Azurite - precious mineral into paint pigment

Visionary Art
Visionary Art
5,007
0
Published 2021-06-24
The beautiful blue copper-bearing mineral Azurite is one of the most important pigments in traditional art. It was used extensively by the Egyptians and Medieval and pre-modern European painters. Known as Bleu bis, Mountain blue, Armenian stone and Azurro Della Magna. Replaced in more recent times by the artificial pigment Ultramarine Blue (​Sodium Aluminum Sulfosilicate). Painters interested in traditional processes seek to experience the qualities of the vitreous (glassy) mineral blues of Azurite and Lapis Lazuli.

Daniel Mirante demonstrates a simple process by which Azurite can be transformed with home equipment into a useful pigment, using a technique called levigation, a method of purifying a mixture by sedimentation. The ground up particles are thoroughly mixed with water and then left to stand. The coarser particles will sink to the bottom while the water and any organic impurities will rise to the top and can be poured off. In the middle there will be a layer of especially fine particles suitable for paint-making.
All Comments (12)
  • @RawIpharadisi
    Thank you for this invaluable demonstration! A most fascinating look at how simple it is to use the fine, traditional methods of yore! And that blue!! Absolutely divine!
  • @RawIpharadisi
    It is also amazing to see the end result difference on paper between the various pigment densities!
  • @danieljamesbinderystu2968
    If you use a roman soap solution, or a casein water solution while doing the levigation process.. it allows the pure azurite pigments to sink much faster, and for the impurities to stay up top. It also allows for a much more of a pure pigment ( traps that gritty sand particles, and impurities) and much easier way to seperate the particle sizes... faster and cleaner. Just a tip to think about, or use. Cheers mate
  • @gillwood
    Informative and looks fun. Thank you
  • @angeliqueroux3017
    What’s your mortar & pestle made of? I feel like my ceramic set will break with big stones like this. 🤔
  • @sagidasyed6314
    Plz anyone tell me the background music at the begging of the video, it's amazing 🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗
  • @nickivlachou3117
    Where can we find the azurite mineral? And is this pigment lightfast when on paper?