Ivory black

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I have written about all the most common black watercolor paints here on the blog, except for Ivory Black. Now it’s time to take a look at this color—the best black paint for general watercolor painting. All other blacks have some distinct drawback or such extreme properties that they are difficult to use for regular watercolor work.

I am aware that using black paint is controversial. Many believe that one should always mix their own black or use a pre-mixed blackish color. However, in my opinion, black paint is important. It acts as a value reducer for all other colors without affecting the hue—something a pre-mixed black often struggles with. Additionally, it can (when used unmixed) be an integral part of the color scheme in some paintings.

The name “Ivory Black” comes from the fact that the pigment was originally made from charred ivory. During the 18th century, experiments were conducted to produce the pigment from charred animal bones, a method that eventually replaced the original—not just for economic reasons but also for ethical ones. Today, the pigment is always made from charred animal bones.

Ivory Black is a very durable, almost neutral black paint that granulates. It is only slightly staining, semi-transparent, and not particularly active on a wet surface. Some manufacturers produce an intense black, while others offer a more subdued version. The degree of milling also varies: some manufacturers, like Winsor & Newton, grind the pigment very finely, resulting in a less granulating and more staining paint, while others, like Daniel Smith, leave the pigment coarser, creating a strongly granulating, non-staining Ivory Black.

Ivory Black is slightly warm, with a faint brownish tone. It is not as brown as Vine Black but warmer than other blacks such as Lamp Black or Iron Oxide Black.

Vine Black and Ivory Black are the two black paints I sometimes use unmixed in a painting. Both have character and can create interesting color areas in paintings that only involve one or two other colors.

Of all the common black watercolor paints, Ivory Black is the one I use the most. The exceptions are when I need a color that disperses easily in water—then I use Lamp Black. Sometimes, I aim for extreme effects, in which case the heavily flocculating Iron Oxide Black works perfectly. But for more general watercolor work, Ivory Black is, in my opinion, the best choice.

Its fine granulation is a plus, and its slight transparency helps when mixing with other colors. It is not perfectly neutral but has a slightly warm tone—this might be seen as a drawback, but it is easily outweighed by its many positive qualities.

If one is to own a black paint (which is not necessary, as black can be mixed), I believe Ivory Black is the best choice. It blends well with other colors without overpowering them, has beautiful and natural granulation, and can also be used independently in a painting, without being mixed with other colors.

Color Index: PBk9
Lightfastness: Excellent
Transparency: Semi-transparent
Staining: Slightly staining, depending on the manufacturer
Granulation: Yes