Artists' Pigments (A Handbook of Their History and Characteristics)

Robert L. Feller, Editor. National Gallery of Art, Washington.

For the practicing artist to learn a pigment's colour, hiding power, lightfastness, toxicity, compatibility.
For the art historian to know how an artist worked, what pigments were used, whether they were pure or mixed, opaque or transparent, layered or not.
For the conservator to devise techniques necessary for care and conservation of works of art; to determine what is original, to repair damages, to compensate for missing portions of a painted surface.
For the curator / connoisseur to know the history of the manufacture, use, and availability of pigments in order to authenticate and assign probable dates to works of art.

300 pages. Available at selected stockists: £25.00

Painting Materials (A Short Encyclopedia)

Rutherford J. Gettens and George L. Stout.

Available at selected stockists: £7.95

The Materials of the Artist and Their Use in Painting

Max Doerner.

Available at selected stockists: £9.95

Formulas for Painters

Robert Massey.

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. 223 pages.

Available at most stockists: £12.95

The Artist's Assistant

Leslie Carlyle. Oil Painting Instruction Manuals and Handbooks in Britain 1800-1900 With Reference to Selected Eighteenth-century Sources.

Available at The National Gallery (London) bookstore: £85.00

The Artist's Handbook of Materials & Techniques

Ralph Mayer. (The Artist's Bible - Fifth edition).

The definitive reference book for artists, covering all aspects of painting materials, techniques, and conservation. An essential addition to any studio library.