PRODUCTION
& METHODS
For thousands of years, humans have processed ochre from the earth using methods grounded in patience, gravity, fire, and water. pigmenta works continues this lineage, refining historical techniques through careful material control and contemporary production methods.
Ochre as a byproduct
Our pigment is extracted directly from nature, often from iron-rich deposits collected at water plants, where natural sedimentation concentrates the material. At these facilities, the iron sediment is typically treated as a residual byproduct of the water purification process — a waste stream that must be removed to ensure clean drinking water. By extracting ochre from water sources we can produce pigment without disturbing the local environment while simultaneously contributing to getting rid of an unwanted material.
(1) Extraction
The first step in producing natural earth pigments is extraction. When the ochre is collected from water sources, much of the filtering process is done by the water plants. Here the ochre is filtered apart from the drinking water into large lakes or silos. From here it is collected by Pigmenta Works into large containers and transported to our production facility. At Løvskal the ochre is dug out from a few selected locations. These locations are picked out because of their high concentrations of ochre and their proximity to the surface, allowing us to extract ochre without disturbing or clearing large parcels of land.
(2) Drying and crushing
Once gathered, the raw ochre is thoroughly dried at our production site. This initial drying stabilizes the material and prepares it for crushing. After drying, the ochre is mechanically crushed into smaller particles, increasing the surface area and enabling more precise refinement.
(3) Decantation
The crushed material is then washed to remove organic matter and larger, heavier impurities such as sand and stones. Purification is carried out through a traditional process of decantation. Water flows through a series of pipes and channels, gently transporting only the finest and lightest pigment particles. Heavier materials settle out early, while the suspended fine particles remain in the water.
The pigment-rich water is left undisturbed, allowing the fine particles to settle naturally at the bottom through gravity. Once fully settled, the clear water above is carefully removed and recycled for later use. What remains is a dense, purified ochre sediment.
(4) Final drying & Calcination
The refined material is left to dry again before entering the kiln. Through controlled firing between 400°C and 1100°C, the iron oxides change chemical structure and color, producing a spectrum of tones ranging from warm reds and deep browns to deep violet hues. Temperature and firing duration determine the final color.
(5) Milling & Packaging
After firing, the pigment is milled once more to achieve a consistent, fine powder. It is then packed and prepared for distribution.
The process remains elemental — earth, water, air, and fire — continuing a material tradition that has endured for centuries while remaining rooted in the specific landscapes from which each batch originates.
