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Top Pigment

Cobalt Chromite Blue, Cerulean Blue - Chromium, Chromium Blue

PB36

Alternate Names

Cobalt Turquoise

Cobalt Chromite Blue Spinel

Cobalt Chromite Green

Pigment Description

Cobalt Chromite Blue Green Spinel. Sometimes called Cobalt Turquoise or Cobalt Cerulean. Similar to cerulean blue in some ways as far as its behavior, though the hue of this color may be greener or deeper than Cerulean (PB35). A greenish blue with opacity and presence. There is an interesting diversity of color in this area with some Cobalt Turquoise colors as light and green, and others being pitched lower and bluer.

In terms of health and safety, these pigments contain cobalt and chrome. Please see the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety for information about the hazards associated with both cobalt and chrome pigments. The most recently updated information can be requested at the author's site.

Cobalt Chromite Blue is different from Cobalt Aluminate Blue, PB28. Though the teals range from bluish to greenish, Cobalt Chromite Blue PB36 is also different from Cobalt Chromite Green which is PG26. A related pigment to PB36 is Genuine Cerulean, PB35, which tends to be more expensive. Last but not least, it is different from the lighter cobalt teals, which come in bluish and greenish and live in the realm of PG50.

Cobalt Chromite Blue tends to be a medium to fast drier.

Resources

Stats

Lightfastness

Excellent

Historically excellent lightfastness with solid 8’s on the BWS. This particular pigment was not mentioned in Golden’s recent testing with mixing whites, so it may be useful to compare with other ceruleans such as PB35.

Transparency

Semi-opaque, Semi-Transparent

Oil paints are found ranging from semi-transparent to opaque depending on the formulation

Toxicity

Hazard, Use more caution. Artiscreation says, "Hazard if carelessly handled, ingested in large amounts or over long periods of time; Do not ingest; Avoid dust & spray."

Contains cobalt, so please see the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety for information about the hazards associated with cobalt pigments. The author's most recently updated writing can be found through her site. Treat all pigments and paints with studio safety protocols.

Tinting

Medium

Depends on the pigment load. Some PB36s are quite powerful.

Dry Time

Varies from Fast to Slow

We have heard this described as a Medium or even a Slow drier. Many offerings on the market dry in 2-7 days or less (e.g. 1-2 days).

Oil Content

Low to Moderate

Approx. 28g/100g of oil

Particle Size

Varies, Fine Grained

Chemical Name

Cobalt Chromite Blue Green Spinel, or oxides of cobalt and chromium, or cobalt chromite

Dry Pigments listing PB36

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