Creating Colors for Artists

Scholastic Art interviewed Joe Gyurcsak, who works in research and development for Utrecht, a company that makes paint. Part of Gyurcsak’s job is identifying and creating new colors. He collaborates with artists, chemists, and Utrecht’s marketing and manufacturing teams. Then he helps decide which new colors to offer artists, learns how to make them, and brings them to an art supply store near you.

Joe Gyurcsak: Once I have an idea for a color, I figure out how to bring it to life. I might blend already developed colors or use pigments I’ve never worked with before. After I get the exact shade I’m looking for, I re-create the color in a more scientific way. I break it down into measurements working with a scale. The goal is to find a repeatable formula to give to Utrecht’s chemists so they can make a test batch. It takes many trials to get the formula right. Sometimes we send the new paint to artists to get feedback. Creating a new paint color can take anywhere from six months to a year.

JG: We consider three main factors when developing a color. The first is value, which is the lightness or darkness of the color. We also consider the intensity. A color can be vibrant and engaging, like a bright pink, or quieter and muted, like an earth tone. Color temperature is the final piece we consider. Color temperature is either warm or cool. A red can be warm if it leans more toward yellow on the color wheel, or cool if it leans more toward blue.

JG: I enjoyed drawing from a young age, but I had a turning point in sixth grade. I was dyslexic and had difficulty reading and writing. My teacher asked me to create drawings instead of writing a report. I presented my work, and that was the first time I realized I wanted to pursue art.

JG: I was selected for a special visual arts program in high school. I received a scholarship to Parsons School of Design. I went there for a year and then transferred to the School of Visual Arts, where I studied illustration. I had an illustration job for four years, then I got a position at Utrecht. I've been with the company for 25 years.

JG: Color is a unique experience. It impacts all of our lives and can teach you a lot about yourself.