iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This week's colours are taken from an artwork that sold last week for $1.35m. Who's the artist and can you guess how much was it bought for at a garage sale? Read the article at www.coloricombo.com to find out. Colours are a muted combination of Pastel Teal, Salmon, Paynes Grey & Sand.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It was the birthday of Guillaume Rondelet yesterday and I've taken colours from a woodcut that appeared in his 1553-1555 treatise, Libri de Piscibus Marinis: Olive Green, Buttermilk, Taupe & Blue Grey. You can read more about Rondelet at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I was researching Japanese chawan tea bowls and stumbled across a Chinese one that sold for an unbelievable $11.7m! Colours from it are Denim Blue, Deep Indigo, Mushroom Brown & Mustard. I also re-discovered the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi where value is found in imperfection and impermanence.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Print, Paint & Pattern started Monday and with the first lesson covering vase shapes, I wanted to use a vase in Coloricombo. I found Jacques Blin, a French ceramist whose mid-century incised ceramics are lovely. Colours are Forest Green, Patina, Sea Foam & Green Grey, more at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

It's Week 36 and we're talking pineapples. Did you know that you could rent a pineapple for your dinner party in 18th century London? Colours are Faded Jeans, Wild Honey, Fresh Line & Old Photograph. The full post is at www.coloricombo.com and there's a video demonstration of my ink pad pineapples.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

It's Week 35 and a tribute to Yayoi Kusama who passed away recently. Colours are Signal Red, Ultra Violet, Primary Yellow & Light Turquoise. I love her work and was fortunate enough to attend an exhibition including an Infinity Mirror Room back in 2018. Read www.coloricombo.com for the full post.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

What was stale bread used for? Week 34's colours are Pastel Blue, Pastel Green, Eraser Pink & Blue Grey and I went down a metaphorical rabbit hole this week looking into the origins of the eraser. Full post at www.coloricombo.com along with details of my brand new course Print, Paint & Pattern.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Colours this week are from the island of Thasos taken from an amphoriskos that I saw at the Archeological Museum here, core-formed glass vessels. See the full post at www.coloricombo.com and find out more about Print, Paint & Pattern a brand new course taking place in September.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Week 32 and it's the birthday of Leo Fender, forever associated with guitars. Colours from a 1968 Telecaster with a 'pink paisley' design straight from Cling-Foil wallpaper. Full post at coloricombo.com along with 20% off codes and information about a brand new course for September.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Week 31 is "The possibilities of colour" and I'm looking at why we use cyan, magenta, yellow and 'key' for colour printing instead red, green and blue. Simple answer is that the traditional primaries were never quite right to begin with! Full post at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

It's Week 30 and this week I'm focussing on the colour rather than an artist. My palette is Vat Orange, Bright Turquoise, Yellow & Cobalt Blue all taken from an Aperol advertisement. Click through to www.coloricombo.com for the full post including ten historical facts about orange.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

For Week 29 it's a muted palette based on colours from Italian artist Giorgio Morandi who's birthday it is today (20 July). Morandi, known as the Monk of Bologna spent his career painting the same objects, over and over: bottles, jars, vases and boxes. Read the full post at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Coloricombo this week features an Austrian fashion designer who was the life partner and muse of famous artist of the time. Her name is Emilie Flöge, do you know who he is? Colours are Periwinkle, Verdigris, Lilac & Pale Gold and the full story is at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

We're wending our way back to England from the Dordogne and have been listening to a podcast about the French Revolution 🇫🇷 whilst in the car. This got me onto Marie Antoinette's favourite portrait painter, Elizabeth Vigée Le Brun who had to go into exile. Read more at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Rain and cooler temperatures in the Dordogne after a heatwave. Today's colours are inspired by a visit to the Grotte de Rouffignac where, almost 15,000 years ago, artists created over two hundred detailed depictions of wooly mammoths, rhinos, ibex, bisons and horses. More at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Week 24's colours come from France, the Vézère river valley close to the medieval town of Montignac, where I paid a visit to the Pastels Girault gallery-shop. They have been making pastels by hand since 1780 and I bought a selection in greeens. Full post and a demo video at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

