Natural Earth Pigment Tools, Mortars and Pestles
Once you have collected natural earth pigments, ochre will remind you when it’s ready to be processed into a pigment powder. Often, I don’t process rocks the moment they enter my studio—I tend to store them until their color moves me in some way. When I [and they] am ready, I use a mortar and pestle, a key tool for processes rocks, dirt, and soil into natural earth pigments. Mortar and pestles vary and I there are several characteristics I like to recommend when working with the earth.
Before you dig in, there are a few basics to understand about a mortar and pestle.
The mortar is the bowl that holds your material
The pestle is the object you use to break rocks into a pigment powder
How to Find a Mortar and Pestle for Natural Earth Pigments
There are a few specifics I like to recommend when buying a mortar and pestle to process your natural earth pigments.
1. Size
When people first think about getting a mortar and pestle and ask for recommendations, I like to first mention size. This is often an overlooked feature of mortars and pestles but it is an important consideration if you are just beginning your earth pigment journey. Mortar and pestles that are too small can result in you need to process your materials with alternative tools. If you're purchasing a mortar and pestle for the first time, I recommend a medium-large sized mortar, at least 4in. in diameter. Small mortar and pestles are great fun to collect and are brilliant for refinement work.
2. Material
Mortar and pestles are made from a plethora of different materials. As a general rule of thumb, when processing natural earth pigments, look for stone and ceramic mortar and pestles and avoid a metal or wood mortar and pestle.
I’m personally a fan of granite. It’s a heavy material that’s not conducive to breaking. There are other stones that are just as strong as granite, but be mindful of how porous the surface is and avoid large crevices where pigment powder can get lost in. Porcelain (and ceramic) are a bit more fragile but are great for refining pigments in the last few stages. Marble is unique in itself, and I find it to be a bit unpredictable.
Where to buy a mortar and pestle
Mortars and pestles can be purchased in a variety of locations. You can check at local kitchen/food stores, local apothecary shops, found item stores, or online.
You’ll grow to become very personal with your mortar and pestle. Give yourself time to learn its workings.
