This is a handbook for the contemporary artist. The author of "The Artist's Craft," Jan Esmann, challenges the painter to produce masterpieces that will endure through the ages, rather than sit flaking and yellowing on a relative's wall in 30 years. Using detailed recipes, instructions and comparisons written in a breezy yet informative style, Esmann guides the artist through the ingredients and steps required to elevate a worthy work into the status of a timeless classic. Jan Esmann demonstrates his qualifications for authoring this work as he is a full time professional artist (www.janesmann.com) and has a B.Sc. in art-restoration from the Royal Academy of Art, Copenhagen. He also has an MA in the history of modern culture and a BA in Rhetorics from Copenhagen University. He has been an assistant professor at the faculty of art-history at Copenhagen University where he taught historical painting techniques. He trained with the late Danish neo-realist painter Niels Hermann Wamberg. Additionally he is the author of a forthcoming book featuring his paintings, as well as "Lovebliss: The Essence of Self-Realization," a deeply spiritual book. Jan is also a member of MENSA. Even for those of us who will never create such masterpieces, Esmann's perspective gives us a glimpse into the wondrous patience, dedication, devotion, vision and skill required to produce such works that will touch the heart through the centuries. The book features a comprehensive Table of Contents and a 24-page index.