Traditional Oil Painting: Advanced Techniques and Concepts from the Renaissance to the Present

I purchased this book recently and it is excellent. Although I read the one star review beforehand which complained that it doesn't cover "painting the nude from life" it didn't do anything to disuade me. In fact, it helped to convince me TO buy it because I felt hopeful that this would be one of the rare books that went beyond the basics. I was not disappointed. As this is not a beginning drawing/painting book, the idea of drawing or painting the nude from life is something that at this level artists should know. (In fact, it IS briefly mentioned in the beginning of the book that one SHOULD paint the nude from life as much as possible. How much more needs to be said to an intermediate/advanced audience?) Personally, I am tired of art books that are geared towards experienced artists yet they do nothing more than repeat the same rudimentary information ad nauseum. It is clear when a book is for beginners (this is not) and that is where that information would be appropriate. It is refershing that Virgil Elliot did not feel the need to repeat beginner information excessively and wrote to his audience with the expectation that they have some knowledge of the subject. It is a respectably thorough book on traditional methods and materials, covering an array of historical styles and techniques. It is well researched and clearly explained. There really needs to be more books of this caliber. Thank you, Mr. Elliot.

This is a great reference for the serious oil painter. I would say it's a college level textbook (justifying the high price) but I don't recall my college course ever covering materials and technique in this depth. There are older books with the same dedication to matters of craft, but this book covers the recent state of the art with regards to mediums, varnishes, archival supports, etc. Elliot's attitude is a little curmudgeonly, but this doesn't detract from the quality of the information presented. There are a million places to learn how to take shortcuts and blow up photos--but there are very few contemporary sources that demonstrate how important it is to learn to use your eyes before using a camera. Some reviewers complained that the sample works are not masterpieces--they're not, but this doesn't detract from their usefulness as demonstrations. Elliot's work is pretty straightforward stuff, yes, but as demonstrations of the workflow, his examples are extremely useful. Perhaps all the moreso because they are simple, workmanlike compositions with one or two figures, so you can see the process clearly! The old masters did not leave us full color photos of their work in progress, so this will have to do. Finally-the color prints in the hardcover edition are excellent quality, like a nice coffee table book.

I love this book. It’s a treasure of information straight from the title. I don’t have time to test all the chemical properties of different pigments or how lightfast something will be in 30 years, But this book encompasses not just knowledge about the masters, but understanding the masters. The author is an expert on materials, on traditional oil painting, and on the history of traditional oil painting. I’m amazed at his kindness in offering so much to us. This is the second edition (don’t buy used) and has many updates and new inclusions. It can only be purchased here or from the publisher. I’m grateful that his experience and expertise are shared with me when I don’t have access to an atelier or university.

As another "self-taught" oil painter, I found this to be a great source of the knowledge I find to be helpful. I don't agree with the author on every point, but found his knowledge and experience worth close study. There might be other worth titles out there, but this was recommended and I'm glad for that.

I found this book to be extremely informative and well-written. Not only covering medium "nuts and bolts" (valuable information such as rating paints from fat to lean, drying rates and transparency ratings - all subjects barely touched upon in any other art training I have received), but also the foundations of art mastery; drawing skills, perspective and color theory. He covers the evolution of traditional oil painting methodologies - from Flemish to Venetian to French Acedemic; Masters who used hybrids of these methods to suit their subject matter (e.g. Rembrandt), and even a nod to Bouguereau, whose rendering of human skin is par none. In all, I'm extremely pleased with this book - it has many highlight-worthy sections and lists worth copying and keeping near the easel. I give it 4 stars for two reasons - I would have liked to see some more visuals, including some modern Masters from the resurgence of classical realism (it's nice to have modern-day inspiration) and I would have likes some commentary from him on the newer supports, such as panels from Ampersand. I believe this book is still in its first edition from 2007, so perhaps a later printing will include these. Once upon a time, I attended one of the top-rated public art schools in the country - and left that program because of their focus on expression over mastery. This book has given me some of the knowledge I really hungered for.

This book is a warm, useful companion for artists from beginner to professional, but is particularly affirming for those who seek to further research, improve and/or reevaluate their methods (shouldn’t we all?!).

I wish I had had access to this book 20 years ago. I have been painting for over 40 years but I have only ever been exposed to hobby classes and art groups, which are all very well and good for the beginner, but in my experience don't instruct those who aspire to get really serious and want to challenge themselves in their pursuit of creating art, rather than just do middle of the road paintings. Mr Elliott takes the reader on a journey through all the materials and classic techniques of how the masters of old Europe went about their work and explains how, with commitment and care, a serious student of the craft of painting in oils can become the artist that a serious painter aspires to be. Buy be prepared to read because while there is plenty of pictures to illustrate the writer's instruction, it is in the writing that there are gems to be found in the instruction and tips to be learned here. But also true is that this book will give the sign posts to making great art but it will be the individual painter's drive that achieves that art.

I read this book about 2 years ago. It was good and deep. Now I am back to the book, after some knowledge and experience in painting, and it is just marvelous now that I am able to relate complex ideas and their direct use in a more specific manner. I think this book will be one of the worthiest investments for any painter.

The enclosed information is essential for any into painting in oils... Very informative. Covers the essentials as well as in-depth content that is not revealed by most other art books... The index could have been done with more detailed attention... A very useful book, and the www fb site (that supports the book via a data base of previous questions and answers) is unique in the sense of direct access to the author.

A must for all serious oil painters

Fantastic condition-exactly as described. Well-packaged, timely delivery. An incredible book by a very knowledgeable author. Very happy with my purchase

Ich hatte das Glück , in den 1990er Jahren bei einem italienischen Maler, der selber an der Kunstschule in Carrara in traditioneller Ölmalerei ausgebildet worden war, die Ölmalerei von der Pike auf lernen zu dürfen. Nachdem ich danach aber auf Acryl umgestiegen war, hatte ich vieles von den technischen Feinheiten vergessen. Umso begeisteter war ich, als ich über ein Interview mit Andrew Tischler auf dieses Buch gestoßen bin. Immer wieder hatte ich beim Lesen meinen damaligen Lehrer im Ohr, habe hier alles in schriftlicher Form gefunden, was ich damals auch von ihm gehört habe. Es ist definitiv kein Buch für Anfänger, die sich mal eben informieren wollen, sondern ein Nachschlagwerk für jeden, der die Ölmalerei professionell ausüben will. Darüber hinaus, und das hat mich noch mehr begeistert sind seine Einsichten über Kunst und was einen Künstler oder eine Künstlerin antreibt, wonach man in der Kunst streben sollte, zutiefst durchdacht und so wunderbar formuliert, dass das ganze Buch einfach ein Genuss ist. Vielen Dank für dieses Buch!

Interesting book, with many pictures from old masters, but the instructions are not sufficient to repeat the process. It is more like "see what I can do", but this book will not allow you to repeat what the author can paint. It is good for motivation. It is an overview of the paintinh techniques, but it is not instruction book one can follow.