Henna, indigo, cassia and amla have been used for coloring and healing since ancient times. These all-plant dyes are gentle and safe, can be applied over chemical dyes, and actually nourish the hair.

Sums up 20th-century knowledge: paints, binders, metals, surface preparation. Based on manuscripts and scientific investigation.

"Colors don't come out of nothing. They always start somewhere... With something... With someone. Discover how color is harnessed from nature in this survey of dyes and pigments from around the world. Organized by color-from yellow to purple to red and more-Before Colors marries a lyrical core text with tons of informational material for curious readers. In the narrative text, readers will encounter markers and artists as they source and process materials,...

"In The Alchemy of Paint: Art, Science and Secrets from the Middle Ages, Spike Bucklow sets out to unravel the myths behind pigments like dragonsblood - said to be a mixture of elephant and dragon blood. Examining both the medieval palette and the often cloak-and-dagger science that created it, he uncovers the secret recipes behind the luxurious colours we are familiar with today. Driven by an overriding passion for art, his aim is to restore value...