2 comments about Canvas Remix: Techniques For Creating Mixed-Media Accessories.

1. I found that the techniques shown in this book were at the beginner level. Although I will hang onto a book if it is the slightest bit inspirational, I could not find any in this book and decided to return it.



2. I recieved this book yesterday, and found a fountain of good information. Author Alisa Burke starts the book with definitions of tools and supplies, then on to stretching and priming canvas. (Most if not all projects are unstretched) There are 38 pages of techniques, with color photos for the steps, along with some helpful hints called "in the mix."
   
   Most of the projects are beautiful, fun, and useful. There are several I want to try right away, including the tote, pouch, canvas beads, and i-Pod case. This book fullfilled my need of the basics of working with canvas, stretched, or unstretched. After learning the basics, you can easily craft whatever you want.
   
   I would have given this book five stars, but I think some of the techniques could have been done more in depth. Otherwise I am glad I bought it, and it will get a lot of use.

5 comments about Paint Watercolors That Dance with Light.

1. This book was of great interest to me for her opinions on different techniques. I especially liked learning more about masking and glazes.



2. "Paint Watercolors That Dance with Light" is a very well written, easy to understand book that can be applied to other media as well. Her explanations are clear and concise. This book would be a great addition to any painter's library. Defnitely would recommend to others.



3. Elizabeth shares with me the meditative and contemplative aspects of painting. Additionally she values pure colour glazes and this has provided me with a new way of glazing, a technique that I love. The book is suitable for someone who has been painting and is dedicated to impovement. It builds on the knowledge that you already have and doesn't treat you as a novice. Thankyou Elizabeth, it is a delight to own your book.



4. The paintings capture light and shadows with incredible beauty and are inspiring to my own watercolor endeavors. The book is a worthwhile addition to any watercolorist's library.



5. HER WRITING DEFINITELY SHOWS HER LOVE FOR WATERCOLOR. IT SPEAKS TO YOUR SOUL.

5 comments about Color Design Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design.

1. I own dozens of graphic design books and the Color Design Workbook is one of the most useful books I own. I highly recommend it. It not only breaks down the theory of color and how it applies to design, it also gives examples of how color has hindered or helped in real world design projects. The page design is also fabulous...glossy pages with interesting design, yet readable information. Using color incorrectly is one of the most common blunders in graphic design so understanding it is crucial. Note: This book discusses color theory and relationships, not color management. A good color management book is: Practical Color Management: Eddie Tapp on Digital Photography (Eddie Tapp on Digital Photogra)
   
   This book is part of a TERRIFIC series of graphic design books by Rockport. (The series also visually looks great together since the publishers shrewdly designed all the bindings to match and line up together on the shelf.)
   So far there are only 5 (including the Color Design Workbook), but hopefully they will add more books to the very useful series:
   Logo Design Workbook: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Logos
   
   Typography Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Type in Graphic Design
   
   Publication Design Workbook
   
   Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design



2. I found this book to be extremely helpful in understanding colours and their relationship with design. It's easy to read and has some great examples.



3. Has lots of ideas for color use. Loved the section on the cultural meanings of color. So many interesting things to consider. Has some basic color theory, how to convey your message with color, etc. Very helpful for the graphic designer or visual artist.



4. This book was a good basic book on color. I feel that there are better books out there that go more into color theory and I'm in the process of looking for those. Overall this book is great for beginning graphic design professionals.



5. I bought this book expecting to find guidance on how colors work and how to use them. The book provides this, but not in the way I expected.
   
   If you are looking for:
   - A deep discussion of color theory with specific examples of what works and what does not or
   - Insights from industry about how the choice of colors can affect production costs, choice of material, etc or
   - Information about tools that can help with color selection, matching or proofing,
   DON'T buy this book.
   
   This book is about color palettes only and its approach is to give you lots of examples from the real world, from which *you* must build your own understanding of color. As a survey of the use of color by many well-known designers for clients of all kinds, this book excels. The most valuable parts are not the examples themselves, but the text accompanying them where the designers outline the reasons for their choices. All this is perhaps clear from the title, but I didn't think so.
   
   A severe shortcoming of this book is it provides no examples where a choice of colors failed--for whatever reason.
   
   Since readers have consistently criticized Rockport's use of the word "Workbook" for books in this series, let me suggest a way of looking at it that justifies it. The way I used this book was to go through an example, look at every line, fill, shading or photograph and use the color palette in several ways in some designs I cooked up-- constantly experimenting--until I felt I understood how those colors interacted and changed their overall feel. That's the workbook aspect that totally worked for me so I have no problems with this book being called a "Workbook".
   
