Colour Alchimia at FIUHouse Barcelona

Photo: @ard_hez Moodboard by Héctor Noguera

Colour craft was considered one of the most valuable crafts in Ancient times because colour was the most expensive commodity there existed. Today this craft is largely neglected been replaced by digital technology and synthetic alternatives. 

M a l a c h i t e green : Colour of the Month #6

Green has been used since Antiquity, in the form of green earths and minerals such as malachite. Malachite is perhaps the oldest known green pigment, discovered by Egyptians about 3000 BC. Malachite is a copper carbonate natural occurring mineral, which is also found along with a blue colour mineral called azurite.

N A T U R A M O R T A / A still life at Abadir

'Colour is important in our daily lives, yet it is often taken for granted or little understood. 

Few are taught about colour, but many seem to possess an innate sense of it and are aware 

when colours are used in a harmonious way'  - The Anatomy of Colour Book by Patrick Baty

COLOUR ALCHIMIA AT ELISAVA

It was an honour been able to teach what I love at the renowned Elisava in Barcelona from the 25 – 28^th June. Elisava is the first University in Spain teaching Design since 1960, having a long trajectory in Design and Engineer. It is considered to be one of the best Design Schools worldwide. Keep reading below.

V E R D I G R I S / Colour of the Month #5

We are celebrating Colour of the Month #5!

While living in London and traveling abroad, I have always been curious about the pale green colour seen on rooftops and domes of various churches and traditional buildings. It creates a beautiful contrast with the architecture and city landscape. 

D I Y COLOUR RECIPE BOOK

The DIY Colour Recipe Book tells the story and shares the recipes for making the Colour Provenance palette, made up of 8 ancient colours such as: Whiteshell, Saffron, Ochre, Verdigris, Malachite, Azurite, Mummy Brown and Lamp Black, colours that have been long lost and forgotten over time and replaced by synthetic alternatives.

W h i t e s h e l l / Colour of the Month #4

In March we're celebrating Whiteshell colour made from disposed eggshells! It's fascinating to know that eggshells were used for multiple purposes in Antiquity.  In Egypt, ostriches were quite used animals; the feathers for decoration, the eggs for food and the shells for ornamentation and pigment. I can say that holding an ostrich eggshell is a fascinating experience; admiring its colour, size, texture and hardness makes you think about the beauty in nature.

S A F F R O N / Colour of the Month #1

The waters of the Mediterranean Sea have witnessed the most fascinating trade routes of spices and colour. Saffron is a spice that is extracted from the dried stigmas of thecrocus sativus, and has always been one of the world’s most costly substances.

Read more about the fascinating story behind this magnificent colour and a bonus recipe for you to try at home.