Oil Paint Pigments
Compare pigments by oil absorption, wetting, transparency, texture, tinting strength, drying behavior, and handling in drying oils.
Explore oil paint pigmentsChoose Pigments by Binder and Technique
Pigments by Painting Medium
Select pigments according to the binder, working method, and conditions of use
Explore pigment recommendations for oil, watercolor, gouache, egg tempera, casein, acrylic and polymer binders, encaustic, fresco, lime, and concrete. Compare the properties that influence wetting, dispersion, texture, opacity, drying behavior, and long-term stability in each painting system.
Start with Your Painting Process
Choose Pigments for Your Medium
Each category narrows the pigment range according to the requirements of a particular binder or application. Open the appropriate page to shop compatible pigments and review medium-specific selection guidance.
Watercolor & Gouache Pigments
Evaluate wetting, dispersion, staining, granulation, transparency, opacity, rewetting, and lightfastness in gum arabic systems.
Explore watercolor pigments
Egg Tempera Pigments
Choose pigments with suitable wetting, particle size, tinting strength, and handling for thin, rapidly drying egg-yolk paint films.
Explore egg tempera pigments
Casein Pigments
Select pigments for matte, fast-drying casein paint while accounting for wetting, opacity, settling, and the alkalinity of the binder formulation.
Explore casein pigments
Acrylic, PVA & Polymer Pigments
Compare ease of wetting and dispersion, color development, settling, lightfastness, and chemical stability in waterborne polymer systems.
Explore polymer pigments
Encaustic & Hot Wax Pigments
Select pigments that disperse effectively in wax and remain suitable during the controlled heating used to apply and fuse encaustic layers.
Explore encaustic pigments
Fresco, Lime & Concrete Pigments
Choose pigments for alkaline mineral systems with attention to chemical stability, lime resistance, environmental exposure, and application method.
Explore fresco pigmentsCategory guidance is a starting point. Pigments can differ within the same chemical family, and suitability may depend on the exact binder formulation, pigment concentration, support, application thickness, and environmental exposure.
One Pigment Can Behave Differently in Different Binders
Why the Painting Medium Matters
The binder surrounds the pigment particles, changes the way light moves through the paint film, and determines how the particles are wetted, dispersed, held on the support, and protected from the environment.
Binder Compatibility
Pigments differ in how readily they wet and disperse in drying oils, gum solutions, protein binders, waxes, waterborne polymers, and lime.
Particle Characteristics
Particle size, shape, surface properties, and aggregation influence texture, granulation, settling, gloss, color strength, and ease of dispersion.
Chemical Stability
Some pigments are affected by strong acids or alkalis, heat, sulfur compounds, moisture, or other materials present in the painting system.
Optical Behavior
The same pigment may appear more transparent, opaque, saturated, matte, glossy, or granular as the binder and pigment concentration change.
The binder usually provides adhesion. Pigment recommendations are therefore based on wetting, dispersion, optical properties, chemical compatibility, and the stability of the complete paint system—not on the pigment “adhering” by itself.
Compare the Main Selection Criteria
How Pigment Priorities Change by Medium
Use this table to identify the properties that deserve the most attention before opening a medium-specific pigment category. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
| Painting Medium | Important Pigment Considerations | Typical Effects or Handling | Special Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Paint | Oil absorption, wetting, drying behavior, transparency, tinting strength, particle texture | Glazing, opacity, body, impasto, brush handling, surface gloss | Drying rate and film formation vary significantly by pigment and oil |
| Watercolor | Dispersibility, transparency, staining, granulation, lightfastness, rewetting | Transparent washes, sedimentation, blooms, granulating passages | Some pigments settle rapidly or require more deliberate dispersion |
| Gouache | Opacity, covering power, tinting strength, dispersibility, rewetting | Matte, opaque passages and controlled flat color | Opacity also depends on concentration, particle size, extender use, and film thickness |
| Egg Tempera | Fine dispersion, wetting, tinting strength, particle size, binder compatibility | Thin, luminous, rapidly drying layers and precise hatching | Coarser pigments may require different application and grinding methods |
| Casein | Wetting, opacity, dispersion, settling, binder alkalinity | Matte, fast-drying, opaque or semi-opaque paint films | Casein formulas made strongly alkaline require alkali-resistant pigments |
| Acrylic, PVA & Polymer | Waterborne dispersion, wetting, color development, settling, lightfastness | Transparent to opaque polymer-bound films with varied gloss and body | Compatibility depends on pigment surface chemistry, dispersant, and binder formulation |
| Encaustic & Hot Wax | Wax dispersion, tinting strength, opacity, particle texture, heat-related stability | Translucent or opaque wax layers, texture, fusing, and polishing effects | Use controlled heating and avoid pigments unsuitable for the intended temperature or use |
| Fresco, Lime & Concrete | Alkali resistance, chemical stability, weather resistance, particle characteristics | Matte mineral surfaces and color incorporated into a carbonating lime matrix | Exterior, concrete, and lime applications require project-specific testing |
These priorities are comparative, not absolute. The final result also depends on pigment concentration, binder-to-pigment ratio, additives, grinding or dispersion method, support preparation, application thickness, and drying or curing conditions.
