Holbein Colour Chart Information

Understanding Holbein Colour Charts

Decode labels, symbols and series for watercolour, oil and pencils

When browsing Holbein colour charts or picking up a tube, you’ll notice symbols and series letters that reveal useful information:

  • Transparency or staining properties

  • Lightfastness or permanence

  • Pigment cost or rarity

Here’s how to interpret the labels.

1. Watercolour “Label Guide” Symbols

Look just below “LABEL GUIDE:” on Holbein charts to find this key:

Transparency and Staining Symbols
T – Transparent
B – Semi-Transparent
O – Opaque
X – Granulating
S – Staining
K – Semi-Staining
N – Non-Staining
I – Intense
E – Easy Lift
H – Hard Lift

Other Symbol
DU – Dual Pigment (contains two pigments rather than a single-pigment formula)

Lightfastness Ratings
★ = Moderately durable
★★ = Permanent
★★★ = Absolutely permanent

2. Series Letters – What They Mean

Holbein groups colours by Series, based on pigment cost and rarity.

Watercolour Series (A–F)
A – Common earth pigments
B–C – Synthetic or rare pigments
D – Cadmium and cobalt hues
E – Genuine cadmiums and cobalts
F – Iridescent, granulating or magnetic-effect colours

Example: Crimson Lake was moved from Series A to C in June 2025.

Oil Series (A–H, FD, W/CW)
A – Earths (ochres, umbers)
B – Monoazo and organic synthetics
C – Mid-cost synthetics and mixtures
D – Cadmium and chromate pigments
E – Genuine cobalt and cerulean
H – Specialty cobalt violets
FD – Foundation colours (lead-based)
W / CW – Whites (titanium, zinc, ceramic)

3. What Else is on the Label

  • Product Code – e.g. W010 (Watercolour), H249 (Oil)

  • Pigment Info – Colour index code, e.g. PY35

  • Series Letter – A to F (Watercolour), A to H (Oil)

  • Lightfastness Rating – Star system (Watercolour) or ASTM (Oils and Pencils)

  • Size – Watercolours: 5ml or 15ml. Oils: 20ml, 40ml, 110ml etc.

4. Understanding Pigments: What PY35, PR108, etc. Mean

Holbein uses Colour Index Names to identify the pigments in each colour. These are globally recognised codes used by all major art brands.

Pigment Code Format
Each pigment has a two-letter prefix plus a number:

  • PY = Pigment Yellow

  • PR = Pigment Red

  • PB = Pigment Blue

  • PG = Pigment Green

  • PBr = Pigment Brown

  • PBk = Pigment Black

  • PW = Pigment White

Examples

  • PY35 = Cadmium Yellow

  • PR108 = Cadmium Red

  • PB29 = Ultramarine Blue

  • PBr7 = Natural earth (e.g. Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber)

  • PBk7 = Carbon Black

Why It Matters

  • Single pigment colours (e.g. PY35) mix cleanly

  • Multi-pigment colours (e.g. PY3 + PR146) may create muddy mixes

  • Artists looking for permanence, clarity and colour mixing control should always check the pigment codes

Holbein includes these pigment codes on all tubes and colour charts.

5. Holbein Oils: What Sets Them Apart

Holbein oils are known for their buttery consistency, vibrant single-pigment colours, and non-yellowing formulation. Most colours are made with refined linseed oil, selected for its working properties and drying time. Select whites (such as Foundation White or Ceramic White) use safflower oil to reduce the risk of yellowing over time.

Holbein’s FD (Foundation) Series includes lead-based whites for traditional underpainting methods. Their oil range covers everything from student-friendly earth tones to high-performance cadmium and cobalt-based hues for professional artists.

Many artists appreciate Holbein oils for their balance between high pigment load, smooth handling, and reliable drying performance without the use of driers or extenders.

6. Extra Info for Artists

Permanency Ratings

  • Watercolours: ★ to ★★★

  • Oils and Pencils: ASTM I (excellent), II (good), III (fair)

Binders

  • Watercolour: gum arabic

  • Oil: refined or bleached linseed oil, or safflower oil (for whites)

  • Pencils: wax/oil-based or water-soluble (WP)

Format Options

  • Watercolours: tube or pan

  • Oils: heavy-body tube or pre-mixed palette sets

  • Pencils: PC (non-water-soluble) or WP (water-soluble)

Technique Highlights

  • Watercolour: glazing, lifting, granulation, wet-in-wet

  • Oil: fat-over-lean layering, texture, use of mediums

  • Pencil: burnishing, layering, blending with solvent or water (for WP)

Tool and Storage Care

  • Brushes (watercolour): rinse thoroughly, reshape, air dry

  • Brushes (oil): clean with solvent, follow with mild soap

  • Tubes: keep sealed and store at moderate temperature

  • Pencils: store flat to prevent core breakage

Summary

Holbein’s colour charts and tube labels give artists a clear snapshot of each colour’s performance. At a glance, you can understand:

  • Transparency and staining behaviour

  • Permanency/lightfastness ratings

  • Pigment cost and classification (Series)

  • Actual pigment content (Colour Index Code)

  • Binder and formulation details

Whether you work in watercolour, oil, or pencil, Holbein’s detailed labelling makes colour selection accurate, informed, and professional.