Pigments for artist colours

Our pigments for artist colours

Artists demand exceptional materials — and so do the brands that serve them. At James M Brown, we supply pigments specifically suited to the manufacture of high-performance artist colours, including:

• Cadmium pigments: Cadmium pigments remain the benchmark for vibrancy and permanence, especially in red, orange, and yellow shades. With superior lightfastness and opacity, they are ideal for professional oil paints, acrylics, and high-pigment pastels. As the world’s leading cadmium pigment producer, we ensure REACH compliance and quality assurance for your product range.
• Inorganic pigments: Our range of inorganic pigments—including iron oxides, titanium dioxide, and ultramarines—offer excellent colour stability, non-toxicity, and weathering resistance. These pigments are ideal for student-grade paints, watercolours, gouache, and chalk-based media where permanence and affordability are key.
• Zinc oxide: Used for its whiteness, transparency, and fungicidal properties, zinc oxide is a staple in oil painting, offering an alternative to titanium white with different mixing properties. Also used in pastels and light-tinted paints for its soft, clean finish.
• Pearlescent pigments: For special-effect finishes, we offer a selection of pearlescent and interference pigments suitable for use in mixed media, decorative art paints, and high-end colour ranges.

Additives for artist materials

While pigments are the core of any colourant, additives play a vital role in modifying texture, flow, and surface performance. We supply a range of supporting additives for colour manufacturers:

Dispersing agents: Ensure uniform pigment distribution in both water- and oil-based mediums. Our dispersing agents reduce grinding time, improve chroma, and enhance stability in suspension.

Wetting agents: Improve pigment interaction with oil, water, or synthetic binders—helping manufacturers reduce air entrainment and improve texture consistency.

Antioxidants: Support product shelf-life and resist discolouration in solvent-based artist materials, particularly oil paints and alkyds.

UV stabilisers: Extend the durability of colour and film integrity in paints exposed to natural light, especially in outdoor murals or plein-air materials.

Detailed applications

Our pigments are used by manufacturers in a wide range of creative and fine art products:

• Oil paints: Artist-grade cadmium pigments and inorganics for permanent, brilliant colour with excellent opacity.
• Acrylic paints: High-dispersion pigments for fluid and heavy-body acrylic formulations.
• Watercolours and gouache: Transparent and opaque pigments with excellent flow and archival resistance.
• Soft and hard pastels: Highly pigmented inorganics and cadmiums for bold, smooth laydown and blendability.
• Coloured pencils: Durable, lightfast pigments for professional drawing and illustration applications.
• Mixed media and decorative art: Special-effect pigments, UV stabilisers, and texture-enhancing additives.