Cadmium-Free Red Medium | Matisse acrylic paint

Cadmium Free Red Medium | Matisse acrylic paint

From their inception in the early 20th Century, artists have increasingly favoured Cadmium pigments for their vibrance, mass tonal strength and longevity. These brilliant and opaque new colours were a welcome alternative to the extreme toxicity of traditional pigments such as Vermillion, composed of pure mercurial sulphide.

However, the issue of toxicity in material practice remained, and questions regarding Cadmium’s own hazardous nature as a heavy metal were raised by artists. Attending to these concerns, Derivan’s standard Cadmium pigments have been acid washed to eliminate all bio-available heavy metals and are the safest available on market.

Continuing to strive for safety and excellence, Derivan have created this robust new colour, through a manufacturing process that retains the brilliance of time-honoured Cadmium paints, with zero associated risks. 

The result is a vibrant, outstanding alternative to the traditional Cadmium range of pigments. Artists working intimately with their materials can enjoy the full gamut of effects often attributed to these colours safely and without compromise to quality. 

Colour Mixing with Cadmium Free Red Medium

Cadmium-Free Red Medium is a versatile colour that replicates the same intensity as its predecessor, favoured by artists for its ripe, blood-red hue and high lightfastness. Boasting remarkable opacity, this vibrant paint is a popular stalwart on any standard mixing palettes, offering unparalleled covering power.

 

Will you be keeping the original Cadmium Red Medium?

The traditional, time-tested Cadmium paints, such as Cadmium Red Medium, will remain in our Matisse Acrylic range. The new Cadmium Free Red Medium is a wonderful alternative, though not a replacement to this exceptional colour. Though there may be subtle variations between a new and colour or pigment and its precursor, we are exceptionally happy with the results.