Written under the pseudonym, "Technicus," this work was intended for the busy chemist, manufacturer, or merchant as a straightforward reference to answer questions regarding how to test a pigment and determine its properties. The work includes chapters regarding the examination of a given pigment's specific gravity, opacity, and solubility, the platinum wire flame test, pigment extraction, and pigment specifications by color.

An informational pamphlet, Colors in Oil, is attached to the rear board of the book. This pamphlet is a "brief outline of the processes and raw materials used in the manufacture of the principal dry colors." The pamphlet highlights in particular the manufacture of paints sold by the McDougall-Butler Co., a New York-based paint company.