3 comments about Pamphlet Architecture 21: Situation Normal (Pamphlet Architecture).

1. The selected projects are presented with concise explanations and always that just-right drawing that conveys an idea effectively. Definitely worth owning.



2. While the pencil provides a compelling graphic for the authors, their method of representation is not the point (I think they've moved on to renderings at this stage, anyway). LTL discusses the advantages of TACTICS over STRATEGIES. Strategies rely heavily on an overall structure, while tactics are much more agile and fluid. Although definitely not the only architects to promote a situationist method, LTL offers a way of thinking in a way that is succinct, and they make their point without too much embellishment. They instead use this framework to present past (conceptual) projects. A good example of letting the work talk as much as the text, itself.



3. situation normal is a fine example or what can be done in architecture with a tool that is becoming somewhat of a lost art, the pencil. the authors use the pencil exclusively in their design process, and Situation Normal is a fine resource for architectral students and architects, whom it is very important to, to understand the power of the pencil. the pamphlet is by no means wordy, but it does contain a strong body of designs and projects by the author, that demonstrate how the pencil can holds its own in a profession where the pen and especially the computer have become the norm.

No comments about UnStudio: The Floating Space (Basic Architecture).

4 comments about Greene & Greene.

1. The book has a great selection of Greene & Greene houses and design elements. Unfortunately, the image quality is poor. The lighting is often poor to begin with, and the attempt to correct for it in post production was not done properly in many cases, the result of which is a posterized effect and a loss of overall depth, contrast, and sharpness. The color balance is off leaving most of the rich, reddish mahogany and other woods looking green and flat. It's possible that all of this is the fault of the book's Printer, in which case I feel sorry for the photographer. Been there......



2. I own several other books about the Greene brothers but this one is my favorite. I am a woodworker that makes a lot of furniture. And this book provides lots of photos regarding the furniture. In fact, at the end, there is a section of close-up photos dedicated to the details. These are photos of the chairs, sconces, stained glass and lights.
   
   There is very little discussion of the Greene brothers' career--this book is almost all photos. And almost all of the photos are from unique perspectives. Very few of the perspectives are repeated in my other books on the Greene brothers.



3. Marvin Rand is an accomplished photographer with a special affinity for capturing the essence of architectural details. His eye is keen, his technical skill in manipulating the camera is obvious, and his ability to go beyond the surface makes this portfolio a very fine exploration of the mysteries and profound accomplishments of the brothers Greene!
   
   Having the luxury of visiting many of the homes photographed here offers the opportunity to evaluate more acutely. After a fine introduction by Daniel Gregory who, like Rand, prefers to concentrate on interesting details rather than over-chewed history, the remainder of the book is a collection of lavishly colored plates of the houses created by Greene and Greene, showing the importance of the California climate in the way the houses were laid out architecturally, the concept of the bungalow style, and the craftsmanship which lent its name to a movement. But the real treasures are Rand's scrupulously lighted and composed images of details of the Greene and Greene genius. These include doors, and windows, lamps and furniture, intricate and simple designs from the blossoms of Art Nouveau, and the endlessly fascinating influence of the Orient in finding the quiet and tranquility of the through-designed/composed dwellings.
   
   This is more a book of photographs than the books written by the Greene and Greene scholars and as such serves as an adjunct to the literature rather than just another volume about California's favorite architects. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05



4. This is a gorgeous book on a most worthy subject. Greene and Greene's architecture is so unique and beautiful and it has never been photographed so well, the pictures just jump off the page, they are so vivid and they make the subject really pop. I have not always been an admiror of Greene and Greene's work, I realize that it is not everyones taste, but when captured this way I just can't see how anyone could not admire it. The seeming symplicity of the architecture belies an incredible amount of craftmanship and talent that it took to create these homes. I enjoyed the pictures of the grandest of the homes Greene and Greene produced, but it was really the small bugalows that I most enjoyed viewing, the attention to detail is amazing. If you have any interest in architecture and most certainly if you are someone who likes this particular style of architecture then I highly recommend this book, there are several books on Greene and Greene but this is the best in my opinion, but don't take my word for it look at the other books and chose for yourself, several are quite good, but as I have stated this one, in my opinion is the best...for what it's worth.

4 comments about Textiles: A Handbook for Designers.

