3 comments about Area_2.

1. Excellent overview of current state of design. Although the book is a bit too heavy, don't try reading this in bed or on a plane, it is worth every penny. Compared to Area (the non-numbered first issue) this book focuses not only on paper based graphic design and I really don't know how one can assess or put a value on such a broad field of possibilities. It is still brilliant. For anyone assuming an investment in graphic design be it a box, a shop, a book, stationery or whatever needs an outside with colours or patterns, this book is a must-have, must read.



2. Makes a good companion to the first area book. Each ones shows off the best of the best in current design.



3. This is most certainly one of the best books Phaidon has published yet. Completely blows Area out of the water. Worth every penny.

5 comments about Masters of Deception: Escher, Dali & the Artists of Optical Illusion.

1. I saw this book for sale in a catalog for several years and had wanted it but didn't want to pay the full price, thanks Amazon for offering it at a discount. I've always been intrigued by illusions and pictures with perception differences.
   This book does not disappoint. For anyone who wants to know more about the different kinds of picture Illusions and the backgrounds of the artists, this book is for you. Of course it has the standards, but it also has more obscure artists which are just as talented but haven't received the international acclaim of an Escher which of course is also in this book. Even though there isn't room in this book for all the work of every artist, it gives the reader many good examples of each artists work, which will no doubt compel one to find more pieces by those artists. Highly recomended.



2. Masters of Deception: Escher, Dali & the Artists of Optical Illusion This book was way more than I expected. I purchased it for casual enjoyment but ended up entralled with not only the artwork, but the very nice biographies of the artists and the lay out of the book. I feature it in my living room for company. It's absolutely one of the best books I've ventured to buy.



3. This is a very good book, specially in my case because i'm not an expert in arts or design and i could know the most important authors in optical illusions. Beautiful.



4. I was more than pleased when I opened this book. The examples and discussion are extensive and some of the work awe-inspiring. Masters of Deception is literally an eye-opener and highly entertaining.



5. Never had so much fun reading a book about art! I've always been fascinated by optical illusions, and this book describes and gives great examples of the various types of illusions and how they are created, and showcases various artists, both living and past.

5 comments about Encyclopedia Of Mosaic Techniques: A Step-by-step Visual Directory, With An Inspirational Gallery Of Finished Works (Encyclopedia of Art Techniques).

1. I have been planning mosiac borders for over my sinks in my bathroom. While I had an idea of what I wanted to do, just scanning this book gave me far more ideas to consider than I would have been able to conceive on my own, especially on the flow and arrangement of individual tiles. While I'm a beginner, what I have come up with is a winner.



2. 1. For a novice mosaic artist, the encyclopedic format of techniques might be frustrating. As a resource book, it seems the user would be better served if the info was organized according to categories & sequentially, rather than alphabetically.
   
   2. A more experienced mosaic artist will expect a great deal more content in a book entitled "encyclopedia". I would be willing to pay more for a seriously comprehensive book on this subject.
   
   3. More historical references, with photos of ancient mosaics, would be a logical addition. There were references to these, but only a few examples. In one case, a highly descriptive reference is made to a Roman mosaic of a woman, but no photo? Photos of ancient mosaics are great sources of inspiration for projects.
   
   4.Some of the references to ceramic tile are misleading. This book isn't meant to be a tile encyclopedia, but we should use the correct terms for the tiles used in mosaic art work. For instance; beginning on Types of Tesserae page 28, the mosaic tesserae that are identified throughout the book as Unglazed Ceramic & Glazed Ceramic, are, in fact, Unglazed Porcelain Ceramic and Glazed Porcelain Ceramic, respectively. On the same page, Glazed Ceramic Tile is identified correctly. This could create confusion to those unfamiliar with types of tile and their intended use.
   
   There is a big difference between Porcelain Tile and Ceramic Tile.
   
