Hi Carolyn - About the Medium - we've decided not to include colors in the medium field, because sometimes, there are too many colors to include, and also because colors may change (fade) over time, and be misleading. We talk about colors instead in the Description field. So, this is how typical medium entries may look in our database: Ballpoint ink on Bond paper Felt-tip ink on colored paper Screen print on Arches paper Acrylic on linen We strive to be as consistent as possible, although each different classification has different rules. Sigh. We've adopted the Andy Warhol Foundation's style for entering medium for paintings and prints, in order to be consistent with the various Catalogue Raisonnes they've published over the years. For drawings, we simply talk about medium and materials (ink, graphite, etc.), but will be as specific as we can about what type of ink (felt-tip, ballpoint), and what brand of paper (if known - Arches, Bristol, Canson, etc.). For prints, we first refer to the technique (Screen print on..., Off-set lithograph on..., Lithograph on.., etc.), and follow it with the paper or specific paper. For paintings, again we switch back to medium/materials on specific type of support. Photographs are a whole 'nuther beast, depending on cameral and film type. The main thing is - no matter the rule, consistency counts. Good luck. Allison .................................................................. .................................................................. the warhol: Allison A. Smith Collection Manager / Database Administrator 117 Sandusky Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 T 412.237.8345 F 412.237.8340 E [log in to unmask] < mailto:[log in to unmask]> W www.warhol.org < http://www.warhol.org <http://www.warhol.org/> > W www.warholstore.com < http://www.warholstore.com <http://www.warholstore.com/> > The Andy Warhol Museum One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh .................................................................. .................................................................. They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself -- Andy Warhol .................................................................. .................................................................. -----Original Message----- From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Delahunty, Caroline Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 3:44 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: TMS - Medium and School fields Dear All I have recently joined the National Gallery of Ireland as their TMS Officer. At the moment we have over 740 unique entries in the medium field and over 150 in the school field. We would like to simplify these and wonder if any of you are able to offer advice on agreed standards/how your institution deals with this data. The data in the medium field includes the support as well eg 'oil on canvas', 'watercolour on paper', 'watercolour on vellum'. It also includes colours eg 'Red chalk on beige paper', 'Red chalk with white highlights on beige paper'. These are probably best recorded elsewhere? Many thanks Caroline Delahunty TMS Officer National Gallery of Ireland Merrion Square West Dublin 2 Ireland tel: 00 353 1 632 5525 ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses. www.mimesweeper.com **********************************************************************