Abbie is currently conducting research towards a PhD as part of the "Impact of Oil" project in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and the Rijksmuseum. Her research involves the technical examination of 15th and 16th-century Dutch oil paintings. Her research focus is:

From the Ground Up: Surface and Sub-surface effects in Early Netherlandish paintings

Abbie's research focuses on how each part of a painting's layer structure "from the ground up" has a function when the properties of the oil medium are exploited.

Data has been obtained through the technical examination of key paintings from European collections. Thus far, her study has focused on the painting technique of the Leiden School, the visibility of underdrawing, coloured intermediate layers (the 'primuersel'), the depiction of shot silk (changeant) fabrics, and surface texture in fabrics.

Abbie's research began in 01/2008, and will continue part-time until 01/2013.

For more information, please visit:
Presentations Given and Forthcoming Publications
The project website: The Impact of Oil