   Porcelain tile is composed of the same basic elements (clay) as ceramic tile, but has added minerals and slightly different production methods that make it much more dense & durable than ceramic tile. Porcelain tile is produced unglazed or glazed; and is generally used for high traffic and exterior applications because of its durability.
   
   Generally speaking, ceramic tile is made of clay and it is almost always glazed - the "body" of ceramic tile just isn't usually sturdy enough or attractive enough to be left un-glazed. Glazed tiles are often decorative and can be handpainted with glazes, resulting in an endless variety of available designs & colors.
   
   There are misleading statements with regard to the stain resistance of ceramic tile. Glazed Ceramic Tile does not stain (that's one point of the impervious glass glaze), unless the glazed surface is seriously compromised in some manner by age or wear. In this case, staining agents could migrate beneath the glaze through fractures in the glaze and cause staining under the glaze.
   
   Unglazed porcelain mosaic tiles can stain if left unsealed, because they are not protected by a kiln fired glass glaze.
   
   Perhaps some of the confusion is related to cultural differences between the American English and British English languages. British & American terminology on the subject of tile does seem to differ slightly. An American reader could misinterpret.
   
   Always research the tile you plan to use for your projects, especially on commissioned projects. Don't rely on craft "how to" books for your information. Ask the dealer/distributor or manufacturer for product specifications and ask what the features & limitations are for the tile - areas of concern: frost resistance (exterior), water absorption (pools/spas), glazed or unglazed (dirt & oil resistance). This information is available in product brochures and on mfr websites - look for technical data.
   
   5. There is an over abundance of projects using glass - perhaps the authors favorite medium.
   
   6. Photos of finished projects (making templates, etc) in addition to the small step by step photos, would be very useful to help visualize the objective of the project.



3. This book is one that should be on the shelf of any and all mosaic artists. More likely, they will be found in use on desktops and workshops. From some basic history of mosaic art to actual technique and fundamental information for creating your own mosaic masterpiece, this book has it all. I loved the many images that were inspirational and informative. Overall, I loved this book and would recommend to artists interested in mosaic.



4. I found this book to be an excellent primer for the person getting started in mosaics. The various techniques are well illustrated with easy to understand text. I found the designs interesting, colorful, and the type I could put to use. All of this is laid out in a spiral bound book that lays flat for easy reading and reference. I own several books on mosaics, but this one is my favorite.



5. Shipment got here quick and its everything I had hoped it would be plus more... very happy

5 comments about Delirious New York: A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan.

1. While "Delirious" has its fair share of archispeak, Mr. Koolhaas pulls off an intelligent, fun and thought-provoking take on the early 20th century building culture of New York.
   
   One of the quirkier aspects of "Delirious" is Mr. Koolhaas's analysis of Coney Island: an "incubator for Manhattan's incipient themes." As a reader, one initially questions the inclusion of such a trashy place in such a lofty manifesto. However, as the chapter progresses, you start to see Mr. Koolhaas's iconoclastic brilliance. He pays an amazing homage to "the laboratory" that was Coney Island, illuminating the vital role it played in the building philosophies that would emerge later in Manhattan.
   
   Scattered throughout "Delirious," also, are compelling supporting images that Mr. Koolhaas clearly spent a lot of time digging up. In fact, flipping through the book for the images alone makes for a near-equivalent, and fun, learning experience.
   
   However, unlike his tasteful use of images, Mr. Koolhaaas's flamboyant use of scholarly English makes his writing difficult to digest at times:
   
   "It is probably inevitable that a doctrine based on the continual simulation of pragmatism, on a self-imposed amnesia that allows the continuous reenactment of the same subconscious themes in ever new reincarnations and on inarticulateness systematically cultivated in order to operate more effectively..."
   
   Given Mr. Koolhaas's journalism background (and assumed mastery of writing), I suspect he made the conscious decision to remain somewhat inaccessible to preserve his "lofty" image. While such a decision may be understandable, his brilliance as a writer often gets overshadowed by the sheer irritation of trying to understand him.
   
