No comments about How to Draw and Paint Fairyland: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the World of Fairies.

5 comments about The Figure in Motion.

1. This book is a must have for all serious artists. It is well done with its action and choice of moving poses. A great place to start if you are working with a model to explain a little about what you would like for them to do.



2. This book is definitely meant for artists who are looking to study the human anatomy in motion. People looking to copy poses specifically for illustration purposes look elsewhere. However, animators, game artists, fine artists in need to reference to how all aspects of the body look in motion (muscles, weight distribution, hair, etc...), this book is a nice little tool to have on your book shelf.
   
   A couple shortcomings with the book is that there aren't more male poses and that they didn't explore their group poses a bit further. Other then that it's a pleasant little reference book full of pictures without text on the pages to distract the viewer.



3. like others said the pictures are grainy. not enough lighting on some...need some ethnic women...



4. I've seen several mentions of grainy photos, and they are grainy, however that is the least of the problems with this book.
   
   First of all many of the figures have been traced out from the background the photo was taken with and pasted onto a plain white background, causing multiple problems, like persepctive and flat or squished body surfaces where the models were originally sitting or lying on something. The "cutting and pasting" is sloppily done, and in many of the photos the tips of toes and fingers have been cut off, very annoying.
   
   Secondly, there are several photographs that take up two pages...but this is a bound book, so the entire center of the body is not visible, and because a portion is in the binding even the countour is not usable. In additon to the two page layouts, there are multiple other figures that fall directly in the center of the book, and are rendered unusable by the binding. The only thing I can figure is that this was originally a spiral bound book, or had pull out pages, like a magazine centerfold. I can't imagine someone would intentionally publish a book with such an awful layout.
   
   Lastly, some of the "motion" figures are cheats. One in particular is clearly a man laying on something propped up on a pillow, but he has been cut and pasted as though it were an upright pose...maybe that explains why so many found the poses "unatural". That wouldn't be a big deal if the book wasn't called "The Figure In Motion", and was maybe titled "Some Figures In Motion, and Some Sedentary But Turned To Appear As Though They Were In Motion."
   
   Couldn't give it no stars, as I will use some of the photos, but my money could most certainly have been better spent.



5. the photographs aren't of the BEST quality [very grainy], but that didn't really bother me much.
   
   the poses are very un-natural and a little forced.
   
   there is a lack of male models in this, so if you're looking to use this as a reference book for males i suggest you keep browsing elsewhere.
   
   over-all a good buy.

1 comments about Manga for the Beginner: Everything You Need to Start Drawing Right Away!.

1. Im fully pleased with this item. It had exactly what i was looking for so i can into drawing anime and manga.

5 comments about Anatomy for Fantasy Artists: An Illustrator's Guide to Creating Action Figures and Fantastical Forms.

1. This book is okay and has some good information, but some of the artwork isn't very awe inspiring. Not too bad though.



2. This is a good book if you want to learn how to draw action figures that are real life people not creatures



3. Thankfully, I was able to browse at this in my public library before buying it. The title doesn't reflect on the actual book. While the illustrations were clear and quiet a few were lovely the book failed to explain how the artists used anatomy and how they determined how to compose their figures. for an anatomy book, this falls horrible short. There about a handful (literally one handfull) of pages with live models. The images are of various sizes and almost on top of each other. More annoyingly for what few live model poses we are given the best are put inbetween two pages. You'll have an annoyign crease righti n the middle of the picture. It's not that hard to fill in the gaps, but certain details are lost from this type of placement.
   Also when going into skeletal structures he might have used a real model skeleton instead of sketches. You don't get an adequate understanding of dimension with a pencil depiction alone. Also, most of the book is dedicated to the common characters of comics (e.g. the barabarian, the female robot, Muu the fatman, Brutus the hulk). All these characters really show are sketches at different angles with bullets with brief common sense info.
   Plus the anatomy of most of the characters arenot really explored. It would have been nicer had they compared the exagerated features with realistic features.
   Overall , despite some talented artists' contributions, this book fails in teaching anything abotu anatomy.



