Pigments are indispensable elements in artistic creation, with a wide variety of types, each possessing unique characteristics and uses.

From ancient times to the present day, humans have continuously explored and created a plethora of pigments, allowing artists to express their inner emotions and creativity with a diverse palette of colors. Let's delve into the classification of pigments.

1. Inorganic Pigments

Inorganic pigments are made from inorganic substances, offering excellent durability and stability. They typically do not fade over time or with exposure to light, making them ideal for artworks such as murals and sculptures that require long-term preservation. Some common inorganic pigments include:

- Ochre: One of the oldest pigments, made from iron oxide and hydrated oxide, ranging in color from light yellow to deep red. It was prevalent in prehistoric cave paintings.

- Vermilion: Widely used in ancient Greece and Rome, this red pigment is made from mercury sulfide, known for its vibrant hue.

- Ultramarine: Used since ancient times in royal paintings, initially made from natural lapis lazuli, later developed through synthetic methods.

- White Lead: A white inorganic pigment, often used in ancient European oil paintings. However, due to its health hazards, it is rarely used today.

2. Organic Pigments

Organic pigments are derived from organic compounds, offering a diverse range of bright and vibrant colors, though they tend to fade more easily than inorganic pigments. They are commonly used in paintings, illustrations, and artworks that require rich and expressive colors.

Here are some common organic pigments:

- Chrome Yellow: A bright yellow pigment, originally made from lead chromate, later developed into safer alternatives.

- Viridian: A vivid green pigment made from chromium oxide, commonly used in oil and watercolor paintings.

- Magenta: A striking magenta color, initially extracted from madder plants, now available in many synthetic versions.

- Carbon Black: One of the oldest organic pigments, made from charcoal or lampblack, frequently used in inks, paints, and oil paintings.

3. Mineral Pigments

Mineral pigments are extracted from minerals or ores, often exhibiting bright colors and some degree of transparency. They are commonly used in glassmaking and painting.

Some common mineral pigments include:

- Garnet: A pigment extracted from garnet, sometimes used in red paints and glassmaking.

- Malachite: A green mineral used as a pigment in ancient Egypt and Greece, also for decorative glass.

- Sapphire: A blue gemstone, occasionally ground into pigment for artworks.

4. Synthetic Pigments

With the advancement of chemical technology, various synthetic pigments have been developed, offering a wider range of colors, stability, and lower production costs. The emergence of synthetic pigments has provided artists with more color choices and creative possibilities.

Some common synthetic pigments include:

- Titanium White: A white pigment made from titanium dioxide, widely used in modern artworks.

- Phthalo Blue: A deep blue synthetic pigment, known for its vibrant and long-lasting color, commonly used in oil and watercolor paintings.

- Quinacridone Magenta: A bright magenta synthetic pigment, frequently used in oil, watercolor, and printing.

The classification of pigments results from a combination of various factors, with the choice depending on the artist's needs, the style of the artwork, and the emotions to be expressed. In artistic creation, pigments play an extremely important role, with their diversity and richness adding infinite possibilities and charm to the art world.