   Ultimately, "Delirious" proves itself to be a very intelligent synopsis---just as delirious and congested the themes Mr. Koolhaas puts forth. For the most part, it's a pleasure to read, and it also reflects the exhaustive research on Mr. Koolhaas's end. Much like Mr. Koolhaas's buildings, "Delirious" is on the cusp of being as grand as it intends to be.



2. through the exhaustive historiography of the phases of congestion coney island brought to manhattan, koolhaas provides a rather cynical view of the Grid as being an ulimatley neutral zoning system of constraining ideas that represent the continual decline of a phantastically realistic civilization, represented as mutated symbols of architecture in the "void" of repeated "pregnancies."
   
   it's really well written. funny. uses, like above, a somewhat inefficient vocabulary but remains in the same vein throughout. it is also a graphic design hubris consuming every page, even the left-justified text, showing off koolhaas's interpretation of the importance to combine scholarship and marketing.
   
   buy it. it's a very good book.



3. A very inventive concept of New York's "culture of congestion" and how people are affected by the architecture they create. It is heavily researched and exhaustive, and after pretty much the third page I agreed with his concept of NY being "totally fabricated by man". What could of been a fascinating article becomes a spastic, heavy-handed read with a sledgehammer effect to your brain. (However,for those of us reading it for school, there are plenty of pictures that fill up the almost devastatingly vast 300+pages quickly.) It will scramble your brain with its thousands of nearly bumper-stickerish statements ("It hides life." "The Mountain MUST become architecture.") written with pretentious glee. However, I believe an independent scientific study has concluded that when pretending to read this book on the train people around you will assume your IQ is 40% higher than truth.



4. koolhaas is a bit over-the-top for me, but this I think is is best work. it's worth checking out if only for the story of coney island. once you get past blisteringly pretentious phrases like "coney island is a fetal manhattan", you'll find it gloriously entertaining as both a narrative and theoretical work.



5. This is by far Koolhaas's most accessible work, as it is rooted so clearly in detail from the city's past. Further, the book is simply brilliant. His take on urban history is to Jane Jacobs what Socrates is to common sense. New York is a special case of modernism that sprang from a special constellation of poltiical and technological forces that collectively create a cultural "big-bang" at the turn of the century. Read it. Blow your mind.

5 comments about Oil Painter's Solution Book Landscapes: XX Answers to Your Oil Painting Questions.

1. I started painting with oils only a few months ago and have aquired several books regardihg oil painting in an effort to examine several points of view on the subject. This book, while it may not be the most helpful to me at this stage in my development, it is simply an excellent source of information for old and new artists alike. I would recommend adding this to any library of anyone just beginning a very complex hobby.



2. I was very pleased with this oil painter's solution book. It gave very clear and helpful answers to many of my questions about landscape painting, and the paintings themselves were quite beautiful.



3. Of the 63 art books in my library, this is the best I've run into. It's to the point with skilled illustrations. By isolating one principle at a time and giving examples, it makes it easy for the reader to grasp the issue. It also isn't full of self-serving comments. Too many art books go into the soul searching and emotional aspect of painting. But not all people the same feelings, and this makes the verbiage unnecessary.
   
   Another plus is the binding. The ring binding means you don't have to crack the book spine to keep it open.
   
   This book is perfect for the artist who wants to-the-point instruction that includes problem solving. I'm recommending it to the students in my classes. Frankly, it's the best I've seen.



4. It is written in a clear and detailed presentation. By leading with a question the artist can easily relate to the subject. The demo's are very easy to follow. Great book, spiral binding so it can be laid open for reference.



5. Very helpful for any oil painter. Especially good to help in determining color and color conbinations. Overall, very good book.

2 comments about Mechanika: Creating the Art of Science Fiction with Doug Chiang.

1. This is a rare example of a production design book that doesn't disappoint. It has a "how to" focus that is actually useful as well. Now the reader will know some important details about how Doug Chiang achieves his unique artistic style. For those of us who run to the store to buy various "Art of" books about futuristic production design, this one is a treat.



