vine black

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Vine black

This page presents the Spectroscopic analysis of this pigment.
The pigment has been examined using XRF spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and Reflectance Spectroscopy. These complementary techniques provide valuable insights into the pigment’s composition and structure.
This page aims to show which analytical methods are most effective for identifying this pigment in artworks and historical materials. By comparing results across different techniques, it serves as a practical reference for Heritage Science, Conservation, and Pigment Analysis.

It was used since very earliest times and it is made traditionally by charring desiccated grape vines and stems.

Manufacturer / product code: Kremer / 47000
Chemical description: made by heating wood, or other plant material, with a very restricted air supply. Kremer PDF
Color: black
Color Index: PBk8
More info: Pigments Through The Ages

Vine black is a carbon-based black pigment traditionally produced by the controlled charring of vine twigs, branches, or grape pomace in a low-oxygen environment. Its use is documented from antiquity through the early modern period, particularly in Mediterranean regions where viticulture was widespread and raw materials were readily available. The resulting pigment is composed mainly of amorphous carbon with minor mineral residues, giving it a deep but slightly warm black tone. Compared to lamp black or bone black, vine black typically has a softer hue and lower tinting strength, making it especially suitable for underdrawing, shading, and subtle tonal modulation. In painting and drawing, it was favored for preliminary sketches and for mixing with other pigments to darken colors without overwhelming them. Vine black also shows good chemical stability and compatibility with a wide range of binders. From an analytical perspective, it can be challenging to distinguish vine black from other vegetal blacks, requiring microscopic examination and elemental analysis of ash content.