Rublev Colours German Vine Black is a distinctive natural earth black that mixes into a moderate, slightly cool grey, perfect for controlling value and temperature without making mixtures look muddy. Inspired by the historic "vine earth" described by Pliny (Ampelitis), this colour is a mineral black earth based on magnetite, with accessory goethite and natural clay minerals.
In use, German Vine Black delivers strong tinting strength and a semi-opaque film that is ideal for portraits, atmospheric shadows, and neutral greys. It is especially useful for subtly greying flesh tones, cooling reds, and creating quiet, naturalistic darks that stay believable across layers.
Made with linseed oil and no additives, this professional artist oil colour offers excellent permanence and lightfastness (ASTM I), making it a reliable studio black for traditional and contemporary oil painting.
Key features
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Natural inorganic earth black (PBk 11, CI 77499)
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Semi-opaque with high tinting strength
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Slightly cool undertone for clean greys and portrait mixing
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Lightfastness ASTM I, permanence A
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Binder: linseed oil, no additives
