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Michael Harding
Belladonna - Michael Harding
WatercolourPV23, PR112, PB29
PV23, PR112, PB29

Belladonna

W168 · Series 1
WATERCOLOUR
Series 1
Belladonna No. W168

Pigment HistorySynthetic organic - introduced mid-20th century. A modern pigment with no Old Master equivalent - dioxazine gives painters the deepest, most staining violet on the contemporary palette. The deepest, most transparent violet available - a little makes rich, glowing darks.

Technical Summary

Belladonna is a multi-pigment Michael Harding watercolour made with PV23, PR112, PB29.

It is semi-transparent, very good lightfastness, granulating, non staining staining power, tinting strength 1.

Code
W168
Series
Series 1
Pigment Index
PV23, PR112, PB29
Contents
15ml tube
Lightfastness
Very Good
Opacity
Semi-Opaque
Tint Power
1
Granulation
YES
Staining Power
Non Staining
Safety Data Sheets →
PV23 · Pigment History →PR112 · Pigment History →PB29 · Pigment History →
Colour Science

Measured colour data

Pigment composition, masstone measurements, and tinting paths - independently measured and provided by Artist Pigments.

Pigment Composition
PB29
Ultramarine Blue
CAS 57455-37-5 for paints, CAS 101357-30-6 mostly for industrial application · CI 77007 · CAS 57455-37-5, 101357-30-6 · EC 611-533-9
InorganicSynthetic
PV23
Dioxazine Violet
Carbazole Dioxazine · CI 51319 · CAS 6358-30-1, 215247-95-3 · EC 228-767-9
OrganicSynthetic
PR112
Naphthol Red AS-D
Naphthol · CI 12370 · CAS 6535-46-2 · EC 229-440-3
OrganicSynthetic
Masstone
Measured masstone swatch
X-Rite i1Pro 3 · D50 · Obs 2
CIELab
L 29.74 · a 23.29 · b -18.07
Chroma / Hue
C 29.48 · h 322.19°
Munsell
7.29P 3.0/6.1
ISCC-NBS
dark purple
Transparency
ST
Lightfastness
VG
Info Card
Belladonna info card
Position on Colour Plane
CIELAB colour plane
CIELAB plane - interactive SVG available
Tinting Path - dilution with water
Path plotted on CIELAB plane
Tinting path on CIELAB colour plane
StepLabelCIELabMunsell
0masstoneL 29.74 · a 23.22 · b -18.067.27P 2.96/6.07
1dilution_1L 36.06 · a 25.91 · b -20.257.21P 3.57/7.06
2dilution_2L 44.07 · a 27.33 · b -21.517.12P 4.34/7.99
3dilution_3L 51.27 · a 26.98 · b -21.317.05P 5.05/8.2
4dilution_4L 58.19 · a 25.37 · b -20.067.05P 5.73/7.95
5dilution_5L 64.67 · a 22.9 · b -18.037.07P 6.38/7.39
6dilution_6L 71.53 · a 19.39 · b -15.087.11P 7.08/6.49
7dilution_7L 77.13 · a 15.94 · b -12.097.22P 7.66/5.46
8dilution_8L 82.41 · a 12.26 · b -8.797.38P 8.2/4.23
9dilution_9L 87.36 · a 8.45 · b -5.178.19P 8.71/3.05
10dilution_10L 92.55 · a 3.97 · b -0.563.34RP 9.24/1.94
11dilution_11L 96.51 · a -0.04 · b 3.964.12Y 9.64/1.19
Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Belladonna behaves when mixed, toned, shaded and glazed. Each swatch is computed from the masstone using a perceptual subtractive model - an approximation for guidance, not a formulation guarantee.

Masstone swatch
Masstone
L 29.74 · a 23.29 · b -18.07
7.29P 3.0/6.1

Belladonna straight from the tube.

Undertone
#e6dbe7

A thin wash over white.

Tint
#9d7b9f

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone
#745973

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade
#472f49

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze
#d3c0d4

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Belladonna

Compare with nearby colours

See Belladonna side-by-side with its closest neighbours in the range — chemistry, opacity and lightfastness at a glance.

Scarlet Lake LightW205Cadmium Red LightW406Rich ScarletW212
Mix with Belladonna

Popular combinations

Open Belladonna in the Virtual Mixing Studio to preview how it combines with these partners before you reach for the palette.

Ultramarine Violet→ contrast rangeCadmium Yellow Lemon→ warm rangeBurnt Umber→ earth range
Open Belladonna in Mixing Studio
Palettes featuring Belladonna

Featured in 10 palettes

Giotto
6 colours · Italian Proto-Renaissance
Caravaggio
6 colours · Italian Baroque
Rembrandt
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Vermeer
6 colours · Dutch Golden Age
J. M. W. Turner
7 colours · Romanticism
Claude Monet
7 colours · French Impressionism
Titian
7 colours · Venetian High Renaissance
Anders Zorn
5 colours · Swedish Naturalism
Howard Hodgkin
6 colours · Modern British
Urban Anna
10 colours · Urban Anna Curated Watercolour Set (Set of 10)
Find a Stockist
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Where to buy

Belladonna

Available from 114 verified stockists worldwide

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Belladonna: Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Belladonna?

Belladonna is made with PV23, PR112, PB29.

Is Belladonna a single-pigment colour?

No. Belladonna is a blend of 3 pigments (PV23, PR112, PB29), formulated to give a specific hue.

Is Belladonna transparent or opaque?

Belladonna is semi-transparent.

Is Belladonna lightfast?

Belladonna has very good lightfastness.

Does Belladonna granulate?

In watercolour, Belladonna is granulating.

Does Belladonna stain the paper?

Belladonna has non staining staining power.

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Colour Disclaimer: Colours shown on screen or in print may vary from the actual product. For the most accurate representation of colour, texture and finish, we recommend viewing a physical sample or swatch in person before making your final selection.

Michael Harding

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Handmade in the UK · Est. 1985

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Product Information & Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is based on research and testing conducted by Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd and is intended as general guidance on the characteristics and potential uses of our products in established painting practices.

While we take care to provide accurate and reliable information, individual materials, techniques, working conditions and applications can vary. Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd cannot guarantee that any product will be suitable for every individual purpose or application. Users should carefully read all product labels, instructions and safety information and carry out appropriate testing before use, particularly when developing individual techniques or combining materials.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd makes no express or implied warranties as to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and accepts no liability for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss, arising from the use or application of its products.

Colour Representation

Colours displayed on this website and in printed materials are for guidance only. Their appearance may vary depending on screen settings, device, lighting conditions, printing processes and other factors, and may therefore differ from the appearance of the physical product.

For the most accurate representation of colour, texture and finish, we strongly recommend viewing a physical product sample or swatch in person before making a final selection or purchase. Where colour accuracy is important, please do not rely solely on digital or printed representations.

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