Search results for 'pigment'

Reverse Cover Text: Did you know that the Egyptians created the first synthetic colour; or that the noblest purple comes from a predatory sea snail? Throughout history, artist pigments have been made from deadly metals, poisonous minerals, urine, cow dung, and even crushed insects. From grinding down beetles and burning animal bones to alchemy and serendipity, Chromatopia reveals the origin stories of over 50 of history's most extraordinary pigments. Spanning the ancient world to modern leaps in technology, this book for the artist, the history buff, the science lover an the design fanatic. "David has spent the entire life up to his elbows in this subject - he covers colour with beauty, depth and understanding. Anyone who has ever wondered about the origins of mummy brown, Tyrian purple or how manure makes the purest white need look no further." Narayan Khandejar, Director of the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, Harvard Art Museums

Please note, the book is now only available in a paperback format.

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Sosaku inking brush for working the pigments and glue paste onto the carved block for printing. These are made from horse hair and are traditionally prepared by splitting and softening the hair on shark-skin or sandpaper before printing. Brushes come in 3 sizes. Learn More

Brilliant and mainly opaque colours specially developed for use in calligraphy. Superfine pigments. Ideal for making inks. Non waterproof. Learn More

Michael Harding Non-Absorbent Acrylic Primer (NAAP) is a versatile product suitable for application on various surfaces, including linen, wood, MDF, and more. It is designed to create a robust, flexible, permanent, and intensely pigmented ground, making it an excellent choice for both acrylic and oil paints. Important Application Guidelines: Support Selection: NAAP should not be applied over surfaces treated with rabbit skin/hide glue or on unsound, flimsy supports such as cardboard. Opt for stable substrates to ensure the primer’s effectiveness. Not a Gesso: Please note that NAAP is a primer, not a gesso. As such, there is no need for additional gessoes, sizes, or other ancillary products when using NAAP. DIRECTIONS: Coat Application: Apply a minimum of two coats of NAAP to your chosen support, ensuring liberal coverage for optimal results. Dilution for Flow: If you desire increased flow, dilute NAAP with a mixture of 1 part water to 4 parts NAAP. This adjustment allows for customization based on your artistic preferences. Second Coat Application: Apply the second coat once the first coat is touch dry, typically after approximately 1 hour. This step contributes to the creation of a well-prepared painting surface. Additional Considerations: Suitable Supports: Do not use Michael Harding Non-Absorbent Acrylic Primer on flimsy or unsound supports. It is crucial to choose a stable and well-prepared surface for priming to ensure the longevity and integrity of your artwork. Canvas Weave Consideration: Avoid using this primer on canvases with a wide weave. The non-absorbent nature of the primer may not be suitable for canvases with a loose or open structure, compromising its effectiveness. Transparency Check: Before application, inspect your canvas material by holding it up to the light. If you can see light passing through the wefts (threads) of the canvas, it is not recommended to use Michael Harding Non-Absorbent Acrylic Primer. Opt for a more appropriate primer based on the transparency of your canvas. Learn More

The introduction of Walnut Oil as a pigment binder is contemporaneous with the emergence of Linseed Oil. Their drying properties have been appreciated since the Middle Ages, and throughout history there is evidence of both oils being used alongside each other within the same painting. In fact, until the sixteenth century, it is believed that Walnut Oil was the preferred binding medium among Italian artists. It is made from mature walnut kernals, offering a pale colour and brilliant gloss. For this reason, it is sometimes chosen as a binder for light colours, as it provides a stronger paint film than Poppy Oil, and faster drying times. However, a paint film made from Walnut Oil will tend to be brittle, so it is more suited to a rigid support rather than canvas. 

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* Only available online.* Robert Gamblin started making artists' oil paints in 1980. Since then he has built a reputation as both an innovative and imaginative maker of some of the best oils on the market today. As well as usual single pigment colours you would expect, the range also includes an interesting selection of neutral greys, beautiful metallics and the truly innovative Radiant range of pastel colours. Combining science and artistry, Gamblin paints are truly exceptional. *Please note, this range is stored offsite. Please allow extra time for your order to be processed and dispatched. Learn More

The Unison Light 8 set, specially selected by Unison Colour. This small set contains the essential Light colours from their large range of pastels. Unison Colour Soft pastels allow for ease of use with a highly blendable texture.

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Drawing Ink (series 29 500). A fine, free flowing pigmented ink. Available in gold, silver, black, sepia and bistre lightfast traditional tones in shellac binder. Learn More

Artists' Water Colour is a professional quality water colour. Based on the finest modern and traditional pigments, it is precisely formulated to offer unparalleled performance and permanence. Learn More

Daniel Smith Watercolour Ground creates a soft, absorbent watercolour surface with a slightly cottony texture that's similar to cold pressed paper. With this breakthrough archival quality ground, you can rescue flawed paintings, create new work on any surface, lift and scrub without damaging the painting surface. *Please note, this product is stored offsite. Please allow extra time for your order to be processed and dispatched. Learn More

Michael Harding Artists’ Oil Colours are formulated to the highest possible standards. They do not include any fillers, extenders or driers and the high pigment content of the paint ensures a greater resistance to fading. The range includes 86 rich, intense colours which have a stiff and viscous texture. We have high stock levels on all Series numbers including 5,6 & 7 in larger sizes. Learn More

A highly concentrated acrylic pigmented colour suitable for drawing pens, calligraphy, brush and airbrush techniques. 36 standard colours and 12 'special effects' colours. Lightfast and waterproof when dry. Glass Jar with dropper. Learn More

Beautifully soft and creamy oil pastels in a range of 120 colours. Blend of pure pigment, oil and acid free wax. 20% Discount for purchasing 4+ pastels. Learn More

