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Colour Index Code
PB15
Phthalocyanine Blue
- Chemistry
- Copper phthalocyanine
- Origin
- Synthetic organic.
- History
- Discovered 1935; extremely strong, transparent, and permanent.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic.
Phthalocyanine Blue (PB15) is Copper phthalocyanine. In our watercolour range it is transparent, yes granulation, excellent lightfastness.
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Granulation
- YES
- Staining
- High
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
PB15: Questions & Answers
What is PB15?
PB15 (Phthalocyanine Blue) is Copper phthalocyanine. Synthetic organic..
What is the chemistry of PB15?
PB15 is Copper phthalocyanine.
Is PB15 toxic?
Non-toxic.
Is PB15 lightfast?
In the Michael Harding range, colours using PB15 are rated excellent for lightfastness.
Is PB15 transparent or opaque?
PB15 is transparent.
Does PB15 granulate?
In watercolour, PB15 is granulating.
Which Michael Harding colours use PB15?
PB15 appears in 24 Michael Harding colours: Vivid Blue, Caribbean Turquoise, Aqua Green, Phthalo Blue & Titanium White, Phthalocyanine Blue Lake, Phthalocyanine Blue Red Shade and 18 more.
Pigment History
The story of PB15
The strongest, most transparent blue on the modern palette - a little goes a very long way.
How it is made
Phthalo blue is synthesised from phthalic anhydride and copper salts, then finished as a fine, intensely strong powder. Only a small amount is needed in oil, so the miller’s skill is in taming its overwhelming tinting strength without losing transparency.
In the hands of the masters
Too modern for the Old Masters, phthalo blue became the intense, transparent blue of post-war painting and illustration; it underpins modern cyan printing and the deep blues of contemporary realism.
Origin
Synthetic organic - discovered by accident in 1935.
Chemistry
Copper phthalocyanine, a synthetic organic pigment.
Michael Harding colours using PB15
24 colours across both rangesLightfastness: ExcellentOil Colours containing PB15
12 coloursNo. 240 Vivid Blue
Series 2
OpaqueAverageCoolⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PW6, PB15.3, PG7
- Type
- Organic/Inorganic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- Low
- Tint Power
- Average
No. 229 Caribbean Turquoise
Series 2
TransparentFastCoolⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PB15.3, PG7, PY74
- Type
- Organic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- High
- Tint Power
- High
No. 251 Aqua Green
Series 2
TransparentFastCoolⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PG7, PB15.3
- Type
- Organic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- High
- Tint Power
- High
No. 114 Phthalo Blue & Titanium White
Series 1
OpaqueAverageCoolⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PW6, PB15.3
- Type
- Inorganic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- Low
- Tint Power
- Average
No. 209 Phthalocyanine Blue Lake
Series 2
TransparentFastCoolⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PB15.3
- Type
- Organic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- High
- Tint Power
- High
No. 231 Phthalocyanine Blue Red Shade
Series 2
TransparentFastWarmⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PB15.1
- Type
- Organic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- High
- Tint Power
- High
No. 210 Phthalocyanine Turquoise
Series 2
OpaqueAverageCoolⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PB15.3, PG7, PW6
- Type
- Organic/Inorganic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- Low
- Tint Power
- Average
No. 252 Cosmic Blue
Series 2
Semi-TransparentAverageCool
- Pigment
- PBk11, PB15.1
- Type
- Inorganic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- High
- Tint Power
- Average
No. 228 Indigo
Series 2
TransparentAverageCoolⓋ Vegan
- Pigment
- PBk6, PB15.3, PV19
- Type
- Organic/Inorganic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- High
- Tint Power
- High
No. 250 Forest Green
Series 2
Semi-TransparentFastCool
- Pigment
- PBr7, PB15.1
- Type
- Organic/Inorganic
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Oil Content
- Average
- Tint Power
- High
Watercolours containing PB15
12 colours
No. W137 Phthalocyanine Blue Lake
Series 1
TransparentCool
- Pigment
- PB15.3
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 4
No. W139 Phthalo Blue Red Shade
Series 1
TransparentCool
- Pigment
- PB15.1
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 4
No. W114 Sky Blue (Phthalo)
Series 1
Semi-TransparentCool
- Pigment
- PW4, PB15.3
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 3
No. W143 Vivid Blue
Series 1
OpaqueCool
- Pigment
- PW6, PW4, PB15.3, PG7
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 1
No. W140 Phthalocyanine Turquoise
Series 1
OpaqueCool
- Pigment
- PW6, PW4, PB15.3, PG7
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 3
No. W151 Caribbean Turquoise
Series 1
TransparentCool
- Pigment
- PB15.3, PG7
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 4
No. W167 Aqua Green
Series 1
TransparentCool
- Pigment
- PG7, PB15.3
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 3
No. W164 Forest Green
Series 1
Semi-TransparentCool
- Pigment
- PBr7, PB15.1
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 3
No. W162 Olive Green
Series 1
Semi-OpaqueWarm
- Pigment
- PR101, PY180, PB15.3
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 4
No. W227 Cosmic Blue
Series 2
Semi-TransparentCool
- Pigment
- PBk11, PB15.1
- Lightfastness
- Excellent
- Tint Power
- 3
| Colour | Medium | Transparency | Lightfastness | Granulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivid Blue No. 240 | Oil | Opaque | Excellent | — |
| Caribbean Turquoise No. 229 | Oil | Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Aqua Green No. 251 | Oil | Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Phthalo Blue & Titanium White No. 114 | Oil | Opaque | Excellent | — |
| Phthalocyanine Blue Lake No. 209 | Oil | Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Phthalocyanine Blue Red Shade No. 231 | Oil | Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Phthalocyanine Turquoise No. 210 | Oil | Opaque | Excellent | — |
| Cosmic Blue No. 252 | Oil | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Indigo No. 228 | Oil | Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Forest Green No. 250 | Oil | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Olive Green No. 237 | Oil | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | — |
| Neutral Tint No. 139 | Oil | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | — |
| Phthalocyanine Blue Lake W137 | Watercolour | Transparent | Excellent | YES |
| Phthalo Blue Red Shade W139 | Watercolour | Transparent | Excellent | YES |
| Sky Blue (Phthalo) W114 | Watercolour | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | NO |
| Vivid Blue W143 | Watercolour | Opaque | Excellent | NO |
| Phthalocyanine Turquoise W140 | Watercolour | Opaque | Excellent | NO |
| Caribbean Turquoise W151 | Watercolour | Transparent | Excellent | YES |
| Aqua Green W167 | Watercolour | Transparent | Excellent | NO |
| Forest Green W164 | Watercolour | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | YES |
| Olive Green W162 | Watercolour | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | YES |
| Cosmic Blue W227 | Watercolour | Semi-Transparent | Excellent | YES |
| Indigo W150 | Watercolour | Transparent | Good | YES |
| Neutral Tint W106 | Watercolour | Semi-Opaque | Excellent | YES |
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