PB15 Phthalo Blue

Copper phthalocyanine. Also listed as PB15:1, PB15:3, PB15:4, PB15:2, PB15:6.

151 tubes from 24 of 24 paint lines contain PB15. 44 are made from PB15 alone, which is the closest match when you're switching brands.

Toxicity: No toxic metal Not one of the toxic-metal pigments. As with any paint, keep it out of your mouth and don't sand or spray it.
Drying: Medium
Opacity: Single-pigment tubes are mostly transparent.

About PB15

History

Phthalocyanine blue was introduced in the 1930s and quickly became one of the most important blues. Several crystal forms are sold, from greener (PB15:3) to redder (PB15:1, PB15:6).

In mixes

Extremely strong and transparent, and it stains. A small amount overpowers most colors, so add it a touch at a time. Makes bright, clean greens with yellows and very dark blacks with quinacridones or alizarin.

Drying speed is typical for linseed oil; tubes ground in safflower or poppy oil, or with driers added, will differ. These are general notes on the pigment, not on any one brand.

Purest PB15, by brand

The best single-pigment PB15 tube from each line, ranked: artists' grade first, then lightfastness, then how firmly the pigment listing is confirmed. Ties are listed alphabetically.

Cobra Phthalo BlueLF I · Transparent
Rembrandt Phthalo Blue RedSeries 3 · LF I · Transparent
W&N Artisan Phthalo Blue (Red Shade)Series 1 · LF I · Transparent
W&N Griffin Phthalo BlueSeries 1 · LF I · Transparent
Blockx Blockx BlueSeries 4 · LF I · Transparent
M. Graham Phthalocyanine Blue Red ShadeSeries 3 · LF I · Transparent
Old Holland Old Holland BlueSeries C · LF I
W&N Artists' Winsor Blue (Red Shade)Series 2 · LF I · Transparent
Art Spectrum Phthalo BlueSeries 1 · LF I · Transparent
Gamblin Phthalo BlueLF I
Langridge Phthalo Blue Red ShadeSeries 3 · LF I · Transparent
Williamsburg Phthalo BlueSeries 4 · LF I · Transparent
Grumbacher Thalo BlueSeries 3 · LF I
Michael Harding Phthalocyanine Blue LakeSeries 2 · LF I · Transparent
Schmincke Mussini Transparent CyanLF I · Transparent
Lukas 1862 Phthalo BlueSeries 1 · LF I
Holbein Phthalo Blue Red ShadeSeries B · LF I · Semi-transparent
Da Vinci Phthalo BlueLF not rated · Transparent
Maimeri Puro Berlin BlueLF not rated
Vasari Phthalo BlueLF not rated · Transparent
Art Creation Phthalo BlueLF I · Semi-transparent · student grade
Van Gogh Phthalo BlueSeries 1 · LF I · Transparent · student grade
W&N Winton Phthalo BlueSeries 1 · LF I · Transparent · student grade
Georgian Primary CyanLF not rated · student grade

Not sold here by: every line carries it.

Made from PB15 alone

Phthalo BlueArt SpectrumPB15:3Series 1LF I Phthalo Blue (Red Shade)Art SpectrumPB15:1Series 3LF I Blockx BlueBlockx 212553PB15Series 4LF I Primary BlueBlockx 212455PB15Series 3LF I Phthalo BlueCobra 570PB15LF I Manganese Blue (Hue)Da VinciPB15Hue–Phthalo BlueDa VinciPB15–Manganese Blue HueGamblinPB15:4HueLF I Phthalo BlueGamblinPB15:2LF I Primary CyanGeorgian D111014142PB15:3–Thalo BlueGrumbacher P203PB15:3Series 3LF I Phthalo BlueHolbein H324PB15–Phthalo Blue Red ShadeHolbein H313PB15Series BVerifyLF I Phthalo Blue Green ShadeLangridgePB15:3Series 3LF I Phthalo Blue Red ShadeLangridgePB15:1Series 3LF I Phthalo BlueLukas 1862 0145PB15:3Series 1LF I Phthalocyanine BlueM. Graham 140PB15:3Series 3LF I Phthalocyanine Blue Red ShadeM. Graham 141PB15Series 3LF I Phthalocyanine Blue LakeMichael Harding 209PB15:3Series 2LF I Berlin BlueMaimeri Puro 359PB15:1–Phthalocyanine TurquoiseMaimeri Puro 431PB15:4–Primary Blue - CyanMaimeri Puro 400PB15:3–Transparent CyanSchmincke Mussini 10477PB15:3LF I Transparent Oriental BlueSchmincke Mussini 10496PB15:6LF I Blue LakeOld Holland B229PB15Series BLF I Old Holland BlueOld Holland C223PB15Series CLF I Scheveningen BlueOld Holland B35PB15Series BLF I Scheveningen Blue DeepOld Holland B226PB15Series BLF I Manganese Blue PhthaloRembrandt 582PB15Series 3HueLF I Phthalo Blue GreenRembrandt 576PB15Series 3LF I Phthalo Blue RedRembrandt 583PB15Series 3LF I Phthalo BlueArt Creation 570PB15LF I Phthalo BlueVasariPB15–Phthalo Blue, Green ShadeVasariPB15:3–Phthalo Blue, Red ShadeVasariPB15:6–TurquoiseVasariPB15–Video BlueVasariPB15–Phthalo BlueVan Gogh 570PB15Series 1LF I Phthalo BlueWilliamsburg 6001004PB15:3Series 4LF I Phthalo BlueW&N Winton 516PB15Series 1LF I Winsor Blue (Green Shade)W&N Artists' 707PB15Series 2LF I Winsor Blue (Red Shade)W&N Artists' 706PB15Series 2LF I Phthalo Blue (Red Shade)W&N Artisan 514PB15Series 1LF I Phthalo BlueW&N Griffin 514PB15Series 1LF I

