Alphabe Thursday … Q is for Quartz
March 13, 2014
White paint can be made from many things; chalk, zinc, barium, rice or from little fossilised creatures in limestone graves.
The Dutch artist Jan Vermeer made some of his luminescent whites with a concoction of alabaster and quartz; both found in abundance in Spain and the middle east. The gritty substance reflects the light and makes it dance; the whole room is suffused in an extraordinary light streaming through the window. According to Victoria Finlay in Colour the young musician, wearing white as she stands to play a harpsichord; with a faraway look, dreams of love as suggested by the cupid above her head.
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I like the looks of quartz. I think it’s so interesting how a rock can be broken down to turn into paint or dye. The painting “Colour” is a lovely visualization to captures the essence of using quartz as a magnificent medium in this work of art.
Also Quartz is colourless 🙂
Lovely choice for Q ~ unique and I love Quartz ~ xxx
artmusedog and carol
I struggled with Q usually !
I never really thought about what chalk was made of… especially was surprised by rice!
Me also! 😉
it’s amazing how they used to flake off bits of quartz to make color. Last month at the museum, someone donated a huge quartz stone – it was heavy! {:-D
You get flaking … 🙂 have good day at the Museum xx
I never thought about how white paint was made back then. You just take it for granted when you walk into Michael’s and buy whatever color you want.
Exactly; my view on colour as per the paint pot has changed completely _/\_ xx