Syntax of Color

I want to highlight a website called Syntax of Color which aims to focus on Art Materials and Colour. 

Highly recommended for art materials nerds like me - and those wanting to expand their knowledge of the art materials they work with currently - and might like to try in future.

This website is actually resurrecting an old site with updated and new material. 

After a considerable hiatus, the art materials website devoted to pigment history stories, interviews with artists and manufacturers, reviews of art materials and items of interest in the world of ASTM will be refreshed and renewed. Also a MAJOR name change has taken place. The old Grammar of Color is evolving into the Syntax of Color. We're back.....

"Syntax of Color" aims to educate artists and share information about art materials by exploring:

• Syntax of Color - Essays on the History of Pigments and Art Materials
• Product Reviews - Descriptions of Products and How to Use Them
• Interviews - Discussions with Artists and Art Materials Manufacturers (Coming Soon)
• ASTM Discussion Topics - The World of Making Standards for Art Material Manufacturing

The Syntax of Color - Home Page

Michael Skalka - author of Syntax of Color

The website is the idea of a chap who I've been corresponding with on and off for some years.  

Prior to his recent retirement, Michael Skalka was the Conservation Administrator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington for very many years where - among other duties - he looked after The National Gallery's Art Materials Collection.

Since 1993, I have been engaged in learning and sharing with others the love I have for art materials

Michael Skalka has an MFA in Museum Studies, expertise in Art Materials, and has been the Chairman of ASTM subcommittee D01.57 (re. Artists' Paints and Related Materials) for some years - which is how I got to know him.  (Note for new readers: I have been known to bang on online about lightfastness of art media at length - and I'm also a co-opted member of D01.57!)

Bottom line Michael is genuinely interested in increasing awareness of issues relating to colour and art materials - and has no axe to grind other than being somebody focused on quality issues. He also knows many of the technical people from the various art manufacturers.

Content of Syntax of Color

Here's a sampler of its content to date - with some quotations to get an idea of content. 

• Michael writes well and with authority. 
• If there is one thing I'd like to see him add it's shorter paragraphs and spaces inbetween! (i.e. techniques for writing for online as opposed to printed papers)

Colours

He focuses on old as well as current colours - as one might expect of a man who has worked in conservation for over 25 years.

• The Issue of Black
• Indian Yellow: A Bovine Story
• The Discovery of Thenard Blue (Cobalt Blue)
• Vermilionettes and Royal Reds
• Bodies in the Cellar or The Old and Forgotten (Scheeles Green / Emerald Green)
• The Lead White Pot

Pigments 

A common question about art materials focuses on the origin and description of paint names. In many cases, it's not the raw pigment that is the source of confusion, but the processed color that presents the modern observer with an etymological dilemma.

• Uranium and Copper Oxide Pigment 
• Deceiving Pigment Names
• What is a Buddle?

A buddle is where the rough unprocessed pigment, straight from the ground, is placed in the first phase of making a usable colorant. A buddle is a large round tank that contains an agitator. Raw pigment and water are poured in the buddle and mixed to keep the particles in suspension. A flow of water into the buddle makes the tank overflow.

Solvents / Health & Safety

• Why Are Solvents So Confusing

This topic comes up many times in discussions with artists. Artists start to question the toxicity of a solvent and the cold hard reality of science, toxicology and chemistry leave most people dumbfounded.

• Oil of Spike 
• Protect the Skin You’re In - about the damaging effects of turpentine

A host of skin problems can be encountered by short and long-term exposure to turpentine. Casual, short-term contact can result in irritation and redness. Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that is red, swollen, and itches.

Art Techniques

• The Priming Layer
• Are Artist Just Too Curious? - about making gesso

Art Equipment

• How to Avoid Airborne Easels

ASTM & NAMTA Matters

• Greetings from New York - on buying art materials
• Magni Nominis Umbra - the annual meeting of the National Art Materials Trade Association. (NAMTA)

Essays about Art

• This Art Is So Stupid a Monkey Could Paint That! 
• The Cutting Room Floor...

I think one the things I'm most impressed about is that he's published with a decent amount of material and a commitment to generate more

It makes me think it's about time I get my two websites in draft actually published - one of which is about Art Materials! I mean it's not as if I haven't already written most of the material on other sites......