Traité des couleurs servant à la peinture à l’eau

Erik Kwakkel is a Medieval book historian.  Now there is a cool job!  The other day he posted a rather zippy discovery (though he is quick to point out that he didn't "discover" it in the "No one ever opened this book before" sense but more in the "Take a look at this sense") and we are so glad he did.

In 1692 a Dutch author identified as "A.Boogert" produced a nearly 800 page book about color.  He describes how to make watercolor paints and how make gradation in the colors.  Most people describe it as a 17th century Pantone Color Guide.  The first Pantone was published in 1963, so there was a bit of a lag.

Entitled, Traité des couleurs servant à la peinture à l’eau, it resides at the Bibliothèque Méjanes   in Aix-en-Provence, France. In a wonderful example of the power of digitization, anyone can see this book here.

You can follow Erik Kwakkel and find out more cool stuff about Medieval books.

Paint as Poetry

Sherwin Williams
Farrow Ball
Benjamin Moore

Name three great poets? No you say. Well, just maybe, yes.

While perusing the paint isle in my local big box hardware behemoth, I found poems. Reading the names of tiny paint swatches gave way to some great found poetry. Give it a try.

Jules,
Neutrally nice
Ashes of roses in an ember glow
Forget me not.

Marina,
temptress by candle light,
kimono, California wine, bubble bath.
A sweet sachet of orchid bloom.

Cloudburst on a melancholy country road,
Weathered post and rusty rail.
The March wind in canyon echo through the dry riverbed.

I may not be Emily Dickinson but I just may give Farrow Ball a run for his money.

I Am Snover Winter

This year, however, every state in the Union, sans Hawaii, has had snow. But really, I am so over the snow. I have pallor of a frog's underbelly and my skin is so dry that some mornings I look like an extra for the Walking Dead. I have spent a great deal of time sitting under the SAD light. Alas, I do not own an extension cord long enough to wear it as a fashion accessory. So in the midst of this dreariness, I have found solace in one of my favorite things -- colors. Be they pencils or crayons, there is nothing more fun than pulling out a box of colored writing sticks and being happy. So, if you are like me and need a pick-me-up that is neither drug nor caffeine related, I suggest on your next outing picking up a nice fresh box of Crayons.











Winter be gone!