2. I've just finished reading this book, and I can confidently state that it is one of the best books available pertaining to the subject of creating science fiction art.
   
   The author does an excellent job explaining both the technical aspects of the drawings, but also how he goes about the design process. There are dozens of designs explored, each emphasizing either a different approach or a different subject in a step-by-step manner.
   
   There are other books of this nature available, but they are generally not as well thought out or organized as Mechanika. It seems like there was a real effort put into this book towards covering a wide variety of subjects in a detailed manner, and it really shows. The little tips sprinkled throughout the book make it invaluable.
   
   This book should age well with the viewer, and long after all of the tips and techniques have been absorbed I imagine it will still be an excellent source of inspiration to thumb through from time to time.

5 comments about Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist (Galaxy Books).

1. As a teenager, I bought this book to help me draw people better. Learning body and head proportions is key to drawing more realistic-looking people, and this book can help you along. Peck's illustrations show you different ways to look at the human body, sometimes using blocks, spheres, and other objects to represent how a certain muscle group works or looks to help you better understand how it should be drawn. He covers everything from musculoskeletal structure to facial expressions, emotions, and photos of faces from around the world. And for those who like to warm up their skills by sketching people but have no model to use, there are several human model pictures towards the back of the book to help you out. Before I took college courses and had real models to work with, I used these photos to do my many quick pencil or charcoal sketches as a warm-up for drawing. Having this book before those courses definitely helped me draw better and faster than some of the others who were learning to draw people for the first time. I have referenced it several times since then when drawing or painting people to make sure I'm getting the right idea of the muscle structure. I have used other books for learning to draw people that was more step-by-step, but this book has a lot of different detail other books don't have.
   And I was surprised to find out it was from the 50's when I looked it up here on Amazon, since it doesn't really appear that way at all.



2. I am an art student who wanted a guide to the human body. I could not be happier with "Atlas of Human Anatomy" because of the detailed illustrations combined with easy to grasp sketches. The written sections are not extremely long, and while they do delve into technical language that can be difficult, it is overall all well balanced with the illustrated elements. I find both sides important, and as a comprehensive resource on the human body for the artist, I highly recommend "Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist".
   I can only say that it has helped me tremendously.



3. My professor/adviser of art advised me to get this.
   
   It was great advice :D



4. This book surprised me. I already have several dozen books on art anatomy, but Peck's book has more. He goes into expressions, cultural and age distinctions, and locomotion. Is this the only book you'll need in studying anatomy, probably not. But each book you get on the subject, and study (NOT JUST COLLECT) will hone your visual memory until drawing the figure becomes second nature. Note: Study means putting time and effort on that drawing pad!!! Also, nothing beats drawing from life or imagination! These books are to supplement these areas.



5. This book is a cheap and good reference for beginning figure drawers. The diagrams are fairly clear but some of the hand-drawn references get confusing.

5 comments about Gardner's Art Through the Ages (with ArtStudy Student CD-ROM and InfoTrac ).

1. The book came as described by the seller and the CD that comes with the book is has great resources for studying the chapters but I have never waited so long for a book to arrive from amazon, I ordered on the first week of my class and I got it the third week into my class which wasn't very helpful to me



2. I had to buy this book for school and I have to tell you, it isn't easy forking out over $100 bucks for a textbook. I have no regrets now after finishing my course and exploring this amazing Art Histoty book. It is something you will have for a lifetime and be glad that you do!



3. I purchased this book for a class; Ancient Art history. This book really is beautiful. Most of my textbooks I would resale once my class ended, but I definitely plan on keeping this one. The authors did a great job of giving high level overviews and thorough descriptions for each work; both in artistic form and historical context. I would highly recommend this book for both art enthusiasts and students.



