• Paint History

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Ancient Origin

Painting is one of the earliest arts of humanity. Recordings in history date back more than 40 000 years. Some cave paintings drawn with red or yellow ochre, hematite, manganese oxide and charcoal may have been made by early Homo Sapiens. Paint may be even older.

Painting and decorating has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome. These early cultures used paint to decorate the walls of their homes and public buildings, often using bright colours and intricate patterns to create a sense of grandeur and opulence.

Cave walls with paintings have been discovered around the world, with the most extensive collection being found in France and Spain. Some are quite colourful, including shades of red, black, yellow, green, and brown, often featuring the animals that were common during that time, such as buffalo or horses. The “paints” used in these drawings came from natural earth pigments such as charcoal, yielding black, and iron oxide, which produced an ochre that ranged in colour from pale yellow to red. During 3100 B.C. the Egyptians established a system of painting that accurately and consistently portrayed people with recognizable human forms. The Greeks gave these drawings the name of hieroglyphs (sacred engrave) around 500 B.C. to reflect the importance of their use in holy texts.

During the Middle Ages, painting and decorating took on a more religious significance, with the creation of illuminated manuscripts and the decoration of churches and cathedrals. The use of gold leaf and vibrant pigments was common, and these works often depicted religious scenes and figures.

Artisans have been commissioned to paint houses since the 11th century. The evidence points to house painting as a trade beginning in the 1200s. However, by the 14th century house painter guilders began popping up in England. These guilds set specific standards for house painting and were able to establish the house painting field as a respected profession. Guilds and their members treated mixing techniques for creating colours and skills as secrets to be closely guarded, in hopes of protecting their livelihood.

During the 1400s, house painters were in “guilds” that practiced as either a painting or staining company. The processes they used to mix and apply paint were treated as top secrets that were only shared among those who participated in the trade.

Although house painting was considered a respectable profession during the fifteenth century, the Pilgrims did not share this opinion in the early seventeenth century. The settlers of the early American colonies believed that painting your home symbolized wealth, immodesty, and vanity. While this belief led to legal charges of sacrilege against a preacher, many homeowners continued to seek out painters to paint their homes, which often featured murals and landscapes.

During colonial America, the base material of paint were oil and water. This was combined with an array of other materials like iron, copper, berries, fruits, lead and other ingredients to create various different colours and types of paint. The vast options provided homeowners with the paint they needed for their walls and ceilings. Painters used brushes with wooden handles, made from a variety of hairs. Unfortunately, the industry still faced some issues - mainly the fact that the thickness of the paint made application difficult and often resulted in uneven coats. House Painters - Exterior Painting - Interior Painting Services - Exterior Carpentry Repair Emerged in the 1700s - 1880s.

As the 20th century progressed, painting and decorating continued to evolve, with new styles and techniques emerging. Abstract Expressionism, for example, sought to express emotions and ideas using bold, gestural brushstrokes. Today, painting and decorating continues to be a vital and ever-changing art form, with artists pushing the boundaries of what is possible using of new technologies and materials.

Although it is not known for certain the reason that people painted the interior of their homes those many centuries ago, the practice has become one that is not only acceptable, but expected. The paint that was used was unpredictable in colour and application, with the painter often relying on brushes made from animal hair that made it even more difficult to apply.

Today, paint is available in several formulations and colours that are appropriate for any setting, materials, or design. Paints not only add to the beauty of the home; they also have ingredients that protect it. Painting your property does more than simply look good. Quality exterior paint and the right exterior painting services work as an added layer of protection from the elements, helping to keep your home safe from weather damage, insects, and dust.