Colour : Travels Through the Paintbox Paperback – Import, January 1, 2003

Have just started this but enjoy the travelogue nature of a deep-dive into history of pigments.

Very useful for the colour unit of my interior decoration course. Writing is very lively which makes it very readable. I want to get the companion book.

This book was one I just happened to pick up at a book store by chance and turned out to be a great find. I found the history really facinating. It gives me a whole new look at the world of art and how artists chose colors and why. Another one that I passed on to friends.

A marvelous mix of history, culture, chemistry, and the practical, social, and artistic issues of the use of colour. I had no particular interest in the topic based on the title, but, after some strong recommendations, picked up this work and was captivated. It's quite a lengthy tome, but is easy to read a chapter at a time whenever the mood is right. Each chapter focuses on one colour (or black, brown or white), and delves into where pigments and dyes come from, how they are made, the chemical and biological hazards associated with various sources and methods, the related cultural history, the impact of a colour on historical events, etc., ,etc., etc. This book is really loaded with historical, cultural, and scientific insights that will capture the mind regardless of your interest in the subject of colour itself. Highly recommended.

Extremely well written

Enjoyed itWould have liked it a bit more chemistry tying it to natural pigments but glad I got it

Less exciting than hoped

This is one of the most interesting books I have. It investigates the history and provenance of the colours we take for granted every day. Such a well researched and yes, interesting book.

A very informative read and a jolly good story.

Love this book. Have gifted it to countless people.

Victoria Findlay's book COLOUR will have you travelling to remote places that are in some cases, not even marked on a map. She is searching for the source of natural pigments and dyes; those used by artists of the past. For those who wonder what powdered rock makes that fabulous blue, what binder holds it in suspension, what makes it permanent, never fading for centuries, you will find this book fascinating. The hardcover is heavy from high quality paper on which is printed beautifully coloured historic images and a paperback that can be carried around while reading it.

The writing is beautiful, the pages are full of information in a highly readable style. I'm rapt in it. Thanks for all the research. Fascinating. The only reason I gave it 5 stars was because I could not give it 10.

L'approccio all'argomento è originale, mescola storie di colori con viaggi e il risultato è piacevole e divertente. Consigliato a chiunque ami i colori e si emozioni anche solo al pensiero di un'ocra colorata.Scritto bene, fluido.