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, fabric, and other mixed media.
Related: Sarah Crowner · Jean-Michel Basquiat
Tschabalala Self quick facts
Review key details about Tschabalala Self's career, layered figuration, sewn fabric, acrylic, Flashe, milk paint, and mixed-media construction shaping her work.
| Practice | Figurative painting and mixed-media work |
|---|---|
| Paint-related media | Milk paint, acrylic paint, and Flashe |
| Other materials | Fabric, gum, paper, painted canvas, and sewn elements |
| Documented example | Lite (2018), made with acrylic, Flashe, milk paint, fabric, and gum on canvas |
| Known for | Layered figures that combine painting, collage, fabric, stitching, and other material processes |
Sources: ICA Boston collection announcement and ICA Boston: Tschabalala Self: Out of Body.
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.
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.
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.