After a busy May we're on a working break in France where we stopped at the Rouen cathedral, famously painted by Monet over thirty times. Colours are Powder Blue, Terracotta, Warm Yellow & Cadet Blue taken from one of those depicting golden hour. Full post at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Week 21's colours are from a layered watercolour artwork created for this years Colori Flori Summit. I love painting in aquatic colours with a warm yellow and brown for contrast. Get a glimpse of the artwork in progress below, full post on www.coloricombo.com and my summit lesson is out on May 31.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

It's Week 19 and I'm featuring an artist whose birthday is this week. Frank Stella was an American painter, sculptor and printmaker whose Black Paintings were displayed in the MoMA when he was just 23. Colours are from a swatch and shapes from his Exotic Birds series. Read more at coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

For Week 18 I've taken colours from a late Victoria illustration after reading the announcement from Kew Gardens in London that their titan arum was officially in bloom, one of the rarest moments in the plant world. Find out more about the plant and the illustrator at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

For #coloricombo this week I used a set of A. Gallo watercolours to demonstrate my favourite colours to mix shadows. Colours are taken from a quick artwork I did and there's an accompanying video for contributing subscribers. I also announced dates for my first retreat in Morocco next February.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

This week's colours are taken from an artwork by Sir Cedric Morris with an Easter-theme. He's recognised for both his paintings and his gardening, with numerous irises such as as Benton Cordelia, Cascade of Gold and Raspberry Rimmed hybridised by him. Read more about him at coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

We're coming up to Easter and this week's #coloricombo focusses on rabbits and sketchbooks. Which writer and illustrator do you think of when I say 'Peter Rabbit'? Colours are Baby Blue, Mint Green, Dusty Rose & Egg Yolk and you can see the full post at coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

What's the Providence Method of wood cutting? Who took all the credit for it, how does it differ to Japanese ukiyo-e and what does this have to do with this week's chosen artist? Read the full post at coloricombo.com. Colours for Week Twelve are Mauve, Deep Purple, Olive & Peach.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Which movie received eight nominations at the 12th Academy Awards in 1940 and won in the Cinematography (Black & White) category? Any guesses? It's linked to this week's chosen artist, read the full post at coloricombo.com for all the details.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Colours this week were inspired by the architecture of the Spier wine estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. They are Mid Blue, Pale Olive, Biscuit & Clay Ground, taken from an artwork by William Mitcheson Timlin, an English artist and architect who made Kimberly his home in the early 1900s.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

We're in South Africa for some sunshine and for Week 9 I took colours from a brand new (to me) South African artist from Natal. The multitalented Eleanor Esmonde-White produced murals, oil paintings and woodcuts using a warm palette of reds, oranges and pinks. Read more at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Colours are Dusty Pink, Vermillion, Parchment & Mud and are taken from a 1942 stil llife artwork by a Finnish artist better known for portraits. If you're in New York, there's an exhibition of Helene Schjerfbeck's work on until 5 April. Read the full post at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

For Week Seven I've chosen an art brut artist hailing from the Czech Republic who created all her work before breakfast. Who is it? Read the post at www.coloricombo.com where you'll also find details of my Windowsill Workshop with Margo Tantau this coming weekend.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

It's my birthday this week and I've chosen colours from an artist born on the same date. Do you know who bought the only Van Gogh painting he ever sold? Read on at www.coloricombo.com for all the details.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

What are Metropolitans, Sirens and Thunderers? Here's a hint, they all come a company founded over 150 years ago. They're still the world's largest manufacturer of what? Read the full post a www.coloricombo.com to find out. This week's colours are Bright Orange, Air Force Blue, Calico & Oxford Blue.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Hello @everyone. January has been a busy month for me (to be revealed soon). This week I'm sharing a post from the #coloricombo archives, I love the soft and warm colour combination of the print by the artist Sheila Robinson, so am featuring it once again. Full post at coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Week Three's colours and shapes are inspired by the Swiss artist Lill Tschudi, a pioneer of linocutting. She's renowned for works depicting motion and speed during the changing Europe of the Machine Age. See the full post at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

