5 comments about Enchanting Fairies: How To Paint Charming Fairies and Flowers.

1. A beautiful book with clear, easy to follow instructions. A great addition to any collection for fairy lovers/artist. As a lover of fantasy and creator of fantasy art for many years I enjoyed this book very much. I especially love the fairy babies included in this book,
   since they often seem be left out.



2. I thought the step-by-step painting technique demonstrations were excellent. Aside from being a how-to on painting fairies, there is a lot in the book about rendering natural details like flower petals, bubbles, leaves, water, hair, flames and snowflakes. All of the techniques Barbara Lanza uses to create her enchanting worlds can be applied to landscape and still life painting, as well as portraiture. I've learned a lot from her book.



3. I bought Barbara Lanza's book and was thrilled. Great product for the price! Her beautiful, delicate illustrations and clear instructions were easy to understand. I also liked that her love of fairies came across and inspired me. The variety of fairies and flowers was also refreshing. I would recommend this book if you would like to learn fantasy art!



4. I am a self taught oil painter and craft artist who was raised on Fairy stories. When I saw this book advertised I hoped it would help me and it has. I like her Fairies, not to baby type of cute.
   
   She has great pictures with detailed instructions of how to achieve her art work using two different media. The way the book is written, her instruction is also adaptable to any media or type of work you want to do. A friend was having trouble painting a nice drape of fabric on one of her projects. I showed her my Enchanting Fairies book and it showed her exactly what to do. This is a good investment.



5. I bought this book for my daughter who loves to draw and loves fairies. She has read other fictional works by the author and enjoyed them. This drawing guide had the right mix of how to and fictional background to keep her interested and inspired to draw the various examples as well as take them a step further. It also has enough detail in the information and interesting presentation to keep the "child at heart". If you want to draw this particular fantasy subject or just people, it is an enjoyable read that contains many useful details.

No comments about Collectivism after Modernism: The Art of Social Imagination after 1945.

5 comments about John Singer Sargent: Figures and Landscapes, 1874-1882; Complete Paintings: Volume IV (John Singer Sargent).

1. Sargent excelled in all media and this book, the third in a series, clearly shows why he was the best of late 19th century American artists. Many of his paintings have become icons of American art, and here they are shown in the context of his life and artistic development. The color reproductions are superb and the book offers many hours of repeat perusal.



2. These books are the epitome of scholarly research into Sargent's work, made even better by the researchers inclusion of intimate personal and professional details. This presents a great background to viewing the well printed illustrations. One should not just purchase one of these volumes, indeed the experience palls UNLESS all three are not bought . One cannot praise this sort of in depth research and the resulting publications highly enough. The only quibble is one of size, given that Sargent revelled in life-size compositions, it is a a pity that pure economics forbid the printing of larger volumes- I mourn the death of the "elephant folios" so derided by librarians.



3. A wonderful collection of amazing images. This book will be looked at for many, many years.



4. The best book on a painter I have been able to buy for quite a while. As with the other three volumes so far published of Sargent's catalogue raisonne, this is absolutley stunning. Paintings are all in colour unless they have been lost, and the figures and landscapes are breathtaking. The text is anecdotal and interesting, with contemporary correspondence and criticism. This is what a catalogue raisonne should be, and never is - something exhaustively illustrated and investigated, rather than an artist's lifetime crammed into one volume with highlights followed by black and white "postage stamps" at the back (as long as the artist is worth it - and Sargent is worth it). A great tome on a great artist, and unbelievably good value. Go out and treat yourself.



5. The color reproductions are awesome. This books is a collection of Sargent's less known work which is refreshing. Some oils are not as polished as the more well known work which helps to show his technique in early stages---a plus to serious professionals and students. To me, this book provided a wealth of visual clues to understanding his thought process and technical principles. The writing, however, is the typical stuff used to fill most coffee table books. No insight whatsoever into Sargent's painting principles, tonal procedures or color palette. The author obviously knows little in that regard but there is so much information out there the text could have been more illuminating. Buy it for the reproduction quality and awesome collection of works. Worth every penny in that regard.

