pigment

A substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating.

“artists use `paint' and `pigment' interchangeably”

Any substance whose presence in plant or animal tissues produces a characteristic color.

Dry coloring material (especially a powder to be mixed with a liquid to produce paint, etc.).

Acquire pigment; become colored or imbued.

Color or dye with a pigment.

“pigment a photograph”