Alchemy at the Historic Colour Maker's House
on the edge of the Lake District - 017683 53530

The Origins of Pigment

Many artists today purchase pre-made paint from an art shop with little thought as to the extensive history of the medium in their hand. 

The story of pigments can be traced back over 40,000 years to ancient paintings made on cave walls. These prehistoric paintings were initially made using red, yellow and orange coloured clays stained with rusty iron. Then mixed with animal fat or eggs to stick it to the wall. Charcoal and dirt gave black outlines and shadows, adding depth.

But two colour groups rarely appear naturally in stone or earth form. They are blues and greens. 

Egyptians synthesized a blue derived from copper ore and quartz, heating it to 700 degrees. Another option was to grind the rare mineral Lapis Lazuli and remove the iron pyrites, a lengthy, convoluted process.

During the Renaissance, artists started experimenting with heating yellows and browns to increase the range of colours. 

Oil from linseed and walnuts replaced egg as a way of binding colour to a surface. Then a century later, Gum Arabic, a tree sap from Africa, was introduced by traders as a binding medium, becoming the base for watercolour and gouache. 

During the 18th century, enlightened chemists started experimenting with synthesizing colours from chemical processes. 

Lapis Lazuli was among the earliest, becoming Ultramarine, and the price fell dramatically, making it affordable to all artists. Many other colours quickly followed using chemicals extracted from coal tar.

Petroleum was discovered in 1859. It was scientifically studied. Followed by new chemicals that, when combined, produce a new range of bright, vivid colours for the artist's palette.

Today, there is a move to reconnect with the natural world and produce paints that are less damaging to the environment and more eco-friendly.