This pigment crops up everywhere, and it is gorgeous in tints, but not nearly as lightfast as some of the other reds when lightened. Still this makes a lovely ingredient for certain pinks. Also called Naphthol Red AS-D (for clarity it is just one of several Napthols out there- and we’ve seen some confusion in how they are labeled so it may not be the only AS-D among them).
We were shocked to find out in Monona Rossol's writing on pigments that it has a similarity to dyes that cause cancer, may metabolize to a carcinogen, and cause methemoglobenemia as well as other problems-- see her research for more. It is often found in cadmium replacements, so its own toxicity is interesting to note.
Unfortunately Napthol Red PR112 also fades more than we would like to see in an artist color. Also, in oil this color showed surprising reactivity with lead white and will shift color in minutes. See Golden's Lightfastness Testing in Oils for more.
I used to absolutely adore this color and I only wish it were more lightfast. It makes the most interesting red tones in skin for portraiture- a lyrical red-pink with an orange hint. It was one of my most favorite colors that I used to use as a student before I found out it was not lightfast. PR112 is commonly found in artist and professional ranges. Sometimes even very respected brands will have it in their convenience blends as it creates such lovely mixes.
