WatercolourPR108

PR108

Cadmium Red

W407 · Series 4

WATERCOLOUR

Series 4

Cadmium Red No. W407

Pigment HistoryPR108—Synthetic - cadmium selenide/sulphide, introduced c.1910. Cadmium red came too late for the Old Masters but defined modern colour - from Matisse’s reds to Hockney’s, its opacity and brilliance transformed the 20th-century palette. The benchmark modern red - bright, opaque and permanent, though it requires care because of its cadmium content.

Technical Summary

Cadmium Red is a single-pigment Michael Harding watercolour made with PR108.

It is semi-opaque, excellent lightfastness, granulating, medium staining power, tinting strength 3.

Code: W407
Series: Series 4
Pigment Index: PR108
Contents: 15ml tube
Lightfastness: Excellent
Transparency: Semi-Opaque
Tint Power: 3
Granulation: YES
Staining Power: Medium

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PR108 · Pigment History →

Colour Science

Measured colour data

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Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Cadmium Red 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

L 46.94 · a 61.57 · b 32.7

5.27R 4.5/13.9

Cadmium Red straight from the tube.

Undertone

#f9d8dd

A thin wash over white.

Tint

#e4737f

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone

#aa535b

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade

#802a33

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze

#f4bbc2

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Cadmium Red

Compare with nearby colours

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

Scarlet Lake LightW205 Cadmium Red LightW406 Rich ScarletW212

Mix with Cadmium Red

Popular combinations

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

Ultramarine Violet→ violet range Cadmium Yellow Lemon→ orange range Burnt Umber→ earth range

Open Cadmium Red in Mixing Studio

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Cadmium Red

Available from 114 verified stockists worldwide

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Cadmium Red : Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Cadmium Red ?

Cadmium Red is made with PR108.

Is Cadmium Red a single-pigment colour?

Yes. Cadmium Red uses a single pigment (PR108), so its behaviour stays consistent and predictable on the palette.

Is Cadmium Red transparent or opaque?

Cadmium Red is semi-opaque.

Is Cadmium Red lightfast?

Cadmium Red has excellent lightfastness.

Does Cadmium Red granulate?

In watercolour, Cadmium Red is granulating.

Does Cadmium Red stain the paper?

Cadmium Red has medium staining power.

Is Cadmium Red vegan?

No. Michael Harding watercolours contain a small amount of honey, so the finished paint is not vegan.

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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.

Cadmium Red

Measured colour data

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Compare with nearby colours

Popular combinations

Cadmium Red

More watercolours

Cadmium Red Light

Cadmium Red Deep

Quinacridone Bronze

Cobalt Blue

What pigment is used in Cadmium Red ?

Is Cadmium Red a single-pigment colour?

Is Cadmium Red transparent or opaque?

Is Cadmium Red lightfast?

Does Cadmium Red granulate?

Does Cadmium Red stain the paper?

Is Cadmium Red vegan?

Artist Reviews