• Close-up image of a half pan of Roman Black Earth handmade watercolor paint, displaying a rich, matte black with a subtle earthy texture and natural granulation. The pan is set against a neutral or rustic background, emphasizing its artisanal craftsmanship and natural mineral origins. Ideal for artists seeking a historic, organic black with soft warmth and depth.
  • Roman Black Earth Watercolor Paint
  • Watercolor painting in deep, matte Roman Black Earth, a natural pigment used in Ancient Roman frescoes and early European painting. Made from charred vegetal or earth sources. Handcrafted with honey and gum arabic. Rich, neutral black perfect for grisaille, historical work, and expressive contrast.
  • Handmade Morrow Archival watercolor swatch cards on a wooden table, left to right: Roman Black Earth, Cuttlefish Sepia, Soot Black, Plant Black and Vine Black.
  • Handmade Morrow Archival watercolor swatch cards on a wooden table, left to right: Brown Alabaster, Brown Ochre, Iron Chromite, Cassel Earth and Roman Black Earth.
1 5

Roman Black Earth Watercolor Paint

Roman Black Earth Watercolor Paint

$12.00
$0.00 $12.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Sizes
View full details

Description

Roman Black Earth is our exquisitely hand crafted watercolor paint made with an extremely concentrated, high quality single source pigment. Every pan is meticulously hand mulled, filled, and labeled, using pure local honey, natural gum arabic, and a small amount of food grade sodium benzoate preservative to achieve a concentrated and richly textured pigment. Every paint is single pigment with maximum concentration and no fillers or extenders.

Roman Black Earth is a deep, velvety black watercolor made from a single natural earth pigment. Traditionally produced from charred plant matter or naturally occurring black clays, this historic black has been used since antiquity, favored by Roman and Renaissance artists for its subtle warmth and organic texture. Unlike harsh synthetic blacks, Roman Black Earth has a soft, earthy undertone and gentle granulation that gives depth and character to shadows, linework, and washes. Its semi-opaque nature and slightly warm tone make it ideal for muted palettes, naturalistic work, and classical techniques that call for nuanced darks without overpowering harshness.

Key Features

Single Source Pigment: Each product features one pure pigment.

Handmade Artisanal Process: Crafted in small batches, our watercolors are hand mulled on a stone slab and hand packed to preserve the integrity of the pigment.

Maximum Pigment Load: Designed to provide maximum color saturation, our formula contains no fillers or extenders.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural earth pigment, carbon and iron rich clay or charred organic matter
Source: Natural black earth or vegetal black
Origin: Italy
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Semi-opaque with subtle granulation
Other Names: Vine Black, Earth Black, Roman Black, Natural Black Oxide
Color Index Code: PBk11

Production Process

Our watercolors are carefully hand mulled and mixed with pure local honey and gum arabic, ensuring an exceptionally concentrated and vibrant product. The entire process is carried out by hand, from mixing and mulling to filling and labeling, so you can be confident in the artisanal quality of every pan through our historic processes.

Usage & Care

Please store in a secure area away from children and pets, and dispose of any waste in an environmentally friendly manner in accordance with all local, state, and national regulations.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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 skin contact and wash hands after use. Wipe brushes and palettes clean before rinsing, and never pour paint waste down drains. Do not spray apply, sand dried paint 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 natural earth with crystalline silica (quartz). Do not sand or scrape dried paint, which can release silica dust.