Pigments

A clear comparison of earth pigments and synthetic iron oxides in oil painting. Learn how they differ in color, handling, and paint film behavior so you can choose the right pigment for your work.

Learn how barite (baryte, blanc fixe) affects oil paint’s body, gloss, and permanence. Discover safe, effective uses of barium sulfate for artists.

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 lithopone pigment's history, properties, and its role in fine art and conservation. Learn how modern techniques address its historical challenges.

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.

Discover the secrets of pararealgar in Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Explore its history, chemistry, and applications for artists today.

Discover how pigment particles affect paint properties such as gloss, tinting strength, opacity, and weather resistance. Optimize your paints for long-lasting, vibrant results.

Discover how aqueous pigment dispersions simplify paint making, offer safety, and enhance your creative process with consistent and versatile results.

Smalt, a historical blue pigment made from cobalt and potassium glass, was widely used by old masters, including Rembrandt. Over time, smalt is prone to degradation, shifting from vibrant blue to grey-yellow due to potassium leaching. This degradation affects both the color and structural integrity of the paint. Studies show that higher potassium content and controlled humidity can mitigate these effects. By understanding smalt's chemistry and applying preventive measures, artists and conservators can preserve the pigment's brilliance in artworks for future generations. This review provides insights into smalt’s history, its use in masterpieces, and modern preservation techniques.

Jacob Christopher Le Blon (1667–1741) was an engraver who developed what is perhaps the first system of color printing using three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. In his treatise, Coloritto, Or the Harmony of Colouring in Painting, he propounds a painting theory that interests students and professionals alike. Uncover the secrets of Le Blon's color theory in oil painting. Dive into how primary colors revolutionize art techniques and education.