Why My Paintings Are So Vibrant: The Secret Behind the Color

One of the most common questions I get about my work is, “Why are your colors so vibrant?”

The answer is simple:I make my own paint.

The Truth About Commercial Paints

Most commercial paints on the market today are made with fillers and additives. These extra ingredients help stretch the product, ensure consistency, and reduce production costs, but they also reduce the natural intensity of the pigment.

Many artists don’t realize that it's nearly impossible to know the exact pigment content in commercial paints. Each brand has its own rating system; unfortunately, there’s no universal standard to compare them. That means one company’s “high pigment load” might be another’s medium.

What Paint Is Made Of

At its core, paint is just pigment and binder. That’s it. Historically, pigments came from natural sources—soil, rocks, minerals, plants, and even animals. But during the Industrial Revolution, everything changed.

In the mid-1800s, chemists working with coal tar waste from factories discovered they could create dyes and pigments from this industrial byproduct. This breakthrough gave us synthetic pigments like Alizarin, Pthalo, and synthetic Ultramarine. These colors could now be mass-produced without the need to mine rare minerals like lapis lazuli from Afghanistan.

Today, most commercial paints are made with these synthetic pigments.

Why I Choose to Make My Own

Natural pigments are far more intense and varied. Because they’re sourced from different origins and not made in a lab, each one has its own unique texture and behavior. They also vary dramatically in price. So if you’re buying from a company and notice every paint tube costs the same and feels the same, you’re likely working with synthetics.

When I make my own paints, I use a mix of both natural and synthetic pigments—whatever feels interesting or inspiring to me. I source pigments from all over the world, always seeking unusual and beautiful shades. Then I carefully craft each paint to highlight the pigment’s best qualities.

There’s no set formula—it’s all about what works best for that specific pigment. Sometimes it needs more binder, sometimes less. It’s a process of constant learning, trial, and refinement.

Making paint is an art in itself.

Why This Matters for My Art

Because I control every part of the paint-making process, I’m able to maximize the pigment load. That’s why the colors in my paintings appear so rich, vivid, and alive. It’s not just what I paint—it’s what I paint with.

Of course, I understand that not every artist has the time or interest to make their own paints. It’s a big commitment. That’s why I offer some of the paints I create in my shop. You’ll find premade tests as well as custom sets.

If you’re interested in creating your own custom palette with me, just select that option at checkout, and I’ll personally reach out to help you develop your own unique color story.

Vibrancy starts at the source. When you paint with high-quality pigments, it transforms your entire artistic experience.

Ready to try it yourself? Explore my handmade paints here →