Thickening gums such as gum arabic, guar and xanthan gums are indispensable for creation of inks and pigment by individual or industrial...

Carbon is the ubiquitous element. Art, beauty, science and health pivot around the life force of carbon. Here's the nature of carbon, its...

Soot, also loosely called lampblack or carbon black, is traditionally used to make ink, painters' pigment, medicines and makeup. A...

Soot is as old as fire. A dark, powder formed by incomplete burning of organic matter, it's used for centuries due to its easy...

Rust, the reddish-brown coating on metals, is formed by exposure to oxygen and moisture. Responsible for this phenomenon are several...

Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a rare and versatile metal. In nature, tungsten is found in ore form, combined with other elements....

Molybdochalkos is a blend of copper and lead. It's the standard metal used in the kerotakis, an alchemical creation attributed to Maria...

From vibrant reds extracted from roots to the deep blues synthesized from leaves, plants have abundant natural dyes and also health...

Prague is an epicenter of medieval and Renaissance Bohemian culture, art and architecture. Capital of today's Czech Republic, Prague has...

Four Medici Popes shape history during their reigns: Pope Leo X, Pope Clement VII, Pope Pius IV, and Pope Leo XI. Centered in Florence,...

Experimenting with rust. Mmm rust. Amazing how many colors it gives out. I'm trying for an earthy gold and a couple other tones. On the...

The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) is one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. Up to 8 million people lose their lives...

Egg tempera painting is beloved for its luminous quality and durability. This method uses egg yolk as a binding agent for pigments, and...

The Magnum Opus or Great Work is the goal of alchemists. From ancient Alexandria and the wisdom of Maria the Prophetess comes a color...

The mortar and pestle as a unit is about 35,000 years old. With many varieties available today it's important to choose the best mortar...

Rust, the reddish-brown coating that forms on iron or steel due to exposure to oxygen and moisture is a fascinating display of chemistry....

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂), or silica, holds fascinating secrets within its molecular structure. It's one of the most abundant minerals found...

Magnetite is an iron ore formed below the earth's surface. As one of the primary iron ores it keeps the wheels of progress turning....

Iron oxides create beautiful pigments in colors from warm yellow and orange to deep reds, brown, black and even green. Besides industry...

Mendes is an important city of ancient Egypt, in the Nile Delta. The bolus of Mendes or Mendesian bole refers to a medical preparation...