5 comments about Wrestling for Fighting: The Natural Way.

1. Randy Couture has been one of the poster boys for Mixed Martial Arts competition in recent years - and a good one at that. His words are well thought out, he's articulate, hard-working and talented. A lot is made of his age, as well. However, I don't think it means a great deal except to say he's an example of what hard work and good attitude can acheive.
   
   
   Erich Krauss and Glen Cordoza do a great job of getting these qualities to shine through in this publication. The book's dedication speaks of work ethic and self-reliance, as well as the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and influences. One can only say that this is as much a recipe for success as any. It's worked in Couture's case, anyway.
   
   
   The book is - like most Victory Belt publications - a large format book. It's 11" x 9" and has 214 pages. It's a glossy book on high quality paper. It's also generous with photos and the photos are detailed and clearly show the techniques presented. I was critical of a couple of Victory Belt's publications in the past for proof-reading. This one does a lot better. It is very unfortunate that one of the very few errors that slipped through happened to be in a very noticeable place. Nonetheless, the writing is excellent and gets better with each publication. I'd be a real jerk if I said it took away from the book.
   
   
   As seems to be the Victory Belt template, the book opens with an introduction which spends twelve pages chronicling Randy's career. Erich and Glen are getting better at this every time. It's the best written of the Victory Belt intros by far and the one I enjoyed the most, as well. Take note, though, it may be that I simply enjoyed Couture's story more than the others.
   
   
   The technical portion of the book is broken up into three parts. The first talks wrestling, the second focusses on Greco-Roman wrestling and the third on adapting the wrestling game for Mixed Martial Arts. Each part is broken up into six to seven chapters concentrating on different aspects of Randy's game. As far as the techniques go, this is clearly the game of Randy Couture. The book also shares a lot of information with his earlier video series from Century. That makes this a great adjunct to the series, as well.
   
   
   The wrestling section starts with a comprehensive chapter discussing wrestling basics. This is followed by a look at four basic takedowns. This is followed (quite naturally) by a chapter on finishing the single leg. Clearly this is and area Randy considers key. Following this is a long section on tie-ups. Here, you really start to make the connection between the Randy you see in the cage and the one n the book. There are two defensive chapters in the wrestling section - Sprawling and Defending the Single Leg.
   
   
   The section on Greco is shorter, with a two page introduction followed by a chapter on pummelling and then basic takedowns. I enjoyed this section a lot as I picked up several of details that (as a Jiu Jitsu guy) I didn't know before. There are then chapters on armdrags and on more advanced takedowns. All are effective techniques, well photographed and captioned.
   
   
   The last part of the book is called "Wrestling for Fighting" and is obviously the crux of the book as far as the authors are concerned. It starts with an introduction (as for all the book's parts) and then jumps into the relationship between strikes (especially the overhand) and the double-leg takedown. There is then a chapter on closing the distance. Following this, come the chapters on the most famous parts of Randy's game - The clinch and cage tactics.
   
   
   The clinch chapter concentrates on Couture's much hallowed "Dirty Boxing" technique while the chapter on cage tactics provides invaluable pearls on how to use the fence to your advantage. I'm not sure Randy has given up all his secrets here, but the book certainly describes much of what I've seen the man do in the cage.
   
   
   From here, there are chapters on ground tactics and submissions. The tactics here are simple. There is a good deal of time devoted to "Ground 'n' Pound" and two basic choke submissions. Both should be a big help for wrestlers looking to make the change.
   
   
   All-in-all, I think there's something in here for everyone. Wrestlers making the jump to MMA will obviously benefit the most as it shows precisely how the wrestler's game translates. People like myself, who don't have a strong wrestling background will be able to add elements to their game they had previously not been exposed to. And, I don't think there's out there who couldn't benefit from the clinch and cage tactics chapters.
   
   
   The book brings the good points of all Victory Belt's previous publications together. It's shorter, more basic and easier to navigate than the already excellent 'Book of Knowledge' from BJ Penn and more articulate and mature than 'Mastering the Rubber Guard'. This one takes pride of place on my bookshelf and will join the Best of the Best category on this site.



2. I loved this book because it covers all the basics of freestyle,greco-roman,and mma wrestling.The basics from each individual styles that combine to make up mma is all you really need to compete.Randy charges $700.00,hr to teach private lesson and you get a couple of months worth of that for only $35.00!



