Blue Bice is the name given to a pale blue artificial basic copper carbonate with approximately the same chemical composition as azurite. Blue bice was used in watercolors and distemper during the 17th and 18th centuries. Our blue bice is made according to an English recipe of the 18th century.
.
Origin and HistoryPrior to the 17th century, the name bice was used to designate the natural mineral azurite. In the 18th century and afterwards, bice was understood to mean a pale blue pigment and finely ground smalt and copper carbonates were sold under that name. It also found use in watercolor and distemper paints in the 17th and 18th centuries.
SourceNumerous early recipes for the preparation of basic copper carbonate are known; the best types appear to have been prepared at relatively low temperatures with a copper salt. This sky blue, slightly more greenish than natural azurite, lends itself well to consistent applications of color. Microscopically, blue bice appears as tiny, rounded, fibrous aggregates, even in size and blue by transmitted light. It is similar in color to finely ground azurite.
Permanence and CompatibilityBlue bice is stable in lime and is well suited for tempera and watercolor, but is liable to darken or become greenish in oil.
Oil Absorption and GrindingBlue bice absorbs a medium amount of oil (23 g oil per 100 g of pigment).
ToxicityBlue bice contains copper, which can be toxic if inhaled or ingested. Care should be used in handling the dry powder pigment to avoid inhaling the dust.
For more information on how to handle pigments safely, please visit .