Hey fellow eco-warriors! I’ve been diving deep into the world of natural paints for my latest home renovation project. I’m particularly fascinated by the idea of mixing my own natural pigments with water-based acrylic bases. It feels like the perfect blend of creativity and sustainability. I’ve been experimenting with a few brands, like Earth Pigments and The Real Milk Paint Co., and I’m curious if anyone else has ventured down this path.
So far, I’ve tried creating a soft terracotta shade using ochre and a deep green with spirulina powder. The results have been mixed – literally! Some mixes have been a dream to apply, especially on plaster walls, while others… well, let’s just say they’ve taught me a lot about pigment saturation and binder ratios. I’m also keen to hear about your experiences with different surfaces. Have you found certain pigments work better on wood versus plaster or drywall?
I’m all ears for any tips, tricks, or cautionary tales you might have. What natural pigments have you had success with? Any particular brands of water-based acrylic bases that you swear by? Let’s share our knowledge and make our homes a little greener, one brushstroke at a time.
Hey @EcoPainter88, I’ve been experimenting with natural pigments too! I found that using Earth Pigments with a water-based acrylic base from Eco Paints works wonders. The key is to start with small amounts of pigment and gradually increase until you reach the desired color intensity. Also, make sure to mix thoroughly to avoid any clumps. I’ve had great results on wood surfaces, especially with a primer. Have you tried any primers with your mixes?
@GreenThumb23 Thanks for the tip! I haven’t tried a primer yet, but that sounds like a game-changer. I’ll definitely give Eco Paints a try. Do you have any advice on how to adjust the mix for different surfaces?
I’ve been using spirulina powder for a deep green color too! It’s fascinating how natural pigments can create such vibrant colors. However, I noticed that the color fades a bit over time, especially in direct sunlight. Has anyone else experienced this? Maybe adding a UV protectant could help?
@NatureLover99 Yes, I’ve noticed fading with some natural pigments too. I started adding a clear coat with UV protection over the top, and it seems to help a lot. It’s a bit of extra work, but worth it to preserve the color.
I love the idea of mixing natural pigments! I’ve been using The Real Milk Paint Co. pigments with a water-based acrylic base and found that adding a bit of linseed oil helps with the application on wood. It gives the paint a smoother finish and seems to help with adhesion. Has anyone else tried adding oils to their mix?
@DIYQueen That’s an interesting tip! I haven’t tried adding oils yet, but I’m curious about the ratio of oil to paint. Do you have a specific ratio that works best for you?
@EcoPainter88 I usually start with a 1:10 ratio of linseed oil to paint and adjust from there depending on the surface and desired finish. It’s a bit of trial and error, but starting small helps avoid making the paint too oily.
Mixing your own pigments is such a rewarding process! I’ve had success with ochre and charcoal for creating earthy tones. One thing I’ve learned is the importance of the pigment’s particle size. Finer pigments tend to mix more evenly and provide a more consistent color. Does anyone have recommendations for grinding or sifting pigments to achieve a finer consistency?
@ArtisanPete I use a coffee grinder dedicated to pigments for grinding them down to a finer consistency. Just make sure to clean it thoroughly between uses to avoid color contamination. A fine mesh sieve can also help sift out any larger particles.
Hey @EcoPainter88, I’ve been experimenting with natural pigments too! I found that using Earth Pigments with a water-based acrylic base from Eco Paints works wonders. The key is to start with small amounts of pigment and gradually increase until you reach the desired color intensity. Also, make sure to mix thoroughly to avoid any clumps. I’ve had great results on wood surfaces, especially with a primer. Have you tried any primers with your mixes?
That’s interesting! I’ve been using The Real Milk Paint Co. pigments with a different brand of water-based acrylic base, and I’ve noticed that the color payoff can vary a lot depending on the surface. On plaster, it’s been a bit hit or miss for me. Do you think the primer makes that much of a difference?
Absolutely, the primer is a game-changer, especially on porous surfaces like plaster. It helps the paint adhere better and can really make the colors pop. I’ve been using a natural primer from Eco Paints as well, and it’s been working great with the pigments. Have you guys tried any natural sealers or finishes to protect the paint?
I haven’t tried a natural sealer yet, but I’m curious about it. I’ve been using a beeswax finish on some of my wood projects, and it gives a nice, soft sheen. Do you think that would work with the natural pigments and acrylic base combo? Also, has anyone experimented with adding natural fillers or extenders to the mix for texture?
Yeah, spirulina’s a tricky one. I’ve had the same issue with fading. I tried mixing in a bit of linseed oil as a natural UV protectant, and it seemed to help a little. Not a perfect fix, but better than nothing. Have you experimented with any other natural UV protectants?
I’ve been down the spirulina path too, and yeah, sunlight’s its nemesis. I switched to using chlorophyll liquid for greens. It’s a bit more stable, though the color’s not as deep. Maybe a mix of both could give you the best of both worlds? Also, have you tried sealing your walls with a natural wax or something after painting? Might help with the fading.
That’s interesting about the linseed oil. I’ve been sticking strictly to water-based mixes to keep things eco-friendly, but I might have to give that a try. I’ve found that Earth Pigments work really well on plaster, but they can be a bit tricky on drywall. Maybe the oil could help with that too.
I’ve had mixed results with natural pigments on wood. Some colors just don’t seem to stick as well, no matter what I do. I haven’t tried adding linseed oil yet, but I’m curious if it would help with the lighter shades that tend to be more finicky.
I’m all about experimenting with different bases. I’ve tried a few water-based acrylics and found that some are definitely better than others when it comes to mixing with natural pigments. Has anyone else noticed that certain brands seem to handle the pigments better?
I’ve been using The Real Milk Paint Co. pigments too, but I haven’t tried adding linseed oil. I usually just adjust the water to pigment ratio until I get the consistency I want. It’s a bit of trial and error, but I’ve gotten some really vibrant colors that way.
I’ve been diving deep into the world of natural paints for my latest home renovation project. I’m particularly fascinated by the idea of mixing my own natural pigments with water-based acrylic bases. It feels like the perfect blend of creativity and sustainability. I’ve been experimenting with a few brands, like Earth Pigments and The Real Milk Paint Co., and I’m curious if anyone else has ventured down this path.