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Verdigris, Copper Acetate (Genuine Historical Pigment)

PG20

Alternate Names

Spanish green

Van Eyck green; copper green;

Pigment Description

This color is an extinct pigment, and for good reason. It is not very stable in artists' applications. Specifically, Verdigris is not that good for oil painting, though it was used throughout art history and holds a few mysteries. This color is toxic, and also changes color wildly in oil paints.

An interesting exploration of this paint in oils was done by an artist who goes by the name Yellow Oxide here. Their explorations show a dramatic darkening when mixed with Cadmium Yellow.

The sample also changed color noticeably without mixing- from a cobalt-teal green to a minty phthalo-like color. Even the dry pigment undergoes color change, eventually settling to a deeper green as is seen here.

This color is associated with toxicity and Artiscreation assigns a B. We treat it as though it were more toxic than that.

Resources

PG20 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com

Information about PG20 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors,

CAMEO Materials Database: Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online, Museum of Fine Arts Boston. (Accessed June 2025). Verdigris https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Verdigris. Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

L. Cornelissen & Son (Accessed June 2025). Viridian Pigment https://www.cornelissen.com/verdigris-pigment.html. L. Cornelissen & Son

Douma, Michael (Accessed June 2026). Verdigris https://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/indiv/overview/verdigris.html. Web Exhibits, Pigments through the Ages,

Mayer, Ralph. The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques, 5th ed. New York, NY, Penguin Group, 1991. https://amzn.to/44OzBN9

Stats

Lightfastness

Dramatic color change in oils

In oil, blue to green shifts are noticed quickly and in some scenarios it turns brown or black over time. While not related to lightfastness, due to its instability, not recommended in oils as it undergoes a massive color change.

Transparency

Transparent

Toxicity

Toxic

CAMEO has notes on this pigment’s toxicity. See CAMEO as well as MSDS. Treat all pigments and paints with studio safety protocols.

Dry Time

Fast

Particle Size

Coarse

Chemical Name

basic copper acetate

Cu(CHO)-Cu(OH)

Dry Pigments listing PG20

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