There are many shades of the color black in the visible spectrum. Black is not just one single color, but rather encompasses a range of dark shades with subtle differences in hue and brightness. The perception of black is largely affected by lighting conditions and the contrast with surrounding colors. In certain contexts, some extremely dark shades of other colors may appear black. Exploring the diverse shades of black paint leads to the question – how many different shades of the color black exist?
What is Black?
Black is the darkest shade which results from the absolute absence of light. It absorbs all wavelengths of visible light and reflects none back to the eyes. In theory, true black would be the total absence of light. However, most black pigments still reflect a tiny fraction of visible light. Thus most shades we perceive as “black” are really very dark shades of grays. Black does not define a single color, but rather describes a range of shades that we intuitively group into the black color category.
Properties of Black
Because black absorbs light, it creates strong contrast when juxtaposed next to lighter colors. This high contrast makes forms and details stand out clearly. Black adds emphasis, weight and depth to designs and compositions. It also portrays power, strength, authority and prestige. Black conveys a sense of mystery and the unknown. At the same time, black can feel solemn, formal and somber. Black accepts all finishes and sheens – matte black has a velvety quality, while glossy black has a liquid, wet look. Black works well as a classic neutral and background color. Importantly, true black is the basis for all shade variations of black.
Sources of Black Pigments
Most black pigments in paints and inks are composed of very dark mineral, organic or carbon-based materials that absorb most visible light. Common sources of black pigments include:
- Carbon – Carbon black is the most light-absorbing and produces the deepest black. Sources include soot, charcoal and lamp black.
- Iron Oxide – Hematite, magnetite and black iron oxide create very dark grays.
- Manganese – Manganese oxide creates dark blackish-brown hues.
- Chromium – Chromium oxide green creates very dark greenish blacks.
- Bone char – Calcined bones produce blacks with a brownish undertone.
- Mixed blends – Combinations of different black pigments, fillers and dyes.
The resulting color of a black pigment depends on its exact chemical composition and particle structure. Lighter black pigments contain more impurities and produce dark shades of gray rather than true black.
Properties of Black Pigments
The following properties differentiate shades of black pigment:
- Hue – The inherent color cast, such as cool, warm, greenish, reddish or bluish.
- Value – The lightness or darkness of the black.
- Chroma/Saturation – Intensity of the pigment’s color, more chromatic blacks appear richer.
- Transparency – Opaque vs. transparent effect on other pigments.
- Tinting Strength – Ability to retain darkness when mixed with other colors.
- Lightfastness – Resistance to fading over time.
Subtle variations in these qualities result in the wide range of rich, deep black shades available.
Types of Black Pigments
Many different black pigments are used in manufacturing paints, inks, plastics, textiles and other colored materials. Here are some of the most common:
Ivory Black – Also called bone black, made from charring animal bones. Warm black with brown undertones.
Lamp Black – Very dark gray with a neutral hue, made by collecting soot from burning oils.
Mars Black – Iron oxide-based warm black, relatively weak tinting strength.
Carbon Black – Pure elemental carbon, intense neutral black, but more transparent.
Vine Black – Made from charring grape vines, neutral black hue.
Magnetite – Black mineral iron oxide, inexpensive neutral black.
These show the range of blacks – from warm, brownish ivory black to neutral carbon black. Specific brand paints mix these in varying recipes.
Black in Paints
Paint manufacturers offer dozens of differentiated blacks to artists and designers. Here are some notable shades of black from major paint brands:
Lamp Black – Dark neutral black, dense consistency, from Winsor & Newton.
Mars Black – Warm black with weak tinting strength, from Gamblin.
Ivory Black – Darker and more reddish than mars black, from Grumbacher.
Carbon Black – Pure black pigment, transparent effect, from Daniel Smith.
Chromatic Black – Rich black with a hint of phthalo blue, from Golden.
Jet Black – Intense black with red undertone, excellent lightfastness from Liquitex.
Rich Black – Slight warm brown tone, highly opaque, from van Gogh.
Lamp Black – Dark but lower in chroma than carbon black, from Winsor & Newton.