   If you regularly read graphic design sites/blogs, you won't find anything new in this book. But if you are starting on the path to understanding color in graphic design, this is a great resource.

5 comments about The Art of Resin Jewelry: Layering, Casting, and Mixed Media Techniques for Creating Vintage to Contemporary Designs.

1. Ever since I saw my first superchunky, gorgeous colored resin bangle, available for sale at an online store back in the early 2000's, I have been intrigued by the mystique of always different resin jewelry. Yes I kick myself to this day that I never bought that bangle!
   
   Now I spot brilliant fabulous clear resin jewlery, with pretty silver embellishments, and inlaid semiprecious stones, for sale online. I see resin as well on etsy with yummy looking real candy pieces or sprinkles and glitter floating cheerily in the molded colorful bangles or pendants.
   
   Well, I have finally broken down and bought my own how to book, from the best teacher around, and I am thrilled! Now that I own this award winning book, The Art of Resin Jewelry, by Sherri Haab, I can stop looking and start doing! Having already "devoured" this great book, I plan to get to work (or to play!) as soon as possible! I am hoping to stretch my imagination to the fullest, and to see what I can do as well, with resin as my launching pad!
   
   Sherri Haab is the perfect guide for a neophyte like me! I need HER clear writing style. I need the fun of seeing the variety of her projects, such as her high art "Pod Bead" bracelet, shown in two colors, and her ultra hip Techno Polymer Clay Bezels (which obviously use more than just resin as the medium you work with). That second project I just mention comes from a whole section in the book she offers which is called "Combining Resin With Polymer Clay". Everthing is so fascinating!
   
   The author is straightforward in her writing style and her book is great, in the manner in which she assists the reader to take the intial steps toward learning how to create coated resin, casted, molded or combined medium resin jewelry.
   
   Not only did she produce this super cool book, she has a website where you can pick up the things you will need to create you own jewelry (molds, resin, colors, powders, bracelet blanks, ring blanks and more) without going through the sometimes confusing process of wandering around in a local craft store or even two, looking here and there and checking and rechecking your list of required resin needs you have to obtain to get started. This book and her site will get you started. Who knows were you will end up!
   
   I love this book! I am please with the saftey precautions she is careful to explain, I love the projects, and I feel that this is a terrific all around crafting book!



2. This book takes the mystery out of working with resin. It explains mold-making in good detail and provides useful info for choosing the right raw materials. Not every artist can also teach, but Ms. Haab is skilled at both. The book is well laid out, not repetitive, and provides sample projects along with a list of necessary materials. Many of the projects are not my style preference, but written descriptions and pictures are clear and can be used for inspiration. Published in 2006, it is recent enough that the raw materials are still relevant and available.



3. This book does a good job introducing one to the different uses and types of resin but the projects and work within are pretty crafty. Resin has the ability to transform an object when used in unique ways, I wish this book demonstrated that.



4. Book clearly shows current products and provides warnings about some of the more toxic products one can use. Several articles on making your own molds and has pictures to clarify text. Being new to resin I found it a very useful first book. While I will use it for jewelry I will also use it for
   making parts for model railroad parts. Resin is low cost enough to experiment. Will use it for faux amber, love the stuff, but real amber is way too expensive and color variations are hard to find.



5. I can hardly wait to experiment with the projects in this book. Sherri Haab has provided valuable information about making and using molds. The book has plenty of pictures. She provides pictures of several types of resins that can be used and recommendations for uses. Each project has pictures and the instructions are not monotonous. I love this book!

5 comments about Bob Dylan: The Drawn Blank Series.

1. Enjoyed both the original drawings & the new colorized interpretations. Always interesting to share a glimpse inside the mind of a genius.



2. Bob Dylan has been painting for decades and his abstract post-modern folk art style does him well. He shows us a seemingly unsophisticated yet highly evocative presence in his images with the door wide open to interpretation, like much of his poetic lyric. These often haunting pieces speak to me as the will not to you and vice versa - as well they should. Understand however, like his music, Dylan's art is an acquired taste and definitely not for everyone. I paid half the price the museums are charging for this book and I am sure have gotten twice the value from it.



3. What an incredible artist he is...in so many ways. A poet, musician, philosopher, artist, humanitarian. I'm looking for a book of photography yet so I may also experience his vision in that medium. BTW....great seller. Shipped fast and packed well. 5 STAR*****



4. I was lucky enough to be in Germany during this exhibit and see it live. I also purchased the book there and have reviewed it several times. It includes the 170 works displayed at the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz from October 2007 to March 2008 and three thoughtful essays that examine the works from several perspectives.
   
