Oil paint SMARTMAX Artists 37 ml — Ivory Black (331) — artist-grade oil colour

SMARTMAX Artists oil colour in a 37 ml tube — Ivory Black (331) — is an artist-grade oil paint formulated for fine art painting, glazing and layering techniques. The pigment delivers a deep, neutral black with good tinting strength and a smooth buttery consistency that suits detailed work and broad passages alike. This oil colour is compatible with traditional supports such as primed canvas, gessoed board and prepared wood, and can be used with common oil-painting media for extended working time or glazing effects.

Advantages

The Ivory Black (331) offers stable coverage and strong contrast for underpainting, shadows and fine details. Its creamy consistency enables controlled brushwork as well as smooth blending. As an artist-grade formulation, it is designed to provide consistent handling and predictable drying behaviour when used with standard oil mediums and solvents. The 37 ml tube format is suitable for studio use or for artists who require a portable supply of a frequently used neutral black.

Suitable for

• Fine art oil painting on primed canvas and panels
• Underpainting, chiaroscuro and establishing tonal values
• Glazing and layering techniques when mixed with appropriate mediums
• Detail work, outlines and contrast accents in mixed-media compositions

When it may not be suitable

This oil colour is intended for artists familiar with oil-paint handling, drying times and solvent use. It is not formulated for use as a water-mixable oil or for direct application on unprimed, absorbent surfaces without suitable ground. For rapid-drying or entirely water-based workflows, alternatives such as acrylics or alkyd-modified oils would be more appropriate.

Key specifications

• Volume: 37 ml
• Colour: Ivory Black (deep neutral black)
• Grade: Artist-grade oil colour
• Consistency: Smooth, buttery for both detail and blending
• Compatibility: Works with traditional oil painting media and solvents

How to use

Squeeze a small amount from the tube onto a palette and mix with oil painting mediums if extended open time or increased transparency is required. Apply with bristle or synthetic brushes suitable for oils, and build layers following the fat-over-lean principle to minimise cracking. Clean brushes and tools with an appropriate solvent or brush cleaner and allow painted layers to dry in a dust-free environment. Use proper ventilation when working with solvents and oil mediums.

What to consider before purchase

• Intended support: confirm you will use primed canvas, gessoed board or prepared panels
• Drying time: oil paints dry slowly; plan layering and varnishing accordingly
• Compatibility with your chosen mediums and solvents
• Storage: store tubes upright in a cool, dry place with caps tightly closed

Usage recommendations

For clear tonal control, use Ivory Black (331) in thin glazes over mid-tones rather than relying solely on thick opaque passages. When mixing with lighter colours, test small mixes to check tinting strength and retain desired chroma. Maintain brushes by removing excess paint promptly and conditioning bristles after cleaning to prolong tool life.