3. Wrestling for Fighting is an essential addition to anyone's MMA library.
   
   The other reviews have already done a good job of describing the contents of this book but in brief:
   
   The first section of the book covers basic wrestling.
   The second section is Greco wrestling (upper body wrestling/throws).
   The thrid section covers wrestling techniques used in MMA.
   
   This is a very high quality book (as are all the books co-authored by Krauss and Cordoza). It is full of photos showing the techniques from mutliple angles. The written instruction is thorough and easy to understand.
   
   Some things to keep in mind. As the title hints, this is a book about wrestling. What you're getting is a top notch instructional on all aspects of wrestling by one of the greatest wrestling based MMA fighters of all time. Do not buy it expecting to learn submissions (other than a few basic "wrestling" subs) or standup striking (though there is plenty of ground n' pound instruction). This of course does not detract from the book in any way. There are already excellent books that cover striking and submissions. And since wrestling is an important, if not arguably the most important aspect of MMA (deciding where the fight takes place), it deserves its own volume.



4. This is a super book and I've really enjoyed it! It's full of some great tips & tons of awesome instructional photos. If you love Randy Couture & are a big fan of his fighting style this book will be most helpful to you. It has helped me out tremendously and has improved my ground game by leaps & bounds! Randy Couture is such a hero to so many people - HE ROCKS! BUY THIS BOOK TODAY!!!!!!!!!!! I HIGHLY recommend it!



5. This book is awesome. The background on Randy is great and I found the fact he didn't start college until after being in the Army very fascinating. The best part about the book is the color photographs. It looks like they had 3 cameras all synced to the same "switch" so when one button was pushed all three cameras took a picture simultaneously from front, back and side positions.
   
   This is very helpful in letting you see all angles of each move. While the book is called wrestling for fighting the majority of the book can be applied to folk style high school and collegiate wrestling. There is only one small section at the end which covers MMA specific technique. I highly recommend this for either wrestlers or coaches or anyone getting into mma from boxing or karate diciplines.

5 comments about Color - Messages & Meanings: A PANTONE Color Resource.

1. This is an excellent resource for those who have the desire to understand how color can be used to relay powerful messages. The graphics in this book are crisp and vivid. A topic which could be daunting has been presented in a way that is easily understood and absorbed by those that currently work or wish to become more acquainted with color.



2. This is a newer edition of a book we've had in our graphic design studio for several years. Even after 34 years in the business, sometimes you just need a kick in the pants to come up with a great color combo, and this book gives you countless ideas sorted by feel, emotion, application, etc. I've gotten to a point where it's as important as a software manual when we get into a jam. Buy it!



3. I had the pleasure of attending the seminar: Future Color/Design Trends by Leatrice Eiseman. She addressed the major challenges in today's marketplace in satisfying consumers' more demanding perceived needs and desires in both styling and color. She told us color is the first thing a consumer considers when making a purchase, then shape, then words.
   
   This book is an incredible resource for trendsetting color combinations for anyone making color choices. Whether your designing a new product for the home, a retailer buying at market, a graphic designer or an artist creating a new line of stationary, you will be inspired by this Pantone color resource.
   
   Thank you Leatrice for providing this valuable color resource.



4. This book is a nice little book, but it is too much like it's predecessor, Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color by the same author. I would not have bought it had I known, I assumed (like a dummy) that it was an addition to the other book, not basically a copy with a few very minor extras and a bold new cover. I have since discovered the Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color is being discontinued and no longer being printed at this time. My feeling is that the author and publishers duped the public by not simply saying this is a (slightly) updated version. If you already own the older book, don't bother purchasing this one. If you do not already have the older book, then by all means purchase this book as it is a good one for any artist and designer working with color. Shame on Leatrice Eiseman and shame on the publisher.



5. This is a great book on color that helps one see possibilities/combinations you wouldnt think of.
   Very helpful.

5 comments about Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil.

1. A very comprehensive book from one of the top in his field. I am still learninf his techniques. Enjoy Very much.



2. This book is unlike any other pencil drawing book. The drawings in this book are photo-realistic. The techniques are like nothing else you've read about in other pencil drawing books. He covers metal, leather, wood, skin, hair, fur, bricks, glass, etc. Highly recommended if you want to create very realistic drawings. If you want the wishy washy sketchy technique, then this book is not for you.



3. I actually found this book in my local library and had to have my own copy. I have always admired realistic pencil drawings, and the information and illustrations in this book have inspired me to keep exploring and working on my own skills. I am currently taking some private drawing lessons from a wonderful artist and when I showed her this book, she also wanted a copy. Even if you don't draw this is a beautiful book and it is truly amazing to see what can be done with graphite.