   Ninety-two of the works were based on drawings published in 1994 as Drawn Blank. The museum director, Ingrid Mossinger, saw some of his drawings in the fall of 2006 at New York's Morgan Library (Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-1966) and was so captivated that she sought out a copy of the out-of-print book. In the book, Dylan said that one day he wanted to turn these into larger color paintings. So, she made contact and asked if he'd like to exhibit them.
   
   Somehow Dylan managed to have the drawings transferred to deckle-edged paper and paint them using watercolor and goaches. The result was 322 paintings produced in just eight months - eight months during which he also was touring! From these, 170 were selected for the exhibit.
   The works include interiors (dressing rooms, hotel rooms, etc.), cityscapes, landscapes, still lifes, and portraits - all captured in drawings he made between 1989 and 1992 as he toured the world performing. For many of the drawings, there are multiple versions using different colors that give you varied impressions of the scene. Much like Dylan's reinterpretations of his songs, these alternative versions reflect different ways of viewing the work.
   
   The essays also provoke different ways of thinking about the works. Frank Zollner, focusing on the cityscapes as seen through a window or door, suggests that these works indicate a "certain restlessness, as the simulated gaze is that of a seeker." He draws on Chronicles to illustrate how Dylan thinks of art and how his words often create word pictures. In his view the pictures reflect an internal restlessness and a calm outside world.
   
   Diane Widmaier Picasso (granddaughter of Pablo Picasso) traces the influence of Norman Raeben, one of Dylan's art teachers, as well as the Cubists and German Expressionists known as The Bridge. She notes that, "Just as the meaning of certain Dylan songs is sometimes obscure, since his texts seek not to have a fixed sense but rather to describe sentiments, to develop impressions beyond words (acquiring, like an abstract painting, meanings which vary with the mood of the recipient, yet still preserving a strong identity), so too his drawings can be similarly understood as they also reflect work which purposely refuses to be 'honed'."
   
   Jens Rosteck, focusing on Dylan as a "multi-talent," examines the stylistic turns Dylan has taken with his music and his artistic endeavors into literature, film, and painting. He describes him as a rare "universal artist" capable of synthesizing diverse art genres, comparing his approach to da Vinci, Goethe, and others.
   
   I was struck by a sense of detachment, even isolation or loneliness, as I viewed the exhibit. Dylan, the most sensitive and keen observer of life I know, once again in another medium, challenges me to think about how we live in this world.
   
   If the exhibit ever comes near you, I encourage you to see it. In the meantime, this book is a wonderful catalogue of the works of this great artist.



5. Like most Dylan fans, I was drawn (no pun intended)into this book right away. Bob has always fascinated as an artist. His best songs are stories that unfold over the course of the song, and his recent bio, Chronicles, was a continuation of his story-telling prowess.
   
   This book, taken from the Drawn Blank exhibition, gives yet another insight into this artist that has captivated us for the past 40 some odd years. We knew he was an artist. His artwork has graced several album covers and insides and various publications over the years. To see all of this material collected in one publication will delight Dylan fans everywhere.
   
   One of Bob's songs is called "When I Paint My Masterpiece." In this book, fans will discover several of them.

5 comments about The Polaroid Book: Selections from the Polaroid Collections of Photography (Taschen's 25th Anniversary Special Editions).

1. I recently purchased this book and must say that this is a beautifully created masterpiece. Give it up to Taschen for yet another exquisite piece of documentation; this time showing the love and art of the polaroid instant medium. This book provides a visual history of art created through the polaroid lens by some of the great photographers. If you love polaroid you will love this book. Simply a must-have for any enthusiast.



2. This is a classic which sold out its first printing. BUY THIS NOW! You will have, preserved on your bookshelf the essence of what Edwin Land envisioned over 65 years ago distilled in one BEAUTIFUL volume. How can the Petters Group (who now owns Polaroid) dare to banish such a beautiful art form from humanity? That's right, Polaroid has stopped making instant film and the supply may barely run through the end of this year, and all expire by the end of next year. THIS IS A CRIME AGAINST ART AND HUMANITY!! Buy the book, then go to savepolaroid.com and join us all to save this incredible art form. JUST LOOK AT THE PAGES OF THIS INCREDIBLE VOLUME!!! You will be amazed!



3. WOW... words can't even begin to describe how much I love this book! It's about time they released a book like this! And the wrapper of this book is genius! It looks like a gigantic box of Polaroid film... I didn't even want to remove the cover at first... I fondled it for awhile and then I slowly peeled it off and curled up on the couch for an hour or two and looked at all the pretty pictures.
   This book is highly recommended for any Polaroid enthusiast! And if you want to see some great 'roids on the net- check out Polanoid.net!



