The Delight of Pure Pigments - Exploring The World of colour

At Appleby's 300-year-old Colour Maker's House, master artisans transform Afghan lapis lazuli into genuine ultramarine using medieval techniques. Unlike synthetic versions once made near Windermere for both artists and laundry soap, true ultramarine from lapis possesses irreplaceable luminosity that Turner and Renaissance masters prized above gold. To see the full article . . .

Discover how blue verditer pigment—a "happy accident" from 16th-century silver refiners—represents the mystical tradition of hand-mixed colours. From medieval alchemists' "Venus colours" to Turner's palette, this forgotten copper-based pigment embodies the intuitive artistry that connects today's artists to centuries of creative wisdom. To see the full article

 The pigment that built the Renaissance still captivates artists today—but is it right for your practice?

This ancient pigment has been the backbone of Western oil painting for over 400 years. Yet today, many artists have never used it—or even know it's still available.. To see the full article

 How many artists have picked up a tube of paint, looked at the back, and seen a code such as PB29, wondered what it means and why?  

Welcome to the world of international colour databases - sophisticated scientific resources that are transforming how artists understand, create, and preserve art.  To see the full article

Graphite, with its distinctive metallic lustre ranging from deep black to silvery grey, stands as one of the most fundamental and accessible drawing materials in the artist's toolkit. This remarkable mineral has enabled countless masterpieces and remains the backbone of artistic expression... To see the full article