Bideford Black
This unique pigment is a rich, deep black that is geographically specific to the Bideford area in North Devon. It is composed from fossilized ferns from 300 million years ago. The mines closed in 1969. This pigment exists in 3 forms, a thick black clay, a fine smutty powder and an anthracite coal. I forage the pigment and refine in the studio. The pigment can be made into watercolour, oil, and acrylic paints, and a rich dark ink.