4 comments about Lessons from a Lifetime of Watercolor Painting.

1. I've only been painting with watercolours for 6 months, but I'm painting pretty much full time. I own lots of 'how to' painting books, but as soon as I saw "A lifetime of painting with watercolours" book on the bookstore shelf, I knew it would be my favorite book. I couldn't wait to get home from the book store to start painting.
   I've painted about six paintings from the book so far, and I've learnt so much.
   
   I encourage every beginner or intermediate watercolour artist to buy the book.
   Donald explains perspective is an easy to understand way. (I struggle with perspective). He uses white paint, which is opaque. Why not...? Teachers and other books say not to, but it's magical to use white paint in the right circumstance.
   He has alternative methods of masking to just using masking fluid. He also explains the importance of getting the drawing right. I've bought a "T" square and triangle, and steel ruler so I can be more precise. Donalds tips have really lifted my drawing.
   I'm starting to get to end of the book in terms of reading and painting lessons, but I feel its given me the confidence to start painting from my own digital photographs and, as soon as summer arrives, I will get out in the field.
   Thanks Donald. Hopefully there will be another book forthcoming...
   Carolyn



2. I have been painting for many years and own several "How To" painting books. This is far and away the best of all. Donald holds nothing back, as do many books seem to do,including some of the best painters' books. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, leaving no questions to be asked. Congratulations on the finest book. Marvin R. Odom
   l423 Carrillo St., Lady Lake, FL 32162



3. Don Voorhees book hits the right mark and should help a lot of artists better there own work. Don's book is full of ideas and information that is only gained by a lifetime of painting. the instructions in the book I have read and some I heard before, but only from the most experanced artists who have in deed spent a lifetime watercolor painting. Don V's Book is well worth five stars and a copy should be kept close to the art table.



4. This is a good book for general information and can be used for teaching or learning basic watercolor techniques.

4 comments about Georgia O'Keeffe Museum Collections.

1. In contrast to a previous review which said the reproductions in this book are very small, I don't agree. It's a large book, and most of the reproductions are decent-sized and good quality.
   Along with the wonderful reproductions of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings are some very nice photographs of her. This book isn't heavy on text, but what there is, I found valuable in interpreting the paintings.
   I'd recommend this book highly for any O'Keeffe fans.



2. I flipped through this book at Barnes and Noble, and was frustrated to find that while the pages were large, the prints were tiny! Just a few inches across, usually. Anyone planning on buying this should know.



3. Georgia O'Keeffe would have loved this book! Not only does Barbara Buhler Lynes, curator of Santa Fe's Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, respect her subject's astonishing eye and craftsmanship in this book, she respects Ms. O'Keeffe's wishes regarding displaying her works of art. During her lifetime, the artist often mounted her own shows, e.g., at An American Place, her husband Alfred Stieglitz's gallery in New York. Ms. O'Keeffe was adamant (a) that her creations be hung on white walls, and (b) that her artwork be arranged by type rather than chronology.
   
   Lynes abides by both of the artist's rules here to great effect, and her meticulousness, in terms of the notes she provides about the artist's work and also the tags she associates with the plates (where she identifies the type and size of the surface used and also the type of medium: charcoal, graphite, oil, watercolor), add another layer of enjoyment for the reader.
   
   Lynes' notes attempt to steer the reader away from stereotypical interpretations that haunted Ms. O'Keeffe during her career. For instance, regarding "Blue II" (Plate 3, Page 19), the curator states: "The . . . womblike spiral of 'Blue II' seems to substantiate connections critics in the 1920's made between O'Keeffe's work and female sexuality. Yet when she made this watercolor, O'Keeffe was intensely involved in playing the violin, and . . . the form . . . of the spiral in her watercolor most likely derive[s] from the scroll-shaped termination of the neck of the instrument . . ."
   
   Categories in the book include abstractions, still lifes, architecture, animal and human forms, and trees. Every reader will find his or her favorite here; mine are the artist's representations of feathery kachina dolls and New Mexico's Pedernal. The last category in the book contains works by other artists at the museum whose careers, in some way, parallelled that of Ms. O'Keeffe. Stieglitz photographs (including a Georgia O'Keeffe nude) are here, as well as Ansel Adams' memorable "gelatin silver print" of Georgia O'Keeffe and Orville Cox at Canyon de Chelly National Park.



4. 
   For those of us not fortunate enough to be going to Santa Fe this year for the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum (which houses the largest collection of her work), here is an able substitute. Those who have visited the Museum in the past will relish this opportunity to revisit not only her art but her houses at Ghost Ranch and in Abiqiu, New Mexico.
   
