Yes, black is a pigment. While conceptually black is often described as the absence of light, in the practical application of art, printing, and manufacturing, black is achieved through the use of pigments. These pigments absorb a vast majority of the visible light spectrum, resulting in the perception of black.
What are Pigments?
Pigments are colored substances that are insoluble in the medium in which they are dispersed. They are used to impart color to various materials, including paints, inks, plastics, and more. Many different types of black pigments exist, each with unique properties and applications.
Examples of Black Pigments
Several references highlight different types of black pigments used across various applications:
- Carbon Black: A common black pigment, known for its high tinting strength and opacity (mentioned in various sources including Jackson's Art Blog and Sinopia.com).
- Iron Oxide Black: Offers strong tinting strength and is used in demanding applications (as noted on Earth Pigments website).
- Specific brand pigments: Examples like Black Diamond Pigments, Smooth-On's UVO Black (Reddit), and Black Magick (Culture Hustle) illustrate the wide variety of commercially available black pigments with unique characteristics.
These examples demonstrate that "black" isn't a single entity but a result achieved by using various black pigments with distinct properties, such as tinting strength and opacity. The choice of black pigment depends on the desired application and its specific requirements. For instance, a dye-based black ink might be suitable for some printing purposes, while a pigment-based ink is preferred for others (as explained in a Canon Community post).
The use of black pigment is also apparent in 3D printing, where black pigment is added to resins to create darker shades (Formlabs).
Therefore, while philosophically black can be considered an absence of light, practically speaking, it is achieved through the use of various black pigments.
