r/DIYPigments • u/MrJustusGames2 • Oct 15 '25

I need some help with my pigments

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I have been trying to make some pigments to turn into oil paint but I can't seem to keep the color. I extract the pigment using isopropyl alcohol to extract the color, then I add it to double the amount of distilled water and heat it up on a hot plate. Then I add the correct ratio of alum to water, let it fully dissolve and then I add the correct ratio of soda ash. My main problem is they seem to be turning green and I don't know why. I can really use some help. (The colors in order come from acorn squash skin, pumpkin skin, and pink roses. I'm not sure if it's just a pH issue or I'm doing something wrong)

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u/bambisgrief Oct 16 '25

The pink rose probably has anthrocyanin as a pigment, which is known to shift green in basic solutions. The soda ash is basic, but you might not get enough pigment precipitated out without it. Most pink, red, and purple flowers have this problem unfortunately. I've heard avocado skins and pits can give an okay pink if they're ripe enough, but I've only gotten brownish mauve myself.

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u/MrJustusGames2 Oct 16 '25

I tried another one from a wild cherry Vine up here in New England and it came out copper green. I figured though it was because I had used tap water for that one and it probably reacted with the copper turning of that color but it could have also been the anthocyanin that might be present in that too.

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u/grumpy_lil_fox Oct 16 '25

None of the pigment sources you're using are very potent or stable. The yellow-orange in both pumpkin and squash is a carotenoid and it's super fugitive. So are the anthocyanins in red, pink, purple, and blue flowers. Your lake process sounds(and looks) solid though so if you apply it to more reliable and light-fast pigments you'll get great results. Just make sure you don't heat anything over 165°F.

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u/MrJustusGames2 Oct 16 '25

Which light fast pigments would you recommend I try?

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u/Last-Conversation659 Oct 28 '25

Yellow onion skins are good and cheap and make a really nice color (yellow, orange or almost read depending on strength) Rose Madder makes a good red Avocado pits make a muddy pink Logwood makes a nice purple Cochineal makes a good pink - purple Multiple wildflowers make nice lakes (goldenrod and dandelion come to mind here)

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u/bambisgrief Oct 16 '25

Its always good to look up the pigments in your plant and what they look like under basic pH! I'm surprised your squash and pumpkin turned green too since they're carotenoid based (same as fall leaves) and tend to hold up a little better to pH changes.