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The Science of Colour

Colour and Pigment

The Science Of Colour – Natural paints do not look the same as modern non-natural paints.  There are scientific reasons for this which are fascinating but complicated, so in summary, for those who want to understand more. Here are some key scientific reasons why colours can seem different.

Colour and how we perceive it

The science of colour in paint making is about paint ingredients – how natural paint is made, the behaviour of light and how the colour spectrum works with the human eye.  This is all about the binder!  Plastic binders have a huge impact in how the colours look, natural binders are much softer, calmer, gentler on the eye.

How we see pigment

We do not see colours made only from natural earth and mineral pigments in the same way as colour made from synthetic azo dyes because the light is reflected from them very differently.  Natural pigments produce a richer and more nuanced colour.  We just use 12 natural pigments, including black and white, to make all 102 colours.

Our natural pigments

With an understanding of the physics of light and colour we can examine how paints and coatings are coloured and how different types of colouration are achieved.  The big change in modern paint manufacturing is that most companies have replaced natural pigments with azo dyes which are rather bland.

Texture and colour

If the surface of the sample is very smooth, light will be reflected from that smooth surface like a mirror at the same angle and with the same spectral range. This affects the appearance of the colour, the higher the gloss, the darker the colour appears whereas a textured surface with the same pigmentation will appear to be of a lighter shade.

Measurement of colour

Attempts to measure and classify colours according to human perception has a long history, however since the invention of photo-spectrometers clear and objective measurement of colour can be achieved.  But people will always see colour differently.

Other influencing factors on colour

Scattering of light by pigments, transmission of light through the paint film, scattering co-efficient of a pigment, pigment load of a paint film, thickness of the paint film.

Edward’s favourite conversation is about Metamerism……

Metamers are colours that can look the same under one set of conditions but different to one another under others. When the spectral curve of two colours crosses in at least thee places metamerism is likely. Under different light conditions the difference in colour becomes apparent. This is why synthetic colours can look quite different in artificial light as opposed to daylight.

  • Advice on Natural Paint
    • FAQs
    • Choosing Paint Colours
      • Try Our Samples
      • How to choose which white?
      • Using Colour and Light
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      • The Science of Colour
    • Choosing Eco Paint Finishes
      • Emulsion Paint
      • Emulsion for Lime Plaster
      • Eggshell for Interior Woodwork and Metal
      • Gloss for Interior Woodwork and Metal
      • Radiator Paint
      • Eggshell for Exterior Woodwork and Metal
      • Gloss for Exterior Woodwork and Metal
    • Practical Painting Advice
      • Painting Interior Walls and Ceilings
      • Painting Interior Woodwork and Metal
      • Painting Exterior Woodwork and Metal
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      • Natural Emulsion Technical Sheet
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      • Natural Emulsion Safety Data Sheet
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Happy Friday! ‘Lilac Pink’ looking warm and calming in @alisoncoldridge’s home, paired with beautiful flooring and flowers. Our paints are made using mineral and earth pigments so they change depending on the space, light and room - this versatility is what makes our paint different to any other on the market! #naturalpaint We are coveting every detail of this guest bedroom in Drumtennant, a newly built Georgian style house with interiors designed by @olpol_and_co and architecturally designed by @rupertcunningham from @benpentreathstudio. Painted in our ‘Pea Green’ on the walls, and our plaster pink ‘Jonquil’ on the ceiling and bathroom walls. Paired beautifully with curtain fabric by @gpjbaker and the chair upholstered in @theislemill… it’s magical, thank you @olpol_and_co 📸 @georgiarothmanproductions So lovely to see our ‘Turquoise’ ‘in full bloom’ at the Chelsea Flower Show with @comptonsmithinteriors and in such good company from fabrics, to furnishings and artwork. Take a look for yourself and head to stand EA440, the corner of Eastern Avenue and Eastern way. Thank you for using our plant-based paints for such a fitting event @comptonsmithinteriors and to such great effect. Take a look at our stories to see a few of our favourites paint colours paired with some beautiful blooms! 🌸🌿🎨 ‘Olympian Green’ bathroom at the home of @edward_bulmer who describes this colour as a ‘lime green without being a slime green’! Our colours are versatile and change in different spaces and lights because they are made from wonderful natural ingredients! Did you know that we are unique in making our paint with a plant-based binder, an alternative to a polymer derived binder used in most modern paints. These polymer binders contain micro beads and this particular ingredient is what contributes heavily to the 180,000 tones of micro plastics from paint ALONE that end up in our rivers and oceans every year! Switching to a natural paint is an easy way to avoid these devastating realities. Every day we strive to clean up the paint industry one tin at a time! 🌎🍃🎨💚 A stylish London bathroom suitably painted in our 'London Brown' ⁠in @my_london_home 🤎 We love how @my_london_home has painted the walls and panelling in the rich brown and paired this shade with slick black bath fittings and some minimalist homeware pieces. ⁠ ⁠ @edward_bulmer describes this as our 'dark chocolate'. We make this shade with just red oxide and black as all the old recipes would have it. We have given it a capital name for a serious metropolitan colour for those with the acquired taste. ⁠ ⁠ Discover the pure natural pigments in London Brown, with an extraordinary depth and response to light which synthetic paints cannot recreate. #naturalpaint @millsbarnes creating the most beautiful entrance in town using our new pink colour, ‘Mason Pink’ for her front door. Like all our colours, ‘Mason Pink’ is made with gentle, plant-based chemistry with absolutely no pollutants, harmful toxins or microplastics. Pink is the undercurrent in so many materials used for masonry, from stone to terracotta or brick. This is what makes it such a great colour for walls – in grand or intimate spaces and front doors! Good pinks, light or strong, need to be settled down with earth pigment and often a pinch of black. The colour exudes a gender neutral confidence that flatters and inspires – no wonder that you can find it on the atelier walls of @annamasonlondon our favourite fashion designer and modern muse! Check out our website for pink palette inspiration or see it in the flesh by making an appointment or popping into @annamasonlondon ‘s beautiful Belgravia shop and atelier.

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Paint Quantity Calculator

To use this simple tool please add together the total wall lengths, so the parameter of the room which is the width measurement, then just one height measurement. This amount is based on coverage in 2 coats.

As a rough guide, 1 L of eggshell will cover 2-3 doors (both sides) and 1 L of eggshell will cover 20 metres of skirting board in min. 2 coats.

x requires (for 2 coats)

Please complete width and height

Please note we don't take doors, windows or alcoves into consideration.
The paint calculator is only suitable for calculating wall paint requirements.