Pigment gives watercolor its color, personality, and magic! When RyRy Paints first learned about pigment families, it completely changed how she chose her colors.
In this post, RyRy Paints will walk you through what pigments are, where they come from, and how different types behave in your watercolor work.
Whether it’s earthy ochres or juicy synthetic blues, each pigment brings its own unique charm. Let’s dive into the world of paint pigment together!
Contents
What Is Pigment in Watercolor Paint?
Before exploring the pigment families, the artist explains what pigment actually is.
Pigment is the coloring agent in watercolor paint. It’s mixed with a binder—usually Gum Arabic—to help it stick to the paper and move with water.
Gum Arabic gives the paint its transparency and flow, but it’s the pigment that creates the color. And pigments? They come from all sorts of places—earth, plants, bugs, and even chemistry labs!
Inorganic Pigments: From Earth and Stone
The artist starts with the pigments that were never living—inorganic pigments.
These pigments come from minerals, earth, and metals. They’re durable and rich with history.
What Does ‘Inorganic’ Mean in Art?
If something was never living—not from a plant or animal—it’s inorganic. Think about rocks, clay, or metals. Pigments made from these are usually earthy and strong. They’ve been used since ancient times.
Now, the artist looks at some of the most common inorganic pigments they use in their palette.
Earth Pigments
Earth pigments are some of the oldest colors in art history. The artist loves how natural and muted they look.
- Terre Verte (Green Earth): This green pigment has been around since the Roman Empire. It’s soft, subtle, and earthy—just like its name.
- Yellow Ochre: Yellow ochre is a staple in almost every palette. It’s a warm, muted yellow that leans toward brown. Prehistoric artists used it, and we still do! The artist always squeezes out a bit of yellow ochre when starting a painting—it’s one of those must-have colors.
Mineral Pigments
Next are pigments made from crushed minerals. These are truly gems—sometimes literally!
- Lapis Lazuli:This beautiful blue pigment comes from a semi-precious stone. Artists have prized it since the 6th or 7th century for its deep color. It’s rare and expensive, though, so the artist doesn’t keep it in their everyday kit.
- Ultramarine Blue (Synthetic Inorganic): Luckily, science has our back! Ultramarine blue is a synthetic version of lapis lazuli. It’s lab-made, but still considered inorganic because it comes from non-living materials. This pigment is a brilliant, reliable blue—and way more affordable.
Ultramarine Blue
Synthetic Inorganic Pigments
Some inorganic pigments don’t exist in nature—they’re created through chemical processes. But they still come from inorganic elements like metals and minerals.
- Cadmiums: The artist can’t paint without cadmium reds and yellows! They’re super vibrant, highly opaque, and perfect when bold color is needed. Cadmium orange is also a beauty!
- Titanium and Zinc Whites: These are common whites in my paints. They’re synthetic but derived from inorganic sources.
These pigments are created by combining minerals or metals in a lab to create stunning colors. The artist loves the science behind it!
Organic Pigments: From Plants and Insects
Now, the artist moves to pigments that come from living things—organic pigments.
These have such interesting stories and textures. The artist enjoys knowing the history behind the color on the page.
What Does ‘Organic’ Mean for Pigments?
In this case, organic means pigments that come from:
- Roots
- Plants
- Insects
- Carbon-based sources
These colors can be very rich and beautiful, but sometimes they aren’t as lightfast (they may fade over time).
Plant-Based Organic Pigments
Many organic pigments come from roots, spices, or unusual sources like mango-fed cows!
- Rose Madder (from Madder Root): Rose madder comes from the root of a plant. It’s a gorgeous red that’s been used since 1500 BCE in places like Central Asia and Egypt. Fun fact: cloth dyed with madder root was found in King Tut’s tomb!
- Curcumin (from Turmeric): Yep—turmeric! These dried turmeric roots create a stunning yellow. Curcumin is the compound that gives turmeric its bright color. The artist finds it amazing that something from their kitchen spice rack can also be a source of pigment.
Curcumin
Animal-Based Organic Pigments
Some pigments come from insects. It sounds strange, but these tiny bugs pack a punch!
