Michael Skalka2 days ago3 minThe Pastel StandardSummary: So many activities with so little time. However, I am pleased to announce that the article I wrote for the Pastel Journal –...
Michael SkalkaApr 234 minMind the GapSummary: The art materials industry provides a wealth of color choices, but sometimes a gap is found in if a 12-step color wheel is used...
Michael SkalkaJan 294 minIt Sure Doesn’t Look Like Tomato Juice!Summary: It is time once again to dive into the realm of common household foods as they apply, or in this case, should not be applied to...
Michael SkalkaJan 235 minLet's Raise a Glass to Naphthol RedSummary: An unusual relationship exists between the brewing industry and the invention of a host of synthetic organic pigments in the azo...
Michael SkalkaJan 145 minTesting the Test?Summary: The ASTM subcommittee D01.57 creates standards that manufacturers may follow to assure their products are light fast, indicate...
Michael SkalkaDec 18, 20214 minPainting and MusicIt is likely that many of you have a wide number of art forms that you appreciate. My interests in music, especially technical, music...
Michael SkalkaNov 11, 20214 minAre We All Using the Same Yardstick?The focus of this essay is on an apparent lack of consistency that has been going on for decades. ASTM (The American Society for Testing...
Michael SkalkaNov 4, 20214 min"We May Never Pass This Way (Again""Perhaps the reason I gravitate so strongly towards researching art materials and related items is that they have a long history. For me,...
Michael SkalkaOct 22, 20213 minHow Can I Be Sure?How can I be sure, in a world that's constantly changing? (Young Rascals “How Can I Be Sure” 1967) We place a tremendous amount of trust...
Michael SkalkaOct 7, 20213 minShould Odorless Mineral Spirits Be Scented?I have been grappling with this question for many years. This issue has a number of technical components that make it hard to explain...
Michael SkalkaSep 16, 20213 minPermanent Green LightLet’s explore another of what art material manufacturers sometimes refer to as “convenience colors.” This means a color that can be mixed...
Michael SkalkaJun 30, 20214 minCan Old Ads Tell Us Something?I had both the pleasure and task of adding around 375 new images to my collection of art materials advertising. A question was raised: ...
Michael SkalkaJun 22, 20215 minHenry Levison: A Debt of GratitudeDepending on a person’s age, the art materials manufacturer, Permanent Pigments, may or may not be recognized. Even more senior artists...
Michael SkalkaJun 11, 20213 minAurora Yellow - These are not the charged particles you were looking for...Aurora Yellow: In artist forums I occasionally notice that a small group of art materials enthusiasts are drawn to seek out old art...
Michael SkalkaMay 22, 20212 minLet Every Voice Be HeardWhy do artists avoid being aggressive consumers? I have asked that question both to my friends who are artists in my “civilian” role and...
Michael SkalkaApr 27, 20214 minGray Market Paints - Not a Pretty ColorIn honor of Earth Day this last week, the topic of this essay focuses on environmental safety in a studio setting. Hopefully you have a...
Michael SkalkaApr 20, 20212 minNo "D" in Winsor and NewtonThe recent passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edenborough, reminded all of us of the long time span that Elizabeth has been the...
Michael SkalkaApr 12, 20213 minA Glitch in the Color Matrix“How can you be in two places at once, when you’re not anywhere at all.” I encountered this phrase in high school when my classmates...
Michael SkalkaMar 29, 20213 minA Matter of TrustWe are faced with issues of trust in all areas of our lives. Art materials are no different. We trust that when it says Organic Lettuce,...
Michael SkalkaNov 17, 20204 minGreetings from New YorkThe business of tracking down art materials leads to some interesting places. While on collection related business for work in New York,...