Acrylic paints often contain small percentages of formaldehyde or ammonia as preservatives. These can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, especially if they are using large amounts of polymer medium

Iron oxide is possibly the single most common pigment used in oil and acrylic paints. Powdered aluminum is used in all the silver, gold, and “metallic” colors. While these pigments

Recently the Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety (ACTS) people in New York called for the repeal of the labeling of the Hazardous Art Materials Act. This the the law that

At one point, cadmium red was thought to be a safer alternative to vermilion (cinnabar). Because of the mercury in vermilion, it was considered the death sentence for miners. However

Recently, a highly regarded art supplies manufacturer closed up shop and sold everything to a much larger company, agreeing to reveal nothing about the deal. They had been working on

It is common for an art student to show up for the first day of painting class and discover that other students in the room will be brushing with various

Historically, lead-based white was the pigment used in art, for hundreds of years.  But of course, lead is toxic and lead white has been largely outlawed in Europe, now almost