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Bright Earth: The Invention of Colour (Paperback)

by Philip Ball (Author)

4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Price:	�7.79 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Shapes: Nature's patterns: a tapestry in three parts by Philip Ball
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Product details

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Vintage (1 May 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0099507137
ISBN-13: 978-0099507130
Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 3.2 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 75,909 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#4 in	Books > Science & Nature > Engineering & Technology > Chemical > Industrial Chemistry > Pigments, Dyestuffs & Paint
#22 in	Books > Science & Nature > Chemistry > Reference
#26 in	Books > Art, Architecture & Photography > Subjects within Art > Colour

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Product Description

Guardian

`Impressive guide'

Daily Mail

“a succinct and elegantly structured new survey of Western painting” --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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	69% buy the item featured on this page: Bright Earth: The Invention of Colour 4.2 out of 5 stars (5) �7.79
	10% buy Shapes: Nature's patterns: a tapestry in three parts 3.5 out of 5 stars (2) �10.26
	9% buy Colour: Travels Through the Paintbox 5.0 out of 5 stars (10) �7.73
	7% buy Flow: Nature's patterns: a tapestry in three parts �9.14

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating History Of Pigments., 5 Dec 2002

By	Ruth Harling "Pastel painter" (Salisbury, Wiltshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bright Earth: The Invention of Colour (Paperback)

This book describes colour in detail. Beginning with the earliest works of painting - cave pictures - and going up to the present day with synthetic pigments and mediums, it covers huge depths of information in an accessible and fascinating way. Did you know, for instance, that the Greeks only had four words for names of colours, and that Democritus was sure that pale green could be mixed from red and white? There is a detailed history of how Alchemy, the father of modern Chemistry, affected the production of pigments, and even a rather complicated section with actual chemical processes and formulae for the production of modern colour. However, the book can be enjoyed without the slightest knowledge of science and the artistic among us can revel in the glorious language of colour without worrying too much about the technicalities.

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, 9 Jan 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bright Earth: The Invention of Colour (Hardcover)

I don't know about "no greater tale", but this book is a fascinating tale about the science of colour and how colours have been used in art. Its strength is when it talks about the technology and development of colours for paints. Hence the sections on naturally occurring dyes and the development of man-made colours are the best. The final chapters are less interesting, reading at times like lists of art movements. I would have liked to have seen many more colour illustrations, but I suppose the cost would have been prohibitive. I wondered about the organisation, too: the book seemed to jump about a bit, and I found myself referring to the index a great deal to remind myself, say, exactly what Prussian blue was (I think this one was mentioned several times before it was first properly explained). But these are quibbles.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A glorious fusion of art and science, 28 Aug 2008

By	Nat (UK) - See all my reviews

Philip Ball takes you on a fascinating journey of colour through the ages, from the ancient grinding of pigments to the digital creation of hues. You learn how paints and dyes were made and new colours discovered; how printing and photography evolved; the cultural and economic climate in which artists worked; and many more aspects of this ambitious theme. The book is full of quotes, facts, anecdotes, diagrams and copies of artwork. It is for anyone interested in art history, colour theory, chemistry, and materials. A very enjoyable read.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars THE best book on colour
A quite excellent book, heartily recommended. I agree with nearly all the positive comments that previous reviewers have made. Read more

Published 8 days ago by H. Thomas

3.0 out of 5 stars disappointing
The subject is fascinating, the author has carried out loads of research however, he has struggled to organise the fruits of his research so that the book lacks coherency. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Dot (fibre2fabric)

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