Pigmenttiväreiksi

Pigmenttiväreiksi is a Finnish term that translates to "pigment colors" or "pigment paints." It refers to art materials that derive their color from pigments, which are insoluble particles suspended in a binder. Unlike dyes, which dissolve in a solvent, pigments retain their solid form and create color by selectively absorbing and reflecting light. This property makes pigment-based paints generally more stable and lightfast than dye-based colors.

The binder used in pigmenttiväreiksi can vary widely, leading to different types of paints. For example, tempera paints use an emulsified binder like egg yolk, while oil paints use drying oils such as linseed oil. Watercolor paints use a binder that is water-soluble, typically gum arabic. Acrylic paints utilize a synthetic polymer emulsion as their binder. The choice of binder significantly influences the paint's texture, drying time, transparency, and handling characteristics.

Pigments themselves can be derived from natural sources, such as minerals, plants, and insects, or they can be synthetic. Historically, many pigments were made from ground minerals like ochre, lapis lazuli, and cinnabar. Modern pigments are often produced through chemical processes, offering a wider range of colors and improved performance in terms of lightfastness and permanence.

The term pigmenttiväreiksi is broadly applicable to any paint where color is achieved through solid pigment particles. This distinguishes them from monochromatic or grayscale art, and emphasizes the material science behind their chromatic qualities.