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40 New Anniversary Oil Colours - Now Available Explore Collections

Michael Harding
Olive Green - Michael Harding
WatercolourPR101, PY180, PB15.3
PR101, PY180, PB15.3

Olive Green

W162 · Series 1
WATERCOLOUR
Series 1
Olive Green No. W162
Pigments in this colour

PR101—Synthetic - controlled-precipitation iron oxide. The natural iron oxides - red ochre, bole - are among the oldest pigments, found in prehistoric cave art and the flesh tones of every era. The synthetic Mars versions give modern painters that same permanence with cleaner, brighter hues. Permanent, opaque and fast-drying - the modern, predictable face of the earth-red family.

PY180—Yellow Lake. Synthetic organic. A transparent yellow used for lakes and clean mixing.

PB15.3—Phthalocyanine Blue (green shade). Synthetic organic. A stabilised green-shade phthalo blue; very strong and permanent.

Technical Summary

Olive Green is a multi-pigment Michael Harding watercolour made with PR101, PY180, PB15.3.

It is semi-opaque, excellent lightfastness, granulating, high staining power, tinting strength 4.

Code
W162
Series
Series 1
Pigment Index
PR101, PY180, PB15.3
Contents
15ml tube
Lightfastness
Excellent
Transparency
Semi-Opaque
Tint Power
4
Granulation
YES
Staining Power
High
Colour Science

Measured colour data

Loading measured pigment data…

Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Olive Green 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 35.62 · a -5.87 · b 12.47
4.11GY 3.5/2.2

Olive Green straight from the tube.

Undertone
#e6e6da

A thin wash over white.

Tint
#9b9d77

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone
#727356

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade
#45472d

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze
#d2d3be

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Olive Green

Compare with nearby colours

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

Mix with Olive Green

Popular combinations

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

Open Olive Green in Mixing Studio
Palettes featuring Olive Green

Featured in 1 palette

Where to buy

Olive Green

Available from 113 verified stockists worldwide

Store locator
Olive Green: Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Olive Green?

Olive Green is made with PR101, PY180, PB15.3.

Is Olive Green a single-pigment colour?

No. Olive Green is a blend of 3 pigments (PR101, PY180, PB15.3), formulated to give a specific hue.

Is Olive Green transparent or opaque?

Olive Green is semi-opaque.

Is Olive Green lightfast?

Olive Green has excellent lightfastness.

Does Olive Green granulate?

In watercolour, Olive Green is granulating.

Does Olive Green stain the paper?

Olive Green has high staining power.

Is Olive Green vegan?

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

Artist Reviews

5.0· 2 reviews
A
Allan Gardner6 Aug 2026

It creates a vibrant, dynamic foundation…

It creates a vibrant, dynamic foundation for your painting.

A
Allan Gardner6 Aug 2026

The Olive Green coloured Primer is…

The Olive Green coloured Primer is perhaps the most exciting of the new range.

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.

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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