THE SYNTAX OF COLOR

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    The Pastel Standard
    Michael Skalka
    • 2 days ago
    • 3 min

    The Pastel Standard

    Summary: So many activities with so little time. However, I am pleased to announce that the article I wrote for the Pastel Journal –...
    391
    Mind the Gap
    Michael Skalka
    • Apr 23
    • 4 min

    Mind the Gap

    Summary: 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...
    810
    It Sure Doesn’t Look Like Tomato Juice!
    Michael Skalka
    • Jan 29
    • 4 min

    It 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...
    380
    Let's Raise a Glass to Naphthol Red
    Michael Skalka
    • Jan 23
    • 5 min

    Let's Raise a Glass to Naphthol Red

    Summary: An unusual relationship exists between the brewing industry and the invention of a host of synthetic organic pigments in the azo...
    420
    Testing the Test?
    Michael Skalka
    • Jan 14
    • 5 min

    Testing the Test?

    Summary: The ASTM subcommittee D01.57 creates standards that manufacturers may follow to assure their products are light fast, indicate...
    290
    Painting and Music
    Michael Skalka
    • Dec 18, 2021
    • 4 min

    Painting and Music

    It is likely that many of you have a wide number of art forms that you appreciate. My interests in music, especially technical, music...
    440
    Are We All Using the Same Yardstick?
    Michael Skalka
    • Nov 11, 2021
    • 4 min

    Are 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...
    481
    "We May Never Pass This Way (Again""
    Michael Skalka
    • Nov 4, 2021
    • 4 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,...
    430
    How Can I Be Sure?
    Michael Skalka
    • Oct 22, 2021
    • 3 min

    How 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...
    200
    Should Odorless Mineral Spirits Be Scented?
    Michael Skalka
    • Oct 7, 2021
    • 3 min

    Should 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...
    1252
    Permanent Green Light
    Michael Skalka
    • Sep 16, 2021
    • 3 min

    Permanent Green Light

    Let’s explore another of what art material manufacturers sometimes refer to as “convenience colors.” This means a color that can be mixed...
    530
    Can Old Ads Tell Us Something?
    Michael Skalka
    • Jun 30, 2021
    • 4 min

    Can 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: ...
    320
    Henry Levison: A Debt of Gratitude
    Michael Skalka
    • Jun 22, 2021
    • 5 min

    Henry Levison: A Debt of Gratitude

    Depending on a person’s age, the art materials manufacturer, Permanent Pigments, may or may not be recognized. Even more senior artists...
    833
    Aurora Yellow - These are not the charged particles you were looking for...
    Michael Skalka
    • Jun 11, 2021
    • 3 min

    Aurora 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...
    790
    Let Every Voice Be Heard
    Michael Skalka
    • May 22, 2021
    • 2 min

    Let Every Voice Be Heard

    Why do artists avoid being aggressive consumers? I have asked that question both to my friends who are artists in my “civilian” role and...
    312
    Gray Market Paints - Not a Pretty Color
    Michael Skalka
    • Apr 27, 2021
    • 4 min

    Gray Market Paints - Not a Pretty Color

    In honor of Earth Day this last week, the topic of this essay focuses on environmental safety in a studio setting. Hopefully you have a...
    340
    No "D" in Winsor and Newton
    Michael Skalka
    • Apr 20, 2021
    • 2 min

    No "D" in Winsor and Newton

    The recent passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edenborough, reminded all of us of the long time span that Elizabeth has been the...
    310
    A Glitch in the Color Matrix
    Michael Skalka
    • Apr 12, 2021
    • 3 min

    A 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...
    390
    A Matter of Trust
    Michael Skalka
    • Mar 29, 2021
    • 3 min

    A Matter of Trust

    We 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,...
    884
    Greetings from New York
    Michael Skalka
    • Nov 17, 2020
    • 4 min

    Greetings from New York

    The business of tracking down art materials leads to some interesting places. While on collection related business for work in New York,...
    230
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    © The Syntax of Color  SyntaxofColor  - Michael Skalka

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