How did Vermeer of Delft create such marvelous effects in his masterpiece The Girl with a Pearl Earring? In this course, I guide the student through the entire process of recreating a copy of The Girl With a Pearl Earring using historical techniques as well as scientific studies published by scientists. In this course, students will start by learning how to create a Linen canvas support and the proper use of historical pigments used by Vermeer. Artists from Vermeer's time used a complex build-up of layers known today as indirect painting. This system of layers usually began with a monochromatic stage and the subsequent application of semi-opaque or transparent layers of colors to create a rich sense of atmosphere and depth in the finished painting.

Students can expect to learn the following skills in this course.

• How to prepare a suitable ground for your painting.

• How to transfer an underdrawing to the canvas.

• Monochromatic painting using two or three colors.

• Subtle modeling of form and flesh tints.

• The use of warm and cool color transitions to create the illusion of form.

• How to glaze using underpainting and transparent colors.

• The proper use of fat over lean practice in oil painting.