Belgium, a rich tradition

I'm so happy to be back to my Fine Arts Class in the IPAV and this year we are learning about Belgium Art. Our first class featured artists Rogier van der Weyden and Robert Campin. This photo forms part of ' The Seiern Triptycht' c1425. I'm interested in this in particular because of the rich gold background. I've just realised why i'm so obsessed with using gold in my paintings particularly my abstracts. I have been studying the History of Art now for a number of years and during that time religious painting have played a big part.They often have gold in the background and its interesting as I probably didn't even realise I was getting inspiration from these works. Between this and the old tapestries and the gorgeous Japanese Kimonos in The Chester Beatty Library I can see where I have got such an appreciation of gold oil paint. I have two favourite brands of gold oil paint, the first one is Sennelier gold pigment which I mix up myself. The second one I discovered on one of our Art Trips to Chicago and spent a  precious hour in the Art shop, Brick Art, I could have stayed all day. I bought gold and silver in the Gamblin range and I can recommend them . Evans Art carry a range of Gamblin paints and Sennelier pigment. I'm lucky as my son often visits Chicago and he brings back the large tubes of Gamblin Oils as they are difficult to get here.