Paints

Discover five Armenian earth oil paints made from natural travertine, barite, umber and volcanic rocks. These natural, eco‑friendly colors offer rich, earthy hues for artists.

This article explains a repeatable way to measure watercolor granulation. We analyze the L* (lightness) variation inside a representative 1-inch tile of the wash, remove the paper’s own texture, and scale by mean lightness to get a Granulation Index (GI). The GI is then labeled None, Slight, Moderate, Strong, Very Strong, or Extreme so you can compare colors and papers with confidence.

Watercolor artists often describe paints as staining or non-staining—but what does that really mean? In this in-depth guide, Natural Pigments explains how watercolor staining is measured scientifically using a repeatable method based on the Residual-Color Index. Learn how to prepare filter-paper swatches, test lifting behavior, and understand what the labels “Non-staining,” “Low,” “Medium,” and “High” actually tell you about pigment behavior.

Objective, tint-first hue labels for watercolors—based on CIE Lab* data. Clear warm/cool rules and a reliable way to classify tricky browns and blacks so your mixes behave on paper.

An artist-focused review of how layered optics, refractive index, PVC, and binder choice shape oil painting skin tones—plus practical tempera-under-oil steps and a Rublev Colours swatch protocol.

From Spencer to Millet, see how artists picture the dignity of work—and what their palettes, values, and edges can teach your studio practice.

Step-by-step guide to grind pigments with a glass muller or Natural Pigments’ Basic Paint-Making Kit—achieve vibrant, stable paints in oil, watercolor, gouache, and egg tempera.

Learn how to measure oil absorption (OA) in pigments, calculate PVC & cPVC, and adjust binder ratios for oil, watercolor, gouache, and egg tempera.

Discover how oil paint glaze enhances transparency and depth with the right pigments, mediums, and layering techniques. Learn expert tips for lasting, luminous results.

Discover proven methods for storing oil paint to extend its shelf life and maintain optimal quality. Learn practical tips and techniques.

Learn why oil paint cracks, the pigments most prone to cracking, and practical tips for preventing damage to your paintings.

Explore Willem Beurs’ guide to 17th-century painting techniques, covering pigments, materials, and timeless methods for artists.