- Cochineal Bugs (for Carmine Red):These little dried bugs are milled and crushed to make carmine red pigment. The artist has crushed a few themselves between sheets of paper—you can immediately see the red dye seep out.
When mixed with water, the result reminds the artist of herbal tea! This pigment has been used not just in painting, but in dyeing fabric, making lipstick, and even coloring food. Yes, if someone has eaten red-colored snacks or worn red lipstick, they may have used cochineal bugs, too!
Synthetic Organic Pigments
These pigments don’t exist in nature, but they’re made using organic chemistry.
Synthetic organic pigments are some of the boldest, brightest colors in the artist’s palette. They’re stable, consistent, and flow beautifully on the page.
Not all organic pigments come from nature. Some are created in labs using carbon-based compounds.
- Phthalo Blue: This synthetic pigment is so intense and vibrant! It flows beautifully on paper.
- Quinacridone Magenta: A gorgeous magenta that’s clear and rich.
- Azo Pigments: These lab-made colors are bold and highly reliable.
The artist loves these synthetic organic pigments for their flow and transparency.
A Closer Look at Pigment Characteristics
Now that the two pigment families have been introduced, the artist takes a closer look at how they behave.
Inorganic Pigment Traits and Behavior
Inorganic pigments tend to be more opaque and matte. When the artist uses yellow ochre or raw umber, they notice these pigments settle into the paper with a heavier feel. They’re not chalky, but they do feel solid, almost like gouache.
These pigments are also very lightfast, so they don’t fade much under sunlight. That’s a big win for long-term work!
Organic Pigment Traits and Behavior
Organic pigments are the opposite. They’re usually more transparent and fluid. When the artist paints with Indian yellow or phthalo blue, they notice how easily these colors spread, almost like ink.
They have finer pigment particles, so they flow more on wet paper. But many natural organic pigments, like rose madder, aren’t very lightfast. That’s something the artist always considers when choosing colors for a finished piece.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Pigments
The artist did a little side-by-side test on paper, and the differences are clear.
Texture, Flow, and Transparency Compared
- Inorganic pigments like yellow ochre are thicker and fill the paper more.
- Organic pigments like Indian yellow feel more fluid and translucent.
Inorganic colors often feel a bit like gouache—opaque and matte—while organic ones have a delicate, flowing nature.
Lightfastness and Durability of Each Type
- Inorganic pigments are usually more lightfast and stable.
- Organic pigments, especially natural ones, can fade over time.
That’s why synthetic versions exist—to replicate the color while improving performance.
How Pigment Type Affects Painting Behavior
In general:
- Inorganic pigments = more coverage, less bleeding
- Organic pigments = more flow, more bleeding, more transparency
Synthetic organic pigments like phthalo blue and quinacridone magenta bleed beautifully and behave more like ink. They’re amazing for washes and layering.
Choosing the Right Pigment for Your Art
Every pigment has its own personality, and choosing the right one depends on what you’re painting!
Picking Between Natural and Synthetic Colors
The artist asks themselves: do they want a warm, earthy tone or a vivid, bright splash? That helps them choose between something like yellow ochre or phthalo blue.
When to Use Transparent vs. Opaque Paints
- Transparent pigments are perfect for glazing and subtle layers.
- Opaque pigments give strong, bold strokes that cover the paper well.
Sometimes the artist needs both in the same painting—and that’s the beauty of having both families in their palette.
Let Your Painting Style Guide Your Choices
The best advice the artist can give is to try everything! Experiment with how each pigment feels on the brush and paper. It’s not just about color—it’s about how it flows, settles, and interacts with water.
Do they need a red? Great—but do they want a vibrant transparent red or a bold opaque one? Every choice matters.
The Bottom Line
Pigments are more than just color—they tell stories, carry history, and affect how artists paint. Whether the artist is using an ancient earth pigment or a modern synthetic hue, they love knowing what’s behind each color in their palette.
Which pigment do you reach for first—earthy ochre or electric phthalo blue? Give them both a try and feel the difference for yourself!