An account of the techniques and history of bark painting. Preparation of the bark is described as well as the types of pigments, binders, and painting techniques used in traditional bark painting. Traditional pigments are iron ochers, pipe clay, gypsum, manganese ores, and charcoal. Traditional binders depended on local tradition and the availability of materials. Typically these are orchid juice, honey and beeswax, eggs of various species, tree and plant gums, and resins. For some contemporary artists, this has been supplanted by the use of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and commercial paints. The author feels that the primary problem in conserving bark paintings is securing unstable paint and maintaining stable environmental conditions to minimize dimensional changes and prevent biodeterioration and the damaging effects of excessive light levels.