This small sample demonstrates the nuances between different artist’s blacks. More paint brands offer further variations.
Black in Other Media
Black shades in inks, dyes, pigmented polymers and coatings also vary widely. Printers and typographers rely on rich black (combination of black inks) to create true blacks. Unique blacks appear in textiles, plastics, automotive coatings, construction materials and other colored products. Carbon black and black iron oxide are very common in manufacturing black materials. Specific media utilize different black pigments, particles sizes, bounds and mixtures tailored to their application.
Computer Displays
On screens, “black” is limited to the darkest color the display can produce. LCD displays look grayish in a dark room. OLED produce much darker, richer blacks. But no current display technology creates a true black pixel. Digital images use the RGB color mode, with black (0,0,0) being the absence of all light. Photos may also include rich blacks made by mixing pigments. Display black depends on the device – some screens can show darker blacks than others.
Black Dye and Clothing
For textiles and apparel, black dyes create deep shades. Commonly used types include:
- Logwood black – Neutral black dye once made from logwood trees.
- Oiled black – Dense black dye with oil or other binders added.
- Sulfur black – economical synthetic black dye, can fade to brown.
Black dyes can stain skin and be difficult to wash out fully. Black clothing can look richer, deeper and more luxurious than other dark colors. Black fabric seems to absorb more light, creating vivid contrast with light skin and accessories. Black garments seem versatile, authoritative and prestigious.
Natural Blacks
While black is rare among plants and animals, some natural blacks do exist:
- Raven feathers
- Black panther fur
- Black grapes
- Black orchids
- Black olives
- Obsidian volcanic rock
These natural blacks differ subtly in lightness and hue. Truly black plants and animals are uncommon in nature, as pigmentation offers no evolutionary advantage. Thus most natural blacks are very dark shades of brown, purple or gray.
Psychology of Black
Black evokes unique psychological and symbolic meanings:
- Power – Authority, strength, prestige.
- Elegance – Refinement, formality, luxury.
- Rebellion – Mystery, secrecy, defiance.
- Evil – Menace, darkness, death.
- Sophistication – Modernity, seriousness.
Black elicits strong reactions – both positive and negative. Designers utilize black to convey strength, elegance or rebelliousness. Black is a staple color for modern high fashion. Consumers also associate black with expense and luxury. But black can also feel depressing if overused. The meaning of black varies by personal and cultural associations.
Shades of Near Black
Some dark shades of other colors appear similar to true blacks:
- Jet – Very dark gray, intense, neutral.
- Ebony – Blackened with high contrast.
- Raven – Slight warm hue, brownish-black.
- Charcoal – Dark gray with blackened undertone.
- Onyx – Solid black with hints of white veining.
- Obsidian – Natural volcanic glass, glossy black.
These near blacks are extremely dark shades of, or combinations with, black which mimic true black, especially in low light conditions. They exemplify the range of deep, dark hues that border on black.
Counting Shades of Black
There are potentially millions of distinct blacks, but no definitive number.
- Pigment black varies by exact chemical composition, particle size, gloss, and transparency.
- Mixed blacks employ complex recipes with many possible combinations.
- Displayed blacks depend on lighting, device capabilities, etc.
- Perceived black is influenced by human vision and psychology.
Small variations in hue, chroma, value and properties create numerous blacks. EXAMPLES: Ivory black vs. mars black, matte black vs. satin black, LCD black vs OLED black. Black encompasses a wide continuum, not just a single color.
Conclusion
There are an unlimited number of potential shades of black, ranging from warm black with reddish undertones to neutral, greenish, bluish, or faded blacks. Black is an expansive color category, not a single pigment. The perception of black is also relative. However, as a practical estimate, artists and designers work with dozens of blacks from warm to neutral to cool. Manufacturers produce hundreds of black pigments, dyes, inks and coatings. The range extends from lightly blackened dark greys to dense, light-absorbing neutral blacks. Black is an extremely versatile color with endless nuance and style. But for general purposes, thinking in terms of 10-50 distinguishable blacks captures the scope well. So in summary, while there are technically infinite blacks, the human-relevant range contains between 10-50 shades of distinguishable blacks.