Since then, some pigments have disappeared, their natural resources depleted and others have been restricted due to their toxicity. But with recent innovations and research Sennelier offers a wide variety of synthetic pigments that perfectly match the performance of such ancient mineral pigments such as Lapis Lazuli and Cinnabar.

Yet at the same time Sennelier still mines the earth for minerals and other natural elements from traditional sources - pigments like clays and iron oxides used in ochres and the preparation of ?burnt? earth colours from calcified soil.

At the dawn of the 21st century, Sennelier still keeps a watchful eye on the pigments selected for its lines of artists' quality oils, oil sticks, watercolours, soft pastels and oil pastels. These very same pigments are available to artists wishing to master the preparation of their own colours.