4. The refinement of your pencil drawing begins here!! If you want your pencil drawings stay close to the realism, this is the book that will teach you to reach in that apprenticeship.
   
   This book is not indicated for beginners, it doesn't teach as maintaining proportions and/or to draw... it goes beyond of that. This book teaches step by step how to handle the materials of drawing to get textures close to the realism.
   
   Suitable for designers that already know the basic foundations of the drawing, the techniques presented in this method are innovative and use materials as the coal and the carbon pencil together with the graphite. It contains dozens of clues of like you can get the realism in your drawing with a great amount of illustrations step by step. Several textures are taught as leather, glass, wood, metals, human skin, several surfaces, etc.



5. For artists who are ready to bring their work to the next level, this book is extremely helpful. As the author states at the beginning of the book, all the shading, blending, and "texturizing" in the world won't lift an inaccurate rendering out of mediocrity. This is not a "how to draw" book, it's a "how to draw more realistically" book. The author's writing style is easy to read and understand. His still-life and portrait compositions are brilliant. This makes an excellent reference book full of information. Glad I got it. I, too, got "Drawing Sharp-Focus Still Lifes" by Zappalorti from Amazon and was very happy with it as well.

2 comments about Comic Artist's Photo Reference Women And Girls (Comic Artist's Photo Reference).

1. One of the best photo reference books I've come across. I have it all stickied with post-its already. The CD-Rom is also packed with some good refs. I would've liked to see some more "group" shots but I'm not disappointed in the least with this book. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to have a nice collection of female references handy on their shelf.
   
   I can't wait for the "Men and Boys" version coming out!



2. I've always found it difficult to find decent pictures of women doing poses similar to those found in comics and action movies, most reference books contain soft poses, nudity, small pictures, and no real writing on how the photos are applicable to rendering in illustration. This book contains some very unique poses and features poses from being in pain, flying, jumping, running, sword fighting, punching, kicking, dressing, and lighting a smoke. The book features at least four to six different models with different body builds (though none are really out of shape like the Fantasy Reference) and ages.
   The only thing that could be improved to make the book better is to have a spiral back like the Fantasy Reference to keep damage on the spine to a minimal. The pros of this book are that all the photos are in color, the cd is amazing and features over a thousand photos contained in the book (which can be printed from a computer to take up a whole sheet of paper), and the shadows and poses in the book are exceptional. I found it worth its price and would recommend it to any aspiring artist that needs help with drawing women and girls.

5 comments about Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right.

1. This book suits more for the serious beginners or intermediate painters 'cause you have to be familiar with the basic concepts. It offers a way to verify the quality of your paintings point by point.
   My point of view is that you have to read it entirely before you can point on the problem. The topics are easy to reach after you know what you're searching for.
   Sometimes I would like to have more examples or explanations on some points.
   Simple but effective if you're not a complete beginner...



2. An excellent clearly written informative book. Will be much referred to and treasured for many years. Thankyou Mr. Kreutz



3. I wanted a comprehensive book on oil colors this is more about the basics then anything else.



4. ok for beginners and those who paint in an impressionistic style. could focus a bit more on materials. some good basic tips.



5. I'm a professional in the business and make my living as an artist. This book is a wonderful reference and is always close by on the shelf. The work in it is excellent and the principles are straight forward as well as solving lots of the problems artists and painters encounter. Love it and recommneded it many times over.

4 comments about Drawing for Designers.

1. This book shows ways things are drawn, sculpted, and rendered. It even shows a little about how some things are made. I recommend this book if you want to do in the Industrial Design area.



2. Got this as a text book for one of my daughter's Visual Communications classes, sophomore year in college. She really enjoys it and says that it is one that she will not sell back because it has many things that she will be able to refer back to. A good one for her professional library.



3. A good book of value to budding designers as well as those more advanced. a great reference, well worth a look. tom p.



4. The reason for the 4 stars instead of the 5, is because it's a nice overview book on the process designers go through when creating new designs, but it doesn't really go in depth in terms of sketching techniques or the "how to", in the way I expected it when looking at the title: "Drawing for Designers".
   
   I think this book is great for people new to the design process, first year students for example or people looking to make a career change and want to know more about industrial design, but people with more experience will be left wanting to see more.

5 comments about Fashion Design Drawing Course.

1. I bought this book acually wanting to draw and create clothes but I didn't do any of that. On the other hand it does teach you the right way to do certain things like how to get inspiration and how to get it on paper but again you don't actually draw.



