New Blue

Until a couple of years ago, a relatively new pigment known as YInMn blue, that was discovered only in 2009 or so, was an expensive curiosity. It was discovered as a byproduct of research into compounds for application in electronics. Comprising yttrium, indium and manganese, the resulting material is an intense and color-fast blue, very nearly like cobalt blue. Because of expense in production only a limited supply of the pigment is available although it has been mulled in oil and acrylic vehicles. Some companies have produced limited editions but many of those are currently out of stock.

Because of an interest in pigments I purchased a small tube of acrylic YInMn blue a year or two ago. As expected, it resembles cobalt blue both in mass color and when mixed. The difference between the two is quite small and suggests to me that this newer blue will always remain a curiosity.