Florence Paintmakers

Florence Paintmakers was formed by a group of four Cumbrian artists and was registered as a co-operative in 2012.  Now our Paintmaker produces hand-made artists’ materials with the haematite from Florence Mine, Egremont, as well as other local pigments derived from Cumbrian minerals. 

The disused Florence mine was renowned for the quality of its iron ore and was the last working deep mine in Western Europe when it closed in 2008.  The Mine’s former shower block has found a new future as Florence Arts Centre and this is where the the Paintmakers have their Studio.

The extensive West Cumbrian iron ore field came into its prime during the Industrial Revolution and later nineteenth century.  Its subsequent decline was a result of cheaper but lower-quality imported minerals.  The ore was originally used for pig iron that was essential for steel manufacture: some was used to make cosmetics and certain ores were polished for jewellery.  Local shepherds traditionally used ‘ruddle’, a mixture of haematite and grease to mark and identify their sheep.  To this day, the iconic Herdwick sheep have their fleeces dressed in this rich russet red for the shows or Shepherds’ Meets.

The Paintmakers have experimented with various formulae to create a niche range of high-pigment art materials: they embrace traditional methods and  quality, locally-sourced natural ingredients at a time when artisan products have premium status.  Their haematite range is marketed as Egremont Red and is complemented by St Bees Yellow and Kirkby Grey: they are keen to find other local colours.  They make watercolour and oil paints, soft  pastels, dry pigment and  drawing ink.  These have been laboratory tested as lightfast.