• Limonite Yellow Earth pigment, a pale yellow ochre powder shown in a glass dish.
  • Limonite Yellow Earth Pigment
  • Limonite Yellow Earth Pigment
  • Monet’s earlier paintings of the Normandy coast had emphasised it as a working seascape, peopled with fishermen who had to contend with a cold climate, choppy seas and stormy skies. But this painting and the eight others he made in the summer of 1870 show it as a holiday destination, with wide sandy beaches, bracing air and impressive seaside architecture. Monet painted it during the weeks he spent at Trouville with his wife Camille and their son Jean.
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Limonite Yellow Earth Pigment

Limonite Yellow Earth Pigment

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Description

Limonite is a natural earth pigment made from iron oxide rich clay deposits from the Carpathians, selected for their warm, golden yellow to amber tones. Carefully sourced and finely ground, this ochre captures the glow of sunlit fields and ancient walls, offering a deep, rich warmth that bridges the gap between traditional yellow and red ochres.

In watercolor, Limonite produces smooth, semi-opaque washes with a natural granulation and soft luster. In egg tempera, fresco, and oil painting, it provides a glowing warmth ideal for skin tones, backgrounds, landscapes, and underpainting. It blends beautifully with earth reds, muted greens, and mineral blues, making it a foundational color for historical palettes and naturalistic painting.

History

Ochres have been some of the most widely used pigments throughout human history, from Paleolithic cave paintings to Renaissance masterworks. Golden toned ochres, in particular, were valued for their versatility, representing fertile earth, ripened grain, and divine light across a variety of cultural and artistic traditions.

In medieval and Renaissance Europe, golden ochres were staples of manuscript illumination, panel painting, and fresco decoration. Their stability, affordability, and beautiful matte texture made them indispensable to artists seeking natural, harmonious palettes. In the pictured artwork 'The Beach at Trouville' by Monet, light yellow ochre is used for the pastel and soft tones of the sand on the beach.

Today, Golden Ochre remains a beloved and essential pigment for artists seeking warmth, permanence, and a direct connection to the oldest traditions of color making.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural earth pigment from iron oxide rich clay
Source: Extraction from natural limonite
Origin: Italy
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Egg Tempera, Oil, Acrylic, Fresco
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Semi-opaque to opaque
Other Names: Yellow Ochre (Golden Tone), Gold Ochre, Natural Earth Yellow
Color Index Code: PY43
Image: 'The Beach at Trouville' by Claude Monet from the National Gallery

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.

Caution: Natural earths and minerals contain crystalline silica (quartz). Breathing the dust over long periods can cause serious lung disease (silicosis) and lung cancer. Always use a dust respirator with the dry pigment.

WARNING: This product can expose you to crystalline silica (airborne particles of respirable size), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.