PB15 with white added

Spectrum CeruleanArt SpectrumPW4PB15:3Series 1HueLF I Vibrant BlueArt SpectrumPW6PB15:3Series 2LF I Manganese BlueBlockx 212550PW4PB15Series 4HueLF I Thaline BlueBlockx 212451PW4PB15Series 2LF I Cerulean Blue (Phthalo)Cobra 535PB15PW7HueLF I Primary CyanCobra 572PB15PW7LF I Cerulean Blue HueGamblinPW4PB15:2HueLF I Cool WhiteGamblinPW6PB15:2PW4LF I Cerulean Blue HueHolbein H306PB15PW6Series AHueVerifyLF II Compose BlueHolbein H311PB15PW6Series AVerifyLF III Horizon BlueHolbein H317PB15PW6Series AVerifyLF II Brilliant BlueLangridgePW6PB15:3Series 2LF I Brilliant MagentaLangridgePW6PB15:3Series 2LF I Cyan Blue (Primary)Lukas 1862 0120PW4PB15:3Series 1LF I Manganese Blue HueM. Graham 114PB15:3PW4Series 2HueLF I Phthalocyanine Blue & Zinc WhiteMichael Harding 114PB15:3PW4Series 1LF I Scheveningen Blue LightOld Holland B40PW4PW6PB15Series BLF I Sevres BlueRembrandt 530PB15PW6Series 3LF I Sèvres BlueArt Creation 530PB15PW6LF I Video Blue Extra PaleVasariPW6PB15–Cerulean Blue (Phthalo)Van Gogh 535PB15PW6Series 1HueLF I Sèvres BlueVan Gogh 530PB15PW6Series 1LF I Sevres BlueWilliamsburg 6000823PW6PB15:3Series 3LF I

