Media

To mark the publication of 'The Secrets of Painting' by Thames and Hudson I have written a series of short films directed and edited by film making master, John O’Rourke.
The fourth film in our series explores the secrets of painting with Oil.
Across the whole of art history, the single most important painting innovation came in the form of a drop of oil. Working with egg tempera had always demanded a careful and painstaking technique. But by combining pigment with oil, the colour wizards of the 15th Century were able to produce a paint that was rich and glossy, it could be applied with fluid brushstrokes and allowed the artist to achieve uncanny realism in their work. Van Eyck, and his contemporaries, realised that the drying time, texture and handling of oil paint could be adjusted by introducing siccatives; heat thickened oils, metallic dryers and crushed glass. This was the moment when the supremacy of oil paint was established.

To mark the publication of ‘The Secrets of Painting’ I have written a series of short films directed and edited by the exceptionally talented John O’Rourke.

The second film in the series explores the weird and wonderful pigments and dyes that artists have used throughout history. Most of these colours were created using minerals dug from the ground and pulverized into powder. But in certain cases, the colour wizards who produced these pigments required a mind boggling (and stomach churning) series of ingredients that included pulverised insects, urine and even ancient Egyptian mummy dust…



To mark the publication of ‘The Secrets of Painting’ by Thames and Hudson, I have written a series of short films directed and edited by the exceptionally talented John O’Rourke.

The second film in the series explores the weird and wonderful pigments and dyes that artists have used throughout history. Most of these colours were created using minerals dug from the ground and pulverized into powder. But in certain cases, the colour wizards who produced these pigments required a mind boggling (and stomach churning) series of ingredients that included pulverised insects, urine and even ancient Egyptian mummy dust…

To mark the publication of 'The Secrets of Painting' by Thames and Hudson 2 April 2026, I have written a series of short films directed and edited by the wonderful John O’Rourke.

'The Secrets of Painting' begins at the dawn of civilization with prehistoric cave paintings and ends with the arrival of AI, and reveals how twenty of the greatest paintings in human history were created, from a blank surface to the finishing brushstroke.

The opening film in the series explores the origins of the first paints and pigments in human history.

In this second clip, from the wonderful new documentary ‘Turner & Constable’ made by Exhibition on Screen & David Bickerstaff, I explore how the technology behind watercolour paint evolved during Turner’s lifetime - and how the artist always exploited the latest developments in artists’ materials to help him sketch on the move., exploring ideas that feature prominently in my new Thames and Hudson book The Secrets of Painting.

‘Turner & Constable’ is released in cinemas from March 10th 2026, go to www.seventh-art.com to find a screening.

I have contributed to a wonderful new documentary ‘Turner & Constable’ made by Exhibition on screen films & David Bickerstaff, accompanying the blockbuster exhibition at Tate Britain.

In this clip I describe how Constable would have painted outdoors, exploring ideas that feature prominently in my new Thames & Hudson book The Secrets of Painting.

To accompany my exhibition 'From the Forest to the Forge at the Scottish Gallery, I have made a short film about my journeys from shipyards and steelworks to ancient woodlands and quiet harbours. These painting pilgrimages helped me understand the profound connections that exist between industry and our environment, and the beauty which emerges when the manmade and the natural world are in balance.

To accompany my exhibition 'From the Forest to the Forge at the Scottish Gallery, I have made a short film about my experiences painting in industrial locations across the UK, from shipyards on the Clyde to steel forges at Port Talbot.

Lachlan appears in a new film about the Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery, 'Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers'

Follow Lachlan as he searches for a 'Painting Paradise' in the North of Scotland.

This film accompanies the exhibition 'Painting Paradise' at the Scottish Gallery, 3rd-26th November 2022

BBC4
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a place artist Lachlan Goudie has loved since he was a boy. He explores Glasgow’s most popular cultural jewel, home to thousands of treasures.

BBC2 & BBC4
In a groundbreaking TV event broadcast across BBC Two and BBC Four, Joe Lycett hosts the biggest ever live life drawing masterclass from English Heritage’s Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. Experts Daphne Todd and Lachlan Goudie will guide celebrity amateur artists, including comedian Johnny Vegas, singer Kimberly Wyatt and footballer David James, through a series of poses inspired by classical works of art.

Lachlan Goudie introduces a new body of work made on the Isle of Mull and Iona, explaining his tradition of painting on the West Coast, inspired by the Scottish Colourists.

A quick into journey into three portraits from the exhibition 'Alexander Goudie - An artist's life'

Enjoy this behind the scenes look at the work of Alexander Goudie, and learn more about Goudie's earlier works.

Produced by The National Galleries of Scotland; Painter and broadcaster Lachlan Goudie is joined by figures from the art world and beyond to explore the character of this ground-breaking artist whose incredible body of work continues to inspire new generations of artists.

The term ‘Scottish Colourists’ describes a set of four painters, Samuel John Peploe, F.C.B. Cadell, Leslie Hunter and J.D. Fergusson, who breathed new life into the Scottish art scene in the early twentieth century.

A new series devoted to Scottish Art, where we look at the styles and schools that have shaped Scotland's Art and uncover some of the nation’s finest artists.

The Scottish Gallery

The Scottish Gallery

Artist Lachlan Goudie visits the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh to rediscover a collection he describes as part of his family. His exploration includes works by Scottish and international artists, culminating in what he describes as one of the greatest set of paintings in the history of western art

Thames & Hudson

Lachlan Goudie and Guy Peploe discuss the life and work of Joan Eardley

BBC Four; The groundbreaking Life Drawing Live! returns to BBC Four, drawing the UK’s four nations together in the biggest-ever live, life drawing class.

BBC Four; Josie d'Arby presents a live life drawing masterclass, which viewers can take part in alongside six amateur artists in the studio, guided by award-winning experts.

The Scottish Gallery

The Scottish Gallery

The Scottish Gallery

BBC One

BBC Two

BBC One

National Galleries

BBC Two

BBC Four

BBC Two

The National Galleries of Scotland

National Galleries of Scotland

National Galleries of Scotland

National Galleries of Scotland

BBC Two

Dulwich Picture Gallery

BBC2

BBC One

BBC Four

BBC Four

Crane TV