Heavy Body FAQs

Other artists have asked us...

• Why is Quinacridone Burnt Orange in Heavy Body no longer available?

  The pigment PR206 used for Quinacridone Burnt Orange was discontinued by the supplier. After trying to develop an alternative hue, we realised we couldn’t identically replace this unique Quinacridone pigment, and decided to discontinue the color in Heavy Body and Soft Body.

• I noticed the color is slightly different for Muted Violet. Why?

  Pigment PR206 was discontinued by the supplier, and we reformulated the color to match as close as possible using PR179 for this pigment replacement. The new mass tone is a little warmer, cleaner and deeper. The new reduction is a little stronger, or deeper, than before.

• I notice the mass tone of Heavy Body Alizarin Crimson Permanent Hue is slightly different. Why?

  Due to pigment PR206 discontinuation by the supplier, we reformulated this color and replaced PR206 with PR179. The new color compared to previous can be considered brighter and more luminous in masstone. In undertone, the shade is slightly bluer than previous with the same color strength.  Transparency (transparent color) and lightfastness remain the same.

• If I mix fluorescent colors together, will they still be fluorescent?

  Fluorescents have a great visual impact when combined, though the mixes will not be fluorescent

• Do the Liquitex fluorescent colors glow?

  Yes, under ultra-violet light and a black light, the Liquitex fluorescent colors will glow.

• I see a lightfastness rating of NR on the fluorescent and iridescent colors. What does this mean?

  For lightfastness, NR means “Not rated” – meaning that it has not been tested by ASTM for lightfastness. ASTM D4303 is the test method for Lightfastness for pigment-based artist materials. Fluorescent dyes and color coated micas are not usually in scope for this test as they are not real pigments with Color Index as such. Fluorescent colors by their very nature are dye based, they are known to be fugitive and cannot withstand the negative effects of UV light like most pigments.  This pertains to all fluorescent colors and has nothing to do with a professional or student range of art materials. We do our own in-house Blue wool test for Permanence rating where we test all our colors.

• What does the pigment abbreviation DPP for Heavy Body Transparent Orange mean?

  DPP stands for the pigment DiketoPyrroloPyrrole. It is a hybrid pigment - an innovation in pigment manufacturing where blends produce pigment with a balance of properties (i.e blend of organic and inorganic pigment). Organic and inorganic pigments differ in performance. Organic pigments have strengths in chroma and tint strength but are weaker in lightfastness and opacity; it is the other way round with inorganic pigments. Hybrid pigments provide an alternative, that help to bridge the gap between performance without neglecting environmental consideration.

• What are the best tools to use with Heavy Body?

  You can achieve so many effects with Heavy Body. As well as brushes, you should definitely try applying with a knife - different shaped blades will give you different finishes. Combs and shaped scrapers will also give some interesting relief textures and patterns.

• I like working in oils – what’s the acrylic that’s the nearest thickness to oil paint?

  Heavy Body Acrylic is our nearest paint in terms of viscosity and behaviour, but has many other characteristics that are different to oil paint. Try it out and see how you go.

• How does Heavy Body differ from your Soft Body paint?

  One word: viscosity. They have the same pigmentation and color vibrancy but Heavy Body is a much thicker, high viscosity formula.