MATISSE STR 75ML Phthalo Blue S2

Name: Phthalocyanine Blue

Pigment tier: Series 2

Available size: 75ml

Colour mixing characteristics from Matisse:

Artistic Standard: The Necessary Dark Blue

Artists rely on Phthalo Blue as the standard dark blue. While Prussian Blue faced uneven quality issues in the early to mid-20th century, Phthalo Blue emerged as the go-to choice, especially in acrylics. Prussian Blue has since become stable and reliable, offering complementary features. Phthalo Blue's transparency and clean colour make it ideal for portraying blue and green-coloured glass, water, and other transparent or translucent substances.

Unique Applications and Mixing Possibilities

Phthalo Blue's rarity in the natural world makes it a versatile tool for artists, allowing the creation of colours unmatched by any other pigment. It proves particularly valuable in crafting various greens. The mixture of Phthalo Blue with Aureolin or Transparent Yellow Oxide produces dark Hooker's Green, with each combination offering distinct character. Modern alternatives to the original recipe for Hooker's Green ensure permanence and vibrancy.

Diverse Green Tones and Skies

Beyond traditional greens, Phthalo Blue combined with Cadmium Yellow Light or Cadmium Yellow Medium produces bright, unnatural greens found in man-made objects. For natural-looking olive greens, mixing Phthalo Blue with Iso Yellow or substituting it with Cadmium Orange yields satisfying results. The versatility extends to sky colours, with Australian Sky Blue complementing Phthalo Blue to achieve the perfect blue for various atmospheric conditions.

Exploring Seawater Hues

Phthalo Blue's versatility further extends to imitating seawater colours. Combining it with Australian Ghost Gum produces soft light green-blue hues, adding beauty and subtlety to underwater scenes or dawn sky colours. The surprising subtlety of this mixture contrasts with the usual brightness associated with Phthalo Blue, providing artists with a delightful range of possibilities.

Chemical Description: Copper phthalocyanine

Pigment Number: PB15.3

Lightfastness Rating: ASTM I

Pigment Opacity: Transparent

Paint Opacity: Transparent