A new colour- Cobalt Blue Deep W&N

May 27, 2011 | 4 Comments

A new colour ‘thanks’ to Robyn!!!

Handprint site says about this:

PB 74 Winsor & Newton cobalt blue deep is the most saturated of the paints listed here; it keeps its deep warm hue even when applied full strength; it also has a lovely gentle flocculation that appears in all mixed greens, blues and violets made with it. I sometimes prefer PB73/74 to ultramarine: it is just as lightfast but is less transparent, shows very little color shift as it dries, and creates a wonderful downy granulation in mixtures. It mixes perfectly with other cobalt pigments, providing a complete range of blue and green shades with the same textural and handling attributes. The only drawback: like ultramarine, cobalt blue deep will fade if exposed to mild acids (fresh lemon juice or vinegar may be strong enough).


Early days of testing…but I AM liking what I am seeing with this new colour. A few mixes on the left and then trying to use it in normal Liz sketching style.

I have successfully weaned myself off my addiction to W&N Burnt Sienna. I have found a number of more saturated paints in Daniel Smith (some too strong!) and am currently enjoying MaimeriBlu’s Transparent Mars Brown (PR101 – the same pigment as W&N. Most other ‘burnt siennas’ are PBr7 are more opaque)

I also perhaps should try MMB Transparent Mars Red (also PR101) as well. Don’t worry I plan to do a page of my Burnt Sienna explorations soon as I am not sure which paint i am going to take with me on my trip

4 Comments

  • John says:

    Hi Liz,
    I wonder if you could clarify something for me? I just received some tubes of W&N and one is Cobalt Blue Deep PB73.
    So why is it referred to as PB74 on main stock stockist sites and yourself in the article as both?
    Just not sure what this means.

    Many thanks.

    • Liz Steel says:

      Hi John, I’m sorry, I have no idea. Two tubes I have of WN Cobalt Blue Deep says PB74. One of them I bought recently. Have you tried contacting W&N directly

      • John says:

        Hi Liz,
        just to update you, got a reply from W&N (very speedy 🙂 ), and apparently, this is what they used in the 2000’s – so it appears to be older stock. It’s very similar so it sounds like there shouldn’t be any noticeable difference.
        Given it is older stock it’s as if it was brand new to use, with no separation so that’s impressive.
        Just thought you might like to know.

  • Neek Mercader says:

    John, I appreciate knowing this as I too jave PB73. Thanks for updating your comment.

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