The top strip was exposed to light and the bottom kept in the dark. Koh-I-Noor travel set colours (left) have faded more than Brusho ink (on right) but both have faded after only 1 month in a west facing window ( 16 Mar-14 April 2016). Purple has faded worst in both.
Finally got round to painting out test strips for fading tests for various water media. I have been using the Koh-i-noor travel set and some of the Brusho inks (Colourcraft) I got last autumn for life drawing and trees and plants. These are lovely to use and intense colour. I couldn't find any details on permanence on the internet except the manufacturers statement of 'a very good degree of lightfastness' . To my horror I found after only one month in the window some of the colours have faded significantly. Kohinoor were worse than Brusho but both had disappointing changes. The purple and turquoise have nearly disappeared, while the blues, red and greens have also changed. Yellow and brown have changed the least.
I also painted out the artists watercolours from my own travel tin (mainly W & Newton) and Rowney Artists set and these have not faded so fortunately most of my art output is not affected.
I also painted out the artists watercolours from my own travel tin (mainly W & Newton) and Rowney Artists set and these have not faded so fortunately most of my art output is not affected.
Tulips 10th Mar 2016 in Brusho ink. I knew Koh-I-Noor and Brusho were dyes which do in general fade more than pigment inks. But this is not true for every dye. Some do not fade as much as others so it is theoretically possible to carefully select more permanent colours.
Hence the need to do ones own daylight fading tests. The test strip was in a west facing window from 16th March to 14th April.
Hence the need to do ones own daylight fading tests. The test strip was in a west facing window from 16th March to 14th April.
Fir trees 9th Mar in Brusho inks. Yes I am using the purple, the red and the olive green - which all have faded in my daylight tests. It should be OK in the dark if it stays in the sketchbook. I am sorry these have faded so quicky, particularly the colours I have used and wanted to use. I was hoping to do some large stain drawings in summer at my Brisons Veor seaside residency, but as all the blues have faded I will have to go back to 'artists quality' watercolour paint .
I will continue with the tests to see how much each colour fades with time in case any of my set can be salvaged or if it all has to be binned. I used the browns and yellows quite a lot in life drawing.
I will continue with the tests to see how much each colour fades with time in case any of my set can be salvaged or if it all has to be binned. I used the browns and yellows quite a lot in life drawing.
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