Quintessential Blue Pigment Project has been great fun for a pigment nerd like me. For this series, I used some unusual colors on my palette with unexpected surprises. One is the cobalt turquoise and the other manganese blue that both are now my all-time favs. Though neither are historical colors, I know I will continue to explore making and using … [Read more...] about The Final Home Stretch: Quintessential Blue
Historical Pigments
Brushing Down the Home Stretch
Time is getting crunchy now and there are five more paintings to go. The only solution is to do multiples in each post until peeks are revealed before the Spring Unveiling event this coming weekend. So far, the blues covered are the ever-glorious lapis lazuli, its modern equivalent, ultramarine blue, and a personal favorite, cobalt turquoise blue. … [Read more...] about Brushing Down the Home Stretch
Ultimate ‘Over the Sea’ Ultra-marine Blue
Lapis lazuli has long been one of my favorite specialty blue colors for previous pigment projects and a perfect choice for the current Spring Unveiling at Bronze Coast Gallery. Artisans around the world have used this mineral for jewelry, inlays, furniture decorations, paint, tombs, and temples in endless varieties. Seventeenth Century Dutch … [Read more...] about Ultimate ‘Over the Sea’ Ultra-marine Blue
A Gem of a Color
As, promised, the first ludicrously small sneak peek in the blue pigment project is revealed. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Blue! This pigment has a compelling history and is known for its clear blue beauty. A fabled mountainous vision of a cross-armed sleeping woman identifies the area near Globe, Arizona where the mines are located. Good and … [Read more...] about A Gem of a Color
Lessons from the Unfathomable Colors of the Oceans
Back in 1994, when I was just barely sure of what I wanted to be as an artist, I found an intriguing semi-official survey taken by two serious-minded artists named Alex Melamid and Vitaly Komar, both Russian emigres. Along with other art preferences, they set out to find which color is most overall favored adored and desired by ordinary … [Read more...] about Lessons from the Unfathomable Colors of the Oceans
Han Purple, Another Color from the Past
What is most exciting about the world of nature's pigments is you never know when you are going to discover something new. Veronica Bishop, my tech consultant, recently forwarded an article about such a color heretofore unknown to me. Thanks to her, I now have another pigment for possible inclusion onto my own historical palette, Han … [Read more...] about Han Purple, Another Color from the Past