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

May range from Good to Poor

While listed as ASTM I in some source, 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.

Transparency

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

Dry Pigments listing PY73

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.