5 comments about Draw 50 Flowers, Trees and Other Plants: The Step-By-Step.

1. Christmas present that Santa picked out. About a 1/2 dozen intro to drawing instruction books for my Daughter. You can't get a much better recommendation than that. She liked it.



2. book is good for drawing from scratch. it's helpful for someone just beginning to study art.



3. On library day at school my daughter usually brings home an art book of some kind. Most of the time it was a book by Lee J. Ames. Marissa really wants to draw well but at 8 doesn't understand that you have to work hard at it. I suggested to her that she get a piece of white paper and trace over the drawings and then color them in. She has really made some beautiful drawings using this book.



4. I am a horrible but determined artist. I have enjoyed the "How to Draw 50..." series since I was very young. However, this particular book is not helpful: majority of the drawings are far too intricate to follow, most of them are unknown plants and flowers, and it fails to teach something.
   
   Unlike the "How to Draw 50 Athletes" this book doesn't have a goal, other than to instruct you on how to mimic some plants and flowers. Whereas, after going through the "Draw 50 Athletes," I learned how to draw the human body; the muscles, head features, proportions, and how they moved.
   
   This book is not for beginners I assure you of this. I understand nature is harder to recognize and capture, but the book just was too difficult to follow, I was only capable of drawing 12 of the 50, and I do each one many times, and I still showed no improvement.
   
   It's just not worth owning. You won't learn anything, and you wont enjoy the process of drawing the plants and flowers. I promise.
   
   In My Humble Opinion
   John G (Who am I)



5. This is a great instructional book. It takes you step by step thru the process. I would reccommend it to anyone starting out in drawing.

5 comments about Lifelike Drawing with Lee Hammond.

1. This is a very good book to help one learn how to draw. I have found it immensely helpful and recommend it to anyone that wants to learn more about drawing and sketching.



2. i would recomend this book for those who want hints and tips on realistic drawing. it gives practice and techniques to help learn and you will learn if you are willing



3. I found a book at the library by this authur and then knew I had to have one of her books for keeps. I have always enjoyed drawing and checked out many books as a teenager on "how to draw" but this book was revolutionary for me. I learned what tools I needed and how to use them and my drawing improved drastically. I have made over $250.00 selling 8x10 photo's of my sketches ($25 each)people tell me I should charge way more, which I may someday, but I am just getting started. I used to only be comfortable drawing protraits, I am now confident that I can draw most anything I have a photo of (I did an eagle, some dogs, and a cat.) My advise: If you want to learn how to draw--buy this book!



4. This book starts out with some good basic principles of drawing - basic shapes in 3 dimensions; lighting and understanding value correlations on objects.
   Ms. Hammond's techniques and exercises are horrible. If you would like to develop bad drawing habits - this IS the book for you.
   Hammond's technique (using a 2B mechanical pencil) is to build up value (4 levels), then smudge and smear your way to success. Any artist - in regards to beginning drawing/ technique - knows that 'smudge/smear' is a drawing anathema. This technique deprives the striving student the opportunities to develop skills in building value; understanding contour of objects as revealed by the play of light and shadow; cross hatching to develop drawings with greater depth, etc. .
   Additionally, Ms. Hammond has absolutely no understanding of how to establish and use vanishing point/s in a drawing - a shortcoming she illustrates clearly.
   This technique renders drawings that are flat, 'dirty looking' (due to the smudge technique), and lacking in depth, contrast, and appeal.



5. This was my first Lee Hammond book and not likely to be the last. I have found that this book is very easy to follow, and a must have for any aspiring artist who loves to draw! It has helped me greatly in understanding how to use drawing tools and whenever I draw from it, I have loved ones peering over my shoulder to see what I'm drawing and the ohhhs' and awwws really put a smile on my face. Not to mention the finished product of my drawing. I didn't even know that I had that much talent but this book helps to bring it out of me and onto paper!

1 comments about Letterhead and Logo Design 10 (Letterhead and Logo Design).

1. The book is good material, but the deal feels a bit like a swindle. I'm use to buy items on amazon all around europe and it's the first time I have to pay extra taxes. Taxes that rised the price up to double the original price. There is no warning telling you that there will be an extra tax to pay to get the item. Most probably the last time I buy something on Amazon US.
   Very disappointed!

1 comments about North Korean Posters: The David Heather Collection.

1. 
   
   To quote from Koen De Ceuster in the book's intro: 'Only if the poster appeals to the ideological and aesthetic sentiments of the people will it succeed in truly rousing the people'. The cynical might conclude because the people were not truly roused by these posters is a good enough reason to explain why the economy of the DPRK is in such a ramshackle state.
   
   The 250 reproduced are pretty lackluster in their creativity. This becomes apparent when compared to Soviet Posters (published by Prestel in 2007 and the same size and format) though admittedly they developed over several decades and had the benefit of talent like Lissitzky, Govorkov and Rodchenko to create political masterpieces. With a closed society like North Korea where creativity emanated from the two Kims should anyone expect anything better.
   
   Despite a sameness to many of the images some do stand out. A poster on page 233 is an interesting painting of four horsemen with flags, riding into the future (where else!). As with so many posters shown the groupings are the same: a soldier, woman farmer, steel worker and an intellectual. The painting style looks quite contemporary though. On page 251 has a diesel engine done in a very graphic style with the side of the unit incorporating bold type, the poster headline is in the same perspective as the engine. There are no dates or artists mentioned in any of the captions and looking through the pages I get the impression that maybe the bulk of the posters were created by a small group of artists and designers.
   
   There is a chapter called: Undeterred Defiance, with forty-five works hurling abuse and dire consequences at the US and some of these look several decades old. Covering the Korean war and later the capture of the USS Pueblo in 1968 and a US helicopter incident in 1994. These last two events, very minor in the scheme of things but as they are the only two things where the US directly affected North Korea their importance is exaggerated enormously.
   
   The book is identical to the Soviet Posters I've mentioned. The same 288 pages, color throughout, in 150 screen and also the same annoyance of having all the captions and page numbers sideways on each page (so four stars) but I thought the Soviet book's contents far more interesting. With two books covering the same subject I wonder if Prestel will extend the idea to Cuban, Polish and East German political posters?
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

5 comments about Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Watercolor.

1. Kinda new to painting. Im a web designer and went to painting to "enhance" my art side. I worked with oils, but wanted to learn about watercolours. This book is a great one to pick up.
   
   Just put paper on the carpet first...........



2. This book gives a broad overview of watercolor techniques, from loose and washy, to photorealism, including glazing, spattering, color theory, and masking. It's a good way to see all the variety found in watercolor today. I only wish it could have gone into more depth on some of the more unusual techniques.



3. I am new to water color and have many questions ,and this book answers them and gives more information that is very useful



4. If you can only purchase one book on watercolor this is the one. It is very comprehensive covering every aspect of watercolor painting from materials needed to showing all the various painting techniques.



5. This book gives good detail and excellent examples to allow various styles to emerge. Very organized and easy to read. It covers so many different aspects that I, as a newbie, have found it a must-have out of the many books that I have purchased to help me learn. This really is one of the very best of the many that have been written out there. You'll not be frustrated or feel left lacking for knowledge.

No comments about How to Draw Wild Animals (Learn to Draw).

5 comments about Making Glass Beads.

1. I'm interested in learning how to make beads and several lamp workers suggested this book to me before taking the plunge (before buying all of the supplies). I think after reading and re-reading this book I'll be confident enough to give it a try! The book shows how to make simple starter beads and progresses to the more involved, difficult beads. I feel it's a great starter book and may even give the pros some tips to improve their technique. I'd recommend it to anyone who's thinking about giving glass bead making a try!
   
   Photos are beautiful; simple beads are photographed for a newbie's sake, and more challenging beads are shown on every page to show what can eventually be done with practice. Plus the "hot tips" are wonderful!



2. Excellent book for beginning "beaders" like me! Step by step instructions and great photos.....you won't be dissapointed



3. I bought this book without ever having touched a torch in my life and with this book and "The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking" by Kimberley Adams I've been able to make cute little beads right from the start.
   I recommend buying two different books to learn lampwork beadmaking because I found that the two I bought used slightly different techniques to form beads. I was able to achieve more success with one technique over then other in many cases.



4. This book is good and has lots of info and useful tips. My only problem is that the images of the projects are quite small. I like to see big, clear images so I can follow them easily. But other than that, a really good book which I am glad I purchased.



5. This book explains in details on how to make beads and just the basics of setting up your own torch, etc.

5 comments about Micro-Macrame Jewelry, Tips and Techniques for Knotting with Beads.

1. This is an excellent resource for micro-macrame'. Condition was as stated, shipping was speedy. A great transaction. Thanks!



2. It's such a wonderful book, I couldn't put it down as it was more than I expected and it demonstrate so clearly how easy it is to produce pretty pieces of jewelry from these knots. They are so versatile and when combined with Chinese knotting techniques, produced very unique pieces for me.



3. While googling around to find some inspiration for my new found interest micro-macramé I found Joan Babcock's site. And I was in awe! So naturally, when I found out she had written a book on the subject I had to have it.
   
   The book consists of three parts: basic info on nine basic knots, tools and materials; projects and a part with tips on how to end a macramé piece, calculate the lenght of threads needed etc. The middle section includes all in all ten project ranging from earrings to necklaces in different micro-macramé and cavandoli techniques. Some with just a few beads, others with more. Very colourful and very modern, far for the 70's and black or beige hemp.
   
   The pages in the book are in black and white. While I at first felt something was lost with the b&w photos of the finished projects, I found that all the projects were featured in full colour on the cover. So I can still get a good look at how they are supposted to turn out. I does mean I flip between the pages and the cover though. As for the illustrations, also in b&w, I find they are very well made with great detail and I find that they are at least just as good as step-by-step photos. In fact, they are better as you are not distracted by details and colours unlike in photos. I guess a person used to photo directions might feel a bit at loss in the beginning, but this type of illustrations are just positive as far as I see it.
   
   The book starts from the basic and does a very good job describing the techniques for beginners. But I think a total newbie might want to try some of the simple projects you can find online or in Bead & Buttons booklet first. Joan Babcock's projects can perhaps feel a bit daunting otherwise.But I dare say this is still a very good book for everyone interested in this type of jewellery making. I'm very satisfied with my purchase!



4. I have been a student of the white swan beading school of micromacrame for years. This book was sent from heaven. Great projects and clear instructions. This is a fabulous method of beading. It is refreshing to have some new projects to make. Keep them coming.



5. Tis book has poor images or almost no color images at all. The step by step solutions are made with black and white poor drawings wich leave so many doubts in the process because they are not very detayled. As the process goes on the above situations are represented in a very stylised way. Too expensive for the information included.

2 comments about Mike Giant: Muerte (36 Chambers) (36 Chambers).

1. If you are looking at this item you already know about Mike Giant & don't need to be told what his art looks like. Muerte like some Mike Giant books has images on one side of the page and the title on the other the images are the size of the whole page. No text just art. Like the Product states it has 96 pages and the dimensions are 9.3in. X 6.6 in. Soft Cover.



2. As expected, this highlights some of the more refined and detailed works from one of my favorite artists.
   PRO: Lots of images, one on each page. This is why you buy the book.
   CON: My copy feels like it was printed on near-newsprint paper that was cut with a dull scissors around the edges. Fingerprints show up on the porous cover indefinitely. Some of the work was created in black and white, but is in the book against a field of unattractive blue (basic cyan?), and the registration is a little off as well. Ink seems to have transfered a bit to blank facing pages, creating even more of a newsprint feel.
   
   This is certainly not a triumph of book design or physical quality, but I would still buy it, as I love Mike Giant's work and can now study his lines and motifs for hours.

5 comments about Painting Flowers in Watercolor with Charles Reid.

1. This is a good book which teaches step by step how to paint flowers and other still life objects. It starts off with easier projects and works up to more difficult ones. Each project lists what color of paints to use, along with pictures and instructions. Charles Reid also talks about what kinds of papers, paints, brushes, palettes and other materials you will need. Best of all his book is filled with beautiful full color pictures of his paintings. He is not a watercolor artist who uses many layers of transparent glazes, so if you are looking for that kind of instruction it is probably not for you. Highly recommend this book.



2. Looks great, haven't had time to read, but is similar to one he wrote (currently out of print) loaned to me by my art teacher.



3. I first met Charles Reid and his wife Judy in 1988 and it was the beginning of an endless learning process ever since. I have learnt so much about watercolour from his books over the years since then. Charles' books are amazing in that he holds nothing back and just discloses all his knowledge in a wonderful style that is easy to learn from. Invariably there are step by step demonstrations to illustrate his methods. Even if the reader doesn't particularly like his style but would rather paint in a more classic sense with lots of glazes and so forth you will still learn so much about how the colours interact with water and on the paper. Charles' workshops are a great delight and if you are fortunate to attend one you will find that he is a friendly man of great warmth and charm which is reflected in his books.



4. I discovered Charles Reid at my local library and was smitten with his loose, colorful, gorgeous pictures. This book is a clear, helpful guide to making juicy watercolors of still lifes that sing with color. He has practical tips on brushwork, contour drawing and composition that are easy to follow and clearly explained. He also has step-by-step instructions for several of his pictures that show you how he goes about making his own pictures (often from everyday objects and flowers on his kitchen counter). I'm fairly new to watercolors and I found this book invaluable to improving my pictures and getting me to loosen up and feel creative and find beauty in simple objects.



5. I wish I had had this book years ago. It contains exercises to enable the reader/student to experience and learn direct painting techniques that bring freshness, spontaneity, bright vivid color and realism to one's paintings--inspite of an "untidy" style. If you're serious about watercolor, Reid can take you where you really should go. Reid embodies the principles of the best of watercolor and painting teaching of the past (particularly Hawthorne, Henri, Manet). He puts it all together into what I call a meditative painting style (stroke on color and pause to consider, then soften, add other color wet-in-wet, and so on. Doing the exercises in this book can revolutionize your painting and will, at the very least, bring immediate and important improvements to your technique and approach to watercolor. If you like Reid's paintings--flower, figures, portraits, etc., do yourself a favor--get the book and the two corresponding videos.