A Study on the Alternative Method according to the Mixing of Traditional Material Dancheong Pigment: Focusing on Orpiment and Lead White

Abstract

Among the traditional dancheong pigments, orpiment and lead white have problems such as toxic properties, unstable supply and demand, and low color stability. Therefore, alternative methods are needed. This study attempted to solve these problems by reducing the amount of orpiment and lead white by mixing other pigments. The specimens were prepared by mixing orpiment with two types of yellow ochre and one each of oyster shell white and white clay. Lead white was mixed with three types of oyster shell white and white clay. Surface changes, chromaticity, and peeling characteristics were observed. When orpiment was mixed with white pigments, the mixture showed a relatively similar to the orpiment color, compared to when mixed with yellow ochre. When orpiment inside the film was discolored, however, the yellow index was reduced by 20 at most, showing a high color difference value. When orpiment was mixed with yellow ochre (5:5), the mixture was observed to have relatively high chromatic stability and durability, compared to when orpiment was solely used. Until the lowest mixing ratio (2:8), showing a similar color to the lead white. Particularly, the more similar the brightness value of white pigments used was to that of lead white, the closer the mixtures became to the chromatic range of lead white. But they showed different aspects of discoloration and peeling, depending on the mixing ratio of media.