Recognizing
that lightfastness
is the single most important quality issue to colored pencil artists
today, CPSA has been diligently working in conjuction with the
ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), colored pencil manufacturers,
and art conservators towards the development of a standard of
lightfastness for colored pencils. This is invaluable to our artists to
help them choose the highest quality products. Ongoing lightfastness
testing has
been done by our Vice President of Consumer Standards and is currently
continuing with our Product Research Director. These test results
are made available to
CPSA members, Patrons and Sponsors.
CPSA
also recognized that pigment identification of colored pencils plays
a vital role in lightfastness research. That is why we have been proactive
in writing and attaining a grant, along with the ASTM, to conduct research
using scientific methods to identify the pigments in colored pencils.
We expect this will further the development of an ASTM standard of
lightfastness for colored pencils. This pigment identification project
and a lightfastness standard can only lead to the increased recognition
of this fine art medium.
