What does a Paint’s Label mean?: Lightfastness, Series, etc.

I know that I said I would write next about the importance of cool and warm colors, but first I think I need to explain a few things about the tube of paint itself, specifically the label.

We are going to start left and work our way around.

ASTM Rating: This is the lightfastness of the paint and is a type of standard throughout the oil painting industry. You want a lightfastness of I, and sometimes II. Any lower than that and your paint will change color with time and exposure to light. In fact, never purchase anything lower than a II, it just isn't worth it.

A good example of this is the color alizarin which has a lightfastness of III. This is not good. It means the color is very fugitive, and will change color quickly. However, it is a favorite color of just about everyone. In fact, Turner was once told that the alizarin he used in his paintings would change color with time and he thought it was perfectly poetic. He continued to use the color. Now there is a synthetic alizarin called Alizarin Permanent. A couple of companies make it, Gamblin being one of them. It is the same exact "color," but not pigments. The permanent version is made of different, more colorfast pigments. I love it.

Also never purchase a tube of paint without the ASTM rating. It is optional for the company to print it, but if they aren't willing to tell you, walk away.

Opacity rating: This will tell you if the paint is opaque, semi-transparent, or transparent. I will write more about this in a separate post.

Pigment Content: This will tell you what pigments were used to make that color.

Vehicle Used: In oil paints the binder, the thing that holds the pigment particles together, is oil. However, it is not always the same oil from manufacturer to manufacturer. Linseed has been the oil of choice since the beginning of oil painting centuries ago; however you will also see walnut and safflower oil.

Permanence Rating: This is something made up. What you need to pay attention to is the lightfastness.

Series Number: The higher the series number the more expensive the paint. Series 1 should be relatively cheap in comparison to a series 2 to 5, which would be mega expensive. If you are paying a lot of money for a Series 1 or 2 tube, you are getting ripped off. The cost is associated with the expense of the pigments inside the tube of paint.

The label is usually very helpful, but can also be misleading. Remember, some of these painting companies are just that, big corporations out to make as much money as possible. Avoid paints with "hue" or "mixture" in the title. These are usually inferior pigments masquerading as a better quality paint.

For more about painting check out my main Tips and Techniques page.