# \#materials **URL:** https://www.smartermarx.com/tag/materials/12.md [Latest](https://www.smartermarx.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://www.smartermarx.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://www.smartermarx.com/tags.md) --- ## [The Physics of Dust in the Studio: What Moves, What Sticks, and Why](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/the-physics-of-dust-in-the-studio-what-moves-what-sticks-and-why/2096)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/the-physics-of-dust-in-the-studio-what-moves-what-sticks-and-why/2096 "2026-01-11T14:54:15Z")
Dust seems like a minor annoyance until you see it wreck a dark glaze or throw sparkles into a perfect shadow. But these aren’t just random intrusions; they’re predictable outcomes of how particles behave in the air. … --- ## [Household Hacks that can Hurt: The Hidden Chemistry of some Studio Shortcuts](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/household-hacks-that-can-hurt-the-hidden-chemistry-of-some-studio-shortcuts/2084)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/household-hacks-that-can-hurt-the-hidden-chemistry-of-some-studio-shortcuts/2084 "2025-10-27T18:03:29Z")
For as long as artists have worked with brushes, pigments, and varnish, they have also experimented with ways to correct, clean, and reclaim their surfaces. Much of that experimentation has been harmless; some of it h… --- ## [Visualizing the Dynamics of Oiling Out and Varnishing](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/visualizing-the-dynamics-of-oiling-out-and-varnishing/1309)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2025, 6:47pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/visualizing-the-dynamics-of-oiling-out-and-varnishing/1309 "2025-01-02T18:47:13Z")
Some well-timed rain this past week granted me an opportunity (and some useful analogs) to discuss “oiling out” and varnishing. When oil paint is spread out over a surface and exposed to air, it begins a sequence of che… --- ## [More Insights into Vermeer's Creative Process](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/more-insights-into-vermeers-creative-process/1634)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2022, 6:20pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/more-insights-into-vermeers-creative-process/1634 "2022-10-29T18:20:35Z")
Great new insights into Vermeer’s process and materials from Journal of Historians of Netherlandish Art: --- ## [Inkjet printing canvas... is it usable?](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/inkjet-printing-canvas-is-it-usable/1319)
**Author:** [@Craig](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/Craig)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2021, 12:04am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/inkjet-printing-canvas-is-it-usable/1319 "2021-06-13T00:04:08Z")
Hi, Due to an insurance claim, I recently got given a large roll of canvas designed for solvent inkjet printing. I don’t have any brand information, but it is likely to be a cotton & polyester blend canvas with a coatin… --- ## [A much closer look at some fairly common art materials](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-much-closer-look-at-some-fairly-common-art-materials/1239)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-much-closer-look-at-some-fairly-common-art-materials/1239 "2020-12-29T16:58:58Z")
Here’s a look at a number of materials you might encounter as an artist. Think you can identify some of them? (I’ll post answers in the comments below.) --- ## [Introducing my new Youtube realist drawing and painting tutorials channel!](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/introducing-my-new-youtube-realist-drawing-and-painting-tutorials-channel/1186)
**Author:** [@tommulliner](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/tommulliner)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/introducing-my-new-youtube-realist-drawing-and-painting-tutorials-channel/1186 "2020-10-05T20:32:53Z")
Have a look at my Youtube Realist art tutorials channel here: Tom Mulliner - Realist Art Tutorials Including my latest video on a quick adaptation of the sight-size method here: X-Y sight-size method of drawing tutorial … --- ## [The Smithsonian institute images collection available for free now](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/the-smithsonian-institute-images-collection-available-for-free-now/1058)
**Author:** [@yasser178466](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/yasser178466)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/the-smithsonian-institute-images-collection-available-for-free-now/1058 "2020-02-27T14:16:35Z")
Hello there, i thought this may be interesting to you. Smithsonian institute has released its collection of images to download free of charge under creative common zero license, although it’s mentioned that ( Till now, … --- ## [Materials Papers at Academia.edu](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/materials-papers-at-academia-edu/948)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2019, 3:54pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/materials-papers-at-academia-edu/948 "2019-09-01T15:54:23Z")
Not sure if anyone here is a member of https://www.academia.edu/ but there are some great papers available to read on many of the material issues applicable to the creative efforts discussed here. Specially, there are … --- ## [Brush Cleaner Particulates](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/brush-cleaner-particulates/221)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/brush-cleaner-particulates/221 "2019-06-10T15:15:49Z")
Cleaning my brushes after a painting session has always been a very simple process. Ivory soap and lukewarm water have been my brush cleaning supplies since since day one. In fact, there is a video resource in the materi… --- ## [Material Myths, FAQs, and Common Misconceptions from MITRA PART II](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/material-myths-faqs-and-common-misconceptions-from-mitra-part-ii/802)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/material-myths-faqs-and-common-misconceptions-from-mitra-part-ii/802 "2018-12-17T17:12:35Z")
