Michael Harding Lamp Black - So named because it was originally derived from the soot of oil lamps, this is pure Carbon, and probably the first pigment our ancestors ever used to decorate their caves. A soft, slightly warm shade of black whose surface gives it a grayish aspect. Probably not the best choice for unmixed underpainting on account of its tendency to move whilst drying, but this can be remedied with the addition of good drying Earths. Tends to dry with a matte finish, which can be compensated for with the addition of a little stand oil.
Color Index | PBk6 |
Drying Speed | Slow |
Transparency | Semi-Transparent |
Lightfastness | Excellent |
Oil Content | High |
Tint Power | Average |
Toxicity | Non-Toxic |
ASTM D-4236 | ✓ |