Tainters

The Tainters are a historical and contemporary group of painters associated with the fictional realm of Tainia. They are distinguished by a glaze-forward approach that emphasizes luminous surfaces built through multiple transparent layers. A practitioner may be called a Tainter, and their works are noted for subtle tonal shifts and restrained palettes rooted in regional pigment traditions.

Origins and organization: The movement traces to the Tainian provinces in the late Middle Ages, with the name deriving from an archaic word for color and sheen. By the 15th century, city guilds established standards for training, commissions, and exhibitions; similar networks later formed in coastal towns across the region.

Techniques and subjects: Tainters favor slow glazing, underpainting, and scumbling to model light. Common subjects include landscapes, harbors, and quiet city scenes, as well as portraits with soft modelling. They typically used traditional binders such as linseed oil and rabbit-skin glue, and a palette prioritizing blues, earth tones, and muted greens.

Training and influence: Apprenticeships last four to seven years, culminating in master workshops and the right to sign works. Notable figures include Ardent Tainter, Lira Tainter, and Miron Tainter, cited for palette innovations and glazing techniques. The movement has influenced regional art markets and color theory within the fictional world.

Modern status: Today, Tainting persists in academies and independent studios, with exhibitions in regional galleries and occasional international shows. See also: Painting, Guilds, Glazing.