If it is a “natural” or “organic” product it must be safer, non-toxic, and considered suitable for creating artwork that stable and long-lasting… False. A similar problem can be noted in our grocery stores, with the ramp… --- ## [Material Myths, FAQs, and Common Misconceptions from MITRA PART I](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/material-myths-faqs-and-common-misconceptions-from-mitra-part-i/801)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/material-myths-faqs-and-common-misconceptions-from-mitra-part-i/801 "2018-12-17T17:12:05Z")
MATERIALS INFORMATION and TECHNICAL RESOURCES for ARTISTS Myths, FAQs, and Common Misconceptions Taken from MITRA (The Materials Information and Technical Resources for Artists-University of Delaware): Lead white, cadmi… --- ## [VIDEO:Residual soap in dense brushes](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/video-residual-soap-in-dense-brushes/728)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/video-residual-soap-in-dense-brushes/728 "2018-07-16T19:57:07Z")
Here’s a quick tip that might help those dense brushes perform more evenly for longer: --- ## [Williamsburg Oils eliminate Zinc Oxide in all of their Paint Mixtures](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/williamsburg-oils-eliminate-zinc-oxide-in-all-of-their-paint-mixtures/657)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/williamsburg-oils-eliminate-zinc-oxide-in-all-of-their-paint-mixtures/657 "2018-07-16T19:54:04Z")
Williamsburg Oil Colors recently made the decision to eliminate Zinc Oxide in all of the mixtures in its color line due to concerns over the long-term brittleness of paint layers: You can learn more about Williamsburg… --- ## [Keeping Oil Paintings Safe in Storage: What Actually Matters, Why It Matters, and How to Do It](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/keeping-oil-paintings-safe-in-storage-what-actually-matters-why-it-matters-and-how-to-do-it/699)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/keeping-oil-paintings-safe-in-storage-what-actually-matters-why-it-matters-and-how-to-do-it/699 "2018-06-03T18:07:29Z")
Oil paintings can seem to look immortal on museum walls, but they’re actually “living” materials that keep reacting (quietly) to their surroundings. The way you store them significantly affects the stress they endure and… --- ## [How to Clean Plaster Casts by Andrea Felice](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/how-to-clean-plaster-casts-by-andrea-felice/625)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2018, 1:11pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/how-to-clean-plaster-casts-by-andrea-felice/625 "2018-02-27T13:11:59Z")
\[IMG\_8567\] Cast with a beautiful original light patina. V&A Museum, London. Photo By A. Felice 2017 " I constantly receive questions and requests about how to clean plaster casts. It may seem a trivial question but i… --- ## [A Sketchy History Of Pencil Lead | NPR's SKUNK BEAR](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-sketchy-history-of-pencil-lead-nprs-skunk-bear/535)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-sketchy-history-of-pencil-lead-nprs-skunk-bear/535 "2017-10-08T17:17:42Z")
More about the fascinating history of pencils here: http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/10/11/492999969/origin-of-pencil-lead Credits: Produced by Ryan Kellman and Adam Cole Senior Editor: Alison Richards Supervising E… --- ## [Restoring Old Brushes (by Utrecht Art Supplies)](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/restoring-old-brushes-by-utrecht-art-supplies/493)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/restoring-old-brushes-by-utrecht-art-supplies/493 "2017-08-15T14:34:56Z")
\[OldBrushes\] Most artists are familiar with anatomy, but have you ever investigated the anatomy of a paintbrush? We sacrificed a couple of very nasty old brushes to reveal what’s beneath the ferrule. Professional-grade,… --- ## [Varnishes used as Final Surface Coatings (U. of Delaware)](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/varnishes-used-as-final-surface-coatings-u-of-delaware/457)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/varnishes-used-as-final-surface-coatings-u-of-delaware/457 "2017-07-14T15:29:15Z")
From the University of Delaware department of Art Conservation (https://www.artcons.udel.edu/) MATERIALS INFORMATION and TECHNICAL RESOURCES for ARTISTS Surface Coatings, Retouching Varnishes, and Oiling Out VARNIS… --- ## [Oil on Translucent Acrylic Panels by Beth Sistrunk](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/oil-on-translucent-acrylic-panels-by-beth-sistrunk/458)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/oil-on-translucent-acrylic-panels-by-beth-sistrunk/458 "2017-07-10T14:44:35Z")
\[image\] Recently artist Beth Sistrunk (http://www.bethsistrunk.com/) has been making some serious waves with her approach to painting on transluecnet acrylic panels. Beth layers the panels so as to create a sense of de… --- ## [Selecting the Right Varnish for Your Painting (Natural Pigments)](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/selecting-the-right-varnish-for-your-painting-natural-pigments/456)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2017, 12:32pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/selecting-the-right-varnish-for-your-painting-natural-pigments/456 "2017-07-09T12:32:45Z")
Selecting the Right Varnish for Your Painting by George O'Hanlon (Natural Pigments) Originally posted 3/24/2016 12:00 PM on the Natural Pigments blog here: https://www.naturalpigments.com/art-supply-education/selecting-v… --- ## [Question on medium](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/question-on-medium/354)
**Author:** [@ob123](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/ob123)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2017, 12:48pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/question-on-medium/354 "2017-04-21T12:48:30Z")
One thing I like about the LOP dvds is how they really tell you the materials and techniques that are necessary to learn. Nothing is vague. However I found one area that you seem to not touch on as specifically as eve… --- ## [A Look at the World's Blackest Material](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-look-at-the-worlds-blackest-material/331)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-look-at-the-worlds-blackest-material/331 "2017-04-17T19:50:02Z")
“It is often described as the closest thing to a black hole humans will ever see.” SPECIAL THANKS TO: Surrey NanoSystems https://www.surreynanosystems.com/vantablack