St Luke Artist Colourmen

Display at St Luke’s

St Luke Artist Colourmen, is a wonderful art supply shop in Collingwood Melbourne.

I had the opportunity to wonder around Collingwood one Saturday morning recently, (just aheads up there is literally nothing but a cafe open there in Collingwood early, so don’t visit before 10am). I eagerly awaited the opening of the art store, beautifully displayed, you are sure to be tempted to walk away with some new supplies. Displays of a rainbow of colour in glistening glass bottles and unusual examples ….like Woad balls and Oak Galls.

Woad Balls

I’ve been reading David Coles’ book Chromotopia (David is the founder of St Luke’s) a fascinating read about the history of colour. For example …Woad balls are made from fresh leaves of the woad plant, grinding them into a pulp and rolling them into balls and leaving them to dry in the sun. Stored and used at a later date. Like Indigo the dye is extracted by fermentation.

Seemingly the plant depleted the soil leaving it infertile, laws were passed in medieval Europe to curb this devastation .

Chromatopia

I’ve used the wonderful Langridge oil paints for a few years now, they are superb and originated in Langridge St in Collingwood where the owner and creator of the paints David Coles started his paint factory. He has spent a lifetime experimenting and refining to create world standard pigments and create their own unique colours e.g Brilliant Blue that attempts to replicate the light-filled blue of the Australian sky. St Luke’s is well worth a visit , you will definitely be tempted to purchase some beautiful art materials.