4. The main strength of this book are the pictures - most of them in colour and all of superb quality. To each picture corresponds a section in the text which describes the displayed work in a vivid and informative way, cultivating the reader's ability to look at art, understand and appreciate it. Another excellent feature are the "boxes", containing e.g. a description of an artistic technique or an excerpt from an original written source.
   
   However, questions arise when it comes to more general parts of the text, e.g. chapter introductions aimed at conveying a broad picture of art and society of the epoque. Simplifications are expected, but they shouldn't be misleading - here are just some examples of the contrary: it's not correct to include Merovigians among the barbarian tribes (Goths, Franks, ...) that invaded the Roman empire! This is absent in the 11th edition but present in the 12th. Or, one cannot say that the Treaty of Westphalia granted religious freedom in Europe: that freedom mostly applied only to the local sovereigns, while their subjects were forced, sometimes quite brutally, to follow the religion of their boss. The Centre Pompidou in Paris is not quite a place of "popular entertainment", etc.
   
   Conceptually, the book follows a certain point of view, emphasizing e.g. the question of gendre - the reader learns, for instance, that the communities in ancien Grece were dominated by "white males" ... The authors have also decided to include some works which are not generally accepted as art - but is an introductory textbook like this a good place to redefine the notion of art?
   
   In summary, if you want in the first place to enjoy splendid pictures described in revealing yet understandable terms, go for this book. If you are looking for a more solid and reliable information, look somewhere else.



5. Wonderful Art History textbook. Very comprehensive. CD-ROM quite useful. Used this text for Advanced Placement Art History course in high school for 2006-2007 school year. Liked the book so much I purchased one from Amazon in May. The copy I bought is bound upside down (the cover is upside down compared to the text inside).

5 comments about Story of Art, The: Pocket Edition.

1. For somebody interested in art, a book with many pictures is easy to read and enjoy.



2. The convenience of the pocket edition is incredible and the quality of the images and analysis is excellent.



3. The Story of Art is a classic introduction to the history of fine art. The sweeping scope is matched only by the driven narrative that will fascinate the neophyte and the well versed. This book is THE introductory text for any study of art.



4. As his title indicates, in The Story of Art Gombrich presents the whole of western art history as a chronological narrative -- from prehistoric times on up to his own times -- clearly setting out everything from ancient sculpture to Renaissance painting to modern architecture.This book can change the way you look art.Intellectually and physically pure delight.



5. Having already been exposed to art history and criticism, I felt at times that this book was overly simplistic. (It was originally written for "young people" after all...) What was harder for me to appreciate were the frequent passages in which Gombrich gives vent to his own personal opinions (gushing on about Rubens for instance.) He makes a token effort to be objective but his Eurocentric bias toward the superiority of Classically-inspired Renaissance art is clear.
   
   However, as an introduction to Art History and Art Appreciation, you could do a lot worse. Gombrich is easy to read, he states himself clearly, he presents the history of art (in Europe) as a steady evolution of ideas, rather than a compartmentalized series of Eras & Styles as so many academic textbooks do. He selected illustrations that most effectively elucidate his point. Useful as his book is, it would be a mistake to treat him as a final authority on the subject. _The Story of Art_ is merely an INTRODUCTION to art. Once Dr. Gombrich has opened the door for you, you should leave him behind and continue your explorations on your own, or at least with a different guide. Form your own opinions; that's part of the experience of art.
   
   About the Pocket Edition specifically: The text is in the front (printed on very thin "Bible" paper) and the illustrations are in the back. Phaidon has provided two built-in ribbon bookmarks so you can keep your place in both sections. It's an interesting solution for making the book smaller. I can vouch for the fact that it's easy to carry around, since I took it with me on two trips while reading it, but the arrangement does have its drawbacks. Having to flip back & forth to look at the pictures as they are referred to in the text, and having to hold two places simultaneously while reading means that you have to use both hands. I like to read while I eat (yeah, I'm one of THOSE people) but found it was impossible with this edition. If portability and price are your top concerns, then this is the edition to get. Otherwise, shell out the extra $$ for the full-sized version.

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.