The Colour Makers of Appleby - New Novel and Reference Book

 Alice Harper thought her artistic dreams were over. After a brutal critique from her Oxford professor leaves her confidence shattered, she escapes to the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, where she stumbles upon the Colour Maker's House—a centuries-old workshop where pigments are still created using medieval alchemical methods.

Under the gentle guidance of master craftsman Thomas Harrison, Alice learns to transform humble earth and stone into radiant colors through fire, patience, and ancient wisdom. As she grinds lapis lazuli and calcines ochre, she discovers that creating color is itself a form of alchemy—one that slowly transforms her from a doubtful student into a confident artist with her own unique voice.

But Alice's newfound passion faces powerful opposition. Her father expects her to honor their agreement and join his law firm by July. Her former professor arrives with threats and manipulation, determined to steer her away from art. And a rival pigment manufacturer seeks to destroy the traditional methods that have given Alice's work its distinctive luminosity.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the English Lake District, The Colour Makers of Appleby is a richly detailed exploration of artistic awakening and the courage required to follow one's authentic path. Mark Hilsden weaves together traditional craftsmanship, family drama, and the transformative power of mentorship in this atmospheric novel about a young woman who must choose between the security others want for her and the creative life her soul demands.

Perfect for readers who loved The Miniaturist or The Birth of Venus, this is literary fiction that celebrates both artistic tradition and personal revolution.