The lecture begins with a general overview of the Renaissance approach to materials from the ground up, starting with charcoal and conte and some basic drawing principles of perspective, proportion, abstract rhythms and the principals of form, passing on to material preparations for panels, grounds on paper and canvas from Ceninni's , 'The Craftsman's Handbook' and Pacheco's 'Arte de la Pintura'. I have some plausible oil medium examples from Maroger's, "Secret Formulas of the Old Masters" and Sir Charles Eastlake's, "Methods & Materials of Painting of the Great Masters & Schools", introducing this confusing and complicated subject of oil mediums . Simultaneously lecturing and starting a small painting, fixing a drawing and laying-in the subject in grisaille, then dead color, transparency and opacity, drawing with the brush and finally bringing the effect together with glazing, talking this whole process out so that it can be made more tangible for art lovers and artists alike.

I am also writing a book on painting techniques called "The Story of Paint". My last lecture-demo was for an hour and half at the Mystic Seaport Gallery on January 26, 2011. I can make a bio available and a more descriptive teaching prospectus upon request,

The world of Peter Layne Arguimbau is a recreation of a lost era with life today. Approaching this uniquely enchanting enclave, surrounded by 200 year old stone walls moss laden roofs with meandering English styled gardens, you are lead to a stoic New England barn perched on a hill overlooking a great pond. As one enters this Renaissance styled studio/gallery/workshop/barn it is dark in contrast to the lush landscape outside. Shapes and colors appear out of the dim light, as your eyes awaken you are treated to a visual supper a world of yachts, sunsets, farm yards and animals, and portraits of people you think you know.

There is something about sailing and painting on an old wooden catboat that has its charms especially bringing home the "Spirit of the Opera Cup " award.

I have owned many types of catboats and only until a few years ago did I buy the mother of all catboats ‘Molly Rose’, 28 foot wooden catboat built in 1935 with a 10x 12ft cockpit, standing head room; a virtual studio on the water, to replace my studio on Long Neck Point where I had been for 20 years. After an overhaul and modernizing I set sail with my daughter Terra to Newport. Just before we set sail I stretched the 650 sq ft sail on the deck and painted a seven foot black ball on it as it had no identifying marks. I had just finished a Marine Show of NY Harbor scenes down at the India House and in their permanent collection I couldn’t help but notice the clipper ships of the Black Ball Packet Line and thought what a great idea for ‘Molly’.

Madonarro is Italian for street painting or rather one who paints Madonnas for alms on the street. This art form was practiced in Italy from the fifteenth century. As a young artist, I traveled to Italy to learn how to draw from classical statuary. Instead, I learned to draw art on the street.

In Florence, I awoke each morning and hung out by the Uffizi, where I would draw portraits of the tourists for money. That freed up my afternoons to visit the many museums and do drawings after masterpieces in the Pitti Palace, the Academia, and the Uffizi. Six months of this, and I was sick of the tourists and the crowded museums. So I packed up my few belongings and headed for Rome.