Ceracolors Cadmium Red Light

Cadmium Red Light is a bright red with a slightly orange tint. On the traditional color wheel, it is one-fourth of the way between red and orange, slightly more orange than vermilion. It is also the modern-day replacement for vermilion, but it is more saturated (higher chroma) than genuine vermilion.

Composition and Permanence

For a detailed explanation of the terms in the table above, please visit Composition and Permanence.

Ceracolors is a water-soluble wax paint that can be used for encaustic and wax painting techniques. It makes encaustic painting versatile because it does not require heat, electricity, or special tools.

Ceracolors is a wax paint for professional artists made from pharmaceutical-grade beeswax blended with other waxes derived from natural sources to provide higher melting temperatures. Ceracolors provide a wide range of painting techniques, from thick impastos that can be sculpted to thin watercolor-like washes. They are fast-drying colors suitable for all supports used for encaustic painting, yet they do not require any special tools or heated instruments. Use any brush suitable for water-based paint. Once dry, Ceracolors can be used in encaustic technique, allowing further sculpting and manipulation of the paint. The ingredients in Ceracolors medium are found in food and cosmetics, so they are not considered toxic. However, please note that some pigments, such as cadmiums, in the range of Ceracolors paint are toxic. Please see the health and safety information for each color.

The current range of Ceracolors are available in 15ml and 50ml aluminum collapsible tubes, and mediums are available in 4- and 8-fluid-ounce jars.

Properties

Drying

Ceracolors dry in two stages. First, the paint dries rapidly due to the evaporation of water, so it is touch dry within a short time. After this initial period, the paint can be reopened with a wet brush. During the second stage, wax crystals coalesce as the paint cures. This can take several days or several weeks for thicker applications of paint.

Water Solubility

Ceracolors are thinned with water. The paint comes out of the tube as a paste and can be diluted to the consistency of watercolors. Their water solubility allows for easy handling and cleaning.

Color and Optical Quality

Ceracolors are available in a wide range of colors that artists use in other professional-quality mediums. Ceracolors are formulated for high tinting strength, and the optical qualities of wax provide outstanding chroma.

Hardness

Ceracolors are made with a blend of waxes microemulsified in water. The wax is soft and has low scratch resistance, requiring care when handling and storing.

Durability

Water-soluble wax paint is durable, as attested by the present state of preservation of Roman and Roman-Egyptian paintings of the first century in many museums worldwide.

Toxicity

Ceracolors medium are composed of ingredients not considered toxic—ingredients often found in food and cosmetics. There are no hazardous solvents or additives. However, please note that some pigments, such as cadmiums, in the range of Ceracolors paint are toxic. Please see the health and safety information for each color.

Supports

Rigid supports, such as wood, are best for the wax painting techniques, but canvas and paper can also be used. Ceracolors can also be applied to other materials, such as ceramics, glass, metal, or plastic.

Use Directions

Heat Setting

Uncured paint has limited wet scrub resistance, especially in thick layers. This resistance increases when the paint is fused with heat, which can be applied with a heat gun, hair dryer, or pastry torch.

Impasto

With Ceracolors, you can apply thick passages of paint. However, like all paints that use water as a vehicle, you will experience some shrinkage during drying due to the evaporation of water. We recommend building thick impastos by layering thinner paint applications and fusing each layer with heat. Adding Ceracolors Impasto Medium helps avoid excessive volume loss upon drying.

Clean Up

Brushes and equipment can be cleaned easily with soap and water. Dried Ceracolors water-soluble wax paint can be cleaned with household ammonia.