| Summary: | Abstract This paper presents an overview of the results from the ongoing study on the materials and painting technique of the pioneering Singapore artist—Liu Kang. The paintings Zuo La Lu and Nude, which represent two of Liu Kang’s early and distinct artistic phases—Paris and Shanghai—were investigated for the first time using a combination of non- and micro-invasive techniques. The aim of this study was to identify the main pigments used by the artist and to add to the existing research on the artist’s painting methods. The results show that the majority of pigments used in both paintings are similar and include Prussian blue, ultramarine, viridian, strontium yellow, chrome yellow, cadmium yellow, iron oxides, lead, zinc and barium whites, bone black and organic red. Particularly interesting is the predominance of lead white in Zuo La Lu and zinc white in Nude. A comparison of the ground layers also indicates the presence of a lead white admixture in Zuo La Lu while its absence in Nude may point to a characteristic difference between two artistic phases, possibly determined by the availability of materials. The imaging methods revealed hidden compositions: the view of a canal house behind Zuo La Lu, and a mystery outdoor view behind Nude. Although these investigative methods permitted some visualisation of the discarded compositions, it remains difficult to determine their details.
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