Study Guide

Objective

The student is familiar with the development stages of painting on canvas, materials (priming materials, binding media, tempera, oil paint, use and history of pigments and grounds) and technology and is able to paint a small copy of a 17th - 18th century canvas painting using historical painting technique and methods.

The student understands the structure of historical paintings painted on canvas, historical painting techniques, especially historical oil painting, materials used in paintings in different eras, including different fabric supports, binding media, pigments and ground types, and is able to search the literature and other sources for reference material related to materials and techniques historically used in canvas paintings.

Content

History, technology, materials and painting techniques of paintings painted on canvas support.
Layer-by-layer painting technique with oil paints, interaction of colors, blending and glazing technique.
Stretching of the fabric support by historical methods, priming and copying a painting, using oil-colors in layer technique.
Making of some of the pigments and binding medium, typical of the period.

Location and time

Spring semester 2022, Conservation department, Arabia campus, Hämeentie 135 D

Materials

1. Still Lives: Techniques and Style. An Examination of Paintings from the Rijksmuseum, Wallert, A. (ed), 2001
2. From Tempera to Oil Paint. Changes in Venetian Painting 1460 - 1560., Wallert, A., van Oostenhout, C., 1998
3. Changing Pictures. Discoloration in 15th - 17th century Oil Paintings., van Eikema Hommes, M. 2004
4. The Beginnings of Netherlandish Canvas Painting: 1400 - 1530., Wolfthal, D., 1989.
5. List of articles and other material for independent reading, given by the lecturer.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Guided assignments
• Example-based teaching
• Individual tutorials
• Contact teaching
• Independent work with literature
Power-point presentation by the student, on the subject, given by the lecturer

Completion alternatives

none

Student workload

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr, which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies and independent work. 40 hours is formed from approx. 20- 22 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours are dedicated for independent literature survey or independent practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 26 study / practical work hours (h).

Content scheduling

Lecture on the history and materials of oil painting

Introduction the materials, techniques and tools of historical and slightly more modern (Impressionism) oil painting.

Preparation of the canvas support, pre-gluing and application of ground layer(s) according to the historical principles (17th century).

Preparation of oil paint binder (lead oil and mastic oil) and grinding of pigments. Production of some historical pigments, using historical preparation methods (madder lake, copper resinate)

Independent painting of a small-scale oil painting or part of it with oil paints, under the guidance of a lecturer, using a historical layer painting technique.

Further information

Students are required to obtain brushes (types indicated by the lecturer), palette knives as well as other small tools, pointed out by the lecturer.
Students are required to choose the subject they would like to paint a copy of and have it approved by the lecturer before the start of the course

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to outline the basic concepts of historical oil painting technique and materials and is familiar with the related theory and practical working methods at a basic level. The student masters the technique of historical oil painting and understands the central content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire information independently. The student does not manage the practical work independently and is not able to work in a stimulating and constructive way in a group. The result of the practical assignment work is at a basic level and satisfactory.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student outlines the basic ideas and concepts of historical oil painting. The student demonstrates a good knowledge of theoretical and applied knowledge related to oil painting materials and techniques. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly, and the practical application in the assignments is progressing consistently. The student masters the historical oil painting techniques and materials in both theory and practice and has achieved a good level of knowledge and skills. The student is able to acquire information independently and is able to critically analyse this information. The practical work has been sufficiently independent and the result of the assignment work is of a good standard.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student masters the subject matter of historical oil painting and has achieved an excellent level of knowledge and skills. The student demonstrates excellent theoretical and applied knowledge and is able to apply what he / she has learned to practical assignment. The student is able to acquire information independently and to analyse and apply information in practical assignments. The student participates in the discussion with arguments. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly and the practical application is progressing consistently. The student works consistently and independently. The student has an excellent command of the whole technique and materials of historical oil painting, both in theory and in practice. The student is able to work largely independently on both written and skill-based assignments and the assignment work is commendable.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to outline the basic concepts of historical oil painting technique and materials and is familiar with the related theory and practical working methods at a basic level. The student masters the technique of historical oil painting and understands the central content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire information independently. The student does not manage the practical work independently and is not able to work in a stimulating and constructive way in a group. The result of the practical assignment work is at a basic level and satisfactory.

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment is based on continuous assessment of a student, attendance, practical exercises and their assessment. Each student is assessed from the starting point of her/his abilities.
• Skills demonstration
• Continuous assessment
• Other learning assignment
• Self-evaluation and Peer evaluation (group)