LIGHTFASTNESS

It all started when...

Lightfast ratings may be I (excellent) to IV (fugitive) or ***** (excellent) to * (fugitive). Sadly, though, they are not always accurate, with fugitive colours being given a good rating by some manufacturers. It is so important to check the lightfast ratings of paints you are using if you are framing and selling your work. You can't necessarily trust recommendations by well-known artists since time and time again they will recommend Alizarin Crimson (made with pigment PR83 which is fugitive and will fade), Aureolin (made with PY40, which will fade or turn brown over time) and Opera Rose (made with a combination of PR122 and a fugitive florescent dye. It will also fade.) - JB

Lightfastness

Lightfastness is also known as permanency. This is a measure of how well a paint stands up to the strains of time, and whether it is likely to fade after a few years. If you intend to sell your paintings or want them to last several years, this is an important quality.

- watercoloraffair.com