From Colour to Art

The story of the discovery of the 55 most important colours in creative man's existence from prehistoric times to the present, written from the artist's perspective.

The story of the discovery of the 55 most important colors in creative man's existence from prehistoric times to the present, written from the artist's perspective. Monica Rotgans describes the many dyes and pigments that humans have turned into paint and color, and how to recognize them.

Learn all about red mercury, white lead, blue glass, black kohl, pink louse, yellow earth, brown asphalt, green arsenic, and much more. A richly illustrated and accessibly written book about the origins and growth of the painter's palette.

Monica Rotgans is a visual artist specializing in painting, bronze, glass, and photography. Educated at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam and the Oskar Kokoschka Academy in Salzburg, she uses a variety of techniques. Her painting began with Dutch landscapes, but evolved into Spanish tauromaquia and the Australian landscape, influenced by her travels. Besides painting and photography, she works with glass and bronze, doing both free work and commissions. As an author, she has published several books on color and paint, including From Colour to Art. Her commitment to traditional and contemporary pigments and use of color is reflected in both her artistic and educational projects.