Yep. Before the emergence of mass spectrometry, archaeologists and restorers were "guess-timating" everything, including the colors. In many cases, they weren't even using the right types of pigments, just what are readily available to them at their time. Today, we have laser spectrometry.

In some cases, restorers have used methods to find the lost paints and pigments and even materials by analyzing the surface of the missing section for traces of pigments. Use of mass spectrometry is now a standard practice in archaeology.

Also, oxidation of materials over time. Chemists might be able to analyze and replicate certain pigments and materials but they can't replicate centuries or millennia of oxidation of pigments and materials that changed the colors of the art.

This is the basis for that metaphysics debate of Ship of Theseus. This is also the challenge that antique and historic artifact restorers have to contend when tasked with restoring badly damaged murals and artifacts. Many techniques and pigments of the past were lost to time.

The other drawing program to look into is Clip Studio Paint. Apparently, it's made by a Japanese software developer specifically for the Japanese manga and anime artists. Affinity definitely has all the necessary parts to replace Adobe suites but CSP IS superior when it comes to digital painting.

Awoo!

That's scheduled for Halloween day. And it includes inside Costco.