Structural blue coating based on glaze painting

Abstract

An art/science collaboration has enabled a contemporary artist to rediscover an age-old technique used by glaze-masters such as Leonardo da Vinci. The process uses dark bitumen, white mineral particles, a brush, and knowledge of drying and laying time to produce intense, structural, blue hues that are mainly due to Rayleigh light scattering. Although these blue hues are mentioned in ancient studio manuscripts, very few are found in actual easel painting masterpieces.