Hello! With just two weeks to go before pre-orders open ( March 30, 2025 ) for the replica of Amenhotep III’s palette , today I want to tell you the story of the original palette , which is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York , and how I’ve created a fully functional replica  that allows you to paint like a scribe from Ancient Egypt , more than 3,000 years ago. But before we dive into the palette itself, let me give you a brief overview of who Pharaoh Amenhotep III —also known as Amenophis III—was. AMENHOTEP III: THE PHARAOH OF SPLENDOR Amenhotep III  (reigned approx. 1390–1352 BCE) was the ninth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty , during Egypt’s New Kingdom , one of the most prosperous and powerful periods in Ancient Egyptian history . 🌟 A Reign of Peace and Prosperity Unlike many pharaohs, Amenhotep III is not mainly remembered for military conquests, but for the stability , wealth , and grandeur  of his rule. Egypt enjoyed a time of international peace and economic prosperity , thanks to alliances with other great kingdoms like Mitanni , Babylon , and the Hittite Empire . 🏛️ Architecture and Art His reign saw an unprecedented artistic and architectural boom . He commissioned numerous temples, statues, and monuments, including: The Temple of Luxor , begun under his rule and later expanded by Ramses II The Palace of Malqata , his residence on the west bank of Thebes The Colossi of Memnon , two colossal statues still standing today His refined taste helped shape a more elegant and naturalistic Egyptian art style . ✍️ Diplomacy and Global Prestige Amenhotep III strengthened foreign relations through diplomatic marriages—he wed foreign princesses and received embassies bearing exotic gifts. His image as a divine king  was promoted abroad, securing his prestige across the Near East. 🧬 Father of Akhenaten He was the father of Akhenaten , the famous religious reformer who introduced the monotheistic worship of Aten . Some historians believe Amenhotep III had already begun implementing religious changes that his son would later expand. THE STORY OF THE PALETTE The artist’s palette  inscribed with the name of Amenhotep III is an object from Egypt’s New Kingdom , dated to approx. 1390–1352 BCE. It was carved from a single piece of ivory , measuring 17.5 cm long, 4.4 cm wide, and 0.9 cm thick. It features six oval wells  containing traces of pigments such as blue, green, brown, yellow, red, and black . At one end, an oval cartouche  encloses the throne name of Amenhotep III, Nebmaatre , along with the epithet “beloved of Re”. This artifact likely originated in Thebes, Upper Egypt , and is currently on display in Gallery 119 of the MET  in New York. It was acquired by Lord Carnarvon  before 1923 and became part of the museum’s collection in 1926 after his death. Palettes like this  were essential tools for artists in Ancient Egypt, used to mix and store pigments  for decorating tombs, temples, and ritual objects . The inscription suggests that the piece may have belonged to a royal court artist  or was a ceremonial gift  during Amenhotep’s reign. RECREATING THE ORIGINAL PALETTE I began working on this historical reconstruction  at the end of 2023. It was a fascinating journey researching the palette’s origin , dimensions , and especially the original pigments . Through extensive study of MET publications and archaeological sources, I gathered everything needed to create a faithful and fully usable replica . My goal wasn’t to make a decorative piece, but a palette that could function exactly as it did 3,300 years ago — to paint . That’s why the pigments had to be carefully sourced and processed to make watercolor cakes , just like in the original palette. The pigments were mixed with a water-soluble binder , replicating ancient techniques. La impresión 3D ha permitido imitar la inscripción superior milimétricamente. the PIGMENTs The palette has six wells , each originally containing a different color. Studies show that Egyptian scribes generally wrote using only black  and red ochre , but this palette includes four additional colors, confirming it was intended for painting, not just writing . Painting wasn’t a separate profession back then, and artists didn’t paint “canvases” as we do today. Some worked in the royal court, others in organized artisan communities , like in Deir el-Medina , where the tomb builders of the Valley of the Kings lived. These artists decorated important spaces  like palaces and tombs . For this reason, it’s likely the original palette belonged to a court artist , which explains why the pharaoh’s name is inscribed  on it. 