Top Pigment
Bismuth Vanadate Yellow
PY184
Alternate Names
Bismuth Vanadium
Bristol Yellow
Pigment Description
A famous yellow which can come close to some (but not all) cadmium yellows. This hue is typically portrayed as a cool yellow, however in the context of an intense color-mixing project, we found there are differences in this color from brand to brand in oils. Many of the ones we have encountered in oils were a bit warmer than we realized when we compared it with truly acidic lemon yellow cadmiums.
Bismuth Yellow, PY184, by Schincke Mussini
PY184 is light, bright, high chroma, and gorgeous overall. In watercolor, Schmincke's version is a lot brighter and clearer than Daniel Smith's version, which is a rather fascinating lower chroma, lower lightness yellow. Monona Rossol's work notes that natural sources are likely to contain impurities. The Artist's Guide to Health and Safety contains a section on health problems related to pigments containing Vanadium and Bismuth.
Bismuth Vanadate Oil paint by Schmincke Mussini
Resources
PY184 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 PY184 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors,
Alfa Chemistry (n.d. Accessed June 2025). Bismuth Vanadate Yellow (PY184) https://materials.alfachemic.com/major-products/bismuth-vanadate-yellow-py184.html. Alfa Chemistry,
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
Lightfastness tends to be excellent. While it is generally in the Excellent category a couple of mixing whites may bring it to Very Good. According to recent research from Golden, there were two mixing whites where it slid to ASTM II - Very Good, namely Flake White in Linseed and pure Zinc White. In the other mixing whites that were tested it was ASTM I - excellent.
Transparency
Semi-Opaque, Opaque
Depending how a paint is formulated, we have seen Transparent to Opaque paints, however the pigment tends to be Semi-Opaque.
Toxicity
Previously thought to be in the category of Lower Concern, however may contain carcinogenic impurities
Artiscreation also mentions the possibility for carcinogenic impurities. Monona Rossol's work also notes that natural sources are likely to contain impurities. Her Artist's Guide to Health and Safety contains a section on health problems related to pigments containing Vanadium and Bismuth.
Dry Time
Medium
Approximately 2-7 days
Oil Content
Moderate-Medium High
25-26g/100g
Particle Size
Very Fine
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.
