Black 4.0 Paint by Stuart Semple
Last updated: 19 October 2026
Black 4.0 paint is a super-matt black acrylic made by the artist Stuart Semple and sold through his shop, Culture Hustle. Culture Hustle says it absorbs at least 99% of visible light, so a painted surface looks flat and close to a void. A 150ml bottle costs £49.99, and to buy one you have to confirm you are not Anish Kapoor.
What Black 4.0 paint is
Stuart Semple released Black 4.0 in October 2023, according to Artnet News. It is the latest in his line of super-black paints, which began after Anish Kapoor secured the sole artistic rights to Vantablack.
Semple told Artnet it is a new formula rather than an update of Black 2.0 or 3.0. He also said: "I believe artists should have access to stuff that elevates their art." That is the reason behind the Kapoor clause on the product page.
What it does
- Absorbs light: at least 99% of visible light, according to Culture Hustle.
- Works on any surface: Culture Hustle says it goes on anything, once the surface is sealed or primed.
- Thins with water: it is an acrylic, so you clean brushes with water.
- Brush or airbrush: both work, in thin layers.
- Archival: Culture Hustle sells it as archival quality for finished work.
Key facts
- Price: £49.99 for 150ml, with larger 1 litre and 6 litre sizes
- Maker: Stuart Semple, through Culture Hustle
- Type: acrylic paint with a super-matt finish
- Released: October 2023
- Bottle size: 150ml is about the size of a travel shampoo bottle
- Purchase condition: you confirm you are not Anish Kapoor or buying for him
Who Black 4.0 suits
- Painters and illustrators: it gives a much flatter black than an ordinary tube of acrylic.
- Model makers and sculptors: it makes painted shapes look flat, which is useful for backgrounds and voids.
- Art students: it is a well-known material with a story behind it, at under £50 a bottle.
For more ideas for people who paint and draw, see our gifts for artists.
The limits of Black 4.0
It needs care to look its best. Culture Hustle recommends a soft brush, very little paint on it, thin layers and full drying between coats. Thick or patchy coats lose some of the flat effect.
Surfaces need preparing first. You seal porous surfaces with a mix of 25% PVA glue and 75% water, and you prime shiny surfaces before painting.
It is also expensive for 150ml. £49.99 buys far less paint than the same money spent on standard acrylics, so it suits small areas rather than big canvases.
Where to buy it in the UK
Culture Hustle, Semple's UK shop, sells Black 4.0 direct, with postage worked out at checkout. I struggled to find it on Amazon UK, where searches only showed ordinary black acrylics. The full instructions are on the Culture Hustle product page.
FAQs
How much is Black 4.0 paint?
£49.99 for a 150ml bottle from Culture Hustle, plus postage. I checked the price on 19 October 2026.
Is Black 4.0 the same as Vantablack?
No. Vantablack is a different material, and Anish Kapoor holds the artistic rights to it. Black 4.0 is an acrylic paint that anyone apart from Kapoor can buy and brush on.
How black is Black 4.0?
Culture Hustle says it absorbs at least 99% of visible light.
Can you thin Black 4.0 with water?
Yes. It is an acrylic and thins with water, though thin, even layers give the flattest finish.
Who makes Black 4.0?
The British artist Stuart Semple, who sells it through his shop, Culture Hustle.
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I checked the price and stock at Culture Hustle on 19 October 2026.
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