This volume, a friendly-consulting handbook, stems from professionals involved in the European project EU-ARTECH to address a particular need in the field of scientific analyses applied to cultural heritage conservation. The handbook is specifically addressed to conservator-restorers to illustrate the role played by scientific examinations in the investigation of panel and canvas paintings by explaining some analytical techniques - what they are and why they are used, what are their limits, and what kind of effects/results they are expected to supply. Contents: 1. Structure of Paintings 2. Wooden Support 3. Canvas Support 4. Underdrawing, Ground/Priming Layers 5. Paint Layers 6.Gilding and other Metallic Covers/Layers 7. Varnish Layers 8. Non-Destructive and Micro Destructive Techniques Restoration ILLUSTRATIONS 250 colour