4. My dad bought a Polaroid Land Camera (of the peel-apart type) before I was born... to take pictures of his chubby firstborn (that would be me, BTW).
   
   Ever since, the sharp, colorful and amazingly stable little prints became part of our family's memory. My love for pictures was definitely boosted by the instant gratification offered by an SX-70 camera, which I still own and use after 25+ years, as well as a brand new Jobpro 600.
   
   "The Polaroid Book" is a must for any hardcore Polaroid fan. Lotsa pictures, beautifully printed, with absolute respect for the authors' vision (Ansel Adams, Joyce Tenneson and Bill Allard, to mention only three of them). Nevertheless, the book's greatest virtue is to prove, without any doubt, that beautiful and creative work can be achieved with the simplest tools and the sheer power of imagination.
   
   Polaroid is still alive and well, and this book is the best supporting evidence. Now, I'll just lay back and wait for that new new-old stock Polaroid Nightcam that I bought on the company's website. Let's see what that 600 film-munching baby can do.



5. I recently bought this book. It shows great polaroid pictures and their simplicity attraction and much more! It's worth to have one!

5 comments about Design Drawing.

1. This is a great tool to use for design and is a great reference book for work if you are a drafter too. The drawings are very clear, informative and precice. We love this book for our office.



2. While Ching does cover some aspects of drawing outside of those needed for drafting, the primary focus is on architectural drafting. This is a technical book intended for design students. It is not a do-it-yourself learn-to-draw manual. Most often, this book will be a textbook in a design class. As such, it is excellent. The instructions are clear and well written, the drawings are simple and easy to follow, the flow of the book is natural, building from very simple to more and more complex drafting skills. This book can take you from elementary drafting skills to advanced if you use it as intended. All in all, this is an excellent book on design drawing. I highly recommend it for anyone entering the design field.



3. i purchased this book as required text for an upcoming class and got more than i bargained for...the book is informative, fascinating, and inspiring and i haven't been able to put it down...i am really looking forward to utilizing the book in the classroom setting to in order to explore some of the concepts presented, particularly those that are more elusive to grasp...because the book uses exercises to really cement in the main idea of each of its concepts, it is an invaluable learning tool...i highly recommend this book to anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of drawing and design.



4. This book is very good for designers, and you can learn many details of drawing from this book. Also, it was a very good price to buy it with Amazon (cheapest than other stores).



5. Way too fast for learning to draw. Like most of Chings stuff it lacks narrative and aims at getting you to think visually. However first timers need a bit of narrative hand holding so I would suggest something else. Might be good for a 2nd book to help reinforce concepts visually after you already have some base confidence in the drawing.

5 comments about Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature.

1. while i bought this book for another, i find it to be pretty good. some pictures aren't up to todays digital quality, but its still great to look at. you won't be disappointed.



2. AMAZING - INSPIRING - AWESOME. This book was purchased in tandum with the video "Rivers and Tides". I don't think I could just pick one or the other. What one begins, the other ends and the relationship is perfect. Be inspired - spend time, REAL TIME - looking at these images and reading about his work and his methods. You will look at the world a new way. I am a professional photographer and the photography is gorgous. You can't miss this one.



3. I was instantly attracted to the cover. I would have liked two things before I purchased. The date of publication and to have access to more pictures in the book. It was a gift and it is loved. I love you people...I love free shipping....it is now a HUGE factor in whether I purchase on line or get in my car and go to the book store.



4. I plan to acquire more Andy Goldsworthy albums. His photo art calms the mind, eyes and soul...look at it while listening to your favorite calming music!



5. This is classic Andy at his finest. A must have for your coffee table, bookshelf or any tucked away corner or your home. Fantastic intro book to get anyone to know Andy and his work. A great gift. Pick up a few for yourself.

5 comments about 500 Handmade Dolls: Modern Explorations of the Human Form (500 Series).

1. This is a wonderful inspiring book full of all kinds of dolls. The photographs are fabulous, I've purchased 2 books, gave one to a friend and kept one for myself, and she loved it too.



2. I found this book to be a very good resource for inspiring examples of mixed media sculpture and 3 D art. The
   photography is excellent and the color vibrant. The level of examples ranges from very complex to simple and
   readers will be able to gain know-how and the boost to try this art form themselves.



3. A lapsed dollart maker myself, I was looking for inspiration to start again, along with other artforms, mixed media things....so this juicy and satisfyingly-sized volume seemed promising. I didn't want any how-to's, because I'd explored that in depth in the '90s. In this book, I found new works by favorite doll artists, (missed some I wish had been included), but was thrilled to discover a few new artists to add to my list. Seems like art is evolving to include even more of what we can make of it and dollart is perhaps at last being recognized for a valid art form. So if you are looking for inspiration, or just want to gaze and be thrilled, treat yourself to this book; it's well done.



