In our investigation of the embrittlement of oil paints containing zinc oxide (see Sarah Sands’ 2018 article Zinc Oxide – Reviewing the Research), we made a lab trial containing titanium dioxide (PW6, “TiO2”) and 6% zinc oxide (PW4, “ZnO”) that used stand oil instead of our standard refined linseed oil. Two years later, we noticed … Read more
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Today’s artist has access to an abundance of colorants, including Fluorescent and Phosphorescent pigments, which are members of the “Luminescent Family”. Few, if any, other colorants rival their vibrant allure. Whether applied as paint or encapsulated in resins, glass or plastic, these materials have always held an aura of mystery and intrigue. Part of this … Read more
Methodological Issues and the Effect of White Pigments on Fading Introduction Lightfastness is usually reported in a single word or number—a simple answer for artists questioning a color’s permanence. Although lightfastness ratings are straightforward, lightfastness assessment is actually fairly complex, and a variety of factors can influence both laboratory and real-world lightfastness outcomes. To tackle … Read more
Introduction Our Lab, in conjunction with the Materials and Applications Specialists Department, recently updated the lightfastness testing for the entire QoR Watercolor line. Our testing methods employed a significantly expanded range of dilutions with water as well as incorporating, for the first time, tints with titanium white to more accurately simulate how artists use watercolor. The … Read more
Introduction For some time, our recommendation for artists using oils over acrylic has been to work over harder, matte acrylic surfaces and avoid working on softer gels and gloss products. Our intention was to optimize the level of adhesion that would be achieved on a toothier surface as well as avoid the potential for future … Read more
Introduction This article is a companion piece to Zinc Oxide – Warnings Cautions and Best Practices, published in our print newsletter, Just Paint, Issue 35, as well as our FAQs Concerning Zinc Oxide (PW 4) in Oil Paints From the start zinc oxide has lived a double life – at turns celebrated and shunned, loathed and loved. On … Read more
Introduction Golden Artist Colors is a company that has a very clear goal of making the best artist paints possible! In a time when so many companies see how far they can reduce quality before a consumer notices, GOLDEN continues to resist this trend and make improvements wherever possible regardless of cost. Artists and conservators … Read more
Introduction The use of Zinc Oxide in oils has been the focus of a lot of attention lately, especially around its potential to cause an increased rate and degree of embrittlement, cracking, and cleavage of oil paint films. Passionate positions have been staked out on all sides, while various studies have been cited and pored … Read more
Introduction In the last issue of Just Paint we discussed why some QoR Watercolors had a Lightfastness rating of NA, or Not Applicable, while most carried the familiar ASTM Lightfastness ratings of I and II. Essentially this came about because some of the pigments being used at that point were not currently rated by the … Read more
From time to time – I know you may be surprised to hear this – we’ve been accused of being just slightly too technical in our Just Paint. In an effort to be accurate we have sacrificed some potential readership. Others have simply shared with us that they’ve been able to replace their sleeping aids … Read more
