Umber natural dark

Umber natural dark is a natural raw umber pigment powder with a high manganese content (up to 20%, supplier data), which makes it a very dark, cool brown with an olive tone, close to black-brown. It is the darkest of our umbers: a fast-drying earth for deep shadows and dark underpaintings, and for darkening other colors more warmly than black does.

Key facts

• Color: very dark, cool olive-brown, close to black-brown
• Pigment type: Natural earth pigment
• Colour Index: PBr7 (C.I. 77492)
• Composition: iron oxides with manganese oxides (MnO₂), clay and silica; about 25% iron, up to 20% manganese (supplier data)
• Also known as: raw umber
• Opacity: semi-opaque
• Lightfastness: 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (supplier data)
• Chemical resistance: alkali 5/5, lime 5/5 (supplier data, 5 = best); stable in weak acids, dissolved by strong mineral acids
• Suitable for: oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache, fresco (lime), lime and cement plaster, ceramics
• Packaging: 50 g jar · 1 kg bag

How to use

Mull it thoroughly into linseed oil, egg yolk, gum arabic or acrylic medium with a palette knife or muller; like all umbers it takes a fair amount of oil and disperses less readily in acrylic. Its manganese makes oil layers dry quickly, which suits underpainting and dark grounds. A little of it darkens and tones down other colors. For fresco, grind it in water and apply it to fresh lime plaster. Heat turns umber red-brown, so fired ceramics come out warmer. It is compatible with all other pigments.

About dark umber

Umbers are iron oxide earths with 5 to 20% manganese oxides, and the manganese is what makes them darker than ochre or sienna; this grade contains up to 20% manganese. Umber is produced mainly in Cyprus, home of the largest deposits. Vermeer painted the shadows on whitewashed walls with umber, because they came out warmer than shadows mixed with black.

Safety

Contains manganese oxides, which are harmful if swallowed or inhaled, and may contain crystalline silica: avoid breathing the dust. 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

How does it differ from Umber natural?

It has more manganese (up to 20% versus up to 8%, supplier data), so it is darker and cooler, close to black-brown. Umber natural is a lighter olive-brown.

Can it replace black?

Often, yes. Umber darkens colors more warmly than black, which is why painters such as Vermeer used it for shadows; for a truly neutral black, use a black pigment.