1. I am a College instructor of Interior Design. I have used this text for years in my Textiles course. It is beautifully illustrated (a plus for visually-orientated Design students!). It also deals with the tactile, practical and asthetic applications of textiles. Other texts emphasize the carbon content and chemical composition of textiles and are dry both verbally and visually. This text is not; yet it clearly defines natural vs. man-made fibers and their individual and compound functions. Textiles by Marypaul Yastes is the best!



2. If any of you happen to be (or are planning on being) a Textile/Surface Design student at F.I.T., you NEED to own this book. It gives nearly an exact rundown of the curriculum taught at the school...
   The best thing about it for me, though, is that I have the book to fall back on when I don't understand an assignment. Priceless! I do wish she'd revise the book again to include more about Computer Aided Design, however!



3. You learn so much dense information in textile design school, that you can never retain in your head. Finding this book has brought back all of the rules, repeat sizes, guidance and practical/specific information that is so usefull and needed in the professional environment - especially as a freelance designer when your fending for yourself. Great book - highly reccommended!



4. This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in textiles or design. After reading several books on the subject this one still offered fresh information, and in a style easier to understand, especially when describing techniques. One other thing that endeared it to me was that it is truly a handbook, by which I mean you can carry it around. All the other books on this subject were really coffee table size.

2 comments about Beautiful Brushstrokes Step by Step.

1. I highly recommend this person. The shipping was fast and I was very pleased with the item I purchased. Thank You!



2. I found the book to be a wonderful asset. Maureen McNaughton is a wonderful artist and a good teacher. Her skills carry through this book in both areas. It is a totally different type of decorative painting.

5 comments about Acrylic Landscape Painting Techniques.

1. This particular book is one of the least helpful books around. The reason for this is simple. The book seems more about how "Golden Fluid Acrylics" are better than anything else, and makes several other references about how brand-a is better than -b. While it is true that artist acrylics are better than "student" brands, I've achieved similar results with Liquitex, Grumbacher, and Holbein products. I think it was unneccesary to promote Golden as much as the auther did. I also think he had a lot of nice paintings in the book, but as far as how to achive those results I think you might be better off using one of several other acrylic books listed on this site.



2. I love love love Hugh Greer's paintings. I'm new to painting and to acrylics so am a rank beginner.
   
   He goes thru the materials that he uses and why, the supports he paints on, recommends a limited palette of colors and then demonstrates various techniques that he uses to create his paintings.
   
   There is a wealth of great information here and the photos are very helpful. My only complaint is that there are "gaps" in the steps that left this beginner shaking her head as to what to do next.
   
   However, Hugh Greer has 3 videos that I have purchased and watched and they, together with the book, are a great course in painting with his techniques. It really makes a difference to watch him actually painting on the videos.
   
   I will be reading, rereading and reading again. And watching the videos dozens of times.... It's well worth the effort !!!



3. Hugh Greer is a master of landscape and architectural painting. His innovative techniques are unique; the result of his former career as an architectural renderer. I can't recommend this book enough...



4. I like the book. I like the way Hugh Greer paints and I would like to go out and do likewise. The beginning starts out with full explanation - then he gives you ways to use what he wants to teach you - but he does it with very complicated examples and not much explanation. He skips a lot of steps. I am still trying some of his ideas and hope that I can learn them because I really like his results. This book is much, much more helpful if you get his DVDs, he has three -first is very basic, but the next two go a long way to explaining some of the steps he left out.



5. I appreciate the complexity of nature and the way this book relates to the observing and using your inner feelings to paint. Thank you for such a good book to paint from and use often.

No comments about Spas (Architectural Interiors).

No comments about The Architecture of Parking.

4 comments about Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative.

1. First off, Eisner does a great job of combining visual elements with his text in this book. The whole thing is illustrated with cavemen working on their storytelling technique, and I have to admit that the cavemen illustrations were great fun and always helped to clarify the how side of what he was saying in the text. Beautifully done. (Yes, I know, this is like saying, "Hey, y'know that Hemingway guy? Some of his stories were really good.")
   
