Cobalt Yellow (Aureolin) Pigment
An intense yellow that has high tinting strength and low opacity. It is an expensive pigment sold by several manufacturers of artists' oil paints. Learn more.
Cobalt yellow (commonly called aureolin) is a potassium or sodium-substituted potassium cobalt nitrite. The compound was discovered in 1831 but not introduced as a pigment until after 1851. However, the pigment never gained popularity as an oil color and was much more widely available as a watercolor.
Water-Based Paint
In watercolors, cobalt yellow darkens and fades. It is a transparent, lightly staining, light-valued, intense yellow pigment.
Oil Paint
In oil paint, cobalt yellow is a transparent color with good tinting strength and is considered permanent.
| Color Names | |
| Current Names: | Dutch: kobalt geel English: cobalt yellow French: jaune de cobalt German: Kobaltgelb Italian: giallo di cobalto Spanish: cobalto amarillo |
Origin and History
The history of cobalt yellow pigment has been well documented by M. Cornman in 'Cobalt Yellow (Aureolin),' Artists' Pigments. A Handbook of their History and Characteristics, Volume 1, National Gallery of Art (1986). It is generally understood that cobalt yellow was first synthesized by N.W. Fischer in 1831 as part of his study of nitrite salts. However, Fischer did not describe the compound specifically until 1848.
Meanwhile, Saint-Evre, working in Paris, independently rediscovered the compound around 1851 and introduced it as a pigment. It first appeared in Windsor & Newton's catalogs in 1861. According to Gettens and Stout, the pigment was reputedly made popular by the American watercolorist Aaron Penly and the German artist Arthur Mühlberg.
Source
According to Cornman, the principal method of preparing cobalt yellow was to mix solutions of cobalt salts with acetic acid, followed by the addition of a concentrated potassium nitrite solution. Cobalt yellow would then slowly precipitate as a yellow crystalline mass.
Permanence and Compatibility
Cobalt yellow is slightly soluble in water and darkens when mixed with sodium sulfide and caustic soda. In admixtures with organic pigments, such as lakes of cochineal, indigo, etc., it causes the decomposition of these; the organic colors become altered in hue, and cobalt yellow becomes a brownish hue.
Oil Absorption and Grinding
Cobalt yellow absorbs a high amount of oil, about 55 grams of linseed oil per 100 grams of pigment, to make a paste. Some manuals note that the pigment works better as a watercolor than it does in oil, and it is highly valued among moist colors used by artists. According to Uebele, mixing and grinding requires six parts of oil to four parts of the dry color.
Toxicity
Cobalt yellow is considered slightly toxic, and hence, care should be taken when handling the dry powder pigment to avoid inhaling the dust. Soluble cobalt compounds and cobalt metals may have a sensitizing effect. However, none have been reported during many years of handling cobalt yellow pigments.
Rublev Colours Pigment: Cobalt Yellow (Aureolin)
| Pigment Information | |
| Color: | Yellow |
| Color Index: | Pigment Yellow 40 (77357) |
| Chemical Name: | Hydrated Tripotassium Hexanitrocobalt(II) |
| Chemical Formula: | K3(Co(NO2)6).nH2O |
| CAS: | 13782-01-9 |
| ASTM Lightfastness Rating | |
| Acrylic: | II |
| Oil: | II |
| Watercolor: | II |
| Properties | |
| Specific Gravity: | |
| Refractive Index: | |
| Oil Absorption: | 55 g oil/100 g pigment |
| SKU | 437-10 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Rublev Colours |
| Vendor | Rublev Colours |
| Processing Time | Usually ships the next business day. |
| Color | Yellow |
| Pigment Type | Organic, Synthetic |
Order Processing
If the Processing Time for items in your order is "Usually ships within 24-48 hours", your order will usually be processed within 48 hours of receipt Monday through Friday. Orders received during weekends and holidays will be processed on the next business (working) day. Orders with longer processing times will be shipped when all items become available.
Shipping Rates
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Carriers
We use the following carriers to deliver orders:
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Below is an approximate guide to shipping costs for locations in Europe. Rates may change without notice.
| COUNTRY | ALPHA-2 | RATES PER PARCELS | CARRIER | |
| 0–10 kg | >10 kg–30 kg | |||
| Austria | AT | 11,50 € | 11,50 € | DPD |
| Belgium | BE | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
| Bulgaria | BG | 20,25 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | BA | 49,25 € | 49,25 € | DPD |
| Cyprus | CY | 21,80 € | 29,30 € | FedEx |
| Switzerland | CH | 25,85 € | 42,98 € | FedEx |
| Czech Republic | CZ | 12,00 € | 12,00 € | DPD |
| Germany | DE | 5,50 € | 5,50 € | DPD |
| Denmark | DK | 12,00 € | 12,00 € | DPD |
| Spain | ES | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
| Estonia | EE | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
| Finland | FI | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
| France | FR | 14,60 € | 14,60 € | DPD |
| United Kingdom | GB | – € | – € | – |
| Greece | GR | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
| Croatia | HR | 29,25 € | 29,25 € | DPD |
| Hungary | HU | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
| Ireland | IE | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
| Iceland | IS | 30,70 € | 62,40 € | DHL |
| Italy | IT | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
| Liechtenstein | LI | 25,85 € | 43,00 € | FedEx |
| Lithuania | LT | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
| Luxembourg | LU | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
| Latvia | LV | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
| Malta | MT | 21,80 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
| Monaco | MC | 15,95 € | 24,30 € | FedEx |
| Netherlands | NL | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
| Norway | NO | 25,85 € | 43,00 € | FedEx |
| Poland | PL | 14,90 € | 14,90 € | DPD |
| Portugal | PT | 15,50 € | 15,50 € | DPD |
| Romania | RO | 21,80 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
| Serbia | RS | 49,25 € | 49,25 € | DPD |
| Slovakia | SK | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
| Slovenia | SI | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
| Sweden | SE | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
| Turkey | TR | 27,30 € | 46,20 € | FedEx |
Note: Countries in RED type are not members of the European Union.
Postal Service
Shipping (EU and non-EU countries):
Up to 500 grams Tracked: 6,85 €
Up to 1000 grams Tracked: 10,45 €
Up to 2000 grams Tracked: 20,50 €
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