Technique

Renaissance Inspired Mischtechnik

The Mische technique of painting with alternating layers of egg tempera & oil paints dates to the 15th century renaissance, as exemplified in the works of the flemish, german, and italian old masters.

Beginning with an imprematura ground, the image is first rendered in monochrome tempera, before being further refined with oil-bound color glazes. This layering process permits the clarity of tangible forms to engage with the nuances of subtle lighting effects, resulting in a painting of unrivaled luminosity and intricacy.

Ernst Fuchs (1930-2015), the viennese fantastic realist painter, is broadly attributed with resurrecting the delicate particulars of the technique from obscurity. His primary pupil, Philip Rubenov Jacobson, teaches the Mische method in his Old Masters, New Visions course, and it is by way of this direct lineage that Vierling has studied the technique.