Historical Artist Materials

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Mar 22
4 min

Indian Yellow: A Bovine Story

One would be remiss if the story of the popular 19th century pigment Indian Yellow were not told. A preface to this story is the...

580

The Discovery of Thenard Blue (Cobalt Blue)

Michael Skalka

Mar 7
4 min

The Discovery of Thenard Blue (Cobalt Blue)

A new series of essays on the science behind the origins of pigments. An hour and 40-minute drive from Paris will take you to the town of...

300

Michael Skalka

Nov 17, 2020
2 min

Vermilionettes and Royal Reds

It is a humorous name for a group of colors. Vermilionettes and Royal Reds makes me think of the name of a big band from the 1930s. ...

200

Michael Skalka

Nov 16, 2020
3 min

What is a Buddle?

Water and mined earth material is poured into the tank on the far left that overflows into the next tank. Lighter particles are carried...

100

Michael Skalka

Nov 12, 2020
3 min

The Issue of Black:

Interesting that we should start with the color that Webster's Dictionary describes as “the achromatic color of least lightness.” ...

440

Michael Skalka

Apr 19, 2016
1 min

The Lead White Pot

Displayed is a 19th century depiction of a pot that would contain a coil of lead that was destined to be exposed to acetic acid contained...

240

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