Arylide Yellow GX
PY73
Alternate Name
Hansa Yellow GX
Pigment Description
This color was removed from Golden's paint blends for lightfastness issues, but it is used by four or five paintmakers as a single-pigment paint. It is generally a slow drier. Historically this pigment was rated as LFII, however changes in the way it is manufactured may be part of its trend toward LFIII. Golden opted to replace PY73 in their line with PY154. See their Hansa update for more.
We were surprised to see in the "B" class for toxicity, meaning it does have some. According to Monona Rossol's research, this color may metabolize to a carcinogen and also may cause methemoglobinemia. See Monona Rossol's writing for further information.
Resources
PY73 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com
Information about PY73 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors,
Jackson, Ulysses (2018, February 1). Always Striving for the Best: The Introduction of Benzimidazolone Yellow Medium (PY154) & Benzimidazolone Yellow Light (PY175) https://justpaint.org/hansa-update/. Just Paint, Golden Artist Colors,
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
Various, Good to Poor
While listed as ASTM I in some sources, significant doubt has been raised as to this pigments’ reliability. Its lightfastness varies depending on when the pigment was manufactured and overall may be less lightfast than was thought. There was a trend noted in Golden’s Testing of PY73 moving toward ASTM II or even ASTM III (Poor) in tints. Even back in the 1980s, the NPIRI reported “appreciable” change in tints for both indoor and outdoor (Florida) lightfastness tests.
Transparency
Semi-Opaque, Semi-Transparent, Transparent
Some oil paints list their single-pigment paints as transparent, though other sources describe the pigment as semi-transparent.
Toxicity
Hazard, Use more caution. Artiscreation says, "Hazard if carelessly handled, ingested in large amounts or over long periods of time; Do not ingest; Avoid dust & spray."
According to Monona Rossol's research, this color may metabolize to a carcinogen and also may cause methemoglobinemia. See Monona Rossol's writing for further information. Treat all pigments and paints with studio safety protocols.
Dry Time
Slow to Very Slow
May contain driers
Oil Content
Medium to Medium High
Medium by volume, but when made into a paint sometimes it is medium-high.
Chemical Name
monoazo acetoacetyl, GX, arylide yellow
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