Strontium Violet is a low-strength, granulating, cool violet similar to Ultramarine Violet (PV15). I tried Schmincke Horadam’s version, which I realized was called “Cobalt Violet Hue” after already writing “Strontium Violet” (the Roman Szmal name and closer to the generic pigment name).
PV62 Pigment Characteristics
Pigment Name: Strontium Phosphate Violet
Chemical Formula: Sr5(PO4)3Cu0.3O
Chemical Components Include: Barium oxide, magnesium oxide, phosphorus oxide, strontium oxide, copper-doped zinc oxide. This paint does not contain cobalt.
Toxicity: I couldn’t find specific information about this relatively new pigment, but the paint does not have a warning.
Lightfastness: I – Excellent
Observations of Schmincke Horadam’s Cobalt Violet Hue
Hue: A light lavender violet that is slightly less cool-leaning (less blue-toned) than Ultramarine Violet [DV version shown at bottom]. Also possibly slightly more vivid/less muted.
Tinting Strength: Very weak. I had to work really hard to get it as dark as I did… and it’s still really, really light.
Opacity: Can’t tell if transparent or just weak.
Granulating: Small tidy granulation throughout.
Gradient: Surprisingly smooth gradient for such a granulating color.
Color Mixes: Granulation stands out, especially in weird yellow mixes. Because it is so weak, it is easily overwhelmed by other colors.
What Others Say
Not a cobalt pigment at all, but rather a new synthetic violet apatite structure which has a similar pronounced granulation to some cobalt violets and adds interesting dusky tones to mixes, or underpainting for areas in shadow. This pigment is unique to Schmincke.
Lee Angold, “What’s in my studio palette?” (2021)
My Review of Strontium Violet (PV62)
It’s a pretty color, but almost indistinguishable from the less expensive Ultramarine Violet (PV15). Both colors are very weak, which is why I don’t really like having either one on my palette. I tend to use stronger colors, so these violets are easily overpowered. Still, it can be fun to have a delicate and color separating violet.
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Schminck Horadam – Cobalt Violet Hue, 5ml tube: Jackson’s US