Primatone Mars Black Oil-Alkyd Paint

SKU: NAP-GROUP-11401285
PRICE RANGE: US$ 15.66 - US$ 15.71
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PrimaTone Mars Black

PrimaTone Mars Black Fast-Drying Oil-Alkyd Paint for Professional Results

PrimaTone Mars Black is a dense, cool black formulated with synthetic iron oxide (PBk11), also known as magnetic black or ferric oxide. Valued for its exceptional opacity and high tinting strength, Mars Black is an ideal all-purpose black that offers a slightly cooler undertone when mixed with Titanium White, making it a versatile tool in monochromatic studies and chromatic neutralization.

Ground in a durable oil-modified alkyd binder, PrimaTone Mars Black dries evenly to a matte or semi-gloss finish within 18 to 24 hours. This fast drying time allows artists to proceed quickly with layering, overpainting, or varnishing while still retaining the control and handling qualities of traditional oil paints.

With superior coverage and minimal oil separation, this pigment is especially useful for:

  • Underpainting and grisaille

  • High-contrast value studies

  • Neutralizing high-chroma mixtures

  • Plein air painting, where quick drying is needed

  • Impasto and knife painting

PrimaTone—Fast-Drying Oil-Alkyd Paints

PrimaTone paints deliver the trusted characteristics of traditional oils with the added benefit of accelerated drying. Colors are touch-dry in 18–24 hours and ready for varnishing in approximately 30 days. With a working time of 4 to 8 hours, artists can refine and blend with ease before the paint sets.

All PrimaTone colors dry uniformly to a matte to semi-gloss surface, making them ideal for both foundational layers and final applications. The combination of lightfast pigments and a resilient alkyd binder ensures a long-lasting paint film. Compatible with traditional oil mediums and easily cleaned with mineral spirits, PrimaTone offers a practical solution for artists seeking speed without compromise.

Key Features
  • Pigment: Mars Black (PBk11)
  • Chemical Composition: Synthetic iron oxide (Fe2O3)
  • Color Index Name: Pigment Black 11 (77499)
  • Opacity: Opaque
  • Tinting Strength: High
  • Drying Time: Touch-dry to hard-dry within 24 hours (ASTM D5895 Stage III)
  • Working Time: Approximately 8 hours
  • Finish: Matte to semi-gloss
  • Lightfastness: ASTM I (Excellent)
  • Binder: Oil-modified alkyd
  • Compatibility: Traditional oil paints, mediums, and solvents
Handling & Applications

PrimaTone Mars Black is finely milled to provide a dense, creamy consistency that holds its shape well in both brush and knife applications. It maintains excellent edge control and depth in thick applications while blending effortlessly in thin glazes or washes.

This color is particularly well-suited for:

  • Tonal foundations and value sketches

  • Creating cool neutrals and shadows

  • Impasto detailing

  • Underpaintings with a neutral base

Ingredient Transparency

PrimaTone adheres to complete ingredient disclosure. This color contains:

  • Mars Black (PBk11)

  • Calcium metasilicate (wollastonite) (PW28)

  • Oil-modified alkyd binder

  • High-flash hydrotreated petroleum distillate

  • Dispersing agent

  • Driers

Safety and Toxicology

PrimaTone Mars Black contains PBk11, a stable synthetic iron oxide with an excellent safety profile. It is non-toxic under normal studio conditions and does not require special hazard labeling under ASTM D4236. Mars Black poses no significant health risks and is safe for adults to use in well-ventilated environments.

The oil-modified alkyd binder includes a small amount of hydrotreated petroleum distillate, a high-flashpoint, low-odor solvent used to improve handling. This solvent is present at a concentration that does not trigger chronic-hazard labeling for art materials used by adults, per ASTM D4236 guidelines.

As with all oil-based paints, standard precautions are advised: avoid ingestion, do not sand dried paint films, ensure good ventilation, and wear gloves if skin sensitivity is a concern.

All components—pigments, binders, and additives—are listed on the product label in keeping with Natural Pigments’ commitment to transparency. Store in a cool, dry place and keep out of reach of children.

Composition and Permanence
Mars Black
Color: Black
Binder: Oil-modified alkyd
Additive(s): Dispersant, driers
Pigment Information
Pigment:
Pigment Classification: Synthetic inorganic
Colour Index: Pigment Black 11 (77499)
Chemical Name: Natural Iron Oxide from magnetite ore
Chemical Formula: Fe3O4
CAS No. 1309-38-2
Properties
Code: 908
Series: 3
Opacity: Opaque
Tinting Strength: High
Working Time: 4–8 hours
Drying Time: 18–24 hours
ASTM Lightfastness: I
Permanence: A


For a detailed explanation of the terms in the table above, please visit the page.

Notes

Some separation of pigment and oil may occur in Rublev Colours Artist Oils, a natural process that can happen when no wax or stabilizers are added to the paint to prevent it.

All color swatches on this website are approximations of the actual color of the oil paint. We have carefully matched the color in these pictures on calibrated color monitors to the actual color. However, your results may vary due to the wide variance among color monitors.

Drawdown Note: The image of the “drawdown” shows a premixed paint film 6 mils (0.006 inches) thick, applied to a standard test card to examine color consistency, opacity, and other qualities. The drawdowns show the color’s full strength (mass tone) on the left and ,mon the right, mixedwith titanium white oat a 1:2 ratio