There is a vast and rich literature devoted to the manufacture of paints, dyes, inks, and other materials essential to artistic practice. These books offer a wealth of valuable information for those who wish to explore or deepen these techniques. Many texts are available for free online, which makes it easy for everyone to access them. To make your research easier, I’ve put together a list of books that are available online.
It should be noted that some of these books are old, sometimes dating back several centuries. Although they are extremely interesting and rich in traditional know-how, it is important to read them with some hindsight, taking into account modern advances and updates in the field.
![Colors_and_paints___by_[...]Coffignier_Ch_](https://julienguinet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Couleurs_et_peintures___par_.Coffignier_Ch_bd6t5399020x-655x1024.webp)
![Varnish_maker’s_manual_[...]Coffignier_Ch_](https://julienguinet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Manuel_du_fabricant_de_vernis_.Coffignier_Ch_bpt6k97527621-690x1024.webp)
Complete treatise on the properties, preparation, and use of dyeing materials and colors.
Book 1: Color Making.
Book 2: Dyeing Materials.
![Painting_and_color_making_[...]Roret_Nicolas-Edme_](https://julienguinet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Peinture_et_fabrication_des_couleurs_.Roret_Nicolas-Edme_bpt6k6307108r-768x1253.jpeg)
![New_manual_for_the_maker_of_[...]Coffignier_Ch_](https://julienguinet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Nouveau_manuel_du_fabricant_de_.Coffignier_Ch_bpt6k9753111z-643x1024.webp)
![On_pastel_from_the_indigo_plant_and_[...]Lasteyrie_Charles-Philibert_](https://julienguinet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Du_pastel_de_lindigotier_et_.Lasteyrie_Charles-Philibert_bpt6k9816484z-609x1024.jpeg)
A manual that deals with natural dyes, with a very interesting section on the use of solar energy in dyeing, particularly on making a solar cooker.
– TEXT IN ENGLISH –
A free and very comprehensive guide to natural dyes, including excellent explanations of different mordants.
– TEXT IN ENGLISH –
Here’s how to make triformate of aluminum at home. It’s a mordant used cold.
– TEXT IN ENGLISH –
A 9-page PDF written by Lauren Sauder which is an introduction to the world of natural mineral pigments.
– TEXT IN ENGLISH –
A very comprehensive study on pigments (pH, solubility, fastness, resistance…)
La Pigmentière offers several recipes on her website. She has also written a book to learn how to make your own art materials.
The Wild Pigment Project is an artistic initiative founded in 2019 by Tilke Elkins, aiming to reconnect artists with nature through the use of natural pigments (plants, minerals, etc.) harvested locally.
Today, the site primarily serves as an archive of a global movement around “wild” pigments and their cultural and ecological dimension.
– SITE IN ENGLISH –
