A highly-granulating violet. Thanks to Lynne for sharing a dot of this pigment for me to test!
Pigment Stats for PV16
Chemical name: Manganese ammonium pyrophosphate
Lightfastness: Excellent (ASTM I). However, ArtisCreation.com also notes that it is “decomposed by strong acids and alkalis,” and Kim Crick further observes:
This pigment is lightfast, LFI, but it can experience chemical changes over time due to interactions with minor acidity in gum arabic binder. In my older tube of DaVinci watercolor, this pigment has hardened into a dark brown blob that no longer reactivates. I have not seen any issue with this paint on paper once dry. I advise using up any paint you have, without stockpiling too far in advance, to use up your supply before any potential changes occur.
Kim Crick
Toxicity: Toxic; gets a B on ArtIsCreation.com (“Possible hazard if carelessly handled, ingested in large amounts or over long periods of time”). This is the same grade that Cobalt pigments get. It is always difficult for me to judge relative toxicity of different pigments because the information I find is contradictory.
Observations of Schmincke Manganese Violet
Hue: A middle violet between magenta and blue, not obviously leaning toward either. Similar hue to Quin Purple (PV55).
Granulation: Highly granulating!
Lifting/Staining: Lifts easily.
Tinting Strength: Moderate, not the weakest pigment I’ve tried but also not particularly strong. Tends to weaken mixes.
Brushfeel: On the hard side.
Color Mixes: All the mixes are very granulating and interesting.
- With Naples Yellow Deep, gives a sort of stucco or sand color.
- With Hansa Yellow Medium, an uglier, browner mix.
- With Transparent Red Oxide, a convincing Potter’s Pink hue (complete with large dusty-pink granulation over a peach background).
- With Pyrrol Scarlet, a clumpy-lipstick color.
- With Venetian Red, large burgundy granulation.
- With Quin Red (PV19), a rosier lilac hue, reminding me of Cobalt Violet.
- Granulating blue-violets with all blues. My favorite is probably the mix with Cobalt Turquoise which is a pastel lavender not dissimilar from Ultramarine Violet.
What Others Say
Manganese violet is a “top 40 pigment” for Bruce MacEvoy.
While it has an assertive and distinctive pigment personality, this becomes less conspicuous when the paint is part of a shadow mixture. It is attractive both in full strength and wash applications, but for the most characteristic color appearance it must be applied with confident, juicy brushstrokes and left to dry without fussing or retouching. It is especially good in floral painting, both as a muted floral color and to add texture and body to browns mixed with deep yellow or orange paints.
Bruce MacEvoy, handprint.com
My Overall Thoughts on Manganese Violet
This will appeal to granulation lovers. It definitely makes interesting color-separating mixes.
I personally am not particularly into granulation, so I doubt I would use this enough to justify the expense. I also feel that its relatively short shelf life and uncertain toxicity make it a pigment with too much mental overhead for me. I can see how people who like it would really really like it, though.