Zebra Jasper

Description

Zebra Jasper is a natural, handmade single-pigment powder created through a traditional process of grinding raw stone into a fine, artist-grade pigment. This soft, neutral stone comes from sedimentary deposits and is known for its beautiful interplay of light tan and subtle grey tones. Its muted, earthy palette makes it ideal for mixing, glazing, and creating harmonious natural color schemes.

Unlike synthetic pigments, Zebra Jasper offers gentle tonal variations and a uniquely organic character. It produces a semi-opaque to opaque finish depending on the medium, with a smooth texture and excellent lightfastness. Perfect for watercolors, oils, tempera, and mixed-media applications, Zebra Jasper is especially valued by artists seeking naturalistic, historically inspired palettes.

History

Jasper has been prized since antiquity for both artistic and decorative purposes. Zebra Jasper, in particular, has been used for thousands of years in jewelry, mosaics, sculpture, and pigment making due to its subtle tonal balance and durability.

Natural jasper pigments were common in early Mediterranean, Egyptian, and Asian art, where artisans ground the stone to produce soft, neutral earth tones. Its ability to mix seamlessly with iron-rich ochres and carbon-based blacks made it an essential pigment for underpainting, architectural decoration, and fresco work.

Today, Zebra Jasper pigment continues to appeal to artists who value natural mineral colors, sustainability, and historical authenticity.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural Stone Pigment (Zebra Jasper)

Source: Sedimentary Jasper Deposits

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Mixed Media

Lightfastness: Excellent

Opacity: Semi-Opaque to Opaque

Other Names: Tan Jasper, Grey Jasper, Stone Ochre

Color Index Code: N/A (Natural Mineral)