Italian Raw Umber Pigment, a natural mineral from northern Italy, is a dark reddish-brown pigment that is highly versatile and useful in various art mediums, including tempera, oil, and watercolor. Obtained from natural earth oxides of iron and manganese, this pigment is a staple in many artists' collections. With its rich, earthy tone and excellent tinting strength, Italian Raw Umber Pigment is perfect for creating depth and luminosity in your artwork.

The history of umber dates back to prehistoric times, with ancient painters using it to create rich, dark colors. The name "umber" originated from the Italian word "ombra," meaning "shadow," which refers to the pigment's ability to add depth and dimension to artworks. Over time, the term "raw umber" became commonly used to differentiate it from "burnt umber," which is produced by calcining the natural pigment.

Italian Raw Umber Pigment is sourced from the Lombard region of northern Italy, an area renowned for its high-quality iron oxide deposits. Our pigment is finely ground and has a light reddish-brown masstone, with excellent tinting strength and good covering power. With a high iron and manganese content, this pigment is perfect for creating rich, vibrant colors.

One of the unique properties of Italian Raw Umber Pigment is its ability to change color when heated. When heated, the hydrated iron oxide dehydrates, resulting in a darker, more intense color. This characteristic makes it an exciting pigment to work with, as it can be manipulated to achieve a range of tonalities and hues.

Italian Raw Umber Pigment is also highly lightfast, meaning it will not fade or degrade over time when exposed to light. This makes it an excellent choice for artists who want to create artworks that will last for generations. Additionally, it is non-toxic and has excellent permanence, making it suitable for use in a variety of artistic mediums.

Whether you're a watercolorist, oil painter, or mixed media artist, Italian Raw Umber Pigment is a versatile and essential pigment to have in your collection. With its rich, earthy tone and excellent lightfastness, it's perfect for creating artworks that will stand the test of time.