Umber natural greenish

Umber natural greenish is a natural raw umber pigment powder in a muted greenish brown, lighter and more olive than our standard natural umber. It contains less manganese (up to 6%, supplier data), so the olive undertone typical of raw umbers shows clearly. Use it for cool shadows, olive mixtures and toned grounds in oil, egg tempera, watercolor and fresco.

Key facts

• Color: muted greenish brown, lighter than Umber natural
• Pigment type: Natural earth pigment
• Colour Index: PBr7 (C.I. 77492)
• Composition: iron oxides with manganese oxides (MnO₂), clay and silica; 25–30% iron, up to 6% manganese (supplier data)
• Also known as: greenish 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 into linseed oil, egg yolk, gum arabic or acrylic medium with a palette knife or muller; umbers take a fair amount of oil and need thorough mulling in acrylic. Its manganese still acts as a drier, so oil layers dry quickly. Thin it for cool olive glazes, or mix it with yellow ochre for muted foliage greens. For fresco, grind it in water and apply it to fresh lime plaster. Heating turns it reddish brown, like all umbers. It is compatible with all other pigments.

About greenish umber

Umbers are iron oxide earths darkened by manganese oxides, and their color ranges from yellowish and reddish to greenish browns depending on the deposit. A cool olive undertone is typical of classic raw umbers. The name is usually traced to the Latin umbra, “shadow”, fitting for a pigment that painters have used since antiquity to darken colors in shadows.

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 our other raw umbers?

All three are natural PBr7 umbers. This greenish grade has the least manganese (up to 6%), so it is the lightest and most olive; Umber natural (up to 8%) is a darker olive-brown, and Umber natural dark (up to 20%) is close to black-brown.

Does it dry fast in oil?

Yes. Like all umbers it contains manganese oxides, which act as a natural drier for linseed oil.