Egg Shell White Pigment

Description
Egg Shell White is a handmade natural white pigment made from cleaned, dried and finely ground eggshells, which are about 95% calcium carbonate (calcite). It produces a soft, warm white with a gentle, matte finish and a slightly granular texture. In water based binders it gives a delicate, natural white; in oil it becomes largely transparent and works as a body and texture builder.

In use, Egg Shell White suits soft highlights, pale tints, grounds and texture in watercolor, gouache, tempera and glue based paints. It has low tinting strength, so it lightens mixtures gently and keeps them luminous rather than chalky. It also makes a good natural extender in encaustic and gesso. It is stable and lightfast, but like all carbonates it is dissolved by acids.

History
Crushed eggshell has a long history in East and Southeast Asian lacquer work, where fragments of shell were inlaid into lacquer to create white passages and textured patterns, and it was used as a white in some Asian painting traditions. As a pigment it belongs to the same family as oyster shell gofun and chalk, and today it is valued by painters looking for a sustainable white.

Pigment Information
Pigment Type: Natural (Organic origin, inorganic composition) calcium carbonate from eggshell
Source: Eggshell (calcite, CaCO₃), cleaned, dried and ground
Origin: U.S.A.
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Gouache, Tempera, Casein, Glue / Distemper, Fresco / Lime, Encaustic, Acrylic; in oil as a transparent extender
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Semi-transparent to semi-opaque
Other Names: Eggshell Powder, Eggshell Calcium, Eggshell Gofun
Color Index Code: PW18

Health and Safety
For art use only. Not for cosmetic, food or children's use.
Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working.
Avoid creating or breathing dust. Work in a ventilated area and wear a NIOSH approved dust respirator (P100 or better) when handling dry pigment.
Wear gloves and eye protection. Wash hands and work surfaces after use, and never rinse pigment into drains.
Do not spray apply, sand or burn.
If swallowed or if you feel unwell, contact a poison control center (U.S. 1-800-222-1222) or a doctor.
Safety Data Sheet available on request.