The Manufacture of Mineral and Lake Pigments, Dr. Josef Bersch, 1901 Though this highly technical volume on the chemical origins of manufactured pigments may be a bit dense for even hardcore “paint geeks”, this book is still interesting on a number of levels. The sheer detail of description leaves very little mystery about many of [...]

The Painter’s Materials and Methods, A.P. Laurie, 1926 Download:

Facts about Processes, Pigments and Vehicles, A.P. Laurie, 1895 Download

It seems no painter can resist the occasional smudge or dab at a canvas with bare fingers. Some give in to temptation completely, using hands more than brushes. Recent analysis leads scholars to suspect much of Leonardo’s work in oils was done with his fingers; Renaissance era treatises on painting recommend using the fingers to [...]

Supplement to an impressionist exhibition; features information about late 19th c. innovations in pigment and paint manufacture: External link:

Oil Colors and Printers’ Inks, 1903 L. E. Andes Download:

The Industrial and Artistic Technology of Paint and Varnish Alvah Horton Sabin, 1904 Download:

“Paint Making and Color Grinding” Charles Uebele, 1913 Primarily for industrial purposes, this book nonetheless contains good information about pigments and vehicles. Download:

“Analysis of Mixed Paints, Color Pigments and Varnishes” by Clifford Dyer Holley Download:

Lists of common color names, associated Color Index code and other data. Natural Red=NR Pigment Blue=PB Pigment Black=PBk Pigment Brown=PBr Pigment Green=PG Pigment Orange=PO Pigment Violet=PV Pigment White=PW Pigment Yellow=PY Lightfastness ratings: 1 – Excellent Lightfastness 2 – Very Good Lightfastness 3 – Not Sufficiently Lightfast A | B | C | D | E [...]