• Deep red ochre pigment, a natural earth pigment with warm, earthy red tones. Highly lightfast and opaque, perfect for oil, watercolor, and tempera painting. Used since prehistoric times for fine art, iconography, and historical restoration. Finely ground for smooth application and rich, natural color. Ideal for artists seeking authentic, archival-quality pigments. Available in various sizes.
  • Red Ochre Pigment
  • Red Ochre Pigment
  • This is an image from the Wall Painting in the Tomb of Pharaoh Siptah 19th Dynasty, ca 1190 BC Siptah was the 7th Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty and his reign lasted from 1197 to 1191 BC. His grave is located in the Tomb KV47, located in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, however, his mummy was not found in the Tomb KV 47 but discovered in the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV 35).
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Red Ochre Pigment

Red Ochre Pigment

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Description

Red Ochre is a natural, handmade single earth pigment produced by heating Light Yellow Ochre, extracted from Vaucluse, France. This natural pigment undergoes a traditional calcination process, transforming yellow ochre into a deeper, richer red hue with increased iron oxide content.

One of the finest ochres available, Red Ochre is prized for its warm, earthy red tone, high covering power, and exceptional stability. It has been widely used for centuries due to its durability, opacity, and ability to create soft, harmonious blends in artwork. This pigment is ideal for fresco painting, oil painting, watercolor, and traditional tempera techniques.

Unlike synthetic reds, Red Ochre offers a unique organic warmth, making it a favorite among artists seeking natural, historically authentic reds for their palettes.

History

Ochre pigments have been used by humans for over 100,000 years, with red ochre playing a significant role in prehistoric cave paintings, including those in Lascaux, France. The process of heating yellow ochre to create red ochre dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who used it in murals, cosmetics, and pottery. In the pictured artwork from the Wall Painting in the Tomb of Pharaoh Siptah ca 1190 BC, red ochre is used to create rich red contrast to the Egyptian blue used.

During the Renaissance, red ochre became a staple pigment in European painting, often used for underpainting, portraiture, and landscape works. The deposits in Vaucluse, particularly in the Roussillon region, became famous for producing some of the world's finest ochres, supplying master painters with rich, warm tones for centuries.

By the 19th and 20th centuries, Red Ochre remained a key pigment in both fine art and industrial applications, from artist paints to architectural finishes. Today, it continues to be valued for its historical significance, stability, and natural beauty.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural (Iron Oxide) from minerals (Hematite - Fe₂O₃) (France)
Source: Clay containing natural iron oxide (hematite)
Origin: France
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic
Lightfastness: Excellent
Opacity: Opaque
Other Names: Burnt Ochre, Red Earth, French Red Ochre
Color Index Code: PR102
Image: 'Wall Painting' by Unknown from the Tomb of Pharaoh Siptah

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.

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Heather J.

Talked briefly with the seller. Fingers crossed that this will work out how i want it to. Great value for the money too! Will definitely be using them again.

Heather J. review photo
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Greg L.

Item exactly as described, great quality, and arrived sooner than expected.

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Patricia R.W.

As a researcher into ancient religions, I ordered natural red ochre for a presentation that I'm doing. Effigies of the Slavic Goddess were anointed with red ochre and I wanted to be able to show people the pigment and how it might be used. The seller shipped it promptly, it was well packaged and they included a little bonus pigment which was a nice surprise.