Iron Oxide Pigments, Colors and Uses in Oil Painting

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George O&#;Hanlon&#;s Best Painting Practice Class held in Portland this past weekend was a treasure trove of valuable information.  Much of the information presented was material I have studied over the years since my art quest began, and happily, there were many nuggets presented too.  The topics of materials, techniques, mediums, oil painting substrates, pigments, solvents, linens, longevity, and brushes are all endlessly fascinating for me, and I never lose my desire to learn more.  I especially enjoyed the section on pigments, both historical and modern, and it was reassuring to learn that the pigments I have been using in my Lessons Projects are some of the most light-fast and highly saturated colors.

 Mostly these encompass the list of natural oxides.  They are found in quarries all over the world and have been used throughout history.  Some samples of these beguiling and beautiful hues are:

Ercolano red is a natural earth containing clay tinted by iron oxide and is found in deposits near Ercolano, Italy.  Ercolano was named Herculaneum until 79 AD and Resina until .  As you can see, this is one of the warmest natural oxide pigments and is delightful to use.  It has a slightly gritty consistency, which enhances the sparkle on the surface of the canvas.

Lemon Ocher is a natural yellow iron oxide that is transparent, never fades in daylight, and the color is highly concentrated.  It is mined in quarries in northern Italy.  This splendid pigment has been known since antiquity and is widely used by artists.  It is one of my most useful colors.

French Natural Yellow Iron Oxide could be compared to a raw sienna shade.  This pigment is also exceptionally versatile.  I use it in the shadow mixtures of flowers and the stamens too.  This one is found in the quarries in the heart of Luberon Massif in ocher country and has also been used throughout history.

Pozzouli Red Earth is also a natural earth pigment containing clay tinted by iron oxide found in deposits near Pozzouli, Italy.  The iron oxide and mineral content can vary the color of the red ocher from deep red to brownish red. This pigment is found around the world and has also been used since prehistory.

You can quickly see the compatibility of these pigments, which are made naturally harmonious by the earth&#;s processes.  They are subtle in color and not garish at all like some of the modern synthetic pigments.  All iron oxides can be intermixed with each other safely, have moderate to fast drying periods, and are lightfast.  They are considered non-toxic but as usual, normal safety precautions are recommended.  All can be found at Natural Pigments.  Check out the Painting Best Practices class next time it comes to your area. You will be impressed with the scope of the information presented.

Have any of you used these pigments?  What has been your experience?  Leave a comment and let the readers know.

Mineral Resource of the Month: Iron Oxide Pigments

by U.S. Geological Survey Wednesday, June 20,

Michael J. Potter, mineral commodity specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey, has compiled the following information on iron oxide pigments.

Iron oxide pigments, which may be natural or synthetic, have been used as colorants since early humans began painting on cave walls. Natural pigments are derived from several iron oxide minerals: Red pigments are derived from hematite. Yellow and brown pigments &#; ochres, sierras and umbers &#; are derived from limonite. Magnetite provides a black iron oxide pigment. Micaceous iron oxide is a special form of hematite that occurs in thin metallic gray platelets or flakes. Synthetic pigments are manufactured under controlled conditions such that particle size, distribution and shape can be accurately replicated, resulting in superior uniformity, color quality and chemical purity.

Want more information on iron oxide pigment for paints? Feel free to contact us.

Iron oxide pigments are relatively low-cost materials that resist color change due to exposure to sunlight, have good chemical resistance and are stable under normal ambient conditions. The leading uses of the pigments are in paints, coatings and construction materials such as in concrete products, mortar, paving stones and roofing tiles. Natural pigments are used in primers and undercoats, where color consistency is less critical, whereas synthetic pigments are used in topcoat paints where color consistency is important.

Micaceous iron oxide imparts unique properties to paints and coatings because the flaky particles align in such a way as to resist penetration by moisture and gases. These coatings can prevent corrosion and rusting of metals and also resist blistering, cracking and peeling.

Deposits of iron oxide pigment occur in many countries, but have been significantly developed in only a few. Countries known for production of iron oxide pigments historically include Cyprus, France, Iran, Italy and Spain. Countries with recent significant production include India, Spain and Honduras.

Iron oxide pigments are also created through steelmaking. When steel is treated with hydrochloric acid to remove surface oxides, the acid is regenerated to be recycled and iron oxide is produced. Regenerated iron oxides are used in a variety of filters, inductors and transformers in electronic home appliances and industrial equipment, as well as in flexible magnets, generators, loudspeakers and electric car motors.

New developments in the synthetic iron oxide pigment industry in recent years include granular forms of iron oxides and new versions of nano-sized materials, which are being used in computer disk drives and high-performance loud speakers, and in biology and medicine, including nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

Visit minerals.usgs.gov/minerals for more information on iron oxide pigments.

IRON OXIDE PIGMENT PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

Total world production of iron oxide pigments (natural: 13 percent and synthetic: 87 percent) in was approximately 1.4 million metric tons.

China was the world&#;s leading producer in , with 49 percent of the world&#;s total production.

In , total estimated U.S. production was 50,000 metric tons valued at about $50 million.

In , the estimated global market for iron oxide pigments was $1.1 billion.

FUN FACTS

Natural iron oxide pigments have been used in art for tens of thousands of years, since humans created the 32,000-year-old cave paintings at Lascaux, France.

Iron oxide pigments are used as colorants for ceramic glazes, glass, paper, plastic, rubber and textiles as well as in cosmetics and magnetic ink and toner.

Micaceous iron oxide coatings have been used for heavy duty applications in harsh environments, including industrial tanks, refineries, chemical plants, drilling rigs and bridges, and even on the Eiffel Tower.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit red iron oxide pigment.