The Practice of Tempera Painting: Materials and Methods (Dover Art Instruction)

There are not many books available on tempera painting mainly because few artists these days have either the time or the patience to grind their own pigments and mix them into a binder. For anyone who does have such an interest egg tempera is a fascinating and beautiful medium to learn. Anyone who has ever tried to scrape off dried egg yolk from a plate will soon realize how incredibly durable a binder it makes for a painting medium. The Practice of Tempera Painting covers a lot of subjects in-depth. Everything from preparing the surface, pigment to egg to water ratios, discussions of various pigments to actual instructions for the traditional hatching and cross-hatching brushstroke technique is shown.The only section readers today might want to supplement is reading up on a more up-to-date book on pigments. Many of the pigments discussed in Thompson's book, while still available, are now known to present health risks. Modern pigments that are safer and just as lightfast (in some cases even more lightfast) are now available that Thompson and painters of the 1930's didn't have. Other than that one caveat this book is a great introduction to egg tempera painting.

A good book for anyone getting into egg tempera. I knew the content already but wanted a copy, and this book fills that needs. As a book printed in 1960s, it has yellowed a little but that is expected and described. Shipping is fast. Delivery is a little slow due to Christmas season but that is not the seller's fault.I am happy with the purchase.

Book describes from start to finish how to make a painting surface, paint and then how to lacquer. Only a small portion on actual painting and mixing tempera. Very informative book on the history of tempera including how to mix it the old way which modern books fail to mention. Definitely a must have for tempera painting mixtures.

Excellent presentation of the technique and practice of egg tempera painting. The brilliance and durability of color greatly exceed "modern" forms of painting. This little book should be required reading for all college students, whether they are chemists or art majors.

This is my second copy as my first wore out. A very thorough text that I give to my students.Easy to follow and gives confidence to the student of Tempera Painting.

This is the book on tempera painting. There are some contemporary books that have been written by artists working in this medium, but this is the handbook if you will. Nothing fancy, just information and background.

Even though this is a reprint of a book published some years ago, and is thus somewhat less than modern in approach, it still contains very good insight into its subject and art creation in general. Well worth the price in my opinion.

I have wanted this book for years and now I have it. While his technique is different from the one I have learnt Thompson has so much that is worthwhile to say that this book is a must-have for any serious tempera painter. Well worth the investment.

Je peints avec des techniques très vieilles et ce livre pratique m’a fourni de bons apprentissages.

Replacing lost hard copy. Has always been the best resource for tempera painters. Glad to have it in digital format.

All that I expected! Thank you

A nice little book to have on hand.

excellent used it for an essay