Traditional Oil Painting: Advanced Techniques and Concepts from the Renaissance to the Present Hardcover – August 7, 2007

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.

This is a practical, well-researched book for the serious painter. I’ve personally found it to be an excellent resource. There is a lot of conflicting (read: bad) advice available today; this is a definitive guide by an experienced painter.

Virgil Elliott's book is a well written and packed with information if you care to take the time to digest it. Although filled with great looking art, this is not just a pretty coffee table art book. The author explains complex concepts in art in concise and well crafted paragraphs. It's obvious that he speaks from a wealth of experience, but to translate it in such an articulate manner is a rare quality. If you are the type of reader that scans the surface, you probably won't like this book. However, if you are looking for a book that is packed with pertinent information about painting and you are willing to slow down and digest it, you will not be disappointed.

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.

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.

I was reading it slowly while taking important notes. I recommend you to do the same.