True Colors, 2nd Edition: World Masters of Natural Dyes and Pigments

The book itself is a work of art. The photography is hauntingly evocative and brings to life the stories and culture behind techniques that reach back to the most primitive times of humanity when we began to express ourselves visually. Keith Recker is a story teller, a historian, a brilliant writer and he delivers the material in this authoriative resource exploring the roots of color and the techniques from pre-industrial cultures from around the globe. He has an eye for beauty, an ear for a story and an encyiolpedic knowledge of that most simple and yet most complext concept: color. The book lays out a compelling case backed up with data and anecdotes that will appeal to the artistic professional, the worlds of fashion, deocrating and architecture or anyone interested in knowing more about who we are and how we got here . Recker connects to the people who connect us to the past with traditional artistcic techniques and brings the reader along for immersion in photographs, stories and information. This work will become a foundational resource for the technically minded, but can take the lay person on a beautiful, colorfol visual exploration of the corners of the world.

Usually I don’t read reviews before I write mine, but today I felt pushed to write when I saw a variety of reviews here.People may say “coffee table” book as a disparaging thing but it means "beautiful book you’ll want to go back to and look at the images repeatedly and share with others".This does not pretend to be a book that tells you how to do natural dyeing. It is a book about a variety of practitioners around the world of this ancient and re-emerging art form. Since I know a fair amount about dyeing I thought this would be a redundant, but was repeatedly surprised at how engaging these stories are. This it is an intimate book that looks at the artists and how they approach their work. There are images of artists on every continent (except Antartica) in a time when we need to all learn more about each other. It’s a book about people who respect Mother Earth in a time when we need to respect and heal our earth. This is a beautiful book to be enjoyed and shared.

This is a beautiful and richly informative book. I expected a narrative about color and instead received an exceptionally well written glimpse into history, emotion, and the striving of various makers to derive exquisite beauty from natural processes. This gives me hope in an increasingly blindly-polluting and disrespectful world. It was particularly important to see that those committed to sustainable practices are both young and old, and that the deep attachment can reside within or without an individual’s heritage. Our future health depends on our appreciation of people from all corners of the earth. Give yourself a gift and read this book.

An Incredible journey into the historical, cultural and anthropological story of color, and dyes . This is a book that takes years to compile and investigate , with the stories of artisans from many different cultural backgrounds who have dedicated their lives to passing on the secrets and techniques of natural dyes . This is particularly poignant for us human, as we contemplate a coming ecological disaster that comes from forgetting the ancestral ways in which humans related and lived in symbiosis with the natural world. This book is an ode to that narrow bridge that lifts up human endeavor and the quest for beauty and meaning over nothingness.

This gorgeous book is interesting and beautiful to read and look at!If you are interested in the history and making of colors this book is A must for your library.The book shines the light on masters of dye and pigments , their work is both gorgeous and informative.I love this beautiful book!

I've been really curious to learn more about natural dyeing. I think it's spectacular and find the methods and history behind dyeing culture, foraging and using tools from the earth to do it all to be mesmerizing! Especially in a day and age where fast fashion rules, it's nice to take a step back and learn about the people who work hard day in and day out to make our clothing...

Each chapter highlights a specific color dyeing process. The stories behind the artisans and their processes are beautifully and informatively written. I love the vibrant photographs on every page. Truly a wonderful book that can be used as both as a reference and source of inspiration. I'm giving it to everyone for Christmas!

The book came really quickly and I am delighted to have it! I love the book - so visual and beautiful as well as poetic as it relates to colour.

There is a fascinating range of world wide textile artists using traditional and natural plant dyes which they have developed a personal way of using; many to the good of their communities. The book is illustrated with beautiful photos of them at work with work in progress and finished items.

Its fabulous! I LOVE the book ...

A great collection of successful artists experiences.

The colours and the stories are just wonderful, a good dip in book. Would brighten any grey day