About us
My works

Seventh continent
In this series, I represent and interpret, in my own way, the impact of plastic contamination, a global scourge that has spiraled out of control.
Explore the
seventh
continent

Journey to the land of pastels
Woad, a plant renowned for its ability to dye blue, was mainly grown between Toulouse, Albi and Carcassonne around the 15th century. I set off in its footsteps to discover its heritage. The result is a travel diary.

The resources

Resources on natural paints and stains

There is a vast and rich literature devoted to the manufacture of paints, stains, inks and other materials essential to artistic practice. These books offer a wealth of valuable information for those wishing to explore or deepen their knowledge of these techniques. Many of the texts are available free online, making them easily accessible to everyone. To facilitate your research, I've put together a list of links to some of these works.

It's worth noting that some of these books are ancient, sometimes dating back centuries. While they are extremely interesting and rich in traditional know-how, it's important to read them with a certain hindsight, taking into account modern advances and updates in the field.

Contents

1. Paint recipes

Colors and pigments.

New complete manual for miniature, gouache, sepia wash, watercolor and wax painting.

Colors and paints.

A recipe for casein paint.

New complete manual for color and varnish manufacturers.

Du pastel: traité de sa composition, de sa fabrication, de son emploi dans la peinture, et des moyens propres a la fixer, précédé de quelques considérations sur le dessin et le coloris.

Varnish manufacturer's manual: gums, resins, turpentines, grease varnishes with petrol and alcohol.

Peinture et fabrication des couleurs, ou Traité des diverses peintures à l'usage des deux sexes qui veulent cultiver les arts.

Color chemistry for water and oil paints: including history, synonymy, physical and chemical properties, preparation, varieties, adulterations, toxic action and use of old and new colors.

New color manufacturer's manual: general manufacturing processes, lacquers, varnish colors, mineral colors...

2. About the Pastel plant - Isatis Tinctoria -.

From woad, indigo and other plants from which a blue color can be extracted ...

Instruction on the cultivation and preparation of woad [Isatis tinctoria],: and on the art of extracting indigo from the leaves of this plant.

3. Dye recipes

Collection of processes and experiments on the solid dyes that our indigenous plants impart to wools & woolens.

A manual on natural dyes, with a very interesting section on the use of solar energy in dyeing, including how to make a solar cooker.

- ENGLISH TEXT -

Traité complet des propriétés, de la préparation et de l'emploi des matières tinctoriales et des couleurs: Volume 1.

A free, comprehensive guide to natural dyes, including excellent explanations of the different mordants.

- ENGLISH TEXT -

Here's how to makealuminum triformate at home. It's a mordant that can be used cold.

- ENGLISH TEXT -

4. Natural mineral pigments

A 9-page PDF written by Lauren Sauder that provides an introduction to the world of natural mineral pigments.

- ENGLISH TEXT -

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