4. This catalog of dolls is layered with inspiration, challenging any conventional view of "dolls" that one might have. Beaded, sculpted, poured, spun, carved, knit, sewn, wired, wrapped - the human form is not only explored, but interpreted, re-defined, expanded, and viewed from unfamiliar angles.
   My good friend, Leslie Molen, has several dolls included - I have had the privilege to take lessons from her & am thrilled to have my copy autographed by her!



5. This beautiful book will especialy appeal to three classes of people: artists who make handmade dolls, amateurs who emulate them, and general readers like my wife and me who collect them.
   
   Helen Bullard, who was instrumental in popularizing the art form in the US described these dolls in 1983: "Collections of mass-produced dolls, originally made for children to play with, are everywhere. Far rarer and generally unknown to the public are the original dolls handmade by artists with the same creative approach which is used in painting and sculpture. Their dolls, many of which express American culture, are not intended for play." The National Institute of American Doll Artists is an embodiment of her efforts, and their website is an excellent starting place for anyone interested in exploring the art form.
   
   For several years Lark Books has published a series of picture albums of contemporary arts and crafts. The production process is similar for all the books in this series. A leading artist -- in this case Akira Blount -- asks craft artists to submit photos of their work for inclusion in an upcoming book. (Artists can find a copy of the application form on the Lark Book website.)
   
   A jury selects one or more photos from each chosen artist for inclusion in the book. Each artwork gets one page with one or more photos of the piece and a short writeup -- artist's and work's name, size, materials, photo credit is a typical entry. There is no other text, except for in this case a three page introduction by Blount outlining the history of handmade dolls, and an index of contributing artists with page numbers.
   
   Lark's object is to democratically represent the creative scene at the time of publication. This book meets part of that objective. However, only artists who are asked to contribute or who see the publisher's announcement and can read English and apply are considered. The great majority of the works shown here are from the United States with a scattering of artists from Australia, Canada, Belgium and The Netherlands. There is only one artist from Japan in this book, a serious omission in view of the many vibrantly creative handmade dolls being made in Japan at the present time.
   
   The quality of the photos in this book varies a bit, and doll makers might well learn how to improve their photography skills, especially with respect to shadows. Nevertheless the book itself is printed on excellent paper in an 8" by 8" format with superb color reproductions. Many of the best photos seem to leap off the page giving life to the subjects.
   
   As to various audiences, doll makers and their dealers are proudly announcing that their works appear in the book, and copies are prominently displayed at the booths of included artists at craft shows. (Many of the included artists have their own websites.) There are already over 13,000 references to the book on the search engines; the great majority of the hits are to discussions between amateurs recommending that people buy the book to get ideas for their own doll making. I'm sure that many of the leading artists will be recommending the book to their students during their doll making workshops.
   
   This is a book of inspiration, however, not a how to do it book. It probably appeals most of all to collectors like my wife and myself for a number of reasons. First, it introduces us to many artists new to us. Second, it's a thrill to see an artist we know included in the book; that validates our taste in collecting. Third, it enhances the value of works actually shown in the book, adding to its provenance. Fourth, it is great fun to discuss the book and the works shown with artists we know -- conversations with living artists are one of the greatest joys of collecting modern art. Finally, these dolls are great fun to look at, even if some of them have absolutely no appeal to us at all.
   
   Lark Books is to be congratulated for producing such a splendid book. I'm going to review their other offerings to see what other collectibles they cover.
   
   Robert C. Ross, 2008

5 comments about The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook - Landscapes.

1. This is really a must-have. Very detailed in a clear and direct language. Excellent for every level of watercolor painters!



2. This has some great step-by-step lessons for creating different effects in a landscape watercolor. The only criticism I have of it is the drab coloring in many of the examples.



3. This is a really great book on watercolor. It is full of wonderful tips and explanations of how to achieve many simple to advanced effects. It also explains why certain colors are better to mix with others for the results you want. It is also amazingly readable. I set it by my reading chair and I am drawn to pick it up and read just for interest. I am learning so much. FYI- I have lots of knowledge about art, but am a beginning to intermediate watercolorist.



4. This book offers great advice on landscape painting so, If you've wanted to paint plein air with watercolors, this is the book for you.



5. This book contains valuable techniques for the creation of landscape features in watercolor. It is perhaps a bit overwhelming for the absolute beginner, but for anyone who has a little experience with watercolors and is motivated to improve, it's a great book!