Yellow Ochre
 
Joules & Joules Yellow Ochre Matte Acrylic Paint is a cool, earthy yellow with slightly greenish undertones, distinguished by its strong opacity and exceptional lightfastness. It offers high covering power and moderate tinting strength, making it ideal for modulating skin tones, lightening earth colors, and balancing chromatic compositions. Its matte finish enhances the natural, mineral character of the color, making it an essential choice for landscape and figurative painting. With fast drying time and a dense, stable texture, Yellow Ochre functions as a classic foundation color, adding body and structural stability to mixtures without disrupting overall palette harmony.
 
Yellow Ochre (PY42) is one of the oldest pigments in the history of art. Originally derived from natural clays rich in hydrated iron oxides, it has been used since prehistoric cave paintings and throughout antiquity and the Renaissance. With technological advances, it began to be produced synthetically as hydrated iron oxide, ensuring greater purity, consistency, and permanence. Also known as Mars Yellow, this pigment gradually replaced natural ochres while preserving their characteristic earthy appearance, but with superior stability. Its continuous use over centuries has established it as a cornerstone of traditional painting, present in virtually every artistic school and movement.
 
In terms of performance, Joules & Joules Yellow Ochre is rated I (Excellent) for lightfastness and shows outstanding permanence across all media, remaining fully compatible with both mineral and organic pigments. It maintains its hue even under adverse conditions such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Its inorganic structure provides exceptional durability, making it a fundamental pigment for artists seeking stability, naturalism, and chromatic fidelity in their work. It is an indispensable color in any balanced palette—a true classic of fine art painting.
 
Pigment Classification
Synthetic Inorganic Pigment
 
Chemical Composition
Synthetic Hydrated Iron Oxide – Fe₂O₃ • H₂O
 
Color Index
PY 42
 
Binder
Acrylic Resin
 
Transparency/Opacity
Opaque
 
Lightfastness
I (Excellent)
 
Tinting Strength
Medium
 
Drying Time
Fast
 
Notes
Excellent permanence in all media.
 
Toxicity
Not considered toxic; however, ingestion, contact with eyes, and prolonged skin contact should be avoided.
 
MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)
Available on the website here.
 
Series
2
 
Availability
37 ml and 100 ml tubes, and 250 ml jars.