A Practical Selection Checklist
Before Choosing a Pigment
Begin with the medium-specific category, then review the individual pigment page and test unfamiliar combinations before using them in finished artwork.
- Confirm that the pigment is chemically compatible with the binder and any strongly acidic or alkaline ingredients in the formulation.
- Decide whether you need transparency, opacity, staining, granulation, coarse texture, fine detail, or high tinting strength.
- Review lightfastness, permanence, composition, and resistance information for the intended display and environmental conditions.
- For oil paint, compare oil absorption, drying behavior, texture, and the degree of transparency or opacity in the selected drying oil.
- For fresco, lime, concrete, murals, or exterior work, verify alkali and environmental resistance rather than relying on general artist-paint suitability.
- Read the product label and SDS, control dust when handling dry pigments, and use application-specific protective measures where required.
Continue Your Pigment Research
Technical and Paint-Making Resources
Use these resources to move from a broad medium category to a specific pigment, technical comparison, or paint-making process.
Pigment Guide
Understand pigment names, chemistry, physical properties, permanence, optical behavior, medium compatibility, and safe handling.
Read the Pigment GuidePigment Specifications
Filter and compare selected pigment properties, including Colour Index, pigment type, chemistry, particle size, oil absorption, and density.
Compare SpecificationsPaint-Making Materials
Browse paint-making information, tools, pigment sets, and materials for preparing handmade colors with compatible binders.
Explore Paint MakingFrequently Asked Questions
Choosing Pigments for a Painting Medium
These answers provide a practical starting point. Review the individual pigment page and prepare representative tests for demanding or unfamiliar applications.
Can every pigment be used in every painting medium?
No. Many pigments work in several binders, but some have limitations related to alkalinity, acidity, heat, chemical reactivity, wetting, bleeding, migration, particle size, or environmental exposure. Begin with the appropriate medium category and confirm qualifications on the individual pigment page.
Why can the same pigment look different in oil and watercolor?
Binders differ in refractive index, film thickness, gloss, pigment concentration, and the way they surround and separate pigment particles. These differences can change apparent transparency, saturation, undertone, texture, and color depth.
Which pigments should be avoided in fresco or lime?
Pigments that are unstable in strongly alkaline environments should not be assumed suitable for fresco, lime, or concrete. Use the Fresco, Lime & Concrete category, review the pigment's resistance information, and test the actual formulation and support.
Do dry pigments require different dispersion methods for different binders?
Yes. Dry pigments are commonly made into a smooth paste with a compatible liquid or binder before final adjustment. The appropriate wetting and grinding method depends on the pigment, particle characteristics, binder, desired paint consistency, and batch size.
What is oil absorption, and why does it matter in oil paint?
Oil absorption is a comparative measure of how much oil is required to form a specified pigment paste. Pigments with different oil absorption values can produce paints with different body, gloss, drying behavior, pigment volume, and handling. The value is not an exact finished-paint formula.
Can pigments sold for oil paint also be used in egg tempera or watercolor?
A dry pigment is not inherently limited to one binder, but its suitability must still be evaluated for the intended medium. Particle size, wetting, dispersibility, staining, granulation, chemical compatibility, opacity, and permanence can produce very different results in egg tempera, watercolor, and oil.
How do I determine whether a pigment is suitable for exterior work?
Exterior suitability requires more than lightfastness. Review resistance to alkalinity, moisture, weathering, pollutants, and the specific binder and substrate. Prepare outdoor or accelerated comparative tests when the project is consequential.
Where can I find lightfastness, composition, permanence, and safety information?
Open the individual pigment page for available lightfastness, composition, opacity, permanence, application notes, warnings, and SDS links. Use the Pigment Specifications for catalog-wide comparison and the Pigment Guide to interpret the data.
Continue Your Search
Choose Your Next Step
Select a painting medium, compare technical properties, or browse the full Rublev Colours dry-pigment range.
Choose a Painting Medium
Return to the medium cards and select the binder or process that matches your work.
View Painting MediaCompare Pigment Properties
Use the technical comparison table to narrow the range by chemistry and physical properties.
Open SpecificationsBrowse All Pigments
Shop the complete pigment catalog and open individual pages for full product information.
Shop All Pigments
Select Wishlist
Sign in to your account
No recently views items
Clear All