Tempera painting, the method in which colors are mixed with some binding material other than oil (primarily egg yolk), is the earliest type of painting known to man. The wall paintings of ancient Egypt and Babylon are tempera, as are many of the paintings of Giotto, Lippi, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto, and many other masters. But in spite of the time-proven excellence of this technique — which boasts many clear advantages over oil paint — it does not receive the degree of attention from modern painters that it deserves. Part of the explanation for this neglect, surely, is the absence of sufficient information about the materials and procedures involved in tempera painting. The present volume, in fact, is virtually the only complete, authoritative, step-by-step treatment of the subject in the English language, D.V. Thompson wrote this book after an exhaustive study, over many years, of countless medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in the British Museum and elsewhere, and is unquestionably the world's leading authority on tempera materials and processes. Beginning with an introductory chapter on the uses and limitations of tempera, the author covers such topics as the choice of material for the panel; propensities of various woods; preparing the panel for gilding; making the gesso mixture; methods of applying the gesso; planning the design of a tempera painting; use of tinted papers; application of metals to the panel; tools for gliding; handling and laying gold; combination gold and silver leafing; pigments and brushes; choice of palette; mixing the tempera; tempering and handling the colors; techniques of the actual painting; mordant gilding; permanence of tempera painting; varnishing; and artificial emulsion painting. The drawings and diagrams, illustrating the various materials and techniques, infinitely increase the clarity of the discussions. As a careful exposition of all aspects of authentic tempera painting, including many of the possible modern uses for this ancient method, this book actually stands alone. No one who is interested in tempera painting as a serious pursuit can afford to be without it.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This delightful book by American artist, Daniel Ambrose, is a curated collection of inspiring artworks, reflections and enchanting stories that give an intimate look at the creative process behind Daniel's hauntingly beautiful paintings.Hardcover

"Illustrated with 150 beautiful paintings by the author as well as some by old masters and other contemporary artists working in the medium, The Luminous Brush is the most comprehensive how-to guide on this luminous painting medium that is experiencing a newfound popularity among today's artists."--BOOK JACKET.

“This comprehensive work covers the gamut of techniques… will take students from beginner to expert.” —The English Garden This definitive guide is the most thorough how-to available on every major technique of botanical artistry. The experts at the American Society of Botanical Artists offer step-by-step projects that move from introductory to advanced—so any level of artist can build on acquired skills. Helpful tutorials cover watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, vellum, egg tempera, oils, pen and ink, and printmaking. Filled with more than 900 photographs and stunning examples of finished art by the best contemporary botanical artists, Botanical Art Techniques is the authoritative manual on this exquisite art form.

Tempera was a primary medium for artistic expression in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries. Milk and Eggs examines the American re-emergence of tempera painting in the mid-20th century. It experienced a renaissance in the work of a large number of mostly unconnected American artists, including Thomas Hart Benton, Paul Cadmus, Jacob Lawrence, and Andrew Wyeth among others.Milk and Eggs focuses on four centers where tempera painting was revived--Yale University School of Art, the Art Students League of New York, the studio of N. C. Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, and the Kansas City Art Institute--and the historical, cultural, and philosophical factors that drove the revival, including the Great Depression and the Works Progress Administration. It also examines the medium in great detail, its materials and preparation, and arrives at a definition of tempera. Moreover, the results of extensive analysis of certain works of art is included..