Latest revision as of 14:17, 21 February 2025

Pigment[edit]

Various natural pigments used in India.

A pigment is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which a material emits light. Many materials selectively absorb certain wavelengths of light. Materials that humans have chosen and developed for use as pigments usually have special properties that make them ideal for coloring other materials.

Properties[edit]

File:Simple reflectance.svg

Simple reflectance of light from a surface.

The most important physical property of a pigment is its color, which is determined by the specific wavelengths of light it absorbs and reflects. Pigments are used in a variety of applications, including paint, ink, plastic, fabric, cosmetics, and food.

Pigments must have a high tinting strength relative to the materials they color. They must also be stable in solid form at ambient temperatures. For industrial applications, as well as in the arts, pigments must be stable at high temperatures.

Types of Pigments[edit]

Natural Pigments[edit]

Natural pigments are derived from mineral, plant, or animal sources. Historically, they were the only source of color for artists and craftsmen. Examples include ochre, charcoal, and lapis lazuli.

File:Natural ultramarine pigment.jpg

Natural ultramarine pigment derived from lapis lazuli.

Synthetic Pigments[edit]

Synthetic pigments are man-made and have been developed to provide a wider range of colors and improved properties. They are often more stable and less expensive than natural pigments.

File:Ultramarinepigment.jpg

Synthetic ultramarine pigment.

Historical Use[edit]

File:1665 Girl with a Pearl Earring.jpg

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer, showcasing the use of pigments in art.

Pigments have been used since prehistoric times. Early humans used natural pigments for cave paintings. In ancient Egypt, pigments were used for cosmetics and art. During the Renaissance, artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo used pigments to create masterpieces.

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The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer.

Modern Applications[edit]

Today, pigments are used in a wide range of applications beyond art, including industrial coatings, plastics, and cosmetics. Advances in chemistry have led to the development of pigments with specific properties, such as UV resistance and antimicrobial properties.

File:Copper phthalocyanine.svg

Structure of copper phthalocyanine, a synthetic pigment.

Pigments in Art[edit]

File:Tizian 041.jpg

Assumption of the Virgin by Titian, illustrating the use of vibrant pigments.

Artists have long relied on pigments to create visual effects in their work. The choice of pigment can affect the texture, opacity, and gloss of a painting. Some famous pigments include cobalt blue, cadmium red, and titanium white.

File:Accademia - Miracle of the Slave by Tintoretto.jpg

Miracle of the Slave by Tintoretto.