   It need not be said that O'Keeffe is a preeminent artist of the twentieth century, one of the most respected and loved. An American modernist she is acclaimed for her compelling abstractions, so elegant and vital. Her visions are often enlarged. Inspired by the natural she once said, "When I found the beautiful white bones in the desert I picked them up and took them home too...I have used these things to say what is to me the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it."
   
   This gorgeous volume is rich with illustrations - 335 in full color and two eight-page gatefolds. It also includes numerous photos, some previously unpublished, and works by others who embraced modernism and painted in New Mexico.
   
   Curator of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, author Barbara Buhler Lynes is the leading authority on this artist. She has done a meritorious yeoman's task in compiling this glorious volume which is a treasure for all.
   
   - Gail Cooke

5 comments about The Art of Tasha Tudor.

1. I do not understand the review by the person who panned this book. The author was very respectful of Ms. Tudor and kept raving about her genius. I thought the choice of reproductions was wonderful. I'm a Tudor fan and have several of her books but many of the illustrations I had not seen before. I have not read the whole book yet, but if you are a fan of Tudor's quaint and romantic style I highly recommend adding this book to your collection and ignoring the gossip.



2. I bought this book with a bit of trepidation given the controversy between Harry Davis and Tasha Tudor. I'm so glad I did. It is a beautiful book containing many, many illustrations on thick enough paper that I'm tempted to matte and hang a few. I thought Harry Davis was very respectful of Tasha Tudor--this wasn't a "tell-all" book at all. My only problem is that the book has whetted my appetite for all things Tudor and I'm having to fight down the impulse to order a list of old favorites.....for the children, of course.



3. Having been a fan of Tudor's work since I was a small child, I was delighted to find this book and read it cover to cover in just one day.

   I found Mr. Davis's relationship with Tudor to be interesting and insightful into what Tasha is like as a person, day to day. It was obvious in the book that they have had their differences, but I found Mr. Davis still maintained a profound respect and awe for this prolific artist. His viewpoints have rounded out my view of Tasha Tudor, offering a real person, rather than just the idealized version of her that I had previously.

   I hope that I can give my two young daughters at least of fraction of the magic Tudor has interwoven into her own life!




4. When I bought this book I had no idea of its supposed 'unauthorized' status due to a parting of the ways between Tasha Tudor and the author; her agent Harry Davis. I wasn't made aware of this until after I had read the book, enjoyed the artwork and deemed it a worthwhile purchase. In fact, I felt that I appreciated Tasha more after reading the biographical portions of this book because it made her seem more human than some of the other books published about her. I felt that Harry Miles did a very fair job.This book is NOT a scathing, gossipy smear of 'Dear Tasha'. It is a lovely overview of her work and the life that was being lived when that work was created.



5. How can the jacket flap state that this book is to be the seminal book on Tashas's life and work when such a work already exists in the fine bibliography book, a work of true scholarship entitled Tasha Tudor, The Direction of Her Dreams by John and Jill Hare.

   The Davis book is a disappointment with many illustrations taken from her newer books and works . I had hoped to see as yet unpublished works of Tasha's art from the past.....old Christmas cards etc....

3 comments about The Flash Companion.

1. If you're a Flash comics fan, you must have Keith Dallas's THE FLASH COMPANION; it's packed with interviews and articles about the Flash creators through the decades of Flash creations, and presents a fine history of all the artists as well as previously-unpublished scenes. Black and white comics throughout illustrate behind-the-scenes coverage perfect for any comprehensive cartoon, comic or graphic novel library, and for many a general-interest collection. Highly recommended for specialty collector's libraries.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. This book is filled with detailed historical essays on each of the four "main" Flashes (and the Rogues) as well as interviews and bios on many of the creators to work on the character through the years. However, the editing is lackadaisical to say the least and for a cover price of $27, I was disappointed that not one of the 220 pages featured color illustrations. Grab it with the discount.



3. Packed with interesting info that any speedster fanatic would like to know. Could have been a little more comprehesive, but overall very good.

5 comments about The Goblins of Labyrinth: 20th Anniversary Edition.

1. I bought this book for my girlfriend, that loved it when she was little, but lost the book in a moving.
   
   This book is really charming and very imaginative. The explanations and names of the creatures are very amusing, the illustrations are amazing, and the talent of the author shows.
   
   However, it is more a goblin catalog than a fantasy book or novel, so be sure of what you are buying. It is an artbook, not a tale or a novel. It can be enjoyed anyway by young and old, I think, but it is what it is.



