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Michael Harding
Van Dyke Brown - Michael Harding
WatercolourPBr8
PBr8

Van Dyke Brown

W134 · Series 1
WATERCOLOUR
Series 1
Van Dyke Brown No. W134

Pigment HistoryPBR8—Van Dyke Brown. Natural organic earth. A historic brown from lignite; warm, transparent, and somewhat fugitive.

Technical Summary

Van Dyke Brown is a single-pigment Michael Harding watercolour made with PBr8.

It is opaque, very good lightfastness, granulating, low staining power, tinting strength 2.

Code
W134
Series
Series 1
Pigment Index
PBr8
Contents
15ml tube
Lightfastness
Very Good
Transparency
Opaque
Tint Power
2
Granulation
YES
Staining Power
Low
Safety Data Sheets →
PBR8 · Pigment History →
Colour Science

Measured colour data

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

Pigment Composition
PBr8
Manganese Brown
Mn(OH)x · CI 77727, 77730 · CAS 317-35-7
Inorganic
Masstone
Measured masstone swatch
X-Rite i1Pro 3 · D50 · Obs 2
CIELab
L 29.82 · a 3.91 · b 6.09
Chroma / Hue
C 7.24 · h 57.33°
Munsell
7.58YR 2.9/1.1
ISCC-NBS
brownish gray
Transparency
O
Lightfastness
VG
Info Card
Van Dyke Brown 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 29.82 · a 3.88 · b 6.117.64YR 2.94/1.1
1dilution_1L 35.33 · a 4.6 · b 8.578.31YR 3.47/1.43
2dilution_2L 41.9 · a 5.1 · b 10.768.57YR 4.1/1.73
3dilution_3L 47.83 · a 5.25 · b 12.18.79YR 4.67/1.96
4dilution_4L 53.86 · a 5.16 · b 12.858.97YR 5.27/2.1
5dilution_5L 59.93 · a 4.84 · b 13.09.09YR 5.87/2.08
6dilution_6L 66.82 · a 4.24 · b 12.449.23YR 6.57/1.95
7dilution_7L 72.77 · a 3.57 · b 11.359.34YR 7.18/1.76
8dilution_8L 78.59 · a 2.82 · b 9.819.44YR 7.79/1.5
9dilution_9L 84.31 · a 2.02 · b 7.99.64YR 8.38/1.16
10dilution_10L 90.75 · a 1.03 · b 5.50.45Y 9.05/0.78
11dilution_11L 96.51 · a -0.04 · b 3.964.12Y 9.64/1.19
Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Van Dyke Brown 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 29.82 · a 3.91 · b 6.09
7.58YR 2.9/1.1

Van Dyke Brown straight from the tube.

Undertone
#e2dfdd

A thin wash over white.

Tint
#90867f

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone
#6a625b

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade
#3d3733

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze
#ccc6c2

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Van Dyke Brown

Compare with nearby colours

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

Turners YellowW216Ochre Icles LemonW156New GambogeW229
Mix with Van Dyke Brown

Popular combinations

Open Van Dyke Brown 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 Van Dyke Brown in Mixing Studio
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Van Dyke Brown

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Van Dyke Brown: Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Van Dyke Brown?

Van Dyke Brown is made with PBr8.

Is Van Dyke Brown a single-pigment colour?

Yes. Van Dyke Brown uses a single pigment (PBR8), so its behaviour stays consistent and predictable on the palette.

Is Van Dyke Brown transparent or opaque?

Van Dyke Brown is opaque.

Is Van Dyke Brown lightfast?

Van Dyke Brown has very good lightfastness.

Does Van Dyke Brown granulate?

In watercolour, Van Dyke Brown is granulating.

Does Van Dyke Brown stain the paper?

Van Dyke Brown has low staining power.

Is Van Dyke Brown 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.

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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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