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Iron(III) Oxide: Creation, Art & Science
Iron(III) oxide or ferric oxide (Fe2O3) yields a striking red color as a pigment, and has a wide range of uses. From industrial...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 3, 20245 min read
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Colorful World of Bacteria - Color Producers
Bacteria affect food, water, soil, human health and the vibrant colors of art. Here are six remarkable bacteria known for stunning...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 3, 20246 min read
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Sanguine: Red Chalk of Renaissance Masters
Sanguine is a rich, reddish-brown chalk beloved by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo. Creating flesh-like tones in the human form...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 1, 20245 min read
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Iron III Acetate - Formula, Production, Use
Iron III acetate, or ferric acetate, is a non-toxic compound in numerous scientific and industrial applications. Ferric acetate is a...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 23, 20245 min read
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Paints of the Artist's Palette in Renaissance Europe
Artists of Renaissance Europe cultivate palettes rich in colors sourced from elements both enchanting and lethal. The Renaissance is...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 17, 20246 min read
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Gouache Painting: Artist Essentials & Art Tips
Gouache painting has a unique charm and offers versatility for artists and art appreciators. This unctuous type of paint delivers vibrant...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 17, 20244 min read
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Alchemy & the Magnum Opus - Black White Yellow Red
The Magnum Opus or Great Work is the goal of alchemists. From ancient Alexandria and the wisdom of Maria the Prophetess comes a color...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 5, 20244 min read
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Chemistry of Rust: Minerals & Pigment Colors
Rust, the reddish-brown coating that forms on iron or steel due to exposure to oxygen and moisture is a fascinating display of chemistry....

Sylvia Rose
Oct 1, 20245 min read
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Angel of Violet Light: Magnum Opus Alchemy
The Angel of Violet Light appears in the tomes of alchemy from the European medieval period onward. For many centuries the Angel drifts...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 26, 20244 min read
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Indigo: Extract Dye from Indigofera Tinctoria
Indigo, deep blue dye from the Indigofera tinctoria plant, often associated with blue denim, is one of humanity's oldest dyes. The...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20244 min read
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Mordants - Essential Ancient Dye Techniques
Mordants are part of the dyeing process and help achieve vibrant colors. Dyeing fabrics goes back to the Stone Age. Mordants are also...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 21, 20243 min read
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Natural Colors: How to Extract Plant Pigments
Artists and craftspeople have used plant pigments as a source of color for millennia. Works of art and textile dyes using vegetable...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 20, 20244 min read
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Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Ancient Uses & Medicine
A vibrant golden spice, turmeric captivates kingdoms, heals the sick and rules the routes of the spice trade. The humble root has a long...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 6, 20243 min read
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Metal & Gemstone Dyeing in Alchemy
In alchemy, science and mysticism intertwine. Among the practical alchemical skills is dyeing of metals and gems. Alchemists from early...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 6, 20246 min read
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How to Make Venetian Red Artisan Pigment
Venetian Red, also called Mars Red, is a non-toxic iron oxide pigment used by dyers, painters and craftspersons since the early days of...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
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Goethite: The Other Iron-Rich Mineral
Goethite is common but like hematite a remarkable iron oxide mineral. In geology and mineralogy, goethite has piqued the interest of...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
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Knowing the Three Primary Oxides of Iron
Iron is abundant in Earth's crust and one of the seven metals of antiquity . Essential for life, iron can form various oxides and change...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
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How to Make Iron Oxide Pigment at Home
Make non-toxic iron oxide pigments for painting, dyes, glazes, artistic to industrial uses. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) or rust exists on Earth...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20245 min read
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How to Make Copperas Red: Simply Science
Copperas, iron(II) sulfate or green ferrous sulfate, is a versatile compound in various applications, from agriculture to water...

Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20244 min read
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Natural Purple Dyes: Ancient & Medieval
Dyers, coloring professionals, metal workers and gemologists seek vibrant colors and tones since early civilization. The first use of...

Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20245 min read
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