Pigfolio

PBk11 Mars Black (black iron oxide)

Synthetic iron oxide.

68 tubes from 21 of 24 paint lines contain PBk11. 18 are made from PBk11 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 Dries faster than ivory or lamp black, which makes it a safer black for lower layers.
Opacity
Single-pigment tubes are mostly opaque.

About PBk11

History

Mars black, synthetic black iron oxide, was developed in the 19th–20th century alongside the other Mars colors.

In mixes

Dense, opaque and fairly neutral to warm. Greys with white are soft and slightly brownish.

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 PBk11, by brand

The best single-pigment PBk11 tube from each line, ranked: artists' grade first, then lightfastness, then how firmly the pigment listing is confirmed. Ties are listed alphabetically.

  1. Art Spectrum Mars BlackSeries 1 · LF I · Opaque Opaque
  2. Blockx Mars BlackSeries 2 · LF I · Opaque Opaque
  3. Gamblin Mars BlackLF I
  4. Grumbacher Mars BlackSeries 2 · LF I
  5. Langridge Mars BlackSeries 1 · LF I · Opaque Opaque
  6. M. Graham Mars BlackSeries 1 · LF I · Opaque Opaque
  7. Old Holland Mars BlackSeries A · LF I
  8. W&N Artists' Mars BlackSeries 2 · LF I · Opaque Opaque
  9. Williamsburg Mars BlackSeries 2 · LF I · Opaque Opaque
  10. Michael Harding Vine BlackSeries 1 · LF I · Semi-opaque Semi-opaque
  11. Rembrandt Oxide BlackSeries 1 · LF I · Opaque Opaque
  12. Maimeri Puro Mars BlackLF not rated
  13. Da Vinci Magnetite GenuineLF not rated · Transparent Transparent
  14. Vasari Mars BlackLF not rated · Opaque Opaque

Not sold here by: W&N Winton, Van Gogh, W&N Artisan.

Made from PBk11 alone

Mars BlackArt SpectrumPBk11Series 1OpaqueLF IMars BlackBlockx 212375PBk11Series 2OpaqueLF IVine BlackBlockx 212173PBk11Series 1OpaqueLF IMagnetite GenuineDa VinciPBk11Transparent–Mars BlackGamblinPBk11LF IMars BlackGrumbacher P134PBk11Series 2LF IMars BlackLangridgePBk11Series 1OpaqueLF IMars BlackM. Graham 115PBk11Series 1OpaqueLF IVine BlackMichael Harding 135PBk11Series 1Semi-opaqueLF IMars BlackMaimeri Puro 540PBk11–Mars BlackOld Holland A370PBk11Series ALF IOxide BlackRembrandt 735PBk11Series 1OpaqueLF IFrench Ivory BlackVasariPBk11Semi-transparent–French Vine BlackVasariPBk11Semi-opaque–Mars BlackVasariPBk11Opaque–German EarthWilliamsburg 6001792PBk11Series 2OpaqueLF IMars BlackWilliamsburg 6001742PBk11Series 2OpaqueLF IMars BlackW&N Artists' 386PBk11Series 2OpaqueLF I

PBk11 with white added

SilverRembrandt 800PW6PBk11Series 3Semi-opaqueLF I

Mixtures that contain PBk11

Flinders Blue Violet DarkArt SpectrumPV23PBk11Series 3Semi-transparentLF IBrownish GreyBlockx 212273PW4PBk11PY42Series 2OpaqueLF IMars BrownBlockx 212341PR101PY42PBk11Series 2OpaqueLF IPayne's GrayBlockx 212271PBk11PB29Series 2Semi-opaqueLF IBurnt UmberCobra 409PR101PBk11Semi-transparentLF ICold GreyCobra 717PBk11PB29PW6OpaqueLF IIndigoCobra 533PB29PB15PBk11HueSemi-transparentLF IPotter's PinkCobra 356PR101PV19PW6PBk11OpaqueLF IRaw SiennaCobra 234PY42PBk11Semi-transparentLF IRaw UmberCobra 408PY42PBk11Semi-transparentLF IVandyke BrownCobra 403PR101PBk11HueSemi-opaqueLF IViridianCobra 616PG7PBk11HueSemi-transparentLF IWarm GreyCobra 718PR101PBk11PW6OpaqueLF IPortland Cool GreyGamblinPW6PB29PBk11LF IPortland Grey DeepGamblinPW6PW4PBr7PBk11LF IPortland Grey LightGamblinPW6PW4PBr7PBk11LF IPortland Grey MediumGamblinPW6PW4PBr7PBk11LF IPortland Warm GreyGamblinPW6PR101PBk11LF IBuff TitaniumGeorgian D111014024PW6PY42PBk11–Green Earth HueGrumbacher P085PY42PBr7PBk11PG18Series 1HueLF IRaw UmberGrumbacher P172PBr7PBk11Series 1LF ITerraGrumbacher P314PW21PY43PR102PBk11Series 2LF IMars OrangeHolbein H350PBr7PBk11Series BVerifyOpaqueLF ICold Brown OxideLangridgePBr6PBk11Series 1OpaqueLF IBohemian Green EarthLukas 1862 0157PY42PG7PBk11Series 1HueLF IMadder Lake (Hue)Lukas 1862 0066PR101PR176PBk11Series 1HueLF IIByzantine BlueSchmincke Mussini 10495PW4PB60PBk11OpaqueLF IMars BrownOld Holland A346PY42PR101PBk11Series ALF IBrown OchreRembrandt 430PR101PBk11Series 1OpaqueLF IBurnt UmberRembrandt 409PR101PBk11Series 1Semi-transparentLF IGreenish UmberRembrandt 410PY42PBk11Series 1Semi-transparentLF IPayne's GreyRembrandt 708PBk11PB29PV19Series 1Semi-opaqueLF IRaw UmberRembrandt 408PY42PR101PBk11Series 1Semi-transparentLF ISepiaRembrandt 416PY42PR101PBk11Series 1Semi-opaqueLF IVandyke BrownRembrandt 403PR101PBk11Series 1HueSemi-opaqueLF IBurnt UmberArt Creation 409PR101PBk11Semi-transparentLF IPayne's GreyArt Creation 708PBk11PB29PV19Semi-opaqueLF IRaw UmberArt Creation 408PY42PR101PBk11Semi-transparentLF IIndigoVasariPB27PBk11HueSemi-transparent–Mars BrownVasariPR101PY42PBk11Semi-opaque–Mars OliveVasariPBk11PY42Opaque–Bohemian Green EarthWilliamsburg 6001021PY42PBk11PR101Series 2HueOpaqueLF IEarth GreenWilliamsburg 6001122PY43PBk11PG7Series 2Semi-opaqueLF IFrench Ardoise GrayWilliamsburg 6000050PBk11PG17Series 2TransparentLF IFrench Brown OchreWilliamsburg 6000044PR102PY43PBk11Series 2Semi-opaqueLF IFrench Burnt OchreWilliamsburg 6000046PR102PY43PBk11Series 2Semi-opaqueLF IFrench Light SiennaWilliamsburg 6000051PY43PBk11Series 2Semi-opaqueLF IFrench Raw UmberWilliamsburg 6000047PY43PBk11Series 2Semi-opaqueLF IRaw UmberW&N Griffin 554PBr7PBk11Series 1TransparentLF 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, Williamsburg, W&N Artists', W&N Griffin.