Tag: Vegan art

Ox gall is a greenish-brown liquid mixture derived from the gallbladders of cattle and is definitely not vegan. This traditional wetting agent, used for centuries to improve the flow of watercolors, is a significant concern for vegan artists who want to ensure their materials are cruelty-free.

Historically, many art pigments like bone black (PBk 9) were derived from animal products, a practice now being replaced by more ethical alternatives. This raises a critical question for modern, ethically-minded painters: is Mars Black vegan? The short answer is that the pigment itself is derived from synthetic iron oxide, but artists must still check the specific paint binder for a truly vegan product.