It was Barbara Hepworth's birthday last Saturday and I'm featuring a drawing of hers this week. She was the second artist ever featured in Coloricombo, back in January 2022. New for 2026 I've also included shapes to use. See the full post on www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Who coined the term 'graphic designer'? It was an American, in 1922 by someone most known for typefaces still popular today. Any guesses? Colours taken from two of his book designs. Read the full post at www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Hello @everyone, for Week 51 I'm continuing the series of festive-themed artworks and have taken the colours Coral, Olive, Navy & Satin Slipper from a painting of an angel that I started with the number three. Full post available at coloricombo.com along with posts for numbers ten down to four.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

This week's #coloricombo is a special Christmas-themed treat. Colours are Ruby, Soft Pink, Teal & Mint and come from a beauty advent calendar. There's two video demos (+ another two for contributing subscribers). Full post is at coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

The architect and visionary Frank Gehry passed away last week and today's #coloricombo looks at some of this amazing designs. Colours are Purple Blue, Punch, Fuscia and Buttercream taken from the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Knitting, crocheting or even sewing are skills I don’t possess but I really admire people who do this with ease. I'm in London today meeting up with FreeSpirit Fabrics and wanted to highlight an artist who has had an incredible influence on my career from very early on. Full post at coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Join me on Substack today at 5pm London time for a little creative playtime where I will share a fun sketchbook technique with you. Week 47's colours are Blue Sky, Taupe, Spring Green & Grass Green from photograph of a scientifically bluer sky in South Africa. Read more at coloricombo..com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

What do you think... do all kingfishers eat fish? I've been looking at the ten species of kingfisher in South Africa where I'm spending some time with family. Colours are Powder Blue, Thunder Cloud, Sanguine Red & Parchment, read the full post at coloricombo.com to find out.

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow", one of the most famous poems of WW1 and fitting for Remembrance Day, celebrated at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Colours are Scarlet, Crimson, Sand & Olive. Find out how the poppy is linked in this week's #coloricombo at coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

'Remember, remember the 5th of November'. It's Bonfire Night in the UK, commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when a group of plotters tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. Colours are taken from a Japanese woodcut of fireworks, read the full post here coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Since it's Halloween I wanted to include some dramatic orange and purples in today's prompt. The artist featured was famous for creating dramatic backdrop landscapes and movie scenes. Eyvind Earle's work is renowned in animation art circles and amongst Disney aficionados. Read more coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Could this be the crime of the century? The #coloricombo colours this week are taken from the Orléans Sapphire Parure which was one of the items of jewellery stolen in Paris yesterday. Read the full post on Substack coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

This week two controversial artists are featured, one from the 19th century and one contemporary. They're linked through an iconic stencilled artwork that appeared overnight in 2021 and from where I've taken colours. Any guesses? Full post here: www.coloricombo.com/p/two-contro...

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Colours this week are from a stained glass window in the Saint-Pierre de Gourdon church. How old do you think they are? I've also added two watercolour paintings that were based on pebbled floors and their organic patterns. See the full post on Substack coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

This week's colours come from a fantastic piece of street art we came across in Bergerac by Mathias Brez aka @brez72. Read all about it and check out my sketchbook drawings based on an antique key (download the scan as a PDF). The full post is available on Substack www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Hello @everyone. I had the opportunity to visit Saint-Cirq-Lapopie then the caves of Pech Merle to admire artworks from the Ice Age, including the breathtaking 'Dappled Horses', Colours are Iron Oxide, Limestone, Burnt Umber & Yellow Ochre and the full post is on Substack www.coloricombo.com

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Esté MacLeod, Artist + Designer @estemacleod.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Coloricombo is coming to you from the Dordogne in France this week and colours are linked to the Château des Milandes and the incredible Josephine Baker. Read the full post on Substack www.coloricombo.com/p/the-chatea...

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