2. Brian Froud, the creative genius behind Jim Henson's The Labyrinth, presents his concept illustrations for the film in this beautiful book. Written as a long-lost "archeological find," this book catalogues a variety of different goblins who allegedly lived 60 million years ago. It was a delight to see some of the original sketches that would eventually evolve into puppets from one of my favorite movies as a child. The best part was the afterward. There's not too much content, but I love the idea of a whimsical brainstorming session with Jim Henson in the back of a limo and the evolution of David Bowie into Jared the Goblin King. This is a great coffee table book for any fan of The Labyrinth.



3. I am very happy with my purchase. It was given as a Christmas present along with the World of the Dark Crystal. If you are or know a Jim Henson or Brian Froud fan than this is a must have.



4. I order 2 books from the vender. To my surprise they came as if they were worth gold. Of course to me they were. but they were bound in heavy plastic packed to protect them and shipped in heavy in cardboard. I will order from this vendor anytime I see their name on a book I want, even if they are not the least expensive,because these 2 books I ordered from them have absoultely no tell tail signs of being used.
   To see pictures of these books please go to laneiam@aol.com and see shared pictures dated 1/6/08



5. As always Brian Froud out did himself. He is so talented. The only thing I am not sure of is how long this book will last if viewed quite a bit. the stitching isn't uniformed through out the book.

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).

1 comments about Royal Weddings.

1. I borrowed this from a friend. I loved the changing styles and the colorful, bright pictures. The history of each wedding from different era's is truly amazing and a pleasure to see. This is definitely a keeper, if you are a royalist or an Historian.

No comments about Birds: Mini Edition: The Art of Ornithology.

2 comments about Florence (Art & Architecture).

1. This is a wonderful little volume for an overview. The text doesn't provide enough detail for a school project or art history buffs, but it is a great review. The book is too heavy to use as a tour book, but I bought it after our trip to Florence as a wonderful little reminder of a fascinating city. The overall size is also too small for a coffee table book.



2. This book is worth its price for the superb illustrations. It has high-quality color illustrations of the most important Renaissance art, sculpture, and architecture, in Florence. They are a joy to look at and well selected. Of course, everything is not here--there is just too much fine art in this one city, so many masterpieces cannot be included. But it's a fine selection.
   
   The illustrations rate 5 stars. But the text rates only two to three. Various chapters are written by nine different Florentine art-historians. Some are tedious to read--they discuss in excessive detail, and with appallingly long sentences, who did or did not paint/sculpt/build a particular piece; whether or not that piece is or is not one of the greatest; and (most importantly to some of the writers, it seems) whether or not other art-historians are right or wrong in their attributions/criticisms of the piece. In other words, material of interest only to other art historians, with very little on the beauty of the pieces, why they are inspiring, and on how they were made. However, several of the later chapters are well written and interesting.
   
   Annoyingly, the text refers to artworks without saying whether or where they are illustrated in the book. There are no cross-references. I wasted a lot of time going back and forth in the (very good) index to seek illustrations. Some turned out to be in the chapter I was reading, some were in the first introductory chapter, some were in both, and some were not illustrated at all. Zero stars here.
   
   The time period covered is from Medieval to modern, but the bulk of its coverage is on the periods of the antecedents to the Renaissance and the Renaissance itself--exactly the period of most interest.
   
   The book comes in large hardback (12.5 x 10.9 inch, '19896 ISBN) and slightly smaller (10 x 8.5 inch,'0678 or '34096 ISBN) formats. Both are identical in pagination--text and illustrations are simply enlarged in the bigger version.
   
   The illustrations alone are worth the price.

3 comments about A Work of Heart: A Year of Kindergarten Art Lessons.

1. To be honest I was disappointed with this book and I will be returning it for a refund. The first time I have ever returned anything to Amazon after many years and purchases! I think the source of my disappointment with this book is that I am an Art Teacher and I found the lessons to be the old stand-bys with nothing original. I was looking for some new inspirational projects to teach my young art students and instead saw things my mother taught in the 60's. I also was dismayed at the lack of lessons. The book's title says a year of art lessons...yikes...that is a short year of projects.



2. The book kicks off with a quick-read intro to teaching art to young children that seems to cover all the basic (and not-so-basic) issues that will be encountered. The suggested monthly "schedule" of projects makes so much sense. And then the outline form within each month is so user friendly -- no need to reinvent the wheel ... follow this proven lesson plan and you'll be golden!
   
   I also really like the teaching style this art teacher encourages. While nurturing children's creative spirits, this teacher seems to know how to maintain control of the class! Most children will thrive in this environment!



3. This is a great book for anyone who has children. Easy to follow instructions and the kids love the projects. Great gift ideas for grandparents too.