Emerald Exploration Part 1

Jan 16

The color Emerald is a bright bluish green color and is named after the precious Emerald gemstone. This color has a unique history. It was first commercially produced in Germany in 1814. At that time it was made by mixing copper, vinegar and arsenic. Those compounds were ground in linseed oil. This pigment was inexpensive to make and was widely used to dye fabric for clothes and color wallpaper for homes. The only problem was when the color came in contact with water it created toxic fumes. These fumes were the cause for many to become ill and unfortunately many deaths also occurred.

The process to create this magnificent color has evolved a great deal. It is no longer made with arsenic. It is now made with safer components and is used quite frequently on fabric and as a paint color.

My current series in progress is focused on this color. Over the next several months I will be exploring this color through a series of paintings. The series consists of 8-10 paintings focusing on the range of this beautiful color. The series is composed of different subjects with the color Emerald being the focus. Below is a sample of the first two pieces of the Emerald Exploration series.