Comments on: What’s Your Black?

By: Jim Harris

Jim Harris — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:51:44 +0000

I like a lot of blacks, but I’m with Christine on using Mussini as a favorite. I love their Ivory Black for a choice that is not too strong of a tinter, but still very clean tinting (and smooth spreading/blending). I agree to with her about their permanent mixture of Asphaltum — great for glazing and warm mixes (not to be confused with the original nasty Asphaltum, made from tar).

The black I use the most is Vasari Mars Black. I like its color, and the faster drying. I like all three Vasari blacks — all slightly different.

I used Blockx Mars Black for my tubed set of neutral greys, along with OH Cremnitz and Titanium, Mussini Burnt Sienna and OH Burnt Umber.

I just got some of the new production WN Artist Mars Black, and in limited comparison testing, would like to confirm Dave Corcoran’s observation that it is the most neutral when mixed with white (lead/titanium) from the tube of any blacks I’ve tried so far, and handles well. It’s not perfectly neutral, but pretty close.

By: Stephen Magsig

Stephen Magsig — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:15:49 +0000

Williamsburg Mars Black and Black Roman Earth

By: jeff

jeff — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:48:26 +0000

I Use Williamsburg Ivory, Lamp, Mars and Black Roman Earth.
I also have a tube of Blockx Ivory black.

The black I use most is Ivory and Mars. Black Roman Earth is great for mixing neutrals.

Sorry I forgot the “I”.

By: jeff

jeff — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:47:09 +0000

Use Williamsburg Ivory, Lamp, Mars and Black Roman Earth.
I also have a tube of Blockx Ivory black.

The black I use most is Ivory and Mars. Black Roman Earth is great for mixing neutrals.

By: Arletha

Arletha — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:57:49 +0000

I use Gamblin oils. I find Ivory Black is best all around mixer.
Mars black seems to be about 3 times stronger. Chromatic Black ia a neutral black made without carbon, there is less smudge effect when mixing. Van Dyke Brown serves as a warmer darkener. Gamblin also, makes Black Spinel it is a matte black works like Flake White only it is black

By: christine mercer-vernon

christine mercer-vernon — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:27:36 +0000

it’s funny lisa, the only time i’ve used ivory black is when i take a workshop with you, otherwise i don’t use it. i have two blacks in my palette that i use on occasion… Schmincke Mussini Mineral Black - a blue black that almost reminds me as though it has some prussian blue in it, it makes nice blue grays with white and lovely violets when mixed with alizarin crimson + tit. or zinc white, and… Schmincke Mussini Asphaltum black translucent - which is more of a brown color that i use for glazing.

By: Matthew D. Innis

Matthew D. Innis — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:43:36 +0000

I like the Williamsburg Black Roman Earth, which gives warmer grays than their German Earth. I also use Vasari Ivory Black, which is very similar to Winsor Newton’s, but very sparingly; I find ivory black too blue for my tastes. I much prefer those two particular earth blacks from Williamsburg to ivory black.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:30:36 +0000

I like W&N Winton Ivory Black. It’s the only cheap paint I’ve come to love out of all the ones I’ve tried. I enjoy the fact that is has a very low tinting strength so it’s simple to control well.

I’m also fond of Williamsburg Black German Earth, kinda neutral.