Making and Knowing
A minimal edition of BnF Ms Fr 640 in English Translation

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Skin colors

It is necessary that you make it of two kinds, one more red to make the main layer, the other more pale for the highlights, as around the eyes. And then on this last skin color, you will touch lightly the main lights with a little white lead. But avoid applying too much of it because this will look like a face of death. The beautiful Florence lacquer makes a beautiful vivid skin color that resembles the complexion of alexandrine pink and incarnadine .

at left top margin of folio 061r

Certain colors need to be ground like minium or massicot. The ashes don’t need to be ground at all.