3 minute movie demo of Maroger medium use

This video is a general introduction to the Old Master painting process. I use a limited palette of 3 colors (white, ocre and umber mixed with Maroger medium) something that you will see in many Old Master paintings; very little can be used to create a wide range of tones and effects.

N.B.You can only learn how to paint using the Maroger medium from someone who has had years of experience. Contact me for classes or workshop information.

The video shows the Maroger technique of painting using 6 tones or values - painting from fat to lean. This gives an added 3 dimensions that can not be achieved by using oil paints by themselves and is the secret of the Old Masters.

1. Apply shadows using transparent colors, usually umber or burnt umber.
2. Secondly paint in light colors, varying in color and tone. Black is not used except for a black material or mixed with carmen red for warm darkest values.
3. Highlights are the lightest values, mixed with white.
4. Reflected light are colors and tones in the shadows, mixed with medium and pigment; do not apply too heavily, keep shadows transparent.
5. Demi tones are applied at edge of light and dark values using a mixture of white and black; this is the preumbra or demi teint that occures naturally in nature due to the physics of light.
6. Raking light, a more diffuse lighting, without strong lights or darks.