Yellow ochre - overview



		1.	Overview



		2.	History of use



		3.	Making the pigment



		4.	Technical details

Brief description of Yellow ochre:

Earthtones from cream to brown

Names for Yellow ochre:



Pronounciation:

oak • ur

Alternative names:

earth pigments

Word origin:

The name "Yellow ochre" comes from Greek ochros = yellow, pale yellow.

Non-English names:

German

French

Italian

Gelber Ocker

ocre jaune

n/a

Chemical name:

Iron(III)-oxide hydrate

A painted swatch of Yellow ochre:

Source of Yellow ochre:

Ochre comes in many varieties:

Natural mineral:

Red and yellow ochre pigments abound at the surface in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Pigments like these were readily made into paints by prehistoric peoples (such as the nearby Santana do Riacho, Lago a Santa) who would then paint with their fingers or with vegetable paint brushes.

Yellow ochre from Spain

Natural mineral consisting of silica and clay owing its color to iron oxide. It is found throughout the world, in many shades, in hues from yellow to brown, and faint blue. The best brown ochre comes from Cyprus. The pigment has good hiding power and excellent permanence in all media.