Volume 16, Number 3, Sept 1994, p.29

Publications

Pen, Pencil & Paint

Published by National Artists Equity Association, Materials Research Committee, Vol. 1, No. 4 Summer 1994. Editor Joy Turner Luke, Box 18, Route 1, Sperryville, VA 22740: 703/987-8386. Subscription costs $12 for 1 year (4 issues).

Contains concise, well written articles on issues relating to artists' materials. For example, in No. 4: Turpentine and its Substitutes; Brushes: Part II; Profile of Golden Artist Colors, Inc.; Ultramarine blue; and Lightfastness Test Results: Colored Pencils and Oil Bars, evaluating Winsor and Newton oil bars, Couler D'Art colored pencils, Mars Staedtler Karat Aquarell, and Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Design Plus. Relevant information in a very accessible format and a bargain as well. Highly recommended by Zora Pinney.

Artists' Pigments A Handbook of Their History and Characteristics

Volume 2 (ISBN 0-89468-189-3) Edited by Ashok Roy. A National Gallery of Art USA Publication. Available from Oxford University Press, Order Dept., 2001 Evans Road, Cary NC 27513. $39.95.

Volume 2 of this basic reference contains chapters on: azurite and blue verditer; ultramarine blue, natural and artificial; lead white; lead-tin yellow; smalt; verdigris and copper resinate; vermilion and cinnabar; malachite and green verditer; and calcium carbonate whites. Each pigment is examined individually with extensive illustration. In addition to the history of the pigment's use, manufacture, and nomenclature, matters of concern to the practicing artist are examined, such as color, permanence, compatibility, and handling qualities. Composition is analyzed, particularly chemical and physical variations that may arise due to differences in source, methods of preparation, adulterants, or impurities. Compendia of analytical techniques used to characterize and identify the pigment are presented, The terminology of optical microscopy is also reviewed.

Papermaking Videotapes

The University of Iowa Center for the Book have released "papermaking", a new series of 5 videotapes written by Tim Barrett. The series differs from most available audio visual materials on the subject in its distinct "how to" emphasis. The tapes cover all key steps in both Western and Japanese style papermaking. Slow motion and other video effects are used to highlight crucial movements during sheet forming with a degree of clarity impossible in book format. The five tape series includes: Japanese Style Papermaking I (80 mins) Simple Equipment and Techniques; Japanese Style Papermaking II (50 mins), Traditional Equipment and Techniques; Japanese Style Papermaking III (70 mins), Professional Equipment and Techniques; Western Papermaking I (55 mins), Classroom Equipment and Techniques; Western Papermaking II (55 mins), Professional Equipment and Techniques. Prices are $60 per tape or $250 for the five-tape set. Available from UICB Papermaking Video Tapes, 364 English Philosophy Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242.