Natural Pigments

Mineral Pigments: Derived from naturally occurring minerals extracted from the earth’s surface or underground, typically composed of metal oxides or metal salts. Common mineral pigments include ochre, hematite, and iron oxides.

Plant-Based Pigments: Extracted from various parts of plants, such as fruits, roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. For example, indigo is derived from plants like indigofera and woad. Other plants, such as saffron, coptis, and madder, can yield yellow, red, and other pigments.

Animal-Based Pigments: Obtained from animal sources, usually processed from bones, horns, scales, or shells. For instance, certain shades of purple can be extracted from marine shells.

Synthetic Pigments

Organic Pigments: Chemically synthesized from organic compounds. They are known for their vibrant color strength and good lightfastness. Common examples include phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine red, and azo yellow.

Inorganic Pigments: Composed of carbon-free inorganic compounds, these pigments typically offer excellent lightfastness and durability. Common inorganic pigments include red iron oxide, chrome green, and chrome yellow.