We made several trips through the Los Rios region during one year –from north to south and from the coast to the mountains– looking for and finding colors in soils, rocks, vegetation, skies, and waters. We documented the trips with photographs, watercolors, and database logs with references to each color found.

To survey a color means to measure it with some sort of standardized means, ideally, with a color chart with national or international coverage. In our case, we worked with the Natural Color System (NCS) and Munsell charts. Surveying through visual comparison is done by placing the color chart beside the observed object and looking at it until the same or at least the closest looking color is found. In the case of the chromatic atmospheres, the chart is placed facing the landscape and –isolating the surroundings using a frame– the same procedure described below is followed.