Matisse Studio Acrylic Paint 120ml - Pyrrole Red

Pyrrole Red (PR254) is a Series 1 semi-transparent colour in the Matisse Studio acrylic range, offering a bold scarlet hue with exceptional durability. Originally developed for high-end automotive finishes, this pigment became known as “Ferrari Red” for its use in luxury sports cars like Ferrari’s Rosso Corsa. Though widely associated with Ferrari, PR254 has also been adopted by other prestigious brands such as Alfa Romeo, BMW, and Lexus valued for its unmatched fade resistance.

Discovered accidentally in 1974 by chemist Donald Farnum and later patented by Ciba-Geigy in 1983, PR254 quickly gained a reputation for its brilliance and stability, outperforming even traditional pigments like Cadmium Red in permanence.

Pyrrole Red is prized by artists for its:

• High lightfastness (ASTM I), ideal for outdoor work and exposed conditions
• Intense scarlet tone that maintains vibrancy in both washes and full-strength application
• Excellent mixing capabilities, perfect for creating naturalistic skin tones, rich oranges, and brilliant pinks
• Versatility across styles, from portraits to landscapes to graphic works

Its ability to retain colour integrity over time without the toxicity of cadmium makes it a modern essential for professional and emerging artists alike.