Each season unfurls its own unique palette of colors, showcasing nature’s ever-changing artistry. As the autumn season unfolds, the surroundings have turned into a canvas adorned with vibrant hues. There was a time when I simply marveled at the transition of colors from season to season without much thought about the chemistry of plant pigments. It changed, however, when I discovered the exciting realm of creating my own natural pigments and inks, with plants playing an important role.
Autumnal colors, Demmerkogel, Austria
I initially delved into the exploration of biological specimens for making natural inks and lake pigments, by choosing samples with established historical significance. I sought this approach to replicate and comprehend the process before venturing into the exploration of other local plant material.
In my art, I love using earthy colors for landscapes. But sometimes, I missed having bright red and pink colors for illustrating flowers. To address this, I endeavored to create red and pink colored lake pigments from brightly colored flowers.
Watercolor illustration with earth and plant-based pigments
Surprisingly, the hues extracted from the red and pink flowers did not match their vivid counterparts, often appearing subdued. This discrepancy prompted a shift in my mindset, leading me to approach the process with a more scientific perspective. The journey towards developing nuanced pigments became an exploration of botanical chemistry, embracing each divergence as an opportunity for deeper understanding of the plant kingdom.
The flowers of Himalayan Balsam contain a high concentration of anthocyanins, and the color undergoes shifts in response to variations in pH levels.
My revised strategy involved researching a plant specimen thoroughly. Only when I was convinced of the pigment family it contained did I proceed with the pigment-making process. This approach proved to be a time and resource saver. Initially, my excitement for the subject eclipsed a more measured approach, emphasizing enthusiasm over analytical reflection. However, a deliberate recalibration of my mindset allowed for a renewed synergy between the creative and analytical dimensions of my thinking, leading to notably ‘fruitful’ outcomes.
Therefore, in this blog post, my intention is to offer a glimpse into my approach and convey the valuable lessons gleaned over the last seven years. If your objective is to explore and savor the process without delving into all the nitty-gritty details, as I have chosen to do, then by all means, follow your heart and revel in the journey!
Introduction
In the realm of natural colors, plants stand out as a vibrant canvas waiting to be explored. The extraction of dyes and pigments from plants is a fascinating journey into the intricate chemistry that nature employs to paint its own masterpiece.
Plant pigments are the vibrant compounds responsible for the diverse array of colors observed in the plant kingdom. These pigments play crucial roles in various physiological processes of plants, including photosynthesis, protection against harmful UV radiation, and attraction of pollinators.
Classification of Plant Pigments
Plant pigments can be classified into several major groups based on their chemical structure and color. Here’s a brief overview of the main classes of plant pigments:
- Chlorophylls:
- Responsible for the green color in plants.
- Main types are chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, playing a central role in photosynthesis.
- eg. Stinging Nettles
- Carotenoids:
- Contribute to yellow, orange, and red colors in plants.
- Examples include beta-carotene (orange), lutein (yellow), and lycopene (red).
- eg. Carrots, marigolds, and annatto seeds (achiote).
- Anthocyanins:
- Impart red, purple, and blue hues to various plant parts.
- Water-soluble pigments often found in fruits (berries), flowers, and leaves.
- eg. Blueberries, blackberries, and red cabbage.
- Flavonoids:
- Encompass a diverse group of pigments, including flavones, flavonols, and flavanones.
- Contribute to yellow, orange, and red colors; have antioxidant properties.
- eg. Onion skins (quercetin), chamomile flowers (apigenin), and tea (catechins).
- Betacyanins:
- Found in some plants, providing red and violet colors.
- Water-soluble nitrogen-containing pigments, distinct from anthocyanins.
- eg. Beets (Beta vulgaris), Swiss chard, and certain cacti.
The significant question that arises is which plant sources are more suitable for making lake pigments and inks, considering the pigment chemistry ?
When considering plant sources for making lake pigments or inks, it’s essential to focus on pigments that offer stability and resilience to external factors like changes in pH, temperature, and light. Some plants contain pigments that are more robust in these aspects, making them better suited for the lake pigment or ink production process.
A few example of plants that are best suited for making lake pigments are:
- Madder (Rubia tinctorum):
- Pigment Type: Madder root contains alizarin, a stable red pigment.
