Walking through the 18th century galleries at the Metropolitan Museum recently, I realized that when people see a painting, they think they are looking at one artists' work. Really, they are looking at the accumulated work of an artist and those who repair and maintained his/her masterpieces.

A decade after I first made conservation colors I do know how many hands it takes to conserve a masterpiece. I was the paintmaker on a team, lead by Rene de la Re from the National Gallery of Art, working to develop special colors for conservation and restoration based on milder solvents and a palette of both mineral and modern colors.

Why was I selected for this prestigious team? As a colorman and founder of Gamblin Artists Colors Co., I have three decades of experience formulating and manufacturing artists materials. I have formulated every layer of oil paintings from size to varnish. By making conservation colors, now I can add my hands to yours in the work of conserving our visual history.

While this website is primarily intended as a gateway to purchasing Conservation Colors, I also invite you to comment on the materials and ask technical questions about the composition of materials.

CONSERVATION MATERIALS
Includes descriptions and discussion about R. Gamblin Conservation Colors and color chart, chemical composition of colors and lightfast pigments, other supplies for conservators and price list.

TECHNICAL PAPERS
Links to technical papers on the Conservation Colors and related materials.

NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2009 - NEW COLORS
"Over the last several years we have had requests to add colors to the palette. Here they are, including Dragon's Blood."

STORE LIST
A list of outlets for Gamblin Conservation Colors.