Customer Reviews

The Materials and Techniques of Medieval Painting (Dover Art Instruction)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book covers a history of carriers and grounds, binding methods and vehicles, their viscosity and transparency effects, pros and cons of different binding media, glazes and varnishes. It then gives a classification of medieval pigments and details the main pigments used to produce colours on the page, wall and panel. Mixing, reaction and permanence problems with pigments, confusion of identification, and history are described. Metals are also discussed, including types of gold media and gilding methods. This is an absolutely essential book for anyone (and especially SCAdian illuminators) interested in the building blocks of medieval painting. It will give you a good grounding in the basics and help you understand the resources, techniques and mindset of medieval artists. I cannot recommend it enough. It is also an entertaining read(if occasionally unintentionally).

Very interesting read if you are interested in how medieval painting was done and what methods and techniques were used. Written in a conversational format, making it a quick read.

I wish I'd read the other reviews carefully before ordering this. I have The Practice of Tempera Painting by Thompson (which is very detailed on the technical aspects of tempera painting) and I was expecting something similar here. Unfortunately it is heavy on material info (mostly about the pigments used) but almost nothing usable about medieval painting techniques or methods.

Since most of the pigments mentioned are extremely toxic it's doubtful the book would be of much use except as a source of historical information. I, for one, would never have these pigments (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc) in my studio in powdered form. Very dangerous stuff!

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the "materials and techniques" were mostly on what pigments were used, and how all the different paints were manufactured. Usually using really toxic materials and methods.

Don't get me wrong, it was fascinating, but not the how-to-paint in a medieval style manual that I had hoped.

A great reference if you want to take your life into your hands and cook up authentic medieval paints and pigments.

Mmmmm. Lead, Copper, Arsenic and Mercury, My Favorite!