- Stability: Alizarin is relatively stable, making madder a favorable choice for creating lake pigments with enduring color.
- Weld (Reseda luteola):
- Pigment Type: Weld provides a yellow dye known as luteolin.
- Stability: Luteolin exhibits stability, contributing to the suitability of weld for lake pigment production.
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa):
- Pigment Type: Curcumin, the main pigment in turmeric, imparts a vibrant yellow color.
- Stability: Curcumin is generally stable, making turmeric a reliable choice for creating yellow lake pigments.
Madder lake pigment
These plant sources contain pigments that are less prone to drastic color changes under varying conditions, providing a more reliable foundation for producing lake pigments. Conversely, plants abundant in anthocyanins are less suitable for creating lake pigments due to the heightened sensitivity of these pigments to factors like pH, temperature, and light. Nonetheless, certain plant specimens show an exception, where anthocyanins remain relatively stable against pH changes owing to stabilizing factors present in the plant source. Elderberries stand out as an outstanding example of this phenomenon.
Elderberry inks
Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply that one shouldn’t explore a diverse array of plants available for creating plant pigments. I’ve undertaken experiments crafting lake pigments from cosmos, coreopsis, marigold, chamomile, onion skins, Flame of the Forest flowers, and more. These plants are more apt for natural dyeing purposes rather than for lake pigments, given the chemistry of the pigments. Yet, the essence of experimentation lies in its variability; individual results may differ based on specific conditions, mordants utilized, and the desired outcome.
Lake pigment watercolor paints made from spring plants.
In the creation of lake pigments, it proves advantageous to explore plants recognized for their compatibility with this process and engage in small-scale experiments to observe the results. Additionally, it’s crucial to note that the unique chemistry of each pigment and plant source can significantly influence overall stability and suitability for the process.
It’s important to note that besides pigments, another crucial class of compounds plays a significant role in natural dyeing, ink-making, and lake pigment creation — tannins.
Tannins
Tannins are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds found in plant tissues, known for their astringent taste and ability to bind proteins. They play various roles in plant defense, structural support, and have been historically used in processes like tanning leather, dyeing, and ink-making.
Different plants contain varying levels and types of tannins, and the choice of plant can influence the color and properties of the ink. Here are a few examples of plants with tannins that are commonly used for making natural inks:
- Oak Gallnuts (Gallotannins): Gallnuts are formations that develop on oak trees in response to insect stings. They are rich in gallotannins and have historically been used in ink-making. The tannic acid in oak galls reacts with iron salts to produce a dark, permanent ink.
- Walnut Hulls (Ellagitannins): Walnut hulls contain ellagitannins, and they can be used to produce a brown ink. The color can be adjusted by varying the concentration and preparation methods.
- Pomegranate Rinds (Ellagitannins): The rinds of pomegranates contain ellagitannins and can be used to make ink. Pomegranate ink tends to have a brownish color.
- Acacia Bark (Condensed Tannins): Some acacia species contain condensed tannins and can be used for making ink. The color produced can vary depending on the specific type of acacia.
- Sumac (Gallic Acid and Ellagitannins): Sumac leaves and berries contain a mix of gallic acid and ellagitannins. They can be used to create a reddish-brown ink.
Tannin-based Natural inks- From left to right: Sumac, Walnut, Acorns and Gall inks
When making natural inks, it often involves extracting tannins from these plant sources and combining them with other ingredients like water, iron salts, and sometimes gum arabic for stability. Experimentation with different plants and concentrations will allow you to achieve a range of colors and properties in your natural inks. Keep in mind that the color intensity and permanence of natural inks may vary, and some experimentation may be needed to achieve the desired results. Although tannin-rich plant materials can be used to make lake pigments, the colours that result are frequently rather muted. However, these subdued hues can be especially appealing if you’re going for a vintage or subtle look, which makes them a great fit for your watercolour endeavors.
Conclusion:
The journey of creating pigments and inks is a harmonious blend of art and science. It invites artists to embrace experimentation, balanced by an understanding of botanical chemistry. As this exploration continues, the vibrant hues of nature become not just a canvas but an interactive dialogue between the artist and the intricate world of plants.
I could elaborate extensively on this topic, but its vastness makes it impractical to cover in a single blog post. Stay tuned for upcoming articles on this subject that will be featured here.
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