Rublev German Vine Black is a distinctive natural black earth that produces a moderate, slightly cool grey ideal for subtle value control. It is especially valued for portrait work because it can grey down flesh tones without dirtying them, creating believable shadows and half-tones rather than sooty, heavy blacks. Historically, Pliny described a black earth called “Ampelitis” (vine earth), linked to the traditional source of this colour from Germany.

This paint is based on a natural earth composition dominated by magnetite (Fe3O4), with accessory goethite and clay minerals typical of natural earth blacks. Ground in linseed oil with no additives, it delivers high tinting strength with a semi-opaque body and a controlled, earthy undertone that mixes cleanly into natural greys. It is excellent for underpainting, neutralising mixtures, atmospheric landscapes, and any palette where you want a black that behaves more like an earth pigment than a carbon black.

• Pigment: German Vine Black Earth, PBk 11 (CI 77499)

• Binder: Linseed oil

• Additives: None

• Opacity: Semi-opaque

• Tinting strength: High

• Drying rate: Medium

• ASTM lightfastness: I

• Permanence: A (permanent)

Note: Because Rublev Artist Oils contain no waxes or stabilisers, slight natural separation of pigment and oil may occur. Knead the tube to remix before painting.