Presents the results of comparative analysis of west European and Russian technology of production formulas for blue and green copper compounds used as pigments in painting, including methods of producing copper pigments described in Russian 17th-18th-century manuscripts. In spite of the fact that Russians were familiar with west European medieval technology of painting materials, most of the Russian formulas suggest a different method of obtaining copper salts. The principal difference is the use of milk and other products such as cheese, curd, and yeast instead of vinegar. Original texts drawn from authentic icon painting works and books of technological formulas are published for the first time.