This is my 2,500th blog post on Making A Mark and my instinct was to make it both a serious one and one about '
making a mark'.
How better than an update on progress towards a
Standard Specification for Artists Pastels? This focuses on one of my favourite art media (see my website
Pastels and Pencils) and, in particular, on one of my favourite topics - the lightfastness of artist materials.
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| Pastels in L. Cornellisen & Sons in London |
The Standard Specification for Artists Pastels
Here's the current statement of what the Standard Specification for Artists Pastels will cover when published.
1. Scope This specification establishes requirements for composition, performance, and labelling artists pastels. This specification includes requirements for identification and lightfastness. Pastel specimens are exposed to both natural daylight through window glass and simulated daylight window glass-filtered radiation to determine the lightfastness rating for each pastel. No standard currently exists for pigments, chalk and a light binder that keep the sticks together to be used for drawing or painting on a sanded or other gritty substrate.
Keywords Pastel, pastels, chalk, substrate, pigment, shades, tints, sanded paper, colored sticks, soft pastels, hard pastels, conte crayon, color mixing, light fastness
It doesn't exist as yet but there is a working group developing it. I've been having a very interesting email conversation about it recently part of which is duplicated below.
This is going to be of most interest to pastel artists AND those interested in lightfastness and pigments. It touches on standards relating a to range of art media and lightfastness testing generally.
It will get technical - but hopefully I'm filtering out most of the too techie aspects and/or including links to more information.
My big interest - for a long time - is in the lightfastness aspects of art materials testing and how art materials can be tested in efficient and cost-effective ways which produce reliable indications of which brands meet the standard as defined.
You'll see as you read on why this is easier said than done!
I'm going to reproduce the question and answer format used in my email correspondence - in part because that's how I found out what I now know.
Do let me know if there is anything you don't understand and I'll either try revising how I'm conveying the information or consult my correspondence to see if it contains a better answer.
I'd add that I found I understood it all much better reading through some of the answers I got for a second time!
Don't hesitate to ask questions or comment. I'm going to be sending a link to this blog post to the people who look after the Committee which sets the standard. I'm sure they will find your perspective useful.
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Who creates the Standard Specifications for Artists Materials?
The responsible body is
ASTM International. This was formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
(see also Wikipedia ASTM International). Essentially it's industry and scientific based with input from expert consumers.
The responsible committee for paint and pigment based media used by fine artists is the
Subcommittee D01.57 on Artist Paints and Related Materials.
ASTM D01.57, the Subcommittee on Artists' Materials, helps artists and consumers recognize product quality and safety when manufacturers' products conform to its Standards.
D01.57 has about 60 members representing consumers and manufacturers of artists' materials. Members of the Subcommittee include artists, educators, conservators, medical doctors, chemists and other materials scientists, and representatives from art materials manufacturers, artists' groups, manufacturers of testing equipment, and regulatory agencies. Its meetings, held twice a year, are open to anyone who wishes to attend - but those who wish to vote during the standards-writing process must be members of ASTM.
A Narrative Summary of ASTM International Standards Pertaining to Artists’ Coloring Materials
This reports to the
ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications was formed in 1902.
(see Info Sheet - pdf file)
To date
Subcommittee D01.57 on Artist Paints and Related Materials has produced 16 standards which are active today. These include standards for almost all the common art media used by fine artists (see below) EXCEPT for pastels:
The standards are a priced publication and are not available free of charge.
Where are we up to with the new Standard Specification for Artists Pastels?
The task group is still working on the draft of this standard. There have been two draft so there is some progress.
The Staff Manager at ASTM is
Jeffrey Adkins. Click the link on the webpage to get his email address.
The Technical Contact is
Michael Skalka and he is most informed as to progress to date. I have his email address but he can also be reached via Jeff Adkins.
[NOTE: Michael Skalka is the Conservation Administrator, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC 20565]
What follows is in essence an email conversation between me and Michael Skalka. I have to thank Michael profusely for the time he's taken to answer my very detailed questions. I now understand the issues which present challenges for the ASTM so much better. I also thank him for allowing me to share them with the many pastel artists who read this blog.
Normal text is me - and
this is the response from Michael Skalka indented as a quotation.