🔵 EGYPTIAN BLUE Perhaps the most iconic color in Ancient Egyptian art , Egyptian blue  was the first synthetic pigment  ever created. Made by heating sand, lime, copper, and natron, it produced a vivid blue glass-like material used in murals, statues, and funerary items . It symbolized the sky, the Nile, and eternity . The pigment I used is authentic Egyptian blue , identical to what the ancient Egyptians used. It was hard to find—only sold in specialty shops for historical pigments—but I insisted on the real thing. 🟢 MALACHITE GREEN A natural mineral pigment , malachite  was ground into a fine powder used in murals, cosmetics, and ritual art . Its rich green hue symbolized life, fertility, and regeneration . 🟤 EARTH BROWN Made from iron- and manganese-rich clay, this earth tone  was ideal for depicting skin tones, clothing, architecture , and daily life. It symbolized the fertile Nile soil  and earthly stability . 🟡 YELLOW OCHRE A naturally occurring clay pigment rich in iron hydroxides, yellow ochre represented the sun, gold, and the divine . It was used for skin tones of gods and for decorative highlights in murals and statues . 🔴 RED OCHRE Derived from hematite, red ochre  was associated with life, energy, and blood , but also with the desert and chaos  in certain contexts. It was a key pigment in tomb and temple art . ⚫ VINE BLACK A fine carbon pigment created by charring vine twigs  in an oxygen-free environment. Used for outlines and hieroglyphs , black symbolized fertility, protection, and rebirth . El orden de los colores ha sido respetado y se encuentran situados en el mismo lugar que la pieza original. MAKING THE REPLICA The original palette was ivory—a material now banned and ethically problematic. I initially considered wood , but it wasn’t suitable for water contact. Eventually, I found Óscar , a Madrid-based sculptor, who suggested polyurethane resin , which has an ivory-like finish and is water-resistant . He used 3D printing and sculpting  techniques to create a base that I then finished manually: filing, washing, drying, painting , and hand-painting the hieroglyphic details  with surgeon-like precision 😁. I also formulated each pigment recipe from scratch , testing drying times and consistency for each. The drying process is natural and weather-dependent . Once the colors are dry, each palette is wrapped in branded parchment paper  and placed inside a custom felt case , lined with padded velvet  and secured with elastic bands. Once the colors are completely dry, I proceed to process each palette to have it ready for its case. Before placing it inside, I wrap it in parchment paper with the Aletheia Acuarelas  logo to provide extra protection and ensure it is nicely presented. The case is made of soft felt on the outside, and on the inside it has a padded velvet lining  that helps absorb any impact the palette might suffer during transport. In addition to this, the palette is secured with two elastic bands  built into the case, which help keep the piece even more firmly in place. final touches The palette and case  are then placed inside a magnetic flap box , padded with paper shavings for added protection. Each palette comes with: A booklet about the palette’s history A care tips card A certificate of authenticity A genuine papyrus  handmade in Egypt using ancient techniques how to reserve your palette? 📌 The reservation process is simple: visit the palette’s page in the shop ( click here ), and once pre-orders are open, just click “Buy”. You’ll pay the full price upon reservation. 🗓️ Pre-orders run from March 30 to April 6, 2025 . You can activate an availability alert on the same page to receive an email once it’s live. Each palette is made to order, with a minimum lead time of 1 month . You'll receive email updates  throughout the process. 📦 There are two shipping options—both are tracked , but one includes insurance . For international or Canary Islands shipping , email me at 📧 aletheiaacuarelas@gmail.com . 🎁 If it’s a gift , let me know—I’ll package it with special care and can ship it to a different address. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or message me on Instagram . I’ll be happy to help! Thank you for reading, and for supporting a project filled with love, research, and passion for Ancient Egyptian art . Warmly, Alicia Rodríguez  – Aletheia Acuarelas