2 comments about How to Draw (How to Draw (Dover)).

1. This book is for those who wants to teach their student or children very basic drawing.



2. I bought this as a present for my six year old. She loves to draw and has a passion for art. I feared the book might be too advanced for her skills however I was wrong. The book was a hit! In fact the whole family is having fun drawing pictures!

5 comments about Manufactured Landscapes: The Photographs of Edward Burtynsky.

1. Edward Burtynsky is an extremely talented photographer and manages to capture the most dramatic and mysterious of scenes. Extraordinary photographs of some extraordinary subjects.



2. I am a great admirer of Edward Burtynsky - and I will not hide my dissapointment with the book. I've seen an exibition "Manufactured Landscapes" twice, and have to say that reproductions in the album are of a poor quality, not to mention that at least in this particular case size does really matter...
   
   The album is good to have a general idea about the author, his work and his workshop (nice introduction, and interview with Edward Burtynsky - that's what I've missed from the exibitions) but if you haven't seen full-size prints before, do not buy this book - otherwise it might spoil your opinion about one of the best photographers ever...



3. I discovered Ed Burtynsky by chance when waiting for my dentist...
   It was a chock : over its technical knowledge, this guy is capable to find the perfect angle to show what he wants to show !
   
   as we say in France "respect !"



4. the reproductions in the book were awful. i had seen his exhibition and purchased th e book because of it. the reproductions were not any where up to the originals. i am a photographer and the book is useless to me.
   ronald meyerson



5. I viewed the original exhibition at the National Arts Gallery in Ottawa a few years back. The images are breathtaking, unnerving and awe inspiring.

1 comments about Edgar Degas: Paintings That Dance: Paintings That Dance (Smart About Art).

1. As a teacher looking to add to her biography collection, this series is a dream come true. It's written in a style that is attractive and holds a child's attention. There is a mixture of real art pieces and drawings done by the book's illustrator. It's a painless way of learning new information. I highly recommend all books in this series for any 3-5 grade teacher.

5 comments about Draw 3-D.

1. Yes, you could invest in any of a number of books on perspective and learn all of the principles, theory, and nomenclature. Or, you could spend an hour or two with this book, Draw 3-D, and begin using perspective correctly in your own drawings now.
   I found this book to be informative, effective, and fun.



2. This is an essential starter book for anybody who wants to learn to draw in 3 dimensions.
   
   Draw five circles in a ring
   And add a little dot
   Use a ruler to connect
   the edges to the spot
   Chop the ends with curvy lines
   Erase what you don't need
   It's so easy, anyone
   Can follow and succeed
   
   Write your name or draw a box
   Then draw another two,
   Or three and four, and before long
   Your perspective comes through
   Horizons, roads, vanishing points
   Interiors and out
   With practice you can draw this stuff
   Without a single doubt
   
   It gets much harder at the end
   But once you've grasped the rules
   You'll find it takes a little time
   Applying all the tools
   This makes it so much easier
   It has a chatty style
   I think that once you try this book
   You'll find it quite worthwhile
   
   
   Recommended for ages 9 to just before senility.
   
   
   
   Amanda Richards, July 13, 2008



3. This is a very fun to use book, with detailed and specific explanations and easy to apply examples, so that, by the end of the reading, you can do some things on your own that look very real.



4. "DRAW 3-D" has given me a new eye for perspective drawing, how to size objects for distance. I love practicing technique. Great book!



5. This is one extraordinary book on perspective. Although directed at young people, it is wonderful for anyone who likes to draw. I got two copies, one for my niece. She loves it! It makes perspective fun and easy. This author is an amazing teacher. Makes it completely panic free.

No comments about Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Concise History of Western Art (with CD-ROM).

5 comments about Drawing Faeries: A Believer's Guide.

1. My niece loves to draw, especially anything having to do with faeries. This book starts out with a great story about the artist meeting a faerie and then goes in to detail about drawing them. The only thing I think is missing is detail on the wings.



