All violin's depicted here were executed using Alchemist's Amber Varnish Dark.
“I feel fortunate to be living in an age when Renaissance skills of true craftsmanship nearly lost in lutherie and the visual arts are being reborn. Donald Fels is a true alchemist in his ability to create varnishes of both optical perfection and ease of use. I have used his dark amber varnish for years now, and cannot imagine using anything else. His book Lost Secrets of Flemish Painting should be required reading in violin making and art schools alike. After years of struggling with other oil varnishes, using his varnish and reading his book made it all make sense. What used to be a stressful and complicated procedure became simple and elegant. I don't have to use toxic solvents or even driers. I go with the seasons, use the sun to dry the varnish, and feel transported back in time, a time when being a craftsman meant something.”
Timothy G. Johnson, Luthier
Biography
Timothy G. Johnson makes and restores fine instruments of the violin and viol families. He also designs and builds high quality medieval and renaissance instruments (bowed strings, plucked strings, harps) by commission. In addition to a degree in Violin Making and Restoration from the Indiana University School of Music, he holds a B.A. in History from Harvard University and the first Graduate Diploma (Early Music Performance) from the Longy School of Music.
