McCracken Black is a very versatile black. It can produce a range of neutral grays that are ideal for creating a realistic look to metal objects and a remarkable depth in a dark background, that is inspired by the Dutch painters of the 16th and 17th century.Master Artist Laurin McCracken worked with Daniel Smith to develop a black that is neutral, not blue or brown. Small amounts of colour can be added to make it warm or cool, so that it can change and enhance the feel of a painting when desired. It has a degree of transparency which is useful when painting with a very dark background over an underpainting. McCracken Black is a complex black, with a very low level of granularity so that the smooth surfaces of metal (like polished silver) in a still life can appear as realistic as possible.McCracken Black has Lightfastness: 1- Excellent, is low staining (level 2), has a low level of granularity and is transparent. Series 2.15ml tube.