Anthraquinone Blue is not a “nice” blue. It’s a blue with authority.
It has ridiculous tinting strength, meaning one tiny touch can hijack your entire mix. If you like subtle, this pigment will laugh at you.
It’s also transparent, so you can glaze it and build depth without it turning dull. In light washes it’s cool and clean. Pushed hard it goes deep and dramatic, but still reads as blue.
And yes, it’s staining. Once it’s down, it’s down. No lifting. No negotiations. This pigment does not do second chances.
Mixing wise it’s a menace in the best way. It makes cold greens with yellows and stormy darks with earth colors.
