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Alternatives to Discontinued Quinacridones
A pigment is “discontinued” most likely, when a pigment manufacturer ceases production. In turn, this creates a ripple effect in the artist industry. Sometimes we can locate another manufacturer that offers the same pigment. Often, we cannot. Unable to find another source, we are forced to discontinue some beloved paint colors. This is the case with (PO206) that we call Quinacridone Burnt Orange. Not only is this fiery and versatile pigment used to make one color, but it was also a key component in making Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold and Quinacridone Crimson.
These three colors were produced in most of the GOLDEN Acrylic Paint lines, QoR Modern Watercolors, Williamsburg Handmade Oil Paints, and many other artist materials manufacturers.
The loss of these three “quins” creates a hole in our color offerings and as artists run low on these colors, they’ll need paints with similar properties. Our R&D Laboratory and Material & Application Specialists are actively working on replicating these colors as closely as possible, employing both pigments we already have in-house and others that we are bringing in to evaluate their potential. While we may be able to match some aspects, there is often a compromise of these properties with an emphasis on the most critical ones. These colors were known for their rich undertones resulting in vibrant glazes and washes, so this attribute takes center stage.
Mixing a Quinacridone Burnt Orange Hue
Quinacridone Burnt Orange (PO206) is where we will start because it can be used to recreate the other two paints. The most direct approach is to start with Transparent Red Iron Oxide (PR101) as a base and add Quinacridone Magenta (PR122) at a 10:3 “parts” ratio. This mixture is then deepened with a very small amount (0.1 parts) of Phthalo Green Blue Shade (PG7).
Quinacridone Burnt Orange was used in Quinacridone Crimson, originally a blend of (PO48) and a quinacridone pigment (PR202) similar to our Quinacridone Magenta (PR122).
Quinacridone Magenta mixed with Transparent Red Iron Oxide – and just a touch of Phthalo Green Blue Shade (by weight, 4:4:0.1) results in a satisfactory crimson. Adjust the Phthalo Green Blue Shade to deepen your mix as desired.
GOLDEN Heavy Body Quinacridone Crimson during final milling.
How will you replace these colors on your palette?
We will continue looking at our several options that will allow us to replace these lost colors and which pigments give us the best alternative mix. We may try to recreate all three quinacridones, as well as add some new pigment/paint options in our paints or both. So please be sure to let us know your thoughts and any questions you may have.
Comment below or contact the Material Application Specialists if have any questions or if you’d like to share a recipe that works for you.
PRO.color Foundation Mixing Pigment
Why is it so hard to find that perfect foundation match? Well, now your foundation has met its match. Introducing the PRO.color Foundation Mixing Pigment. 4 pigments adjust the color of your foundation to give you an exact match that’s as unique as you. The White, Blue and Orange are formulated with the same soft matte finish as our PRO.matte Foundation to ensure consistency in the formula. The blue has a translucent, gel-like texture to keep it easy to work with, so your foundation looks like you, and not blue.
Let’s get mixing!
- Customize your foundation shade to match you
- Shift undertones warmer & cooler
- White, yellow & orange have a soft matte finish
- Blue mixing pigment as a translucent, gel formula
- Cruelty-free, paraben-free & vegan
White – lightens your foundation, perfect for adjusting your summer color to match your winter tone.
Yellow – gives your foundation a golden undertone.
Orange – shifts foundation to a warmer undertone, ideal for medium to dark foundations.
Blue – Neutralizes foundation. If your foundation is too warm or orange looking, add a little blue to bring it back to a neutral undertone.
Tip: add blue mixer to a yellow undertone foundation to create an olive undertone.
Tip: Use the white mixer as a white foundation for an artistic or Halloween makeup look.
Use with PRO.matte Foundation for best results.
How to Apply
Start with your daily usage of foundation and mix in a quarter pump of the PRO.color Foundation Mixing Pigment. If you need more, add a quarter pump at a time, until you have reached your perfect match.
Mix on the back of your clean hand, or on a mixing palette.
Once you know how much mixing pigment makes your perfect match, you can repeat the same ratio each day until your skin tone changes.