The first acrylic colors offered by Golden Acrylic, Heavy Body paints are known for their exceptionally smooth, buttery consistency. The Heavy Body palette includes the largest assortment of unique pure pigments in a 100% acrylic emulsion available to professional artists. These colours offer excellent permanency and light-fastness. There are no fillers, extenders, opacifiers, toners, or dyes added. *Please note, this range is stored offsite. Please allow extra time for your order to be processed and dispatched. Learn More

Mix with tube oil colours or pigment to improve flow and translucency. For thin glazes, fine details and smooth brushwork. Learn More

Rohrer and Klingner Dokumentus ink is designed for fountain pens (best with wide nibs) and made specifically for signing official documents which require long term permanence. Dokumentus is made with small diameter micronized pigment and is waterproof and lightfast (unlike most fountain pen inks which are made with dyes and therefore not lightfast over time). Learn More

Schmincke’s new supergranulating watercolour range is produced by combining two or more granulating pigments in each paint. Grouped into eight colour palettes, these beautiful shades have a textural surface effect, which is exaggerated when used on rougher and more structured paper. Learn More

The Unison Dark 8 set, is specially selected by Unison Colour. This small set contains the essential Dark colours from various points of the Unison colour ranges. They are presented in an attractive and practical dark blue box.

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Drawing Ink (series 29 500). A fine, free flowing pigmented ink. Available in gold, silver, sepia, black and bistre lightfast traditional tones in shellac binder. Learn More

Finest quality watercolours made in Germany. This range offers 139 colours, including 95 single-pigment colours, 3 perylene pigments, 5 quinacridone pigments, and a selection of granulating colours. They present endless mixing possibilities, and can combined with Schmincke's selection of watercolour mediums as well as with their gouache paints. The solid colours are produced by pouring the liquid paint into the pans four times, ensuring the maximum yield for each colour. Also available in half pans and tubes of 5 and 15ml. Learn More

Gamblin Relief Inks are formulated for all relief techniques, including woodblock, linocut, monotype, and Solarplate. They contain the right amount of stiffness and tack to hold fine detail yet spread evenly on the block or plate. The palette of ten colors is designed to give artists intense pure pigmented colors straight from the jar, along with a wide range of color mixing capabilities. Gamblin Relief Inks are all bound in the highest quality Burnt Plate Oil. Learn More

Fountain pen inks are typically made with dyes, meaning that they are not lightfast over time. This ink is made with pigment and is both waterproof and lightfast. Designed for fountain pen and for signing official documents which require long term permanence. Made of small diameter micronized pigment. Learn More

Poppy Oil is a slightly later addition to the artist's cabinet than Linseed Oil and Walnut Oil. It is generally used as a binder for pale colours, where the warmth of Linseed Oil is not desired. It provides a matte finish and dries very slowly, so we would not advise using it in conjunction with slow-drying pigments or in underpaintings. A paint film produced by Poppy Oil is weaker and softer than that created by Linseed Oil. This is because it contains a smaller percentage of linolenic acid than Linseed Oil; this substance imparts both strength and yellowness to an oil.  

Although some of these properties can be perceived as drawbacks, paints made with Poppy Oil generally obtain a "short" or buttery texture without the addition of waxes or other additives, which can be an advantage for certain colours that produce poor consistencies in Linseed oil alone. Sometimes, the addition of a small quantity of Poppy Oil when grinding a tricky or "stringy" pigment in Cold Pressed Linseed Oil can introduce some of benefits of Poppy Oil, without transmitting its negative characteristics.

Paints made with Poppy Oil are particularly suited to "alla prima" working methods, where paint is applied spontaneously. When working in successive layers, Poppy Oil would only be appropriate for the final stages of a painting.

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The Unison Special Edition Botanical 18 set created by the colour experts in Unison Colour. Presented in a natural-style craft box, The Botanical 18 Set is a special edition collection of our much-admired pastels. Created to inspire ambitious study of botanical elements in your floral landscapes, this range is complimentary to the existing classic Unison sets, Starter 18 and Landscape 18.

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Safflower Oil is light-coloured, making it suitable for grinding pale pigments. It is still sometimes used as a binder for commercially available paints, although due to its very slow drying time it is best reserved for the final layers of a painting. Compared to Linseed oil, Safflower Oil will give a matte finish.

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The first acrylic colors offered by Golden Acrylic, Heavy Body paints are known for their exceptionally smooth, buttery consistency. The Heavy Body palette includes the largest assortment of unique pure pigments in a 100% acrylic emulsion available to professional artists. These colours offer excellent permanency and lightfastness. There are no fillers, extenders, opacifiers, toners, or dyes added. *Please note, this range is stored offsite. Please allow extra time for your order to be processed and dispatched. Learn More

Mix with tube oils or pigment to improve flow and translucency, resulting in a satin finish. Contains silica driers. May darken if cap is left off bottle; if this happens, replace the lid and leave overnight to restore the colour with no lasting ill effects.

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Unlike other commercially available oil paints, Roberson Artists' Oil Colours do not contain any fillers, extenders or stabilisers. Each paint consists solely of high-quality pigment that has been ground into cold pressed linseed oil, resulting in a highly pigmented paint. This strength of colour presents the possibility of greater economy of use and a less homogenised texture between each tube, instead allowing the unique qualities of each individual pigment to reveal themselves. By limiting our range to 59 shades, we dispense with colours that can be easily mixed, creating a focussed palette of intense, lightfast paints that offer limitless combinations.

Available in 40ml and 225ml tubes

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Water colour, more than any other medium, reflects the unique characteristics of the pigments used and our Professional Water Colours use only the finest pigments, and are known for their brilliance, permanence and strength of colour. Learn More