Rublev Lead-Tin Yellow Dark (Type II) is a historic, ocherous yellow with a distinctive Old Masters character. It is fine-grained, semi-opaque, and has medium tinting strength, making it exceptionally versatile for classical palettes, warm highlights, and natural flesh and drapery mixtures. This colour is made according to historical recipes, recreating the traditional look and handling that made lead-tin yellow a favourite in European painting before the 18th century.
Lead-tin yellow appears frequently in early European works and has been identified in paintings such as Rembrandt’s Belshazzar’s Feast (1636/1638). In historic sources it is associated with names such as massicot in northern European manuscripts and giallolino/giallorino in Italian manuscripts (as noted by Merrifield). While it is not ASTM-rated for lightfastness, independent studies have indicated it is generally permanent in most binders and can be used with other pigments without alteration, making it a dependable choice for long-term work.
Ground in linseed oil with no additives, Lead-Tin Yellow Dark offers a warm, earthy yellow that sits beautifully between ochre and muted golden tones. It excels for sunlit passages, believable highlights, and for “warming” mixtures without the sharpness of modern high-chroma yellows. Mixed with titanium white it produces rich, creamy straw and parchment tints ideal for portrait lights and historical colour schemes.
-
Pigment: Lead-Tin Yellow Dark (Type II)
-
Chemical name: Lead-tin oxide silicate, Pb(Sn,Si)O4
-
CAS: 12036-31-6
-
Binder: Linseed oil
-
Additives: None
-
Opacity: Semi-opaque
-
Tinting strength: Medium
-
Drying rate: Medium
-
ASTM lightfastness: Not listed
-
Permanence: A (permanent)
-
Code: 309
-
Series: 7
Important safety note: DANGER - CONTAINS LEAD. Harmful if swallowed. Avoid ingestion and skin contact. Wear gloves and protective clothing. Do not sand dried paint. Keep away from children and pets and do not use on surfaces accessible to children or pregnant women.
Note: Because Rublev Artist Oils contain no waxes or stabilisers, slight natural separation of pigment and oil may occur. Knead the tube to remix before painting.