Art has always been a form of creative expression that inspires and delights our senses. However, behind the beauty of many works of art, especially those that incorporate shine and sparkle, lies a silent threat to our environment: glitter. This small but dazzling ornament has captured the attention of artists and craft enthusiasts, but its impact on water pollution with microplastics is a cause for concern. The Problem of Glitter and Water Pollution: A Dark Glow Conventional glitter is mainly composed of microplastics, tiny plastic particles that measure less than five millimeters in length. These tiny particles are commonly used in the manufacturing of artistic, cosmetic and decorative products. When these shiny particles find their way into our rivers and oceans, they become a significant source of microplastic pollution. Microplastics, when ingested by marine life, can cause irreparable damage to aquatic ecosystems and ultimately enter our food chain. The durability of plastic and its slow decomposition further exacerbate this problem, as it persists in the environment for decades. The Sustainable Alternative: Aletheia Handmade Watercolors In the midst of this worrying environmental situation, at Aletheia Acuarelas we want to offer a conscious solution: we create ranges of brilliant watercolors that not only offer vibrant colors and striking effects, but also advocate for sustainability and environmental responsibility by not containing glitter from microplastics. . Advantages of Aletheia Watercolors: 1. Free of Microplastics: Unlike many conventional watercolors that incorporate glitter made from microplastics, Aletheia watercolors opt for environmentally friendly ingredients, thus eliminating the threat of microplastic contamination. 2. Artistic Quality: Aletheia watercolors demonstrate that it is possible to obtain exceptional brilliance without compromising artistic quality. The intensity and luminosity of the colors are the result of carefully selected ingredients, without the need to resort to harmful plastic particles. 3. Commitment to Sustainability: Aletheia is proud of its commitment to sustainability. By choosing these watercolors, you will not only beautify your creations, but you will also contribute positively to caring for the environment. Using Aletheia watercolors is not only an aesthetic choice, but also a significant gesture towards environmental awareness and social responsibility. In conclusion, as we explore our creative side, it is essential to remember the impact of our choices on the environment. Opting for Aletheia handmade watercolors not only allows you to express your creativity with dazzling colors, but also helps preserve the beauty of our planet for future generations. Shine guilt-free and leave your artistic mark in a way that respects and protects our precious environment. You can find the entire range of Aletheia watercolors by clicking here. Thank you for reading!

This Christmas, immerse yourself in the exciting world of gifts for watercolorists! At Aletheia Acuarelas we have prepared a unique selection of five gifts that will make your loved ones' creativity shine. From custom palettes to galactic color experiences, these suggestions are sure to become the most sought-after watercolor gifts this season. You should also keep in mind that at Aletheia all watercolors are vegan and cruelty-free. 1. Custom 14 Color Watercolor Palette: Make this Christmas unique with a personalized 14-color watercolor palette. Add the empty palette to the cart and select the 14 colors that best suit the person you are giving as a gift. You can 100% design the palette to suit your individual tastes. Discover the magic of customization in every brushstroke. 2. Authentic Lapis Lazuli Watercolor Godet: Give the gift of artistic luxury with a watercolor godet made with authentic lapislazuli. This exclusive gift not only provides vibrant and unique color, but also adds a touch of elegance to any artist's palette. Discover how authentic lapis lazuli can elevate every work to new heights. It will be available on December 4th in store. 3. Chameleon Color Palette "Journey through the Galaxy": Transport creativity to new dimensions with a chameleon color palette inspired by outer space. This themed palette not only offers a range of galactic shades, but also provides a unique source of inspiration. Each color tells a celestial story, taking creativity to uncharted territories. 4. Bright Color Christmas Palette: Add luminosity to Christmas creations with the Christmas palette. These rich, vibrant shades will add an extra glow to every piece of art. Ideal for those who want to experiment with bold and striking colors in the world of watercolor. Available December 4th in store. 5. Primary Watercolor Trio for Beginning Watercolorists: For beginners to the art of watercolor, a trio of primary watercolors is the perfect gift. These basic hues provide the ideal foundation for exploring and understanding the essential mixing of colors in watercolor. Let him discover the pleasure of starting an artistic journey from scratch. Make this Christmas stand out by choosing Aletheia Watercolor. Visit our store to learn more about the catalog and choose the most unique gifts for your watercolorist friends and family. From custom palettes to themed palettes and bright colors, each choice is designed to inspire and elevate artistic expression. May this holiday season be an exciting journey through the creative universe, full of color and joy! If you need advice or have any questions, write to us at aletheiaacuarelas@gmail.com