As more and more artists today look to the past, there has been a tremendous resurgence of interest in painting realistically - in creating convincing illusions of three-dimensional depth on two dimensional surfaces. This comprehensive sourcebook explores the most advanced levels of oil painting, with full information on the latest scientific discoveries. Author and distinguished artist Virgil Elliott examines the many elements that let artists take the next step in their work: mental attitude, aesthetic considerations, the importance of drawing, principles of visual reality, materials, techniques, portraiture, photographic images versus visual reality, and colour.