ANALYSIS OF WHITE AND BLUE PIGMENTS FROM WATERCOLOURS BY RAMAN MICROSCOPY

Abstract
The application of Raman microanalysis to the investigation of pigments taken from watercolours is described. The pigment samples identified include calcium carbonate (chalk), titanium dioxide in its anatase crystal form, zinc oxide, barium sulphate and ultramarine taken from a selection of watercolours. The Raman spectra of the white pigments and extenders barium carbonate, lead carbonate, lead sulphate and calcium sulphate (gypsum), and the blue pigments cerulean blue, Prussian blue, indigo, copper phthalocyanin and lapis lazuli, are also reported.