A forum that integrates workshop and laboratory practice provides a significant focus for questions of process. One such point of interaction was a workshop that aimed at establishing relationships among several materials when color is introduced directly into the material, as opposed to applied to the surface as a decorative coating. Color was introduced into clay, glass and metal through direct mixing, assembly, reforming and surface treatment. Examples of millifiori glass, neriage ceramic, and shakudo and mokume metal are presented. Workshop participants were able to have some hands-on experience with the techniques demonstrated by artists and artisans, and this interaction informed our discussion of the investigations of the appearance, processing and conservation of art objects and archaeological artifacts.