POLBEN's Pigment Madder Set includes three different shades of madder; red, pink and orange, extracted at different points during the lakeing process. This includes exhausting the dye vat and fermenting it. The Madder (Rubia tinctorum) is grown and harvested from my dye garden in Kent.

A lake pigment is created by precipitating the colour of a liquid dye with an inactive base to make an insoluble pigment. The result is fine crystals which are ground into a powder.

Madder is one of the oldest known natural dyes still in use today. Evidence of its use has been found in the Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 3000 BCE) and among the textiles discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Over centuries, Islamic caliphates and Indian dyers refined the celebrated “Turkey Red” process, a highly prized technique for producing rich, lightfast reds. By the 18th century, demand for madder in England had grown so great that it was cultivated on a large scale. Its vivid crimson hues became synonymous with the iconic scarlet coats worn by the British Army and traditional huntsmen. Today madder is predominantly produced synthetically.

USE: This pigment can be used immediately as a dried powder rubbed onto the substrate, or it can be mixed with a variety of binders, including but not limited to, gum arabic, linseed oil, gum tragacanth, setting agents, and encaustic wax medium. For paint-making, I recommend mulling your pigment into the binder with a muller and grinding slab, this results in a very fine, smooth paint.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Madder pigment is not considered hazardous, but I advise wearing a mask when airborne.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: This is a handmade product that has been harvested, precipitated, ground and sieved. Be aware there may be slight variations in shade from batch to batch. The pigment is stable/lightfast.

The Madder in this set are packaged in corked and waxed, 20ml glass vials.

SHIPPING TO AMERICA: Buyers shipping to America are responsible for any tariffs, duties and fees that may apply.