Glazing with an Emphasis on the Craft of Painting

by Michael Wilcox

The latest book from the author of the world's top selling art book 'Blue and Yellow Don't Make Green'. The methods of the Old Masters made available for today's artist. The range of rich colours employed by these earlier painters gave a mysterious depth and intensity to their work, a richness and luminosity which only the glazing technique could give. This book will enable the reader to achieve similar colour effects, Your work will improve dramatically.

'Early Masters such as Rembrandt applied multiple layers of transparent paint to produce the deep, glowing hues and darks which typified their work; darks which seethed with hidden colour. The range of rich hues employed by these earlier painters gave a mysterious depth and intensity to their work, a richness and luminosity which only the glazing technique can give. The aim of this book is to equip today's artist with the technique of glazing developed by the Masters. Lessons from the past brought fully up to date'.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

308 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2014

About the author

Michael Wilcox has an extensive professional background as an author, professional artist, conservator of art works, lecturer, scientist and inventor.

During his research towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Art and Design at Curtin University Western Australia, he spent equal time within the art and science departments, studying light physics in relation to the needs of the artist and designer. This research led to his book Blue and Yellow Don’t Make Green, first published in 1988. This work changed the way that countless artists, designers and craft workers now mix and use colour. It was the first break through in this area in over 200 years.

Continued research led to the publication of The Wilcox Guide to the Finest Watercolour Paints. This book led to many changes both in the art material industry and in the pigments used in artists’ paints. Other books followed including a series of ‘Colour Notes’, each designed to examine a particular aspect of colour mixing and use for a specific element. Two books and CDs explaining colour to children, What is Colour? and Colours Around Us have been well received by the education establishment. A book and CD guiding the home decorator adds to the list.

Another work, Colour Harmony and Contrast for the Artist analyzes the reaction to various colour combinations and offers a sound basis and further insight for the thinking artist. His latest book, Glazing with an Emphasis on the Craft of Painting, is the result of 10 years research into the glazing techniques of the Old Masters. The result of the study equips the artist of today with the techniques of glazing developed by the Masters. Lessons from the past are brought fully up to date.

His publications have been translated into many languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Dutch.

In addition to his research and writing, Mr. Wilcox has developed specialist mixing palettes, workbooks, CDs, DVDs, and home study courses.the_school_of_colour_palette

A range of artist’s paints of the finest quality have been developed and are available. Consisting of just 12 colours they give the maximum range available from a limited palette – not just in mixed hues but in transparencies and opacities.

The School of Colour operates on an international basis and will continue to develop based on the firm belief that art and science must once again come together. The first time that they assisted each other led to the Renaissance, the second to the Impressionists. What will the third merger bring to artists, designers, craft workers, decorators and all users of colour?

Mr. Wilcox has lectured world wide to artists in the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. Workshops have been taught to Art Conservators in NYC, and the University of London, and talks presented to the International Colour Society.

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a must read in one sitting type book. It is a definitely a source book for painters. Excellent techniques and historical uses of glazes. Great as a reference book.

[Mephistopheles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, clearly laid out, informative book, geared toward the serious practitioner. He tilts toward modern techniques with white grounds and an emphasis on colors, but his presentation is so thorough that it is easy for one to come away with an understanding of the basic principles of glazing, and apply it any way one chooses. His coverage of mediums and varnishes, and his frank discussion of their qualities, is also excellent. Regarding pigments, I disagree with his emphasis on the superiority of modern pigments, because a modern painter can get traditional pigments prepared in a stable way by companies such as Natural Pigments, and traditional pigments have the advantage of varying particle size, which gives them better handling qualities, whereas modern synthetic pigments have small, uniform particles, and lose that subtlety in handling. If Natural Pigments did not exist, and a painter could not get quality traditional pigments (for example, they sell smalt with high potassium content so it will not discolor and is stable) then I would lean more toward his assessment regarding colors. However, his analysis of all pigments and their makeup is still incredibly useful.

[Book Nibbler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Michael Wilcox's Blue and Yellow Don't Make Green book. It was very technical and gave a lot of diagrams as examples. Then I saw he had this book on "Glazing with oil paints" so I looked everywhere for it and could not find it. I finally found it through WorldCat and requested an inter-library loan.

This book is not really what I was expecting (it's still a great book though). I was looking for more specific techniques with glazing with oil paint swatch charts etc. I would recommend Radiant Oils: Glazing Techniques for Paintings that Glow By Arleta Pech. Her book is very short compared to Michael's. His book goes into the history of glazing and displays the old master's works as reference to the techniques. Whereas Arleta's gives a list of transparent oils with color charts, mixes, and then walks you through a step by step technique.

[Marie LeMen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely instructive book on colour theory, the history and chemistry of materials and pigments. The technical details about pigments might be a little tedious and profuse while the description of masters processes and approach to glazing is both fascinating and well written, thats when my attention was fully captured. That part felt too short. A lot of subjectivity for a technical book, which is refreshing. Highly recommended.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic resource if you are looking to learn more about historical oil painting techniques. I learned a lot about glazing in practical terms, and there is also a lot of information about various painting materials and their origins, history and suitability. The author has a conservation background and emphasizes advice on making sure you build up a sound painting which will last for many years. I loved the practical no-nonsense approach and will be referring back to this one often.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable text and research throughout Wilcox's book. I am running experiments right now based on his material. There are some interesting points that he makes that directly counter contemporary practices and training such as "oiling out" and the heavy application of paint. Both of which Wilcox's finds fault with and suggest alternative methods and approaches.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exccellent art read! Can hardly wait to use some of the ideas in this book!