Origins of cadmium red paint

Cadmium red was created by German paint manufacturers in 1817

Cadmium red, a popular color among painters, can be found in many artists’ palettes. The warm red shade of cadmium red was first seen in 1817 when German paint manufacturers created cadmium orange. This new pigment was first used in watercolors and soon became an essential part of oil paints. Cadmium red has many desirable properties that make it attractive to artists. However, it is also toxic and known to cause cancer after long periods if inhaled or ingested. Today, most painters prefer to create this beautiful shade with non-toxic alternatives when possible.

Cadmium red was initially considered a watercolor paint.

Cadmium red is a watercolor paint, which means mixed with a binder that dissolves in water. Since the binder of cadmium red is soluble in water, you can use this paint with watercolors. Still, you can also use it with oils and gouache—artists often mix mediums to create new effects, making cadmium red an excellent option for artists who want to experiment with various tools and techniques. Cadmium red was created initially as a replacement for mercury vermilion, a type of paint pigment considered toxic. Since cadmium red has a bright and vibrant quality similar to mercury vermilion, it quickly replaced it in art supplies worldwide.

Cadmium orange and cadmium yellow were also created at the same time.

As you’ve probably gathered, cadmium red wasn’t the only cadmium pigment to come out of Germany in the early 1800s. In fact, it was created in tandem with two other colors: cadmium yellow and cadmium orange. All three pigments were created by accident as German paint manufacturers tried to produce a synthetic mercury sulfide (a standard pigment). Instead, they found a new way to make bright yellows that didn’t fade over time or contain arsenic—and thus was born the first family of cadmium pigments!