The Natural Pigment Handbook - Lucy Mayes

The Natural Pigment Handbook by Lucy Mayes is a practical reference exploring painting pigment through history, development and artistic use. This hardback edition is subtitled A Maker’s Guide to the Art, Stories and Recipes for Creating Paint.

Key details

• Author: Lucy Mayes
• Format: Hardback
• Pages: 144
• Publisher: David & Charles
• Publication date: 30 November 2025
• ISBN: 9781446314814

Synopsis

Bringing together history, evolution and application, this handbook examines painting pigment within the wider world of art. Photography throughout captures Lucy Mayes working both on location and in the studio, presenting the subject through a visual, process-led lens.

Alongside its historical and scientific grounding, the book shares stories and recipes for making paint, with attention to textures and techniques. It also sets out an ecological perspective that can be incorporated into an artist’s statement, positioning pigment-making as both craft and contemporary practice.

Rackhams Reference : I6MAW126P3