JRR: “After all these years, Zorzo is still surprised, and gratified, by the notion of a painter being famous. When he was growing up, the idea would have been absurd…” The ideal of an artist wanting to make a mark upon history is paramount in this story. Also, the concept of artists’ recognition in society. Can you tell me something about how you’ve crystalized this ethos? Damian has worked extensively as a screenwriter on projects as diverse as Phantom Of The Opera and Puss In Boots. He lives on London's Southbank with his partner Ali and three dogs, Dudley, Daphne & Velvet. Mr. Dibben’s writing is beautiful. The history is interesting and certainly inspired me to dig deep into the artists mentioned as well as Venice. Even though I wasn’t completely overwhelmed by the story arc, I found it engaging and was surprised by the twists in the zenith and denouement of the story.

Damian Dibben is a best-selling British author. His novels have been translated into 27 languages, in over 40 countries. His latest, THE COLOUR STORM, a love story and thriller set in the art world of the renaissance, is published by MichaelJoseph/Penguin in the UK in June 2022 and HarperCollins in the US this September. What should I do – this section links to advice and guidance from our partners on how to stay safe in severe weather The story reads like a film and the Dibben has given special attention to his exploration of “colour’s hidden dimensions and how everything is constantly at play in the mind’s eye.” Immense detail is given in describing the character’s clothing and each scene is connected with a reflection of the colour in the merchant’s wife’s clothing. Set in the sixteenth century when many amazing artists were achieving renown this historical based on real life figures delves into the world of Renaissance art. The descriptions of the often stark world of the artist and those who apprenticed in the artist’s studio, the intrigue both political and personal surrounding the wealthy patrons and the artists in their sphere, and of course the personal relationships and characters who peopled The Color Storm particularly Zorzo.

The Colour Storm is the story of the Italian painter Giorgio Barbarelli, who lived and worked in Venice during the Renaissance. He was a real person, as are many of the other characters in the novel, and you may already be familiar with his paintings – if not, you can easily find images online of some of the pieces attributed to him which will give you an idea of the quality of his work. Another thing that I want to mention is how surprised I was by some of the plot twists of the story. Some of them had me reeling, they were so unexpected. But I do love being surprised by stories! Also need to shout out the character of Leda. Another surprise because I hadn't expected to end up loving her as much when I first met her in the book but she was incredible. A self-made woman in 16th century Italy with her own growing business, how could I not admire and love that. Red Warning: Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. You should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.

The Colour Storm is set during the Italian renaissance, a time of art and creativity but also violence and treason. The main protagonist, Giorgione Barbarelli, or Zorzo to his friends is an artist trying to make a living doing what he does best, painting. But competition is rife which means his life and livelihood is often hanging on by a thread. He even resorts to pawning his relative’s ring to make ends meet.Atmospheric and suspenseful and filled with the famous artists of the era, The Color Storm is an intoxicating story of art and ambition, love and obsession.