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 mdash; which boasts many clear advantages over oil paint mdash; 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 worlds 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.
#648715 in eBooks 2012-06-22 2012-06-22File Name: B00A3YE8IS
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A book which was much needed for music scholars as ...By Jacquelyn RoyalA book which was much needed for music scholars as this many times is an underexamined genre. I was hoping there was cd to go with the book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Gift for FriendsBy raunbPurchased as a gift. I have already read it and liked it enough to give it to friends.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy A. NaamaniOutstanding book that gives valuable insights into the people behind the music.