Viridian is a transparent emerald green color. Named after the Latin for green ‘viridis’, it was first made in Paris by colorist Binet in 1838 as a replacement for the deadly Emerald Green. These magnificent paints are designed to look and work just like traditional oil paint, but they’re a bit special. You can use them without hazardous solvents – they’re happy being thinned down and cleaned up with water. They’re especially good for artists who share a work space or don’t want solvents in school or at home. We make Artisan Water Mixable Oil Color in 40 vibrant tones with a thick, buttery consistency so you can use them in a variety of ways. We’ve added a selection of special thinners, oils and mediums to this range, too.