Due to changes in EU regulations, two noticeable pigment changes will be visible across our range this year. We are grateful for the team at STOCKMAR who have worked through many possible alternatives and formulas, to arrive at final colours that adhere to both the new regulations and the harmonious colour blending so integral in the STOCKMAR range and the Steiner classroom.
The change in the Ultramarine pigment will be visible and apparent in our blue Lesson Book covers and the STOCKMAR Ultramarine Aquarelle Paint. The STOCKMAR Golden Yellow is also undergoing a similar process, and this is something STOCKMAR are still currently working on.
To summarise the changes and reasons behind these changes, here are some quotes directly from STOCKMAR, which we hope to give an explanation in their own words. If any questions remain, please be in touch and we can provide more information.
“The educational and artistic concept behind STOCKMAR products is what makes them so attractive. Developed along pedagogical lines, the paints, pencils, and modelling materials appeal to the senses of children in all age groups. We want to foster creativity and support the child’s development with our products as best we can as they ‘enter the realm of experience’…
STOCKMAR sets standards of quality for all its products which are much higher than the European Union’s harmonised standards …
Amendments to statutory regulations sometimes mean that the components of various product groups must be adjusted. …
Our product development team has been working on these two colours [Ultramarine and White] for more than five years, with the goal of preserving the familiar shades. Moreover, other important aspects of Waldorf education are considered when developing a formula. Each shade is always closely linked with others in the product range and integrates harmoniously into the STOCKMAR colour wheel.
… Since it is difficult to obtain certain pigments that meet our criteria, we spent months looking for alternatives to the ultramarine pigment we had been using to date.
Our staff in the development lab developed several first-rate ultramarine shades, but these did not meet regulatory requirements. Other shades did not come up to standard because they did not produce a warm red-violet when mixed with STOCKMAR Carmine Red or a warm green when mixed with STOCKMAR Golden Yellow.
… There is no denying that these colours may look quite different to the trained eye. The STOCKMAR watercolour paint Ultramarine Blue still contains ultramarine pigments, but in significantly smaller quantities that comply with regulations. The concentrated paint looks like our Prussian Blue and the colour wheel blue. The difference becomes much more apparent when one part paint is mixed with five parts water in the manner typical of watercolours.
… The new colours are a harmonious part of the STOCKMAR colour wheel and blend marvellously with others in the product range such as Carmine Red and Golden Yellow. Moreover, the new shade of ultramarine seems less ‘egoistic’ than the shade we offered before. … “
Reading this from STOCKMAR we hope will answer your questions and give you an insight into the process and dedication STOCKMAR follows to maintain their core ideals to support child pedagogy and the harmonious development of the senses.