How Did Ancient Painters Create Color Without Modern Tools?

Ancient painters used things from nature to make their colors. They crushed rocks, plants, and even bugs to get reds, blues, and yellows. For example, they could turn a sea shell into white paint or use a special kind of rock called lapis lazuli for beautiful blue color. Simple tools like mortars and pestles helped them mix the colors together on stones or cloth.

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. A painter crushes red ochre with a stone to make bright red paint.
  2. They mix crushed lapis lazuli with glue to create beautiful blue paint for a statue.
  3. An artist uses yellow clay and green plants to color the walls of an ancient home.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity

Nothing here yet.