PR106 Vermilion
Mercuric sulfide.
2 tubes from 2 of 24 paint lines contain PR106. 2 are made from PR106 alone, which is the closest match when you're switching brands.
- Toxicity
- Toxic: contains mercury Mercury compounds are toxic if swallowed or breathed in as dust. Keep it off your hands and don't sand or spray it.
- Drying
- Medium
- Opacity
- Single-pigment tubes are mostly opaque.
About PR106
History
Vermilion is mercury sulfide. Natural cinnabar was used in antiquity, and a synthetic version has been made since the Middle Ages. It was the main bright red until cadmium red replaced it.
In mixes
Opaque, heavy and a warm orange-red. It can darken in light, and it is very expensive.
Genuine or hue?
Genuine vermilion is mercury sulfide: very expensive, toxic, and it can darken in light. Hues are cheap and stable.
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 PR106, by brand
The best single-pigment PR106 tube from each line, ranked: artists' grade first, then lightfastness, then how firmly the pigment listing is confirmed. Ties are listed alphabetically.
- Michael Harding Genuine VermilionSeries 7 · LF I · Opaque
- Holbein VermilionSeries G · LF I · Opaque
Not sold here by: W&N Artists', Grumbacher, Williamsburg, M. Graham, Gamblin, Old Holland, Rembrandt, Schmincke Mussini, W&N Winton, Georgian, Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Cobra, Art Creation, Lukas 1862, W&N Griffin, Art Spectrum, Langridge, Blockx, Maimeri Puro, Vasari, W&N Artisan.
Made from PR106 alone
Brands: Holbein, Michael Harding.