The LDA is exceptional in the completeness of the range of painting techniques explained: illuminating manuscripts, painting on wood (panels and polychrome sculpture), murals, glass-painting, and painting on ceramics. It includes the making of materials for picture frames and micro-architecture (manufacture, colouring and application of metal leaf, dying textiles, skins and wood, and making artificial gems).
It includes numerous instructions for procedures suspected but never documented. It reveals many otherwise undivulged technical details and procedures. Existing written recipes were also included, but re-worked, clarified, and updated to fit changes in practice, and supplemented by alternatives. Over half of the 469 recipes are found only in this manuscript, offering a unique insight into workshop practices. The forthcoming book (expected 2010) will demonstrate how this complex text was crafted in to a practical painters' workshop manual.