About Our Pigments

All of our pigments are environmentally safe, non-toxic and easy to use. They have applications both large and small, from fine art and craft paints (both water and oil based) to interior and exterior wall paint, and coloring for plasters, various wall treatments and flooring. The only limit to the use of our pigments is your imagination!

Our pigments can be found in one of four categories:

  1. Natural Earths & Ochers
  2. Minerals
  3. Oxides
  4. Colonial Naturals

Natural Earths & Ochers (pronounced oh-kers) are rich colors including Ochers, Siennas, Umbers and natural iron Oxides. Compatible with all mediums, these colors are permanent providing a strong depth of color. Light accentuates the vividness of this palette of shades in a way that is unmatched by synthetic pigments.

Minerals are exclusive shades with a natural Ocher base unique to our quarry. These colors are Ochers enhanced with mineral pigments to create complimentary shades with similar properties and versatility. Their composition is 90% Ocher/10% Mineral or Organic pigment. As with our Ochers, these UV resistant colors are compatible with all mediums and respond to light in a way that is unmatched by synthetic pigments.

Oxides include both organic and mineral Oxides. They are not found in the earth as natural clays, but are created using natural components such as minerals or organic compounds, that are manipulated, usually by heating. The resulting shades are bright, UV resistant and have powerful tinting strength. We have chosen a palette of oxides to compliment our Natural Earth, Ocher and Mineral pigments to provide a wider range of color choices. As with all our pigments, our Oxides are safe and non-toxic.

Our Colonial Natural colors come from North America, deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where several veins of color can be found. Just like our Natural Earths and Ochers, our Colonial Natural pigments are all natural with no manmade ingredients. Lime stable, they are compatible with all mediums and permanent to UV.

All of our pigments are ground to 50 microns for ease of mixing. They contain no cadmium, mercury, tin, arsenic, radium, lead or other hazardous materials. Our Viridian, Green MC and SOF Green pigments are Chrome Oxides. Some very sensitive individuals may experience skin irritation with prolonged contact. When using any pigment, follow the safeguards on our Safety Guidelines page.

New to pigments? Read: How to Use Pigments.