Opaque pigments include:
Definition:
Opaque describes the ability of the pigment to allow light or
underlying layers to shine through. An opaque pigments will completely cover the painting ground or underlying layer; transparent pigments allows
light and the underlying layers to be seen.
Related Terms
• opacity
• transparent
• translucent
| Cadmium Yellow | Cadmium Red |
| Raw Umber | Titanium White |
| Mars Black | Ivory Black |
| Cobalt Green | Vermillion |
Knowing whether a pigment is opaque or transparent and understanding their property differences will help you when you're mixing tints and shades. If you looked at two opaque pigments which had been mixed together under a microscope, their particles would appear intermingled, lying next to each other. Rays of light will be reflected from each pigment -- white light reflected from the painting's surface will be from all of the particles of both pigments.
Tints or mixtures of opaque colors are usually duller, therefore, than those made of transparent pigments.
Related Resources:
Paint Properties: Opaque & Transparent Pigments
A guide to paint properties and grouping of opaque and transparent pigments in a basic painting palette.Color Wheel Basics
Learn to mix pigments by creating your own color wheel with primary, secondary and intermediate colors.Basic Shades and Highlights
A guide to basic shades and highlights for painters.
