Top Pigment
Phthalocyanine Green Yellow Shade
PG36
Alternate Names
Phthalo Green YS
Phthalo Green (Cl
Br)
Pigment Description
This merry, high-saturation emerald green which leans a bit more yellow is called Phthalocyanine Green YS or Yellow Shade. In mixes it is the queen of limes. We've used this color to make some of the highest chroma lime greens when mixed with yellow. In phthalos greens, the yellow shade and the blue shade are different pigments, though each may have some sub-varieties within the pigment code.
Michael Harding Phthalo Green Yellow Shade, PG36
Phthalo Green Yellow Shade, PG36, can be thought of as the yellower-green companion to PG7. This color is very dark in masstone, but when thinned for glazes or mixed into tints it is a gorgeous chromatic green. Robert Gamblin suggested that if only PG36 had been invented earlier than the other phthalo green, PG36 would be the more popular one today. We find both greens to be indispensable for a high chroma palette.
Some phthalo greens go by another name depending on the paintmaker, in this case Scheveningen. However the pigment code PG36 helps to identify the color regardless of paint names. Old Holland Scheveningen Green, PG36
While phthalos are less toxic than some other paints, be careful with tubes made before 1982 (or even 1986) as they may contain PCBs as a contaminant. Please also see Monona Rossol's work as well as the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety, which has information that relates to working with pigments which contain copper.
Comparison between the two types of Phthalo Green pigments. PG36 is more yellow green than PG7. Gamblin PG36, Phthalo Emerald on the right and Gamblin Phthalo Green, PG7 on the left
Similar to PG7, the feel of modifiers, stabilizers and extenders are often found in PG36 as well.
Williamsburg Phthalo Green Yellowish, PG36
Resources
PG36 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com,
Spurgeon, Tad. Living Craft: A Painter's Process. Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA: Zoetrope, 2018. Newer version available here: https://www.thomaskitts.com/page/36804/tad-spurgeons-living-craft,
Information about PG36 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors, General information about this class of pigments from Handprint,
Rossol, Monona. The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide. New York, NY : Allworth Press, 2001. The book is rather dated, updated information is available from her website.
Stats
Lightfastness
Excellent
Considered to be ASTM I. This particular pigment was not mentioned in Golden’s recent testing with mixing whites in oil (they mention Phthalo Green, and we’re guessing it’s Blue Shade PG7). It may be useful to compare with their findings for PG7. Their research can be found here.
Transparency
Transparent
Toxicity
Previously thought to be Lower Concern, but may contain contaminants
Tubes made before 1982 (or even pre-1986) may contain PCBs as a contaminant. Current phthalos may also contain contaminants depending on country of manufacture or other variables. Please also see Monona Rossol's work as well as the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety, which has information that relates to working with pigments which contain copper. Treat all pigments and paints with studio safety protocols.
Tinting
High
Dry Time
If fast, probably contains driers
Some varieties dry in 1-2 days, others in 3-5, likely to contain driers
Oil Content
Medium to Medium High
Ranges. Some sources say moderately low by volume, however made into a paint it may be moderately high. By weight, Artiscreation lists about 24g/100g of oil, but your pigment may have different requirements.
Chemical Name
Bromated and Chlorinated Copper Phthalocyanine
DISCLAIMER: Please note that we are not experts in health and safety and we are not toxicologists, please consult the proper experts. We are not liable for any issues that may arise from the use of our website or its contents. The information contained in this site is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. We do not necessarily endorse any other website that are linked from our site. For any important pigment specs, please reference the manufacturer details. If you discover errors or omissions, please reach out through our contact form. Thank you.
