Creating your own paint is a great way to cut costs while exercising greater control over the shades and effects you want. Dry pigment powder can be combined with binders to create a variety of painting mediums, from oils to acrylics, and you usually only need a small amount of pigment. (Keep in mind that the amount of adhesive will vary depending on the pigment used.) However, like paint, the quality of the powders varies to suit projects from crafts to fine art. No matter which powder you prefer, you should always handle these particles with care and protect yourself from inadvertent inhalation. Check out our picks for the best powder pigments to find the color that best suits your needs.
1. Dry Artist Cinélite Dye
Sennelier offers only high-quality pigments that have been formulated according to a tradition of careful research that has been kept since the late 19th century, when the company was making oils for its post-Impressionist customers. Artists can purchase nearly 100 colors that reflect a mixture of natural, inorganic, and synthetic earth pigments, many of which are very hard to find. Case in point: Sennelier’s ultra-thin blue light, produced by a complex process that reproduces the luminous intensity of lapis lazuli. Sennelier also offers the most comprehensive pamphlet about her pigments, with each color accompanied by notes on its properties, binder compatibility, and even tips on how to retain vibrancy. These are pigments for serious artists who understand the properties of different binders and want to spend the time learning more about their materials. Note that many dyes are toxic, such as veron green, chrome yellow, and scaly white, which Cinélé still prepares using ancient methods.
2. Gamblin Dry Dye
These are the pigments used in the company’s oil paints, known for their brilliance and color strength. They dissolve well, whether mixed with linseed oil or binders, molding agents, epoxy resins, or even wax. We’re also fans of how they display beautiful natural grains given the way they are grounded. But where Gamblin lags is in color choice, with only 22 colors available in four-ounce packages.
3. Schmincke mineral powders
For special effects, consider purchasing Schmincke mineral powders. Known for its range of pure traditional artist pigments as well as modern formulations, the German company also offers powders in shades of gold, bronze and silver. They are finely sifted to a more uniform consistency and are available in five colors and three different formulations for watercolor, acrylic or oil-based blending. (Note that each formula must be used with its corresponding mean, which is provided separately.)
4. Jacquard Pearl Ex pigments
Are you looking for something beginner or kid-friendly? Jacquard’s non-toxic pearlescent pigment set is versatile and great for afternoon crafting sessions. Made of pure ground mica – a stone mineral with a natural luster – these are highly stable pigments that blend well with any viscous medium. mix with oils, acoustic, acrylic or epoxy; use for sealing. Dust it over polymer dough — the possibilities are nearly endless. The ultra-fine powder adds vivid color as well as subtle shine. You get 12 colors in this 0.1-ounce set of jars, including turquoise, flamingo pink, and misty lavender.
5. Grapewoods International Artists Dry Dye
Grapewood might be the least well-known company on our list, but don’t count it yet. The Cyprus-based company has been around since 1973 and has been formulating its own earthy and inorganic pigments for two generations. These include pigments for industrial and manufacturing use, but also fine art-grade powders that are pure – not mica powder – and remarkably shiny. The choice of colors is limited, with only 31 available, but it does include interesting colors not offered by the other brands featured here, such as malachite, limonite, and Terre Verte. (Note that it will take some time for your order to arrive from Europe.)
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