Reviews

Colour: Travels Through the Paintbox by Victoria Finlay

nellsmith's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

Really enjoyable anecdotes and history of colour. Loved the writing and always take nerdish glee in learning some etymology. Just one complaint- not enough pictures!! 

jamiezaccaria's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a fantastic history of color, where paints come from, how they were used through history, and what different colors meant to different people. I have serious travel envy of the author who successfully paints (see what I did there?) a picture of each place she visits.

Very good and very informative all in one!

gloopaglorpa's review against another edition

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adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

sashathewild's review against another edition

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adventurous informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

kaimo007's review against another edition

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adventurous informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.25

Very fun, one of the best nonfiction writings I've read 

jasepp's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

rlse's review against another edition

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3.0

Finlay has an enjoyable narrative voice.

vmasick's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

2.0

ktkncd's review against another edition

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adventurous informative slow-paced

3.5

shelasher's review against another edition

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3.5

3.5 ish stars.

This book is for anyone in design or craft professions. 3/4 of the book was very interesting anecdotal information about the origins and history of dyes. My most interesting take away was the differentiation between art and craft. The book took a superficial dive into the progression from which artists were both material and medium crafters of their own art to the slow commercialization of colors and pigments as a whole.

I liked learning the stories of pigment origins and usages and this book really serves as one of those books where you will be able to pull out anecdotal and conversational fun facts in future conversations. 

The ways in which this book didn't deliver were 1. There was a lot of guesswork and hypothetical perspectives. The book would have benefitted from some clear delineation of what is known about these origin stories and what is not. 2. The book chapters were far too long and my interest waned, the author would have benefitted from a more heavy handed editor.

Overall some really interesting information, I am happy I read it.