Small Business Check In: David Coles

We check in with David Coles, founder of Langridge Artist Colours and now the author of Chromotopia, a book detailing the history of colour.

Founder of Langridge Artist Colours, David Coles has written a book detailing the history of colour. Source: Supplied

Artist and paint maker, David Coles has written Chromatopia , a book detailing the history of colour.

The author/ founder of Langridge Artist Colours, traces the history of pigments and their creation in ancient and medieval times.

Chromatopia has been so popular that the first print run sold out within a month, with a second printing currently in progress. 

In the book, David explores techniques used by ancient Egyptians to create synthetic colours, such as the vivid blues that decorate Queen Nefertiti’s famous blue crown.

Chromatopia also includes pigment recipes and behind-the-scenes secrets for paint-making from Langridge Artist Colours.

Small Business Secrets first met David last year, at his business that supplies specialty colours and paints to artists.

The Englishman found a gap in the Australian market for quality art materials, so using $2000 savings, he started Langridge Artist Colours.

David explained his major challenge was a limited customer base.

“The first 10 years were tough,” he says.

“I was doing it because I was driven by passion so even if I was not making that much money, I kept going because I felt passionate about it.”

In recent years, David’s business has grown by more than 20% each year.

The popularity of Chromatopia, follows David’s curated exhibition ‘Chromotopia’ at the Tacit Contemporary Art in Melbourne in June last year.