Natural pigments, how stable are they?
May 19, 2010 8:43 pm art techniquesI created a panel from pigments that I’d brought back from Morocco. I did a light test on the panel to see how lightfast the colours were. As you can see, most of the colours have faded after a year. If you are going to use pigments from an unknown source, it pays to be aware that this may happen. Pigments bought from a reputable art shop should be OK, but ask how lightfast they are before you buy. You could try Sennelier Dry Pigments from Dick Blick Art Materials
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I painted the pigments onto an panel.
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I identified the colours using white paint.
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Here is the panel after a year on a windowsill. Most of the colours have faded.
Where can I buy art materials online?
Dick Blick Art Materials sell a vast range of pigments in various sizes. It is an art supplies company that is based in the US.
If you order over a certain amount, shipping can be free within the US, conditions apply. Orders placed from outside the US will have a different shipping charge and may be subject to import duty. (Click on the shipping information link at the bottom of the page on Dick Blick Art Materials for details.)
Other pages of interest
- Buying pigments from an unknown source can make the process a bit of a mystery: Read more about natural pigments bought in Morocco
- You will need to use traditional gesso with egg tempera: Read more about traditional gesso
- Before adding any paint, you will need to create an underdrawing: Read more about underdrawing
- Before you can mix up your paints, you need to grind them: Read more about grinding pigments for use with egg tempera
- This is the traditional recipe for making egg tempera paints:Read more about mixing egg yolk with pigment (traditional egg tempera)
- Using this recipe gives a paint that is closer to the quality of oil paints:Read more about the whole egg tempera recipe
- A technique that mixes layers of egg tempera with oil paints: Read more about the Mische technique
