The Encyclopedia of Oil Painting Techniques by Jeremy Galton

Many would-be painters are intimidated by oil paints -- the medium of masters like Rembrandt and Picasso. However, oils are a very forgiving medium, ideal for the beginning painter. Learn how to build up a painting, how and when to work "wet into wet", and how to make your brushwork describe forms and textures. Discover the secrets of mixing oil with other media, mixing paint with sand and sawdust, and applying it with rags, knives, or your fingers. Then watch artists apply these techniques in a section of demonstrations, where step-by-step photographs show you approaches to themes like architecture, still-life, figures, and landscape.