4. This is not only a great book but a wonderful guide on drawing great action figures. There are many tips and tricks I recommend in here and it not only looks at just one detain but many perspectives in drawing fantasy characters.



5. Get Drawing and painting Fantasy Figures and/or Fantasy Worlds first. This book is good if you can't get enough of source/guide/inspirational material.
   
   Of Course, R. Crumb said "Wanna know how to draw better? Draw. Wishing won't make it happen!" and that's the first and best advice. Still, I have all these books I mentioned and do not regret my purchase!

3 comments about Furry Logic, Wild Wisdom.

1. Again, The Fury Logic series has lived up to it's name. Anytime I am feeling down, all I have to do to put life into perspective is reach for one of my 4 Fury Logic books and I feel better within minutes. I find the art work to be awesome! I am so impressed with what can be done with only one bristle. Keep up the good work.



2. These books are a great thing for bathrooms, side or coffee tables. Great humor and artwork.



3. Jane Seabrook does a wonderful job of providing humorous bits of wisdom, along with great animal illustrations. The pictures alone are worth the book, but the quotes are the icing on the cake.
   
   A couple of my favorites:
   
   There's a drawing of a grizzly bear from behind with the caption, "Your order for lessons in patience has been received - please allow four to six months for delivery."
   
   There's a picture of two Atlantic puffins talking and one is saying to the other, "And please keep your mind open until I can get a little more of my argument into it."
   
   The book is a very quick, fun read and makes a great gift book!

5 comments about Painting the Landscape in Pastel.

1. I found it very informative, giving me new ideas to use in my art. Great pictures.



2. I ordered this book because it was supposed to provide "lucid instructions for first time pastelists" but I found this definitely not the case. There are no instructions--just advice and that is so general that it is close to useless. Much better instructions with demonstrations can be found in other books. There are many illustrations in this book, but for my taste, the paintings are crude and unattractive. Certainly nothing I would care to emulate.



3. Handell"s current work doesn't impress me as much as his former style. Sometimes longtime artists get carried away with their own notoriety, and get just too artsy. This is more a"coffee table " book than something to learn from.



4. (I'm not clear on the contribution by author Anita Louise West; the text is largely in the first person singular -- Handell's.) This is a decent, if short-winded, introduction to common, fundamental art concepts (color temperature, intensity, complementary colors) and a few pointers specific to the pastel medium. There is little that you cannot get elsewhere in more depth, and some puzzling statements ("A toned paper helps the artist enhance contrast in values" -- p. 20) that beg elaboration. Many of the points are theoretically demonstrated by Handell's own paintings, with a paragraph each of his discussion; but his comments often seem arbitrarily chosen, if not downright wrong for the painting in question. For example, p. 40, he states "these light green colors [of the spring outside the studio window] contrasted with and complemented ... all of the darker interior colors of the studio," but the highest-key portions of the painting are in the interior. On p. 39 a view of a pier shows a flag at half staff. Hendell states, "I purposely played down the detail of the flag," yet it is in plain sight and eye-catching. In fact, the most interesting thing about an otherwise trite scene is the flag (I would have titled the picture "Half Mast") because it adds particularity and involves the viewer ("what's going on?"). The painting is divided exactly in halves horizontally, classically a compositional no-no, so I would have liked to read the artist's discussion of this choice. In some other paintings the artist seems confused (or unconcerned) about the principal light source -- although since Wayne Thiebaud routinely gets away with this, maybe it's not a big issue. In summary, this book is a lightweight, and hopefully encouraging, introduction to a wonderful medium, but the discussion of individual paintings should be read with one's critical faculties in place. Plus, it never hurts to browse another artist's works, even if the lessons contain nearly as many "what not to do's" as "what to do's".



5. Though I paint in other mediums, I am new to pastels. This book is the only one I will ever need. The pictures are beautiful and lush. The instructions and explanations are simple to understand. Would heartily recommend this book to new or experienced artists.

No comments about Conversation Pieces: Community and Communication in Modern Art.

5 comments about Watercolor Fairies: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the Fairy World.

