videos + essays
![Renaissance Watercolours: materials and techniques](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-27-at-11.24.13-AM-570x350.png)
Renaissance Watercolours: materials and techniques
Find out what qualities of watercolor made it the medium of choice for many Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, portrait miniatures and colored drawings
![Science and Paper: Conserving a Drypoint by Michael Heizer](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Michael-Heizer-Drypoint-detail-thumb-570x350.jpg)
Science and Paper: Conserving a Drypoint by Michael Heizer
Before conducting a treatment on these large prints, conservators weighed the long-term risks and rewards.
![Henri Matisse: Conserving <em>The Swimming Pool</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Matisse-Swimming-Pool-thumb-570x350.jpg)
Henri Matisse: Conserving The Swimming Pool
Matisse lived with his cut-out pool until his death. See how its conservators are preserving it for future viewers.
![Conserving Old Master Drawings](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Conserving-drawings-thumb-570x350.png)
Conserving Old Master Drawings
Old master drawings are particularly vulnerable since they are on paper and hundreds of years old.
![Drawing with Charcoal: Historical Techniques of 19th-Century France](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Drawing-with-Charcoal-Getty-thumb-570x350.jpg)
Drawing with Charcoal: Historical Techniques of 19th-Century France
These charred wood pieces produce a range of tones. Easily reworked, they’re also easily lost without a fixative.
![Making manuscripts](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Making-Manuscripts-thumb-570x350.jpg)
Making manuscripts
From scraping skin and cutting quills to painting and bookbinding, making a manuscript is a long, complex process.
![Introduction to intaglio](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Intaglio-Process-introduction-thumb-570x350.jpg)
Introduction to intaglio
In this printmaking technique, the image is incised into the flat surface of a plate.
![Relief process](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Relief-process-thumb-570x350.jpg)
Relief process
No press required! Watch as a woodblock and a linoleum sheet are cut, prepared, inked, and printed.
![Introduction to relief printmaking](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Relief-process-thumb-1-570x350.jpg)
Introduction to relief printmaking
Using a raised image covered in ink, this is the earliest and most accessible form of printmaking.