Materials and working practices influence a painter just as much as contemporary intellectual and cultural developments. This title helps readers develop a painterly eye by learning to recognize different materials and methods of application and to appreciate how these features contribute to how a painting looks.

How do artists create different effects when painting? The medium they choose—such as oil, watercolor, or egg tempera—plays an important part. So too does the material they paint on, the pigments used, and even the type of brush. Using examples from the National Gallery Collection, Jo Kirby shows how a painting is made, and reveals the processes behind an array of fascinating techniques. With clear explanations and close-up photography, this book will help you see paintings with a fresh eye.

Published by National Gallery Company / Distributed by Yale University Press