Mixtures that contain PB15

Australian Leaf Green BlueArt SpectrumPW6PB15:3PG17Series 3LF I Manganese Blue HueArt SpectrumPW4PB15:3PBk7Series 1HueLF I Permanent MauveArt SpectrumPV23PB15:3Series 2LF I SapphireArt SpectrumPB15:3PG7Series 2LF I Spectrum BlueArt SpectrumPB29PW6PB15:3Series 1LF I Spectrum Green LightArt SpectrumPY3PO62PB15:3PW6Series 1LF II Tasman BlueArt SpectrumPB15:3PV23PW6Series 3LF I TurquoiseArt SpectrumPW6PG7PB15:3Series 3LF I IndigoBlockx 212255PB29PB15PBk9Series 2HueLF I Caribbean BlueCobra 542PW6PB15PG7LF I Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)Cobra 512PB29PB15HueLF I IndigoCobra 533PB29PB15PBk11HueLF I Payne's GreyCobra 708PBk9PB15PV19LF I Phthalo Turquoise BlueCobra 565PB15PG7LF I Turquoise BlueCobra 522PW7PB15PG7LF I Phthalo TurquoiseGamblinPB15:2PG7LF I Radiant TurquoiseGamblinPG7PB15:2LF I Sap GreenGamblinPB15:2PY83LF I CoeruleumGeorgian D111014112PB29PB15:3PW6PG7–Coeruleum HueGeorgian D111014113PW6PY184PB15:3Hue–Light BlueGeorgian D111014128PB29PB15:3PW6–Cerulean Blue HueGrumbacher P039PW4PB15:3PBk9Series 2HueLF I Davy's GrayGrumbacher P064PB15:3PBk9PBr43Series 2LF I Manganese BlueGrumbacher P131PB15:4PW6PG7Series 2HueLF I Sap GreenGrumbacher P187PO48PY150PB15:3PG7Series 3LF I ViridianGrumbacher P232PW6PW4PB15:3PG18Series 5LF I Cobalt Blue HueHolbein H304PB15PB29PW6Series AHueVerifyLF I Manganese Blue NovaHolbein H323PB35PB15Series BHueVerifyLF I Permanent GreenHolbein H279PY14PY53PB15Series AVerifyLF I Permanent Green DeepHolbein H280PY151PY110PB15Series ALF II Neon VioletLangridgePR122PB15:1Series 5LF I Turquoise PhthaloLangridgePB15:3PG7Series 3LF I Video BlueLangridgePW6PB15:3PB28Series 3LF I Cerulean Blue (Hue)Lukas 1862 0124PW4PB15:1PB16Series 1HueLF I IndigoLukas 1862 0122PR176PB15:1PB29PBk7Series 1HueLF II TurquoiseLukas 1862 0155PW5PB15PG7Series 1LF I TurquoiseM. Graham 189PB15:3PG7Series 3LF I Phthalocyanine TurquoiseMichael Harding 210PB15:3PG7PW6PW4Series 2LF I Cadmium GreenSchmincke Mussini 10511PY35PO20PB15:3LF I Manganese Cerulean BlueSchmincke Mussini 10487PW4PB15:3PB16HueLF II Royal Blue DeepSchmincke Mussini 10486PW4PW6PB15:3PB29LF II Sapphire BlueSchmincke Mussini 10479PW4PB29PB15:6LF II Green UmberOld Holland A310PG23PG7PB15PBr7Series ALF I Indigo ExtraOld Holland B33PBk9PB15PV19Series BHueLF I Manganese Blue Deep ExtraOld Holland C241PB35PG50PB15PV16Series CHueLF I Manganese Blue ExtraOld Holland C41PB35PG50PB15Series CHueLF I Neutral TintOld Holland A211PB15PV19PR259PBr7Series ALF I Old Holland Blue VioletOld Holland C205PB15PV23Series CLF I Old Holland Bright GreenOld Holland C280PG36PY3PB15Series CLF I Old Holland Cyan BlueOld Holland C247PB29PB15PW4PW6Series CLF I Parisian Blue ExtraOld Holland A34PB15PB27Series ALF I Permanent GreenOld Holland B289PY74PB15PW4Series BLF I Turquoise Blue DeepOld Holland B265PB15PG7PW4PW6Series BLF I Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)Rembrandt 512PB29PB15Series 2HueLF I Green EarthRembrandt 629PY42PB15Series 1HueLF I IndigoRembrandt 533PB15PB29PBk9Series 2HueLF I Phthalo Turquoise BlueRembrandt 565PB15PG7Series 3LF I Turquoise BlueRembrandt 522PB15PG7PW6Series 3LF I Bluish Green DeepArt Creation 637PB15PG7LF I Phthalo Turquoise BlueArt Creation 565PB15PG7PW6LF I Basic BlueVasariPB29PB15–Green Earth (Terre Verte)Van Gogh 629PY43PBr7PB15Series 1HueLF I Payne's GreyVan Gogh 708PBk9PB15PV19Series 2LF I Permanent Green DeepVan Gogh 619PB15PY74Series 2LF II Phthalo Turquoise BlueVan Gogh 565PB15PG7Series 2LF I Turquoise BlueVan Gogh 522PW6PB15PG7Series 1LF I Cinnabar Green LightWilliamsburg 6001153PY3PW6PB29PB15:3Series 3LF II King's BlueWilliamsburg 6000813PW6PB29PB15:3Series 3LF I Phthalo TurquoiseWilliamsburg 6001024PG7PB15:3Series 4LF I TurquoiseWilliamsburg 6000863PW6PG7PB15:3Series 3LF I Cerulean Blue HueW&N Winton 138PW4PB15PG7Series 1HueLF I Cobalt Blue HueW&N Winton 179PB15PW4PB29Series 1HueLF I MagentaW&N Winton 380PR122PB15Series 1LF I Permanent Green LightW&N Winton 483PY74PW6PB15Series 1LF I Chrome Green Deep HueW&N Artists' 147PB15PG7PY42Series 1HueLF I IndigoW&N Artists' 322PB15PB29PBk7Series 2HueLF I Manganese Blue HueW&N Artists' 379PG7PB15Series 1HueLF I Mauve Blue ShadeW&N Artists' 400PV19PV23PB15Series 1LF I Phthalo TurquoiseW&N Artists' 526PG7PB15Series 1LF I Prussian GreenW&N Artists' 540PY110PB15Series 2HueLF I Sap GreenW&N Artists' 599PY110PB15Series 4LF I Permanent Sap GreenW&N Artisan 503PY110PB15Series 2LF I Cerulean Blue HueW&N Griffin 139PB15PG7PW6Series 1HueLF I MagentaW&N Griffin 380PR122PB15Series 1LF I

Brands: Art Spectrum, Blockx, Cobra, Da Vinci, Gamblin, Georgian, Grumbacher, Holbein, Langridge, Lukas 1862, M. Graham, Michael Harding, Maimeri Puro, Schmincke Mussini, Old Holland, Rembrandt, Art Creation, Vasari, Van Gogh, Williamsburg, W&N Winton, W&N Artists', W&N Artisan, W&N Griffin.