Here’s a quick look at the differences between natural earth pigments and synthetic pigments, and how each one plays a role in the Art Scribe’s handmade watercolour collection.
"Are the pigments you use natural?"
It’s a great question—and one we love talking about! But before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning about pigment quality.
As makers of fine watercolour paint, we use only professional-grade pigments. Why? Because they’re free from fillers that can dull your colours and reduce their lightfastness (how well they resist fading over time). These pigments are also finely milled. Yep, we’re talking particles here. Basically, particle size affects everything: opacity, tinting strength, texture and lightfastness —you name it. It’s a big deal, which is why our watercolours are artist quality (as opposed to student quality).
What is Earth pigment?
Natural earth pigments come from mineral and clay deposits found in the earth, and they’ve been used to make paint for thousands of years.
Think of Art Scribe’s warm glow of Italian Gold Ochre, the rich depth of Burnt Umber, alongside the striking mineral-based pigment of Hematite.
Because these pigments have been created from the dynamic and intense forces within the earth, it makes them durable and stable.
As artists we prize their beautiful, grounded tones. Because of their relatively large particle size, they often appear less opaque and have a softer, more subdued colour intensity.
What is a synthetic pigment?
When you’re shopping for a shirt, the word “synthetic” might not sound very appealing—but in the world of pigments, it’s a different story! Here, synthetic simply means the colours are created under lab conditions using naturally occurring chemical reactions.
Modern pigments like those in the cobalt and cadmium families, along with Ultramarine, have replaced naturally occurring minerals. These synthetic pigments are not only more sustainable but also provide more consistent colour for the artist.
One of the great advantages of synthetic pigments is that their particles are usually smaller than those found in natural earth pigments. That means as paint makers we can pack more pigment into the binder, giving you richer, more vibrant colours with stronger tinting power when you paint.
Further Reading
Want to know more and get down with the science, then we recommend these links: