1 comments about Color in Art (World of Art).

1. I thought this book was great. Of course, the best book on color is Josef Albers--Interaction of Color, but this is a worthy companion. Interesting to read how artist's perceptions and ideas of color have evolved over time. Good for artists, as well as non-artists, and will get you thinking about color in a new way. Recommend.

4 comments about Very New Orleans: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Cajun Country Charm.

1. I bought this book for my husband who used to live there. He really likes it. He is a former lucky dog vendor so it was nice to see that they had been adressed in the book as well as other areas that he is familiar with. I would definately recommend this book to people who are familiar with N.O.



2. This was a great book for the seasoned visitor or someone going for the first time. The info was right on and the artwork thruout the book was beautiful. BUY THIS as some of the proceeds go to Katrina relief. A lovely tribute to one of the greatest cities in the world.



3. I've been to New Orleans 9 times and we're again going in 3 weeks. This book was very informative, even to someone who's been there many times. I loaned it to a friend of mine who's a New Orleans native and she loved it. She lives here in California and it brought back many memories for her. This is the perfect book for the person going to New Orleans for the first time or an old timer. I'd highly recommend it.



4. Very thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated. Great gift for any New Orleans fan -- whether traveller or native.

4 comments about Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

1. This book gives you several simple ways to avail yourself of the right side of yur brain, and they really work. There are interesting exercises throughout, and you can gauge how you are improving. Very well written in that no words are wasted, and there is meat in every paragraph. Alongside the text are interesting and/or inspiring quotes. Maybe you will begin this book the way I did, unable to draw anything beyond a stick figure, and become someone who can draw a hand you would think you could reach out and shake if you wanted to. Wonderful book, and it has inspired me to try to take my "art" further. As an aside, I am seeing more in nature, and I'm still just a beginner.



2. As I began reading this book, I expected to find one thing but soon realized it contained much more. I remember crying when I did the drawing exercise. I struggled as I tried to draw joy and other abstract concepts, but when finished I was astonished when I turned the page and realized others had made drawings very similar to mine. In an instant, I felt united with humanity and the tears flowed. (And I am not teary person). All of a sudden I understood how great art touches us so deeply, with out regard to our financial status or ethic background.



3. This book is as much about understanding "how and why all of us have the ability to draw but can't" as it is about teaching anyone to draw. If you are an older begginer this is a must, not only it teaches you how to tap into your natural drawing ability but it tells you why you STOPPED drawing. I always understand things better when I know why it happens or doesn't happen So if you ALSO want to feed your INTELLECT as much as your artistic talent get THIS book. If you just want mindless excercises and learn to draw by practice then get "Complete Idiot's guide to drawing," (no pun intended) by Lauren Jarrett, Lisa Lenard. The Idiot's guide pretty much copies concepts and methods THIS book puts forwared but without the detailed explanation and science behind it, specially if you are young and/or don't want to read too much. The method is the same and it WORKS.



4. Since the first time I read this book in 1983, I had the wish to express my gratitude to Dr. B. Edwards, because this book made great difference in my life. Through understanding better the process of realistic drawing I have improved my self in many ways. Learning to really see is a way to grow inside as a person, in all senses. That book has marked my passage from adolescence to adulthood (I was 22 then. At the time I was attending Massachussets College of Art in Boston, and heard about this book listening "All Things Considered" at National Public Radio, rigth after I bought it at the Harvard Coop). It also opened my self to accept what we do not explain, to have faith in God. I'm artist living and working in Northeast Brazil,city of NATAL, where I have a studio. I work mostly with acrylics and watercolor, but my strongest media of expression is freehand drawing... Thanks for sharing my feelings, Love Flavio Freitas

5 comments about Page After Page.

1. I enjoyed and have re-read this book several times. Now, I have not always applied it well, or followed its dictates as well as I could, but really that's my fault - not Sellers's.
   
   This is an enjoyable, relatively fast, not confusing/academic/jargon filled read. Try it! I like Julia Cameron too (to address another reviewer) - you can like clams and oysters both.
   
   And thank heavens that the really stupid review that was up here in the past is gone - a nutty sexual deviant type slammed the book for being filthy because the deviant confused the tall, blowsy, willowy plant that grows in marshy damp known as a cattail or pussywillow with a female body part expletive. The internet has all types!



2. I've read many books on writing inspiration, and this is by far the worst of the lot. Some of her advice includes, "If you don't feel like writing, take a nap," and, "If you just don't feel like it, take some time off -- months if you feel like it." This is not just bad, but dangerous advice to aspiring writers. The very definition of a professional writer is someone who can sit down and write even when they don't feel like it. This book is for someone who THINKS they might one day want to be a writer, not someone who is actually trying to get published. If you're in the trenches trying to get your manuscript done, don't waste your time reading this -- write instead.



3. Heather Sellers presents writing as what it really is. She gives you the truths about writing. She answers questions like: what does it take to be a writer? Is writing really for you? Are you willing to write badly, and then keep going? What is a true writer's life like? In chapter 24, she dispels the theories that writing a book will instantly make you rich and famous, and gives her own personal example of some of her feelings right after her first book was published.
   "But many writers nurture a dream that is false. You will get published. But it is unlikely that publication will solve any problems you have -blocks, money, habits,confidence or writing ability." And, she tells us that you should write because it's what you want to do, what you have to do. Even if you're not going to get paid for it, or famous from it.
   
   Divided into 3 parts and 30 chapters, you can read this from beginning to end, or you can open it up anywhere and just start reading. The Table Of Contents is really nice, because, not only does it give you the title of the chapter, but it tells you what the chapter deals with. There's a wide variety of useful writing topics covered.
   
   This is on my top five favorite books on writing. My book is bookmarked in several places and heavily underlined. The signs of a loved book. This is the perfect blend of writing advice and personal exploration as a writer.



4. In Page After Page, Heather Sellers offers untraditional, but sound advice for writers. I think she gets down to the nitty gritty and barebone honesty of issues which writers want to talk about, but often don't know how to bring up with other writrs. Sellers pinpoints issues with writing which we know are there, but can't quite name.
   
   Sellers'flighty "I'm forever a college student" style is annoying to me. Somehow, for me, it doesn't fit with the sage writing advice she offers. (Maybe it's just a personal thing.) I think the book is definitely worth a read. I also ordered Chapter After Chapter and am eager to get started on it.



5. An encouragement to treat writing as your lover - a passionate and inspiring book that encourages writers not to give up. Brimming with useful exercises to help you get started and keep going, this book is a must have if you have any doubts about yourself as a writer.

5 comments about Handpainting Fabric: Easy, Elegant Techniques.

1. I returned this book, because it wasn't what I wanted. I skimmed it over, and there are a lot of pretty pictures, but it is mostly about silk, only cursory information about other materials, lots about one authors specific projects. Most of the instructional info can be found free on the internet.



2. This book is fantastic - as I knew it would be. From start to finish, it is clear, concise, easy to understand and full of ideas. I also bought another 5 star book that I wish I hadn't. Handpainting Fabric tells you exactly what you need to know without long narratives - which I hate. The pictures are fabulous and techniques are easy and written extremely well. This book makes you want to get started immediately. My suggestion is if you are just starting out, this is the book for you - it tells all you need to know. And why not - its Michelle Newman.



3. Hermoso libro, imagenes nitidas y bellas.
   Instrucciones faciles de entender.
   Lo recomiendo a todas las personas interesadas en la pintura en tela.



4. This book is beautiful and practical. It inspires its readers to get creative with their homes and their wardrobes. It includes techniques like assembling a makeshift "light table"(p. 49) that would work for anyone who fancies a craft that requires tracing. Mothers of preschoolers, fathers interested in raising creative children, and pre-school or elementary school teachers. Those who teach art to adults will also find much here.
   --------
   Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of THIS IS THE PLACE and HARKENING. Her own practical how-to book, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER, will be released summer of 2004.



5. Whether you're new to fabric painting, or have been working in this rich art form for years, you'll find something to love about this book. The methods are beautifully presented and the writing is clear, concise and expressive. Authors Margaret Allyson and Michelle Newman inspire through techniques that range from simple to advanced, always providing enough information to get you started on your own project. The artistry of handpainted fabric is shown along with clear craft and design elements that inspire you to begin your own projects. Techniques range from simple to advanced and you can find your own pace to begin working in this ancient, and beautiful art form.
   This book should be on the shelf of every quilter, fiber artist and painter.

1 comments about Rackham's Fairies, Elves and Goblins: More than 80 Full-Color Illustrations.

1. As advertised. This is a Dover book, so it includes no scholarly apparatus to speak of. Still, the printing is good, and it includes a nice collection of prints that I hadn't seen. Shipping was timely.

4 comments about Frida Kahlo Postcard Book (Collectible Postcards).

1. My mom got me this postcard book for Christmas. The postcards are lovely. They are pictures of Kahlo's artwork and even pictures of herself. I need to buy this because I love the pictures too much to give them away!



2. This book contains 22 postcards featuring 17 full-color popular works of art as well as 5 photographs of the artist herself. The compilation of images consists of self-portraits, still life, surreal scenes and black & white and color photographs. Painting dates, titles, size and medium are printed on the back of each card. Painting titles are in English and Spanish. Cards are 4½" x 6¼" and are suitable for framing.



3. These card's are exquisite and I intend to frame them in a grouping on the wall. This is truly an amazing woman, the life and time's of which would make an interesting film.

   Frida Kahlo lived in the times of great upheaval in Mexico. And went thru much pain and suffering, due to illness and a tragic accident. I am readin one of her biography's written by Haden Herrera, and it is great, in that is is based on letter's she wrote to her school chum and boyfriend. ciao yaaah 69




4. The most wonderful person ever, her life story has to be the most inspiring one to any young girls who would like to change their path and get on the right direction to a bright and happy life. I would recommend this book to any one and we all can learn from her struggle life and look at our own.

5 comments about Virtual Pose 2: The Ultimate Visual Reference Series for Drawing the Human Figure.

1. The CD will not load into a Macintosh using OS10 -- which is every Mac sold in the last 2 or 3 years. I loaded it into an older Mac that I had upgraded to OS10 but that has Classic OS9 available. The CD loaded, and I could open it -- but the Mac couldn't open the software icon. That's ridiculous! Every artist I know uses a Mac or wishes he or she could.
   
   The images in the book are too small to be useful. So back to you, Amazon...



2. Great idea, and great to have for the price I suppose. But theres a few things I should give a heads up on to anyone debating on buying VP2.
   
   The image resolution is only so-so. Its not hard to see the pixilation when you expand quicktime to a larger size and even easier when you zoom in. A few of the frames have a pesky blurred/doubled over second edge.
   
   The interface included is pretty small, about 4 inch view space on my monitor. This was remedied by simply opening the QT files directly off the cd rom.
   
   Lastly, Virtual Pose 2 only works with Apple Quicktime.
   So, unless you buy or happen to own quicktime pro [$30.00 upgrade], you will be unable to print any of the images on the program, make quicktime go into full/wide screen or shift your view around the image when zooming in [you can only zoom in on the center of the image with normal quicktime].



3. This is more than helpful for my art class. This is great!



4. when there is no model to be found i always have my cd. this is the greatest.



5. Since I am a sculptor it will be very helpful to me in getting different poses and to be aware how the muscles change in a particular pose.

1 comments about Rembrandt Drawings: 116 Masterpieces in Original Color.

1. Rembrandt's drawings, though monochromatic, deserve to be in color. The variations in his pen lines and washes are part of their greatness, and I've waited for decades to see a book like this. I'm surprised it's in hardcover (I have about a thousand Dover books, all paperbacks) so it costs a few extra dollars, and it's no surprise that at least most of the reproductions are generations removed from the originals, but I'm hardly complaining. Up till now I haven't found a complete color collection of his drawings, and he is one of history's greatest (and most subtle) draftsmen, so this is a gift to the world. If we ever get a book like this reproduced from the originals, it will probably cost over $100.
   And regarding the artwork, I'll quote my elder colleague and master draftsman, Don Lagerberg: "The older I get, the better Rembrandt gets."

3 comments about The Mosaic Book: Ideas, Projects and Techniques.

1. This is a great book for Mosaic lovers! It is very informative and gives detailed step by step instructions on creating beautiful masterpieces! I highly recommend this book!



2. The beautiful wall plaque on the cover of this book was what sold me on it, but disappointingly for me, it's probably only one of two or three projects in the book I would be interested in doing. There are photos of incredible work others have done such as pool bottoms, floors, kitchen cupboards, an outdoor monument, fountain, grottoe, patios, pillars. They make your mouth water, but there are no directions for them...not that most of us would attempt them anyway! The projects for us mortals are spaced in between these grandiose artworks and include a casket notable for its artistic design, some jewelry items, frames, a beautiful birdbath, pots, a small shelf. One important factor in keeping me from trying any of these is that although the instructions are adequate, they are not very inviting to read due to their tiny print size, and the photographs could be larger and reveal more of the process. This would not be my first choice in a mosaic book, but I'd still be tempted by that gorgeous wall plaque!



3. This is a wonderful book for learning to make a wide variety of mosaic tile projects. Clear, step-by-step instructions are both written and demonstrated with full-color photographs.

   Sixteen projects include tables, frames, jewelry, containers, floors, and walls. There are also designs for outdoor areas, as well as the kitchen & bath. Numerous pieces of other magnificent artwork are also displayed throughout the book.

   There are over 30 great templates featuring many designs. Some include flowers, celestial elements, a large angel & a mermaid. There are several animals including a unicorn, butterfly & dragon as well.

   My only wish is that a list of suppliers was included, I found some of the materials difficult to obtain.