Architecture of Light: Indirect Oil Painting in the Old Master Tradition

The Architecture of LightIndirect Oil Painting in the Old Master TraditionFor five centuries, the luminous depth of Old Master paintings — the glowing skin of a Rembrandt, the velvet shadows of a Vermeer — has seemed like a secret locked away in time. It wasn’t lost. It was a method.The Architecture of Light is a complete, step-by-step guide to the layered painting process behind history’s most celebrated oils. Beginning with ground preparation and the all-important bistre underpainting, and continuing through grisaille construction, glazing, scumbling, finishing, and final varnishing, this book walks you through all nine stages of the indirect method with the clarity of a master class and the depth of a studio reference.Inside you’ll find:A complete materials guide — supports, grounds, paints, mediums, oils, solvents, brushes, and varnishes — with the specific products the author uses and whyDetailed instruction in the bistre wipe-out, the nine-value grisaille scale, dead coloring (the ébauche), transparent glazing, and scumblingPractical chapters on finishing decisions, varnishing windows, and long-term care of finished workA troubleshooting reference covering cracking, delamination, sinking, muddy glazes, and yellowing — what causes them, what to do about them, and how to prevent them next timeA glossary, recommended reading, and citations are woven naturally into the textWhether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or returning to the studio after years of alla prima work, you’ll find here a practical guide to the technique that powered European painting for five hundred years — explained in plain language, grounded in direct studio practice, and written for the painter who wants to understand not just how, but why.The result is a painting of genuine luminosity — not simply painted, but built, layer by luminous layer.About the authorCorey Guerra is a fine artist, illustrator, and educator whose work is rooted in the tradition of the old masters. Originally trained in studio art with a deep focus in oil painting, he has spent years refining the indirect painting methods explored in this book — building luminous, layered works through careful technique and a studied understanding of light and color.Corey holds a BA in Digital Design from Tulane University and an MFA in Media Design from Full Sail University. He is a Graphic Design Professor at Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement, where he has taught since 2019 and received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2023. He also teaches oil painting at the Art House Gallery of the St. Tammany Art Association in historic downtown Covington, Louisiana.Beyond the classroom, Corey maintains an active studio practice and has exhibited his paintings in galleries throughout the Gulf South. His work is held by private collectors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida. Read more