, Permanent Magenta (PV19), Quinacridone Rose / Red Violet

Color Index Code: PV19