Ochre Pigment

Ochre

Ochre is a family of natural clay earth pigments, made up of ferric oxide and varying amounts of clay and sand, ranging in colour from yellow to deep orange or brown. The term is also used for the colours produced by this pigment, especially a light brownish-yellow. A variant of ochre containing a large amount of hematite, or dehydrated iron oxide, has a reddish tint known as red ochre. The term "ochre" is colloquially used to cover a range of different substances used for their colours in Aboriginal Australian art and ceremonial decoration, for instance the clay known as "white ochre" or "pipe clay" is derived from kaolin or gypsum.

Pigment

A pigment is a chemical compound that gives a substance or organism color, or is used by humans to add or alter color or change visual appearance. Pigments are nearly or completely insoluble and chemically unreactive in water or another medium; in contrast, dyes are colored substances which are soluble or go into solution at some stage in their use. Dyes are often organic compounds whereas pigments are often inorganic. Pigments of prehistoric and historic value include ochre, charcoal, and lapis lazuli. Biological pigments are compounds produced by living organisms that provide coloration.

ochre

Noun

1. A clay earth pigment containing silica, aluminum and ferric oxide.
2. A somewhat dark yellowish orange colour.

Adjective

1. Having a yellow-orange colour.
2. Referring to cultures that covered their dead with ochre.

pigment

Noun

1. Any color in plant or animal cells.
2. A dry colorant, usually an insoluble powder.

Verb

1. To add color or pigment to something.