Chromatopia: An Illustrated History of Colour

(Paperback)

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Description

Did you know that the Egyptians created the first synthetic colour; or that the noblest purple comes from a predatory sea snail Throughout history, artists' 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 serendipity, Chromatopia reveals the origin stories of over 50 of history's most extraordinary pigments.

Spanning the ancient world to modern leaps in technology, this is a book for the artist, the history buff, the science lover and the design fanatic.

Reviews

In addition to providing a fascinating lesson in art history, Chromatopia is a superb introduction to the physical properties, cultural meanings, and emotional capacities of colour. * Australian Book Review *

This book is as compelling for its strange facts as it is for the storytelling behind the origins of colour pigments.
I treasure the depth and detail in David Coles's concise new book Chromatopia: An Illustrated History of Colour

Author Bio

Chromatopia is the creation of David Coles, founder and master paintmaker at Langridge Artist Colours - one of the world's most respected makers of artists' oil paints. David has been involved in the world of colour his whole life, both as a paintmaker and lecturer. By bringing art and science together, this book is the culmination of a life's work in the field.

Over the last twenty-five years, David has channelled this enthusiasm for colour into guest lectures for many of the world's leading art colleges. In the process, he has helped a generation of artists discover, select, and ultimately master the materials best suited to their artistic intentions.