Artist Grade Pigments

Historic pigments refer to colourants that were traditionally used by artists and artisans throughout history, in particular, pigments prior to the 18th Century. These pigments were derived from natural sources, such as minerals, plants, and animals.

The availability, cost, and characteristics of these pigments played a significant role in shaping the colour palettes and artistic styles of cultures and periods.

Langridge genuine metallic pigments provide a reflective, lustrous effect.

• Particle Size: Plays a crucial role in determining the visual characteristics of the pigment. Smaller particles result in a more reflective surface.
• Composition: Metallic pigments can be composed of a variety of materials, such as aluminium, copper, nickel or alloys.
• Texture and Finish: Metallic pigments can contribute to various textures and finishes, ranging from smooth and polished to highly textured.
• It is not recommended to mix genuine metallic pigments into acrylic paints and mediums due to chemical reactions that will alter lustre and colour.

Iridescent and Interference pigments create a play of colours that varies with the angle of observation or illumination. This effect occurs due to the interference, diffraction, or scattering of light as it interacts with the microscopic structure of the pigment.

• Thin-Film Interference: Thin layers of transparent mica or silica, are coated onto a substrate. The thickness of these layers corresponds to the wavelength of visible light, causing constructive and destructive interference to produce various colours.
• Angle Dependence: A distinctive characteristic of colours produced by iridescent and interference pigments is they change when viewed from different angles. Iridescent pigments are often described as “pearlescent”, whilst interference pigments exhibit a “flip” colour effect.
• Lightfastness: Iridescent and Interference pigments are durable and resistant to fading over time.

Unlike regular pigments that simply reflect light, fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments have the ability to absorb and then emit light.

• Absorption and Emission: Fluorescent pigments absorb light in the ultraviolet (UV) or short-wavelength part of the spectrum. After absorption, they re-emit light at a longer wavelength, typically in the visible spectrum, to produce vibrant colours.
• Black Light Reactivity: Can be used in conjunction with black lights (UV lamps) to enhance their visibility, exhibiting a more intense and vivid fluorescence.
• Lightfastness: Fluorescent pigments degrade over time relative to the amount of light that strikes them. They should be considered as fugitive colours.

It is worth noting that the terms “fluorescent” and “phosphorescent” refer to different phenomena. Fluorescence involves the rapid emission of light upon absorption, while phosphorescence involves a delayed emission, where light is emitted even after the removal of the excitation source.

• Langridge offers a range of supplies for the home manufacture of artist’s paints including mullers and slabs for correct and efficient milling of paints.
• We also supply empty paint tubes and glass jars for securely storing your paint.

Langridge pigment sets for the home manufacture of artist’s paints. Each set has been developed to allow artists to work with multiple colours built around a particular colour range. They offer a broad selection within a specific chemical class, historical period or chromatic range.

• Excellent introduction to working with pure pigment colour.
• Pigments are supplied in 30ml quantity offering an economic option for trialling multiple colours.