Painting is not a vagabond's craft. From the 15th through the 17th Centuries, painters studied past techniques in order to evaluate the possibility of improvement through a process of logical progression. This book is divided into chapters (Keys) that explain each a major step forward in technique and propose the master to whom credit should be given.

The nude has inspired artists for centuries and continues to inspire us today. Alongside a historical study of the nude in painting, this book introduces oil paint and gives advice on techniques when using this challenging and rewarding medium. Capturing the beauty of form and the delicate colours of the figure, it celebrates the powerful images that examine human relationships, personality and psychology. Some of the topics included in this book are instructions on materials, the colour palette and stretching your own canvas; the practicalities of working with a model in the studio; colour-mixing exercises that explore colour relationships and temperature, and finally step-by-step examples that demonstrate the progression of a painting.