Overview

Did you know that the Egyptians created the first synthetic colour; or that the noblest purple comes from a predatory sea snail? Throughout history, artist pigments have been made from deadly metals, poisonous minerals, urine, cow dung, and even crushed insects. From grinding down beetles and burning animal bones to alchemy and pure luck, Chromatopia reveals the origin stories behind over fifty of history’s most vivid colour pigments. Spanning the ancient world to modern leaps in technology, this is the book for the artist, the history buff, the science lover and the design fanatic.

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9781760761219

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Reviews

'The tale of serendipity, family legacy, chance meetings and tenacious pursuit of the alchemical transformation of dirt into colour' - .Cent 'A fascinating and absorbing read that's genuinely hard to put down' - The Artist 'A visual feast ... sumptuous illustrations that make you want to rub your face in the plate and absorb the delicious goodness before you' - Art Book Review

'A visual feast … sumptuous illustrations that make you want to rub your face in the plate and absorb the delicious goodness before you' - Art Book Review 'A fascinating and absorbing read that's genuinely hard to put down' - The Artist 'The tale of serendipity, family legacy, chance meetings and tenacious pursuit of the alchemical transformation of dirt into colour' - .Cent

Author Information

David Coles is the founder and head paint-maker of Langridge Artist Colours, one of the world’s most respected makers of artists’ oil paints. He is widely respected within the artist community and regularly lectures at leading art colleges.

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