Related Pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Pigment''' is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which a material emits light. Most materials selectively absorb certain wavelengths of light. Materials that humans have chosen and developed for use as pigments usually have special properties that make them useful for coloring other materials. A pigment must have a high tinting strength relative to the materials it colors. It must be stable in solid form at ambient temperatures.
+= Pigment =
-For industrial applications, as well as in the arts, permanence and stability are desirable properties. Pigments that are not permanent are called fugitive. Fugitive pigments fade over time, or with exposure to light, while some eventually blacken.
+[[File:Indian_pigments.jpg|thumb|right|Various natural pigments used in India.]]
-Pigments are used for coloring paint, ink, plastic, fabric, cosmetics, food, and other materials. Most pigments used in manufacturing and the visual arts are dry colorants, usually ground into a fine powder. This powder is added to a binder (or vehicle), a relatively neutral or colorless material that suspends the pigment and gives the paint its adhesion.
+A '''pigment''' is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from [[fluorescence]], [[phosphorescence]], and other forms of [[luminescence]], in which a material emits light. Many materials selectively absorb certain wavelengths of light. Materials that humans have chosen and developed for use as pigments usually have special properties that make them ideal for coloring other materials.
-A distinction is usually made between a pigment, which is insoluble in its vehicle (resulting in a suspension), and a dye, which either is itself a liquid or is soluble in its vehicle (resulting in a solution). A colorant can act as either a pigment or a dye depending on the vehicle involved. In some cases, a pigment can be manufactured from a dye by precipitating a soluble dye with a metallic salt. The resulting pigment is called a lake pigment. The term biological pigment is used for all colored substances independent of their solubility.
+== Properties ==
-In 2006, around 7.4 million tons of inorganic, organic, and special pigments were marketed worldwide. Asia has the highest rate on a quantity basis followed by Europe and North America.
+[[File:Simple_reflectance.svg|thumb|left|Simple reflectance of light from a surface.]]
-== Types of pigments ==
+The most important physical property of a pigment is its [[color]], which is determined by the specific wavelengths of light it absorbs and reflects. Pigments are used in a variety of applications, including [[paint]], [[ink]], [[plastic]], [[fabric]], [[cosmetics]], and [[food]].
-=== Inorganic pigments ===
+Pigments must have a high tinting strength relative to the materials they color. They must also be stable in solid form at ambient temperatures. For industrial applications, as well as in the arts, pigments must be stable at high temperatures.
-[[Inorganic pigments]] are pigments which are created by simple chemical reactions such as oxidation. They are usually more resistant to light and heat than organic pigments, and are often used in paints, plastics, and ceramics.
+== Types of Pigments ==
-=== Organic pigments ===
+=== Natural Pigments ===
-[[Organic pigments]] are pigments which are created by complex chemical reactions involving carbon. They are usually less resistant to light and heat than inorganic pigments, but offer a wider range of colors.
+Natural pigments are derived from mineral, plant, or animal sources. Historically, they were the only source of color for artists and craftsmen. Examples include [[ochre]], [[charcoal]], and [[lapis lazuli]].
-=== Biological pigments ===
+[[File:Natural_ultramarine_pigment.jpg|thumb|right|Natural ultramarine pigment derived from lapis lazuli.]]
-[[Biological pigments]] are substances produced by living organisms that have a color resulting from selective color absorption. Biological pigments include plant pigments and flower pigments.
+=== Synthetic Pigments ===
-== See also ==
+Synthetic pigments are man-made and have been developed to provide a wider range of colors and improved properties. They are often more stable and less expensive than natural pigments.
+[[File:Ultramarinepigment.jpg|thumb|left|Synthetic ultramarine pigment.]]
+== Historical Use ==
+[[File:1665_Girl_with_a_Pearl_Earring.jpg|thumb|right|''Girl with a Pearl Earring'' by [[Johannes Vermeer]], showcasing the use of pigments in art.]]
+Pigments have been used since prehistoric times. Early humans used natural pigments for [[cave paintings]]. In ancient Egypt, pigments were used for [[cosmetics]] and [[art]]. During the [[Renaissance]], artists like [[Leonardo da Vinci]] and [[Michelangelo]] used pigments to create masterpieces.
+[[File:Johannes_Vermeer_-_Het_melkmeisje_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg|thumb|left|''The Milkmaid'' by [[Johannes Vermeer]].]]
+== Modern Applications ==
+Today, pigments are used in a wide range of applications beyond art, including [[industrial coatings]], [[plastics]], and [[cosmetics]]. Advances in [[chemistry]] have led to the development of pigments with specific properties, such as [[UV resistance]] and [[antimicrobial]] properties.
+[[File:Copper_phthalocyanine.svg|thumb|right|Structure of copper phthalocyanine, a synthetic pigment.]]
+== Pigments in Art ==
+[[File:Tizian_041.jpg|thumb|left|''Assumption of the Virgin'' by [[Titian]], illustrating the use of vibrant pigments.]]
+Artists have long relied on pigments to create visual effects in their work. The choice of pigment can affect the [[texture]], [[opacity]], and [[gloss]] of a painting. Some famous pigments include [[cobalt blue]], [[cadmium red]], and [[titanium white]].
+[[File:Accademia_-_Miracle_of_the_Slave_by_Tintoretto.jpg|thumb|right|''Miracle of the Slave'' by [[Tintoretto]].]]
+== Related Pages ==
-* [[Color]]
 * [[Dye]]
 * [[Paint]]
-* [[Ink]]
+* [[Color theory]]
-* [[Plastic]]
+* [[Art conservation]]
-* [[Fabric]]
-* [[Cosmetics]]
-* [[Food coloring]]
+[[Category:Color]]
+[[Category:Materials]]
 [[Category:Pigments]]
-[[Category:Color]]
-[[Category:Materials science]]
-[[Category:Art materials]]
-{{stub}}

Pigment: Difference between revisions