Cadmium yellow light

Cadmium yellow light is a synthetic lemon-yellow pigment powder made of cadmium sulfide with zinc sulfide (PY35). It gives a bright, clean, opaque light yellow with high tinting strength, used in oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor and gouache for pure yellows and fresh greens and oranges in mixtures.

Key facts

• Color: bright, light lemon yellow
• Pigment type: Synthetic inorganic pigment (cadmium pigment)
• Colour Index: PY35 (C.I. 77205)
• Composition: cadmium zinc sulfide, a solid solution of cadmium sulfide (CdS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS)
• Origin: synthetic
• Opacity: opaque
• Lightfastness: 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (supplier data); pale cadmium yellows are the shades most prone to fading in strong sunlight
• Chemical resistance: alkali 5/5, lime 5/5 (supplier data, 5 = best); decomposed by strong acids
• Suitable for: oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache
• Packaging: 25 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 disperses easily and covers well. Keep it apart from copper pigments such as azurite, malachite or verdigris and from lead pigments, which can form dark sulfides with it, and away from acids, which decompose it and release toxic hydrogen sulfide. Never spray or sand cadmium paint.

About cadmium yellow light

Cadmium was discovered in Germany in 1817 as an impurity in zinc carbonate. Its yellow sulfide was soon recognized as a pigment, but cadmium yellows became widely available to artists only in the 1840s, when enough of the metal was produced. Adding zinc sulfide gives lighter, greener yellows such as this one; adding selenium instead leads to the cadmium oranges and reds.

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 yellow light lightfast?

Yes. It is rated 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (supplier data). Pale cadmium yellows are the shades most likely to fade in strong sunlight, so avoid long direct sun on finished work.

How is it different from Kron lead yellow?

Cadmium yellow light is cadmium zinc sulfide, rated 8 of 8 for lightfastness. Kron lead yellow is chrome yellow (lead chromate), which darkens with age and contains both lead and chromate.