1. David Riche and Anna Franklin have created a stunning and glowing instructional manuscript for individuals who love to explore the fairy world. This book is ideal for artist of any level who aspires to explore how to create a picturesque and alluring work of art involving all facets of the fairy world. One may never have considered drawing gnomes, until paging through this elaborate and in-depth manuscript.
   
   This book would not only benefit a beginning artist but an artist perhaps who draws exceptionally well, yet wishes to explore working with watercolors, or vice versa. A beginning artist who buys this book could essentially create a wonderfully radiant picture from start to finish without even a prior knowledge of drawing or watercolor techniques.
   
   My daughter who is 14, has been drawing fairies for years, after she received this book for her birthday she was very excited to see all the exceptional designs inside the book. I also draw, although I had never had an interest in drawing fairies before, yet after looking through the book for quite awhile, I am quite fascinated and enchanted with the fairy world and am ready to explore my own possibilities of fairy artwork.
   
   The fairy world is so enchanting and radiant and to think I might be able to create my own little enchanting vision. I do not believe anyone who truly loves drawing or painting fairies will be disappointed if he or she buys this book.



2. This is a great book. It covers everything from sketching to color techniques. Another bonus is that there are several framable prints inside as well. Worth every penny.



3. A little simplistic for what I was hoping for but great for kids.



4. a fabulous and inspirational book. Full of beautiful illustrations.
   Highly recommended.



5. My students loved this book and begged for assignments to recreate the pages in advanced drawing and compositions class. Beautiful work! They are excited about drawing again.

4 comments about Creative and Mental Growth (8th Edition).

1. This was originally a fabulous 4-color printed book, but, it has been reprinted with very poor quality black & white photocopy looking pages. I contacted the "publisher" who basically said tough luck, this is business, and this is how we make our money. Buy it used!!! Because as you may have figured out, an art education book with low quality black and white examples is worth it's weight in beans!



2. I bought this book almost 40 years ago. I was surprised and pleased to see that it is still "thee" book. Everytime I get stuck for help, I go to this book. Now I am planning courses to teach pre-school teachers in Japan. "Thee" book is open once more. Any chance it is available in Japanese? Thanks Lowenfeld and Brittain!!!



3. As I finish my final weeks as an art education major, I have tried to complete a reference guide for some of my friends that I will be leaving behind in my department. Other than books by Dr. George Szekely, Viktor Lowenfeld's book "Creative and Mental Growth" stands as the 'bible' for the educator, period. Art isn't "frill" or "elective classes" to children, it is the way of life. Without the understanding of how children view their world and how it does bend toward creative expression, a teacher is simply stumbling around in the darkness. In this stumbling a teacher may find a light switch from time to time. However, join the rest of us with the "torch" of post-modern education with Mr. Lowenfeld's book.



4. This was one of the few required texts in my art ed classes that I did not sell back at the end of the term, and the only text which i still refer to 10 years after graduation. It contains valueable information for any educator who wants to ensure the creative growth of their students. It also includes a wonderful chart of children's artistic development. I've highly recomended it to every student teacher I have trained.

5 comments about Colors for Modern Fashion.

1. This is one of the best books to own if you're doing any type of color illustrations. This has excellent color guides and shows many techniques. This book cannot get any better!



2. Great book on fashion illustration. High quality drawings. There are tutorials for each chapter which you can do yourself. The only thing I would comment is that the book should be proofread before printing.



3. I was having difficulty with coloing my designs and this book gave me so much insight and guidance that I highly recommend this to anyone interested in fashion design. I also own her 9 Heads book and that has also been a wealth of useful information.



4. The best recommendation for this text would be to break up the book into particular sections on rendering different types of fabrics first; and then doing full body/outfit examples. All the info is here and a definite companion to 9 HEADS but not recommended for beginners. Its great if you have back knowledge of fabrics and drawings but would be very confusing for those just starting out.
   
   Overall, 4 stars, the info's all there, you've just got to go searching for it.



5. This book is absolutely perfect for anyone seeking to improve fashion drawing and rendering techniques. Through the different chapters, the author takes you on a step by step learning experience in this sort of art. I highly recommend it