A terrific introduction to a number of media and supports, with clear simple drawings that walk the beginning artist through prepping a canvas or a panel, sun-drying oil, grinding pigments, etc. This and Cennini should make you a hands-on painter.
Just as informative is Stephenson's readable and scholarly essay about the craft of painting, its ancient origins, and how craft and understanding of materials was lost as painting became the pursuit of gentleman amateurs and academicians. Invaluable in understanding the mental and societal shift of painting from craft to art, and what was lost in the gaining of prestige.