The Chemistry of Art > 1. Pigments in Painting > Sources of Pigments
Identify the sources of the pigments used in early history as readily available minerals
- Pigments were derived directly from natural sources such as:
o Calcium carbonate or chalk (white)
o Charcoal (black)
o Chalk (white)
o Gypsum (white)
o Kaolin or white clay (white)
o Pebbles (yellow, brown, and red ochres for hydrated, partly hydrated and anhydrous Iron oxide)
o Pyrolusite (black)