How to use your collected Pigments
There are many detailed and complex methods for making paints out of found pigment. We are providing only simple instructions and examples of immediate ways to use your collected samples. If you are interested in pursuing pigment collection and use, we encourage you to do your own research and experimentation to develop your practice.
Earth and mineral pigments:
Pigments, when crushed, will change color--sometimes drastically and sometimes barely at all. When you have a sample collected, try crushing a little bit of it to see how the color is affected when its structure is broken. If you are not familiar with the mineral you are working with, it is important to identify the pigment first. It may be necessary to wear a dust mask or even gloves with some of the samples you collect. The mortar and pestle you use with your pigments should not be the same one you use in your kitchen.
When you have collected your pigments your first step will be to crush the pigment into a powder. You can do this by adding small pieces to a mortar and pestle, pounding them down repeatedly with enough force to break the material, and then grinding it to as fine a powder as possible. The hardness will vary greatly based on the material you are using. After this first breaking down of the structure, the pigment needs to be cleaned and separated from other materials mixed into the rock or mineral. Place the powdered pigment in a bowl of water and stir the mixture vigorously. When the layers settle, much of the debris will rise to the surface where you can ladle, pour, or siphon off. Repeat this process until no more debris floats to the surface.
Let the pigment dry by spreading it out over flat surface for a few hours. Keep the material away from too much heat or direct sunlight as it may affect the coloring of your sample.
Sift the dry remaining material through a sifter or sieve. This will help achieve a uniformity in the particle sizes that will make for a better paint.
Pulverize your sample in the mortar and pestle to a consistent powdered form. There should not be any sand sized particles at this point. Repeat the grinding process with each separated grade of material until they are all uniform.
Once you have your powdered pigment, it is ready to be added to the binder of your choice and used! Binders can be anything from oil or wax to egg tempera. Notes below will walk you through the specifics of these different binders.
Dyes:
Using dyes from berries, flowers, and other plant material is the most immediate way to put color on paper, though it won’t hold its color for a long period of time. It’s a simple, non-archival process that’s fun to play around with.
The Pigment Project is most interested simply in the pigment and the color profiles of the various geographic regions, but we wanted to provide you with these options for making usable paints with the pigments you find.
Remember to do your research before crushing and working with any of the pigments you find and be safe!
Earth and mineral pigments:
Pigments, when crushed, will change color--sometimes drastically and sometimes barely at all. When you have a sample collected, try crushing a little bit of it to see how the color is affected when its structure is broken. If you are not familiar with the mineral you are working with, it is important to identify the pigment first. It may be necessary to wear a dust mask or even gloves with some of the samples you collect. The mortar and pestle you use with your pigments should not be the same one you use in your kitchen.
When you have collected your pigments your first step will be to crush the pigment into a powder. You can do this by adding small pieces to a mortar and pestle, pounding them down repeatedly with enough force to break the material, and then grinding it to as fine a powder as possible. The hardness will vary greatly based on the material you are using. After this first breaking down of the structure, the pigment needs to be cleaned and separated from other materials mixed into the rock or mineral. Place the powdered pigment in a bowl of water and stir the mixture vigorously. When the layers settle, much of the debris will rise to the surface where you can ladle, pour, or siphon off. Repeat this process until no more debris floats to the surface.
Let the pigment dry by spreading it out over flat surface for a few hours. Keep the material away from too much heat or direct sunlight as it may affect the coloring of your sample.
Sift the dry remaining material through a sifter or sieve. This will help achieve a uniformity in the particle sizes that will make for a better paint.
Pulverize your sample in the mortar and pestle to a consistent powdered form. There should not be any sand sized particles at this point. Repeat the grinding process with each separated grade of material until they are all uniform.
Once you have your powdered pigment, it is ready to be added to the binder of your choice and used! Binders can be anything from oil or wax to egg tempera. Notes below will walk you through the specifics of these different binders.
Dyes:
Using dyes from berries, flowers, and other plant material is the most immediate way to put color on paper, though it won’t hold its color for a long period of time. It’s a simple, non-archival process that’s fun to play around with.
The Pigment Project is most interested simply in the pigment and the color profiles of the various geographic regions, but we wanted to provide you with these options for making usable paints with the pigments you find.
Remember to do your research before crushing and working with any of the pigments you find and be safe!
Read more about using your pigments with: