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Michael Harding
Cadmium Orange - Michael Harding
WatercolourPO20
PO20

Cadmium Orange

W405 · Series 4
WATERCOLOUR
Series 4
Cadmium Orange No. W405

Pigment HistoryCadmium Orange. Synthetic. Bright, opaque, and permanent - a 20th-century staple.

Technical Summary

Cadmium Orange is a single-pigment Michael Harding watercolour made with PO20.

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

Code
W405
Series
Series 4
Pigment Index
PO20
Contents
15ml tube
Lightfastness
Excellent
Tint Power
4
Granulation
YES
Staining Power
High
Safety Data Sheets →
PO20 · Pigment History →
Colour Science

Measured colour data

Loading measured pigment data…

Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Cadmium Orange 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 71.86 · a 48.44 · b 71.81
2.39YR 7.0/14.7

Cadmium Orange straight from the tube.

Undertone
#fce2d1

A thin wash over white.

Tint
#f29060

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone
#b56a45

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade
#8d3e1f

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze
#faccaf

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Cadmium Orange

Compare with nearby colours

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

Warm Light YellowW104Warm YellowW105Lemon YellowW108
Mix with Cadmium Orange

Popular combinations

Open Cadmium Orange 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 Cadmium Orange in Mixing Studio
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Where to buy

Cadmium Orange

Available from 114 verified stockists worldwide

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Cadmium Orange: Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Cadmium Orange?

Cadmium Orange is made with PO20.

Is Cadmium Orange a single-pigment colour?

Yes. Cadmium Orange uses a single pigment (PO20), so its behaviour stays consistent and predictable on the palette.

Is Cadmium Orange transparent or opaque?

Cadmium Orange is semi-opaque.

Is Cadmium Orange lightfast?

Cadmium Orange has excellent lightfastness.

Does Cadmium Orange granulate?

In watercolour, Cadmium Orange is granulating.

Does Cadmium Orange stain the paper?

Cadmium Orange has high staining power.

Is Cadmium Orange vegan?

Yes. Cadmium Orange contains no animal-derived ingredients and is suitable for vegan artists.

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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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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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