Milk Paint
Milk paint is a water-based coating traditionally made with milk protein, lime, and pigment. It is often sold as a powder that is mixed with water and dries to a matte, naturally varied finish.
Painter
Tschabalala Self
Tschabalala Self is an American artist known for layered figurative paintings combining painted and sewn materials, including acrylic, Flashe, milk paint, oil, watercolor, gouache, spray paint, fabric, and other mixed media.
Tschabalala Self quick facts
Review key details about Tschabalala Self's career, layered figuration, sewn fabric, acrylic, Flashe, milk paint, oil, watercolor, gouache, spray paint, and mixed-media construction shaping her work.
| Born | 1990 · Harlem, New York, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | — |
| Nationality | American |
| Practice | Figurative painting and mixed-media work |
| Paint-related media | Milk paint · Acrylic paint · Oil paint · Watercolor · Gouache · Spray paint · Vinyl paint (Flashe) |
| Other materials | Fabric, including cotton cloth, denim, and silk · gum · paper · painted canvas · wood panels · MDF · sewn elements |
| Documented examples | Lite (2018), made with acrylic, Flashe, milk paint, fabric, and gum on canvas; Ol’Bay (2019), painted canvas, fabric, digital rendering on canvas, hand-colored photocopy, photocopy, paper, Flashe, gouache, and acrylic on canvas; 12pm on 145th Street (2022), which includes denim and painted canvas; Baton Rouge (2023), which includes fabric, gingham, velvet, silk, batik, painted canvas, and acrylic paint on canvas; Milkcrate (2019), laser-cut MDF and automotive paint; Anthurium (2023), which includes cotton cloth, painted canvas, acrylic, and oil; Blue Room (2023), which includes spray paint and acrylic on canvas; and 2025 studies made with acrylic, oil, fabric, paper, and other materials on wood panel |
| Known for | Layered figures that combine painting, collage, fabric, stitching, and other material processes |
| Notable works | Lite · Ol’Bay · Baton Rouge |
Sources: ICA Boston collection announcement, ICA Boston: Tschabalala Self: Out of Body, EMMA: Tschabalala Self: Around the Way, Galerie Eva Presenhuber: Spaces and Places, and Petzel: The Viewing Room.
Paint types used
See the paint types documented in Self's work, with links to PaintZeal references explaining each medium's properties, uses, and working characteristics.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying, water-based paint made with pigment and an acrylic polymer binder. It is widely used in art and decorative projects because it is versatile and durable.
Oil Paint
Oil paint is a slow-drying paint made with pigment and a drying oil binder. It is widely used for artwork because it blends smoothly and develops rich color.
Watercolor
Watercolor paint is a water-based art medium made with pigment and a water-soluble binder. It is known for transparent color that settles into absorbent paper.
Gouache Paint
Gouache paint is an opaque, water-based art medium made with pigment and a water-soluble binder. Traditional formulas dry to a matte finish and can be reactivated with water.
Spray Paint
Spray paint is a liquid coating packaged in a pressurized can and applied as a fine aerosol. It creates an even finish without requiring a brush or roller.
Vinyl Paint
Vinyl paint is a specialty coating that uses a vinyl resin binder to form a flexible, durable film on approved surfaces. Its finish and adhesion depend on the specific formula and substrate.
Surface types used
See the surface types documented in Self's work, with links to PaintZeal references explaining how each support behaves and is prepared for painting.
Canvas
Canvas is a woven fabric used as a flexible support for painting. Artist canvas is commonly made from cotton or linen and sold either raw or coated with a ground layer.
Fabric
Fabric is a flexible material made by weaving, knitting, or bonding fibers. Its fiber content, texture, stretch, and washability affect how paint bonds and wears.
Cotton
Cotton is an absorbent natural fiber used in clothing, canvas, and household fabrics, with weave, weight, finish, and washing affecting paint performance.
Denim
Denim is a sturdy woven fabric, usually cotton, with a diagonal twill structure whose flexibility, texture, and regular washing affect painted finishes.
Silk
Silk is a lightweight natural protein fiber with a smooth, lustrous surface that can accept dyes or compatible fabric paints without losing its flexibility.
Paper
Paper is an absorbent sheet material made from pressed fibers. Its weight, sizing, and surface texture determine how much moisture it can handle and how paint spreads.
Wood
Wood is a natural, porous material with grain patterns and absorbency that vary by species and cut. Its surface may also contain knots, resin, or an existing finish.
MDF
MDF is an engineered wood panel made from compressed wood fibers and resin, with relatively smooth faces and highly absorbent cut edges.
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