What is your palette?

I am trying to decide on a palette that would be composed of non-toxic pigments. To this end I am interested in what others choose to use as their color choices. I can then evaluate the general effects of the different types of palette and possibly mix and match a safe alternative. Please let me know what you are using.

Jeff http://waxpaint.tripod.com/

Ivory black Lamp black paynes grey vandyke brown burnt umber raw sienna sienna prussian blue cobalt blue ultramarine blue cereuleun blue cad yellow yellow ochre naples yellow cad red light permanent alizarin crimson cad red pale hue oxide of chromium sap green veridian manganese violet flesh tint titanium white crimnitz white (highly toxic)

I may have forgotten one or two that are on the bottom shelf. I don't use all of these at once. it depends on the subject.

I'm assuming you mean oil colors. They are all toxic. Don't eat your paint and you'll be fine.

Just keep your fingers out of your mouth, and your nose covered up if there are fumes involved. You give no hint as to your preferred medium so it's hard to give a definitive answer. I'm to lazy tonight to go visit your web site and research your preferences. Sorry.

mine is pretty basic at the moment.. paynes grey yellow ochre titanium white

Not all at once, but my drawers contain:

Ultramarine blue Prussian blue (hue) Cerulean blue (BIG TUBES!!!) Indath. blue Pthalo blue, red shade

Cadmium orange Cadmium red Quin. violet Permanent rose (which I believe is actually quin violet + white) Cadmium yellow light and medium Lemon yellow Yellow ochre

Titanium white Zinc white

As you can see I have nothing against toxic pigments! I use these colours in both oils and acrylics, and it's not a traditional palette but more on the high chroma end of palettes. I only tend to use 4-5 colours + white at most on a painting.

The problem with 'non-toxic' is that hues and substitutes do not mix the same or appear the same in conjunction with some colours. The only hue I use is prussian blue and that's because I can't find the real thing. There's nothing wrong with toxic pigments as you aren't eating or drinking your paint - hopefully you're not! I use a barrier cream on my hands when working, but only because I tend to finger paint. *grin* If you're normal and just use brushes you'll be fine. There are alternatives to turpentine if you're working with oils, and that's probably far far far far....far more harzardous than any paints.

pigments.

I have been painting now for over 35 years and never once worried about toxicity of the paints I use. Of course there are those here who will tell you that's probably 'what's wrong with' me now - too many toxins that have left me brain dead! Oh well.

I wonder how many who have chewed on my paintings have been poisoned by them? Should I have guilty conscience for not labeling each of my paintings with warning labels? In light of warning labels on everything from chain saws to hot cups of coffee these days, I suppose it's only right that art works should be labeled too if toxics are incorporated. My 3-D works should also probably be labeled to warn parents against letting their children play with them. I could be held liable for any injury.

Have you tested those two for radioactivity? One is an earth pigment and the other is derived from a heavy metal - like cadmium or

Not all pigments are toxic Mr. T. But I am interested not just in oil paints really, but any palette colors. Actually your palette list is very toxic over-all, and I know for instance that some of them are contact poisons or carcinogens, especially when combined with turpentine to break down the skins oil barriers. But keep them coming. Dows anyone follow a particular scheme like using primary and secondary colors?

Jeff http://waxpaint.tripod.com/

OK then, in acrylic:

titanium white (thinking of switching to zinc) bone black Cadmiums- red light red medium yellow light yellow medium Quinocridones- crimson (alizirin substitute) red magenta violet gold Pthalo blue pthalo green (blue) anthraquinone blue cobalt blue raw and burnt sienna raw and burnt umber yellow ochre

Been thinking of adding another green and an orange, but somehow I never get around to it.

+> +>I am trying to decide on a palette that would be composed of non-toxic +pigments. + +>Please let me know what you are using. + +I have been painting now for over 35 years +and never once worried about toxicity of +the paints I use. Of course there are those +here who will tell you that's probably +'what's wrong with' me now - too many toxins +that have left me brain dead! Oh well.

It's a question of odds. Some people smoke tobacco and eat fatty foods and live into their 90's. Others do less of the same and die before they reach 50.

Given that almost everything we touch in the art world seems to have some level of toxicity, it's a matter for the artist to determine and reduce the risks as they see fit. Washing hands often and not licking brushes are simple starting points. Avoiding the use of petroleum based solvents indoors is easy enough.

Andy D.

'I'm a great speller - but a hopless tpyist!'

Some people are hypochondriacs while others worry more about what color blouse to wear today than they do about their health.