Cadmium red orange

Cadmium red orange is a synthetic red-orange pigment powder made of cadmium sulfoselenide. It is a bright, warm, opaque color between cadmium orange and cadmium red light, with high tinting strength and excellent lightfastness, used in oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor and gouache for vivid warm reds and oranges.

Key facts

• Color: bright red-orange
• Pigment type: Synthetic inorganic pigment (cadmium pigment)
• Colour Index: C.I. 77202 (cadmium sulfoselenide)
• Composition: cadmium sulfoselenide, a solid solution of cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium selenide (CdSe)
• Origin: synthetic
• Opacity: opaque
• Lightfastness: excellent, like other cadmium sulfoselenides
• Chemical resistance: decomposed by strong acids
• Suitable for: oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache
• Packaging: 50 g jar · 1 kg bag

How to use

Mix the powder into linseed oil, acrylic medium, egg yolk or gum arabic with a palette knife or glass muller. It covers and tints strongly, so use it pure for bright accents or in small amounts to warm reds and yellows. Avoid mixing it with copper pigments such as azurite or malachite and with lead pigments, which can form dark sulfides, and keep it away from acids, which release toxic hydrogen sulfide from it. Never spray or sand cadmium paint.

About cadmium red orange

Cadmium pigments take their color from cadmium sulfide, and adding cadmium selenide shifts it toward red: depending on the sulfur-to-selenium ratio, the pigment is classed as Pigment Orange 20 or Pigment Red 108, both under C.I. 77202. Cadmium red orange contains more selenium than Cadmium orange and less than Cadmium red light, so in our range it sits between the two.

Safety

Contains cadmium compounds (a toxic heavy metal): breathing the dust is the main risk, so do not inhale or swallow it; dispose of residues and wash water as hazardous waste, never into drains. Handle dry pigment with care: avoid breathing the dust and contact with eyes. Wear a dust mask (FFP2/N95) and gloves when working with the powder, work in a well-ventilated area and wipe up spills with a damp cloth. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working; wash your hands afterwards. Keep away from children and pets. For artistic and technical use only — not for cosmetics, food or tattoos.

FAQ

Is cadmium red orange lightfast?

Yes. Cadmium sulfoselenide pigments are known for excellent lightfastness and keep their color in light.

How is it different from Cadmium orange and Cadmium red light?

All three are cadmium sulfoselenides. Cadmium red orange is redder than Cadmium orange and more orange than Cadmium red light, a vivid in-between shade.