PY37 Cadmium Yellow
Cadmium sulfide.
18 tubes from 5 of 24 paint lines contain PY37. 7 are made from PY37 alone, which is the closest match when you're switching brands.
- Toxicity
- Toxic: contains cadmium Cadmium compounds are toxic if swallowed or breathed in as dust. In oil paint the risk comes mostly from getting it in your mouth, or from sanding or spraying, so keep it off your hands and don't eat while painting.
- Drying
- Slow
- Opacity
- Single-pigment tubes are mostly opaque.
About PY37
History
Cadmium sulfide is the original cadmium yellow, in use since the mid-19th century.
In mixes
Opaque and strong, from pale to deep depending on the grade. Covers well and gives clean tints.
Genuine or hue?
Cadmium colors are opaque, warm and strong, but cost more and are toxic if swallowed or breathed in as dust. Hues are cheaper and safer, and usually more transparent, so they cover less well.
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 PY37, by brand
The best single-pigment PY37 tube from each line, ranked: artists' grade first, then lightfastness, then how firmly the pigment listing is confirmed. Ties are listed alphabetically.
- Gamblin Cadmium Yellow MediumLF I
- Holbein Cadmium Yellow LemonSeries D · LF I · Opaque
- Vasari Cadmium YellowLF not rated · Opaque
Not sold here by: W&N Artists', Grumbacher, Williamsburg, M. Graham, Michael Harding, Old Holland, Rembrandt, Schmincke Mussini, W&N Winton, Georgian, Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Cobra, Art Creation, Lukas 1862, W&N Griffin, Langridge, Maimeri Puro, W&N Artisan.
Made from PY37 alone
PY37 with white added
Mixtures that contain PY37
Brands: Art Spectrum, Blockx, Gamblin, Holbein, Vasari.