Material
Pigment
A finely divided colouring substance mixed with a binder to make paint, printing ink, glaze or other coloured materials.
- Category
- Material
- Index letter
- P
Understanding the term
Pigments may be mineral, synthetic or organic and vary in opacity, tinting strength and lightfastness. The binder, such as oil, acrylic or egg, holds the particles together and strongly affects the paint's sheen and ageing.
Pigment is more than the name of a raw material. It affects form, weight, surface, durability and the way an object ages, making it central to both experience and assessment.
Look for variation in colour and texture, joins, wear and later repairs. Natural evidence of making and age should be distinguished from damage; that distinction is essential when describing older art and design.
Related entries
Continue through the glossary with terms from the same field.