   Does it have any issues? Yes. It's 164 heavily illustrated pages. You can read it in an afternoon. And some of the illustrative pieces feel over-long for the point they are trying to prove. I hit the point on a couple of them where I found myself saying, "Yes, I get it. We needed the X in the beginning so we would understand Y now. Can we move on?" I also felt that, at 164 pages, he didn't really have the opportunity to go into depth on some areas. There's a point where he provided two bad examples of a comic script... and no good example. Aaaaah!
   
   Even with those issues in mind, I have to give the book 4 caped crime-fighters out of five. It's well-written (though there are also some grammatical gaffs that make me want to scream), it's engaging, and it's instructive. Worth the read.



2. Eisner is one of the old pros who helped create the way sequential art is done. This book demonstrates the thinking that goes into producing sequential art, how to pace and create emotions in your audience. A must have for film artists, storyboard artists, comic and graphic novel artists and it opens new ways of thinking for illustrators and painters.



3. As a veteran comic book illustrator (You can find my work here on Amazon.com; I am the CO-creator and artist of Transmetropolitan), I am often asked to recommend books to aspiring professionals in comic book illustration. In that case I always enthusiastically recommend any of Eisner's instructional books as essential reading for anyone serious about their craft and dreams of getting into the industry.

   From the earliest work of his career, Will Eisner was an innovator in writing as well as illustration. Even in his twilight years the man is still a vigorous and creative artist producing work that pros as well as fans can't wait to get their hands on.

   These books display his genius in an entertaining and easy to follow method, and if put to practice will inspire and reveal hidden keys to making your work truly professional grade. A great companion book to Eisner's "Comics & Sequential Art".

   - Darick Roberston




4. Whether you just love comics or intend to start writing some yourself, you'll probably need a helping hand. Will Eisner might just be the right hand for you. As a true pro, who's been in the field since 1930, he might just have the kind of hints, tips and interesting details you need to know as a beginner. Graphic Storytelling will reveal to you the world of telling a story in drawings and words combined, the art of comics and caricature. In my very humble opinion, this book is one giant step forward for you, on the way of expressiong yourself on paper. And hei, if Neil Gaiman recommends it, who am I to say anything else?

5 comments about Color Mixing the Van Wyk Way: A Manual for Oil Painters.

1. This book is an excellent book. I have just started art lessons and need a little help in knowing how to mix colors.
   Helen Van Wyk books have all been excellent book. Easy to understand with great information and instructions.



2. This is a great book specially for beginner. Excellent reference book. I'll certainly read it several times.



3. All the theory in this book is dead wrong. There is little by way of practical advice. The book is mainly a collection of amateurish paintings by Ms. Van Wyk that are supposed to illustrate how to use various tubed colors. You should aspire to paint much better than Van Wyk ever did.
   
   To date, there appears to be no good book on mixing color. Instead, see www.handprint.com. It's about watercolor, but the color theory and mixing sections apply equally to oil paint. Also give a look to www.wetcanvas.com



4. I just received this book for Christmas 2002 and I have read it and re-read it! It has a wealth of information and is even a good reminder for those who might not have painted in a while. It helps you attain effects that you want and gives some step-by-step descriptions to help you understand what the author is talking about. I find that the information on casting shadows and the information on focal points most helpful. Helen Van Wyk also helps you to dimensionalize your art. Once you have read this book you will not look at colors in the same way. "The 4 Questions" will have you looking at art completely different. Don't paint without it!



5. This is a great manual for beginning and intermediate painters. It is arranged in a rather unusual way: by paint color. Within each chapter there are step-by-step paintings showing the color's usage. While I found the the organization odd at first, I quickly grew to appreciate it. There are colors I never would have thought to put in my palate, but seeing them in action was very valuable. Likewise, having a blended value scale for each paint was wonderful!

   What I found most valuable as an beginner/ interm. painter was being able to see a variety of paintings in stages. And not just "one, two, three, boom its done" like many books, but really layer by layer. She touches on a couple of different styles, discussing glazing as well as her painterly approach.

   This book also has valuable reference pages discussing (and displaying) color scales, color temperatures, earth tones, blending tricks, etc. It touches on portraits, backgrounds, and a variety of other related topics. I have read a number of other basic painting books, and this is my favorite. I have also seen (and own) other of Helen van Wyk's books, and while they are nice, this is by far the most valuable (and it includes some paintings and sections repeated in other books, i.e. portrait painting and color mixing bits).