Matisse Red Light | Matisse acrylic paint

Historical Roots: Failed Experiments and Fast Cars

 

Matisse Red Light's story begins with the fiery Pyrrole pigment PR254, also known as 'Ferrari Red' due to its prominent use in automotive coatings. Like many colours, the discovery of PR254 pivots on a science experiment gone awry. In 1974, Chemistry professor Donald G Farnum accidentally synthesised this vibrant new pigment while searching for another chemical compound. Scrutinising the bold red residue lining his flask – the result of an unintended reaction - Farnum deemed the experiment a failure, but nevertheless published his findings. 

Almost a decade later, Swiss chemists at Ciba-Geigy realised the latent potential of Farnum’s research, patenting and developing the dazzling pigment now synonymous with high-end sports cars and leisure crafts. Prior to this, red car paints were prone to fade and chalk rapidly, so it’s no surprise the motor vehicle industry embraced PR254 for its remarkable lightfastness and unparalleled durability against environmental stressors. Its striking hue and capacity to withstand the elements make this Pyrrole pigment an excellent base for Matisse Red Light, ensuring both brilliance and longevity for artists who have come to expect no less from Matisse - as an ASTM 1 lightfast colour. 

 

Enduring Impressions: Colour Mixing with Matisse Red Light

 

Matisse Red Light is a clean and pure scarlet red, the colour of fire engines and ripe currants. Like most scarlet hues, this red is wonderful for mixing light flesh tones in portrait painting and is an impactful, straight-out-of-the-tube standalone colour. Semi-transparent in nature, it is also suitable for seductive glazes, yet still offers generous coverage in mass tone.

This balanced colour can be applied with confidence across all painting techniques, thanks to its exceptional lightfastness and stability that surpass even the most robust Cadmium reds. A temperate yet no less pronounced middle ground between the cool violet undertones of Quinacridone and orangish warmth of Cadmium reds, Matisse Red Light makes for a versatile painting companion.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse Red Light (SDS)

To view or download a copy of Matisse Red Light SDS, please  CLICK HERE * (271kb)  
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