2. I have no idea what prompted me to pick up this book, but I am so glad I did! I do a lot of portrait drawing and never thought about doing anything like this before, but the drawings are so beautiful and inspiring and the story is equally wonderful. However, this is not a beginners book. If you want a book that goes in depth about "how to draw" this is not it. If you have experiance drawing this is a fun book to work from. Even if you don't draw and just like faeries, this is a really great book to have. I'm going to get more of Mr. Hart's books because I think I just found a new passion!



3. The item that I requested came in a timely manner and was in excellent shape! Thanks!



4. I have owned a copy of this work for a couple of years now and I enjoy it now as much as the day I bought it. I am strictly an amature sketcher. I have had some formal training, but nothing to get up and shout about. My sketches would probably rate about a C+ from my old teachers, and truth be told, the + would be added simply because I never missed a class. Be that as it me, I have found this work to be useful. I love drawing insects, delicate flowers and plants, and yes, faeries! Now I will say that this book is probably not the best for the beginner as is is a bit beyond basic. Now that being said, kids sometimes surprise you and with a book like this can pick it up almost instantly. The author does cover detailed color, faces, body, life, customs and traditons of the fairy folk, friends and foes. The narrative is quite well done and easy to understand. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and very detailed. This is not a step by step book, but one of those books that I classify as "inspirational," i.e. if I practice long enough, maybe, just maybe, I can turn something like this out. I have dozens and dozens of art books in my library and use all of them. No single book can fill all of your needs but each book can add to your knowledge. This is one of those books. Now, as to the argument going on here whether or not faries are real....I have spent a large amount of my life living and working in various extremely isolated places around the world. Late in the evening, deep in the forest and in open glades....well, it may be that it is just wishful thinking on my part. Do recommend this work highly and recommend you add it to your own collection.



5. Nice enough drawing book, but NOT A FAERY BELIEVER'S GUIDE.
   This book is about fairytales drawings, NOT FAERIES!
   
   Again, a dissapointed purchase about misleading information on the description or title. The book is all about fairytale characters, not about Faery art, and certainly not for believers. It's only for childrens story books. And even then, just a small reference book with several drawings for each character, not a serious drawing learning book.

5 comments about Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic.

1. Quizas la mejor publicacion sobre Wyeth jamas realizada... casi todas sus Obras Maestras impresas con una calidad impecable...si te intereza la obra de Wyeth, este es el libro.



2. A very nice,well done coffee table book.....the thing is-this guy is 90 years old and has done thousands of paintings...why do the same plates keep showing up book after book after book for the last 4 decades? I've seen 90% of these already! Where's the rest??



3. A large format exhibition catalogue, a slightly over square volume printed on quality art paper. The introduction discusses Wyeth's development and output in relation to other artists; this is followed by four essays covering various aspects of the artist's work. These sections are illustrated throughout almost entirely in colour with examples of Wyeth's work and comparative examples of other's, many of them at a good size. The main section of full colour plates commences on age 122 and concludes on page 209. This is followed by a detailed list of works in the exhibition; there is no chronology or bibliography.
   
   The main section of plates presents the images one to a page, and many are of a good size. Inevitably the long landscape proportion images do not fare so well, with the publishers seemingly reluctant to cross the gutter, these appear as little more than a three or four inch wide strip across the page; even a number of the more regularly proportioned works could easily have been reproduced larger. However that aside it is a fine volume, beautifully produced and with a feel of quality, which offers over 150 examples of Wyeth's output including paintings, watercolours and drawings reproduced in full colour.



4. As a collector of books by and about Andrew Wyeth, I must say this is a tasteful and beautifully produced art book with insightful essays by five excellent writers who know their subject well. Wyeth has been around for a long time and started fading from public consciousness after the "Helga Affair" -- undeservedly so. To my mind he is still one of America's greatest 20th century cultural treasures. The book resulted from a retrospective exhibit of Wyeth's work in 2005/2006. My only reservation about the book is that it shows too many of Wyeth's pieces that are in all the other books about his work. But that may be Wyeth's choice and must be respected.



5. The book was well written, interesting, and informative. Color plates depicting Wyeth's paintings were bright and clear. The book arrived timely and in excellent condition. Well satisfied.