Ercolano Red (Bulk)

Product Details:

Ercolano Red is a natural earth containing clay tinted by iron oxide that gives an exceptionally warm red hue. Our Ercolano red, like French ocher, contains at least 20% iron oxide and is low in silica. Ercolano red is obtained from iron ore deposits near Ercolano, Italy.

Pigment Names
Alternate Names:	Mars Red is the name given to the synthetic precipitated form of iron oxide.

Origin and History
Ercolano Red is a red earth, which have been used as a pigment since prehistoric times and is perhaps the most widely used pigment for artists' paints.

Source
Ercolano red is a red ocher obtained in the vicinity of Ercolano, named Herculaneum until 79 AD and Resina until 1969. Red ochers are natural earths containing clay tinted by iron oxide and is composed of hematite, and traces of gypsum (calcium sulfate) or calcite (calcium carbonate). Hematite is a mineral composed of iron oxide minerals (α-Fe₂O₃) that occur as natural earth. Depending upon the content of iron oxide and other minerals, the color of red ocher varies from deep red to brownish red. Red iron oxide minerals, such as hematite, are found around the world and have been used as pigments since prehistory.

Permanence and Compatibility
Red ochers are among the most permanent colors among the artist's palette. It is compatible with all other pigments, and can be used with good results in all mediums.

Oil Absorption and Grinding
Red ochers absorb a medium amount of oil, which may slow the drying of oil paint, but because iron oxide is a drier in oil, it dries fast and forms an excellent film.

Toxicity
Red ochers are not considered toxic, but care should be used in handling the dry powder pigment to avoid inhaling the dust.

Pigment: Ercolano Red

Pigment Information
Color:	Red
Colour Index:	Pigment Red 102 (77491)
Chemical Name:	Iron Oxide
Chemical Formula:	α-Fe₂O₃
ASTM Lightfastness Rating
Acrylic:	I
Oil:	I
Watercolor:	I
Properties
Density:	147 lbs./ft³
Hardness:	5.5–6.5
Refractive Index:	4.8-5.26