Watercolour – Made from PV16, Manganese Violet is a classic pigment prized for its gentle, slightly muted violet tone and very good lightfastness. With low staining power and a semi-opaque body, it lends itself to layering, soft transitions, and delicate applications where a more retreating violet is desired.

Unlike smoother pigments, Manganese Violet is distinctly granulating, producing textured washes that break into beautiful, natural patterns. It may also show mild flocculation—where pigment particles loosely cluster—adding further depth and unpredictability.

Artists may occasionally observe a subtle yellowish sheen on dried washes of this pigment. This is a normal feature, not a fault. Pigment dispersions in waterborne systems are influenced by particle size, surface polarity, and stabilization. When particles partially settle or interact with water’s high polarity, light can refract differently across the dried film, revealing faint warm reflections. This effect is entirely compatible with the pigment’s durability and can even enhance its optical richness under shifting light.

With its combination of gentle coverage, lively granulation, and subtle optical quirks, Manganese Violet is well-suited for atmospheric washes, layered passages, and nuanced colour mixing—offering artists both dependable performance and a touch of natural unpredictability.

WATERCOLOUR Series 2

Manganese Violet (No. W206)

Watercolour – Made from PV16, Manganese Violet is a classic pigment prized for its gentle, slightly muted violet tone and very good lightfastness. With low staining power and a semi-opaque body, it lends itself to layering, soft transitions, and delicate applications where a more retreating violet is desired.

Unlike smoother pigments, Manganese Violet is distinctly granulating, producing textured washes that break into beautiful, natural patterns. It may also show mild flocculation—where pigment particles loosely cluster—adding further depth and unpredictability.

Artists may occasionally observe a subtle yellowish sheen on dried washes of this pigment. This is a normal feature, not a fault. Pigment dispersions in waterborne systems are influenced by particle size, surface polarity, and stabilization. When particles partially settle or interact with water’s high polarity, light can refract differently across the dried film, revealing faint warm reflections. This effect is entirely compatible with the pigment’s durability and can even enhance its optical richness under shifting light.

With its combination of gentle coverage, lively granulation, and subtle optical quirks, Manganese Violet is well-suited for atmospheric washes, layered passages, and nuanced colour mixing—offering artists both dependable performance and a touch of natural unpredictability.