A Quick Guide to Pigment Terms Every Artist Should Know!

Ever looked at a paint tube and thought, “What on earth is Perylene?” You’re not alone! Artist paints often come with fancy names that hint at the pigment’s origin, chemistry, or hue family. Understanding these terms can help you make more informed choices when building your palette. Below, we’ve broken down some common paint tube terms so you can paint smarter – not harder.

Alizarin

A deep red pigment originally derived from madder root; often seen as Alizarin Crimson. It’s known for its rich, transparent colour, though traditional versions can lack lightfastness.

Arylide / Diarylide

Synthetic yellow (arylide) and orange (diarylide) pigments. These bright, modern colours are affordable and widely used, especially in student and professional paints as safer alternatives to older pigments.

Cadmium

A classic range of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Cadmium pigments are bright, opaque and permanent – but toxic. Many modern brands offer “cadmium hue” versions made from safer, synthetic alternatives.

Lake

A pigment made by binding a dye to an inert base, creating bright, often transparent colours. While lakes can be vivid, some have lower lightfastness and are best used with that in mind.

Manganese

Used in pigments like Manganese Blue or Manganese Violet, this element adds soft, granulating effects. Depending on the form, lightfastness can vary, but it offers lovely subtle hues in watercolour and acrylic.

Mars

Synthetic iron oxide pigments such as Mars Black or Mars Red. They’re more vibrant and stable than their natural counterparts, with great opacity and excellent permanence.

Monastral

A trade name for phthalocyanine pigments (like Monastral Blue). These are intense, staining colours with exceptional lightfastness and strong tinting strength – a staple in many modern palettes.

Perylene

Dark, transparent pigments often used in reds, maroons and greens. Known for their subtle richness and outstanding permanence, Perylenes are favoured for glazing and depth.

Quinacridone

A family of vibrant synthetic pigments, often used in reds, pinks and violets. Quinacridones are transparent, highly lightfast and perfect for glazing or mixing luminous secondary colours.

Spectrum

Not a specific pigment, but a term used to describe a balanced or “full spectrum” version of a colour. Common in student paints, it’s usually a synthetic blend designed to mimic a traditional hue.

Want to learn more about pigments and paint types?
Come chat with our staff in-store or check out our Product Guides on the Art Shed Brisbane blog. We’re here to help you find the right colours for your next masterpiece!