See on Scoop.it - Color Theory

  1. Malachite  Malachite is the oldest known green pigment having been used since Antiquity. The mineral was crushed and ground, and used by the Egyptians as paint, jewelry, and eye shadow. In Egypt the floors of the temple were painted with green Malachite pigment. The Greeks introduced Verdigris, Basic Copper Acetate, as one of the first artificial pigments….       2. Naturally Occurring and Applied Patinas  When copper, brass and bronze are exposed to air and seawater for a long period of time, a green/blue powder forms a Verdigris Patina. Climate holds the paint brush during this naturally occurring phenomena, and Weather Conditions are the artists who render this beautiful, natural affect. In clean air, rural environments, Verdigris takes many years to develop, where in damp, coastal, marine, environments, the patina layers develop faster. Artificially applied Verdigris patinas are created by architects, artists, and designers today. Sulfur and oxide compound solution is applied to the metal, and then according to what the weather is doing, the surfaces are strategically placed, and the results of the patina depends on what is exposed and where.       3. Verdigris Pigment During the Middle Ages Verdigris powder was scraped off of hanging copper plates suspended over hot vinegar in sealed in pots. From the 15th to the 17th C, Flemish Primitive, Jan Van Eyke (1390-1441), and Dutch Rennaissance Master, Jan Vermeer (1632-1675) perfected Verdigris oil paint, developing  it into a purely, lightfast, painting medium. A transparent green glaze was also created by these masters, by dissolving copper salts into Venice turpentine. The glazes were built up in layers of transparent color that remained stable and splendid. In the  eighteenth- century in southern France, women stacked plates of copper in clay pots filled with distilled wine. This facilitated the oxidation process between copper and wine to be used as green colorant and household fungicide. The early nineteenth century brought other  methods for obtaining Verdigris, that is by reacting copper sulfate solution with other solutions leaving copper acetate in the solution; our green colorant!  Yet, this was an unstable and degraded Verdigris and it aged to dark brown or black over time, a common sight in 19th century paintings in museums today. Verdigris faded from the scene and was gradually replaced  by new, more stable green pigments. Artists turned to a new generation of greens;  Cobalt Green, Emerald Green, and Viridian.        4a. Warm-Degrees of Verdigris Warm-Verdigris, leans towards yellow on the color wheel, and is a color that advances forward to the eye. Warm-Verdigris can create activity for cooking and other household projects.  It is the color of foliage,  plants and Nature herself, and depending on a particular value and saturation, this is a color that can arouse growth, hope, and an awareness of the natural world. In Ardolfini Wedding by Jan Van Eyke, the green gown is made up of the Verdigris glazing techniques discussed earlier in Verdigris Pigment. The Verdigris is mixed here with the same few pigments used by 15th century artists: lead white, lead tin yellow and yellow ocher, making the Warm-Verdigris gown a brilliant and luminous green. Kitchen or Creative Studio Pond Ripple, C2,  BD-82        4.b. Warmer-Degrees of Verdigris Leonardo da Vinci declared that green represented water!!…..and Warmer-Verdigris’ has the expansive quality of the blue-green waters of the southern  Mediterranean! This color will make a bold statement, while remaining tranquil and inspiring. Warmer-Verdigris has the sense of warm sunny days, new growth, and sunlight filtering through the trees. It is ideal for environments meant for reading and relaxing, playing music, or to have a lively conversation. Sun Room, Living Room, and Daylight Rooms Fauquier Spring, C2, BD- 19       5. Blue-Green Verdigris The color Blue-Green symbolized the sky and the divine to the Egyptians. “Since verdant spring triumphs over barren winter” Blue- Green Verdigris can bring forth hope, life and seasonal renewal. This Verdigris may sooth the nerves, and help us sustain healthy heart action. It’s healing influence can be felt when the room is painted in Blue-Green Verdigris, and it creates a healthful and rejuvenating environment. Bathroom or Spa Aspen, C2, 4192     6. Blue-Verdigris Depending on the climate and natural weather conditions some Verdigris’ are “bluer” than others. I have experienced Blue- Verdigris to have a tranquilizing influence, and be an ideal bedroom color extraordinaire. When using, results are that of coolness, calmness, stillness, contemplation, and internal focus. Bedroom or Office Santorini Blue, BM, 1634       7. Sweet Spot of Verdigris In my humble color opinion, along the road of varieties of Verdigris, there is a place where you find Verdigris at it’s absolute best! This particular Verdigris happens under cloudy, gray skies, has the perfect balance between blue and green, is light in color value, and medium in saturation.  The “sweet spot” is somewhat neutral in tone, and at the same time it is enlivened and energetic. It inspires deliciously good cooking too! Yum! Kitchen Walls or Cabinets, and just about any other room in the house!  Well Water, C2, BD- 18     8. Chlorophyll and The Life of Green The leaf pigment Chlorophyll has trace elements that are said to be similar to the hemoglobin of human blood. I have seen time lapse photography of plant life with characteristics and behaviors similar to humans. I know, saying this is a little off the grid, yet, in a time lapse movie sped up,  plants were foraging for food, and sensing fear like humans do!   It has  also struck me, that in Alchemy, transparent green crystal symbolizes the “secret fire,” which represents the living spirit of substances. Green foods include avocados, lettuce, parsley, peas, peppers, string beans, watercress, brocolli and celery. The chlorophyll in these foods offer human health benefits including aiding in prevention of colon cancer and  acting as a dietary source for magnesium. The Green alkaline forming foods promote healthy ph levels and good bacteria, and help our guts to …