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Top Pigment

Chromium Oxide Green

PG17

Alternate Name

Chrome Oxide Green

Pigment Description

Sometimes described as ,"The green of printed money." (From Artiscreation). This is an interesting, heavy pea soup green, and evokes a memory of pond plants in its hue. However in handling this color always packs a significant punch and while some have complained of phthalos being very intense, this is a color I have found to be sometimes almost overwhelming in its opacity, however like all things when used in the places one wants it, it is fantastic.

A reliable color, as in very stable. Despite having chrome in the name, our understanding is that this pigment is not the same as other very toxic chrome pigments- however, our eyes widened when we read on artiscreation that if it is poorly made it may have free chromium, which would equate to a much more toxic situation. Please do your own research on this as we are not toxicologists. Also, the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety has some more information about the hazards of pigments containing Chrome-- in her latest work, Monona Rossol mentions this is Chrome III and has specific comments about that. So like all artist paints, use this color with respect just in case.

One of the virtues of this color is that it is among the pigments that do not require much oil when made into an oil paint, so it's more suited to the lower layers of a painting. It has a medium to fast drying time.

Resources

PG17 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com

Information about PG17 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors, General information about this class of pigments from Handprint,

Rossol, Monona. The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide. New York, NY : Allworth Press, 2001. The book is rather dated, updated information is available from her website.

Stats

Lightfastness

Excellent

In general it has solidly high ratings (all 8’s on the BWS) for lightfastness. In various mixing whites, examined in Golden’s lightfastness testing in oils, this pigment performed well. There were a few instances where it slid to ASTM II (very good) such as Flake White (possibly brand dependent) in linseed oil as well as in pure zinc white. Overall it performed at ASTM I (excellent).

Transparency

Opaque

In oils, most paints range from semi-opaque to opaque.

Toxicity

Previously thought to be in the category of Low Concern but may contain toxic impurities

May have free chromium as a toxic impurity. See the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety for information about the hazards of pigments containing Chrome. Monona Rossol mentions in her latest work that this is Chrome III and has specific comments about that. Treat all pigments and paints with studio safety protocols.

Dry Time

Fast to Medium

Most oil paints dry in 2-7 days

Oil Content

Low

Low by volume. By weight, Artiscreation lists 12-43 g/100g of oil. Mayer lists an oil volume of 64 (low).

Particle Size

Very Fine

Chemical Name

Chromic Oxide, anhydrous chromium sesquioxide

Dry Pigments listing PG17

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