natural pigments
Dyes from nature
Natural pigments are coloring substances derived from plants, animals, minerals, or earth rather than synthesized chemically.
They include ochres from iron-rich clay, indigo from plants, cochineal from insects, and lapis lazuli ground into ultramarine.
Artists and craftspeople used natural pigments exclusively until synthetic alternatives emerged in the 19th century.
Today they remain valued for their subtlety, historical authenticity, and environmental appeal.
- ochreIron-rich earth pigment
- red ochreIron oxide pigment
- earth tonesMuted natural color range
- carotenoidsFat-soluble plant pigments
- lycopeneRed carotenoid pigment
melanin · indigo dye · plant based · chlorophyll · malachite · hematite · iron oxide · cave paintings · vermilion · dye · cinnabar · lutein · curcumin · azurite · ultramarine blue · earth · tint · stain