Rublev Nicosia Green Earth is a deep, transparent natural green earth oil colour made from minerals sourced from Cyprus. Unlike many paints labelled “green earth” that are actually mixtures of synthetic chromium oxide green and extenders with yellow ochre, this colour contains only genuine Nicosia Green Earth mineral and linseed oil. The result is a quiet but characterful green with remarkable undertones, perfect for subtle temperature shifts and atmospheric layering.
As a true green earth, it has low tinting strength and a naturally transparent body, which makes it ideal for glazing and underpainting. Green earth is famously used for verdaccio, the traditional green-grey underpainting method used to establish values before applying flesh tones. This technique was widely used by Italian Renaissance painters and remains one of the most effective ways to create lifelike skin and shadow transitions. Nicosia Green Earth excels here because it cools and neutralises without the harshness of stronger greens, and it stays beautifully stable in oil.
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Pigment: Nicosia Green Earth, PG 23 (77009)
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Pigment type: Natural inorganic green earth mineral
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Binder: Linseed oil
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Additives: None
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Opacity: Transparent
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Tinting strength: Low
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Drying rate: Medium
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Lightfastness: I
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Permanence: A
Note: Because Rublev Artist Oils contain no waxes or stabilisers, slight natural separation of pigment and oil may occur. Knead the tube to remix before painting.
