The Conservation Department of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, (MFAH) is currently involved in a restoration project of the artworks of an avant-garde Brazilian artist, Helio Oiticica (1937 - 1980). Oiticica is highly recognized for his revolutionary and methodical experimentation with various paints and mediums, all of which played a crucial role in the development of the contemporary art movement of both Latin America and the western world. Because of Oiticica's impact, the University of Saint Thomas and Rice University have collaborated with the Conservation Department of the MFAH to analyze various studio materials of the artist. These materials included paints, pigments, and coatings. A number of techniques were employed including FTIR, FTNMR, GC-MS, SEM, XRD, and XRF. In many cases, the results from the various techniques were complementary and the types of binders, fillers, and coatings were able to be characterized. Due to the large quantity and variety of the samples, considerable work remains to be done.