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Formulas for Painters
200 formulas for making paints, glazes, mediums, varnishes, grounds, fixatives, sizes, and adhesives for tempera, oil, acrylic, gouache, pastel, encaustic, fresco, and other painting techniques.
Here is a unique reference book which every serious painter will find indispensable. Formulas for Painters gathers for the first time in a single volume over 200 recipes for making sizes, grounds, mediums, glazes, varnishes, fixatives, and adhesives. These recipes—some dating as far back as the Renaissance—have been tested by artists through the ages and retested by the author under controlled laboratory conditions. There are forty-two recipes for paints alone, ranging from ancient encaustic and tempera to modern acrylic and silica resins, dozens of mediums for every purpose, and a score of grounds for canvas, panels, and fresco.
Each formula is presented in a uniform format which explains the purpose of the material being made, specifies precise ingredients, and gives clear directions for manufacture and use. For quick reference, all the formulas are numbered and frequently cross-referenced. Formulas for Painters also contains a section of notes on studio equipment; substitutes for hard-to-find materials; a fund of practical tips and miscellaneous information; and useful tables of drying times, solvents, melting points—making this comprehensive, compact handbook an invaluable source of reference for painters in all media.
Here is a unique reference book which every serious painter will find indispensable. Formulas for Painters gathers for the first time in a single volume over 200 recipes for making sizes, grounds, mediums, glazes, varnishes, fixatives, and adhesives. These recipes—some dating as far back as the Renaissance—have been tested by artists through the ages and retested by the author under controlled laboratory conditions. There are forty-two recipes for paints alone, ranging from ancient encaustic and tempera to modern acrylic and silica resins, dozens of mediums for every purpose, and a score of grounds for canvas, panels, and fresco.
Each formula is presented in a uniform format which explains the purpose of the material being made, specifies precise ingredients, and gives clear directions for manufacture and use. For quick reference, all the formulas are numbered and frequently cross-referenced. Formulas for Painters also contains a section of notes on studio equipment; substitutes for hard-to-find materials; a fund of practical tips and miscellaneous information; and useful tables of drying times, solvents, melting points—making this comprehensive, compact handbook an invaluable source of reference for painters in all media.
- GenresArt
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1967
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 16, 2012
An extremely useful book of recipes for paints, varnishes, etc.
Don't make any of them until you have also read a good book on health and safety hazards in art materials, such as Monona Rossol's "The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide" or Michael McCann's "Artist Beware."
Don't make any of them until you have also read a good book on health and safety hazards in art materials, such as Monona Rossol's "The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide" or Michael McCann's "Artist Beware."
July 5, 2014
painting is basically dead, or in a constantly dying state, our maybe more like a constantly evolving zombie. at any rate, it gets reborn again every 5 or 10 years, so knowing how to make your own paint and other useful arty concoctions is very useful.
people who say you're not a REAL artist if you buy all your supplies and supports at Michael's are elitist douches, but they do have a point. I mean if you're happy to paint a stupid little sunset on a pre-made canvas to hang in your guest bathroom, good for you. Get that somewhat aesthetically pleasing bathroom art. but if you know how to make your own casein using caustic lime that will melt your face off, that's pretty hardcore and most likely you're very serious about making art.
I'm not saying you have to be willing to lose your face to be a real painter, and you don't even necessarily have to try all or any of these formulas, but it's really interesting to learn some traditional methods that were used before we had internet and art supplies showed up at our doorsteps after a series of 5 mouse clicks.
I digress, but I really enjoy experimenting with new (old, rather) methods and techniques. I will probably never make it through all these formulas but, hey, at least I stretch my own canvases.
people who say you're not a REAL artist if you buy all your supplies and supports at Michael's are elitist douches, but they do have a point. I mean if you're happy to paint a stupid little sunset on a pre-made canvas to hang in your guest bathroom, good for you. Get that somewhat aesthetically pleasing bathroom art. but if you know how to make your own casein using caustic lime that will melt your face off, that's pretty hardcore and most likely you're very serious about making art.
I'm not saying you have to be willing to lose your face to be a real painter, and you don't even necessarily have to try all or any of these formulas, but it's really interesting to learn some traditional methods that were used before we had internet and art supplies showed up at our doorsteps after a series of 5 mouse clicks.
I digress, but I really enjoy experimenting with new (old, rather) methods and techniques. I will probably never make it through all these formulas but, hey, at least I stretch my own canvases.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews