CS Pigment FAQ’s
Are pigments and dyes the same thing?
No - dyes are soluble whilst pigments are non-soluble. Unlike dyes, pigments alone do not stain porous materials, they require a binder to keep them in suspension in order for them to adhere to the recipient substrate. A solution of dye is also transparent where as a solution of pigment is cloudy.
Are your pigments natural?
The following Coloured Earth pigments are all natural: Cyprus Umber Dark, Cuprus Umber Cocoa, Burnt Umber, Brown Ochre, Cyprus Umber Khaki, Ciprus Umber Medium, Natural Umber, Light Sienna, Cyprus Umber Spiced, Burnt Sienna, India Red, Italian Red Earth, Pozzuoli Red, Red Ochre, Venetian Red, Havana Ochre, Yellow Ochre, Italian Yellow Earth, Warm Yellow, Light Yellow Ochre, Pale Yellow Ochre, Brentico Green Earth, Ancient Green Earth, Ivory Black, India Black, Grey Ochre.The rest of the Coloured Earth pigment range is manufactured from a natural mineral base.
Earthborn pigments are made from natural earth pigments, mineral pigments, metal pigments and trinatrium citrate.
Can I mix different pigments together?
Yes - but be aware that mixing too many colours together can result in dull or muddy colours. Also keep in mind that some colours in our ranges are already made from a mix of pigments, so adding extra colours may have a similar effect.
Can pigments be mixed with plasters?
Many Coloured Earth and Earthborn pigments can be used to tint Lime, clay, cement and gypsum plasters but not all. It’s therefore advised to check the details listed on the associated page of our website beforehand, to ensure the pigment you are considering is suitable.
For lime and cement based plaster, choose pigments which are listed as Lime Stable to ensure they maintain their colour. Individual pigments UV stability is also indicated and should be taken into consideration if plaster is likely to be subject to direct sunlight.
Are your pigments suitable for tattoo ink?
No. The particle size of our pigments is too large for use in Tattoo Ink.
Are your pigments suitable for cosmetics?
No. Our pigments have not been tested for use in cosmetics. The particle size is also too large for cosmetic applications.
Is there a limit to how much pigment I can use in limewash/lime plaster?
Yes there is a limit to how much pigment should be added to limewash/lime plaster for two reasons:
- Adding too much pigment will begin to compromise the stability of the limewash/lime plaster.
- As the lime begins to dry it gets whiter which affects the finished colour. This makes it difficult to achieve dark colours in limewash/lime plaster using pigments.
Natural ochres and earth pigments should not exceed 10% by volume when added to limewash/lime plaster. Oxides and Synthetics should be limited to 5% or less.
Darker colours can be achieved using the Fresco Method where a mix of limewater and pigment (4:1) is painted onto fresh lime plaster a few hours after the plaster has been applied. This enables the pigment to bond with the lime plaster as it cures. Adding pigment directly to lime plaster is not necessary but it will give a good base for a darker colour when applied later.
Do pigments have a shelf life?
As long as pigments are kept dry in a sealed container they will last indefinitely. Pigments that have become damp may solidify and require grinding before use.
Can I use your pigments to making crayons.
Yes, all of our pigments are suitable for making crayons.
Are your pigments biodegradable?
No. Our pigments are made from minerals which means that they cannot be broken down by microorganisms. Large amounts of excess pigment should therefore be disposed of responsibly.
Why do some Coloured Earth pigment tubs contain more pigment than others?
Different coloured pigments have different densities and because our pigments are sold by weight, the volume of pigment in each tub varies.
For example: India Black pigment is more dense than Yellow Ochre. As a result, a 100g tub of Yellow ochre is full whilst the same size tub with 100g of India black is approximately a quarter full.
What are natural pigments?
Natural pigments are made from naturally occurring minerals containing metal oxides, principally iron oxides and manganese oxides. Typically these are ochres, siennas and umbers which tend to have an ‘earthy’ colour.
What are synthetic pigments?
Synthetic pigments have been produced through a manufacturing process. Coloured Earth synthetic pigments are manufactured by combining natural elements together to create ‘new’ substances, hence their name ‘synthetic’. These types of pigment are often brighter in colour than natural pigments and stronger in tinting strength, requiring less pigment to achieve the desired colour.
Where are your pigments from?
Coloured Earth pigments are sourced from the following countries: Italy, Cyprus, Germany, France, India, UK, Saudi. A Pigment Information Sheet is available to download from Coloured Earth webpages on our site, detailing the source country of individual pigments.
Can I mix Earthborn metallic (Mica Gold & Mica Silver) with paint?
It’s not advisable to mix metallic pigments with paint because they tend to disappear. Instead combine them with Earthborn Wall Glaze which has been diluted with water. The resulting solution can then be used as wash or stencilling paint.