Rublev Colours Bone Black is a traditional bone char black pigment made by charring animal bones to produce a deep blue-black to brown-black hue with excellent stability. Unlike modern carbon blacks that can feel slick or overly cool, bone black has a distinctive natural depth and a slightly softer character that works beautifully for shadows, greys, and historic palette mixing.
Bone black is a composite pigment containing carbon and a high proportion of calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite), which contributes to its body, density, and handling. It is widely used in oil, watercolour, tempera, and acrylic systems for rich dark passages, neutral greys, and controlled tonal work. This pigment is a strong choice for artists and paint makers who want a classic, historically used black that remains dependable and permanent.
Key features
-
Colour Index PBk9 (bone char black)
-
Deep blue-black to brown-black masstone with natural richness
-
Permanent and lightfast (ASTM I) in acrylic, oil, and watercolour systems
-
Excellent for shadows, monochrome studies, and neutral grey mixtures
-
Suitable for oil paint grinding, watercolour, tempera, acrylic dispersions, and grounds
Safety note: Considered low hazard, but avoid inhaling dry pigment dust. Use a mask and good ventilation when handling powder.
