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Gamblin Tests the Monterey Colors

MPF Conservation mixed paint colors with the assistance of the pigments of Gamblin Artist Colors. Jamee Linton-Kelly and Scott Gellatly brought all the many Gamblin Oil Paints to the MPFC studio and saved us from buying paints for mixing, and possible false starts. It was a morning of mixing basic colors, and after that, we purchased the pigments needed for the project, and the base colors were tweaked until they matched in many types of lighting.

However, we wanted to also test the colors if at all possible to add to the body of historical information MPFC has gathered.

Robert Gamblin, the founder of Gamblin Artist Colors and Gamblin Conservation Colors, offered to test the existing colors of several well-chosen classic pieces of Oregon Caves Monterey furniture. The items selected were chosen for their range of colors on a given piece.

While the tests are not definitive, it allowed us to confirm suppositions on color ranges and to confer with a master of color pigments on the colors used in the finishes. Mostly, Robert confirmed conclusions, but he had a few ideas which were different than ours.

The testing performed was problematic in that Mason colors are a layering of many pigments to achieve what Mason called "Straw Ivory," "Smokey Maple" or any of the many finish colors offered. Still we chose our testing point carefully and Robert took several readings of hard-to-test areas. MPFC will be publishing a paper on the colors, pigments and finish buildup next year.

Above, Robert testing the colors. Below, pinpointing the test sites, center, and more testing images. The machine is a CM-2500d Konica Minolta Spectrophotometer.

Check back frequently as we add information often.

For information on the Mason Monterey line at Oregon Caves National Monument, see our page on the two dozen pieces restored for the Chateau, shown left.

For information on the Imperial "Monterey" line
used at Crater Lake National Park,
see our page on the three dozen
pieces previously damaged, and restored by MPFC for the
Crater Lake Science and Learning Center.