2. But about how to draw inspiration from common everyday things. It`s really not about rendering or drawing fashion, but more about the thought process in making the garments.



3. This book is more about collection development than it is about fashion drawing. And the worst part is... it's so sparse on the information even for how to develop a collection. Everything is in a nutshell. It's like picking up a children's book-- you don't get much out of it other than the obvious.



4. Very basic, it goes on a summary overview of areas of fashion design. So, it's great for a beginner that is looking for a quick introduction to what fashion desing drawing would include. Not for someone that has a general idea on what fashion design entails and is looking for more "hands-on" more sophisticated projects. For example, I was looking on how to actually draw clothes wore by people...there was only one area for that, it covered actual drawing of the human body; about 4 pages. A lot of general, finding your style, mood boards, etc. To the title I would add "101" so it is not misleading, then it would be an excellent book!



5. The title is an absolute lie. There aren't even general sketches to look onto as templates! This book, chock full of details on how to become "inspired", may help if you need assistance focusing on what motivates you--but otherwise, it's not going to teach you at all about fashion illustration.

5 comments about 100 Years of Fashion Illustration.

1. As a lover of fashion illustration, with book shelves and file drawers filled to capacity, I highly recommend this book. I like the small size and the fact that it includes examples from all eras. My only complaint, and this may be a personal preference, is that there was not one example of the work of George Stavrinos, a masterful draftsman who did work for Bergdorf Goodman, The NY Times, Barney's and The NYC Opera in the 1980's. He died too young, but really deserves a book of his own.



2. Excellent visual paranoma of fashion with panache. Should please everybody. There is a nice touch of elegance to it and chich flaire. Nice to have it on the shelves or on your cafe table.



3. This book is an absolute dream come true for me. It has inspired me not only costume wise, but also decorating my new apartment. You just never know where inspiration can come from. I would not hesitate for one second to recommend this book. It's really beautifully done.



4. This is a great book for any illustrator to have, loaded thick with full color images. The illustrations are done in a wide variety of different styles, hours could be spent considering some of the images. If your interested in drawing people this is a good book to have on your shelf.



5. You might as well print out a copy of the front cover, because the contents of this book are rather disappointing.

5 comments about Traditional Oil Painting: Advanced Techniques and Concepts from the Renaissance to the Present.

1. I can't say enough good things about this book. It goes into great detail about so many important things. This book should be in every artists library.



2. My impression is based on looking at the pictures on the author's web site. They are wooden and uninspired. He is technically adept in some respects, but altogether is work is not better than that of many art school students. Technique does not make a picture speak. Why even bother with the book?



3. This is not a "how-to" book; it is an excellent reference book to keep within reach when you are working. The older books are so obscure, so difficult to try to understand (I am thinking of the Doerner book in particular) and based on speculation about the techniques and materials used by the masters of the past. Mr. Elliott has kept abreast of discoveries by conservators in the major museums using the most up to date, sophisticated technology; as well as the continuous testing of other experts in various fields (Paint manufacturers) and the ASTM. That is why he can warn about using zinc white; how and when to use the umbers; how to organize your pigments and use them according to their innate characteristics; the safe support to use for your painting; why some paintings from the '70s are falling off the canvas, etc. Again, it is an invaluable reference tool. I think other reviewers have been thinking of it more in terms of a how-to book, rather than as nuts-and-bolts information to bring to your own artwork.



4. The book is quite well written with several excellent tips for advanced oil painters and superb illustrations. The author is modest and knowledgeable, sharing insights about the mysteries of painting as well as several practical solutions to composition questions and palette references.



5. I, have been wanting to purchase Virgil Elliott's Traditional Oil Painting for some time... and I must say,,,it is one of the finest teaching books that I have ever read..Starting to paint later on in my life,,,words cannot express how glad I am that I bought it...It is helping me sooo very much,,,What a Master teacher he is...I highly recomend it to anyone even to those who have been painting for many many years...
   Betty Jane Covington

5 comments about How to Draw Anime & Game Characters, Vol. 1: Basics for Beginners and Beyond.

1. This book is great, i've gotten several books on how to draw anime and this is the best i've seen. The level of detail and the well explained text and example is just the best buy i've done on this matter.



2. I bought this book because, obviously, I wanted to learn how to draw anime character. Instead of going straight into it, this book has you draw basic pictures first(i.e. boxes, connect the dots, faces.) which is what a person needs to draw well. After gradually building in difficulty, amatuer drawings are displayed and critiqued for the learners benefit. All in all, everything is layed out well and the mission is accomplished.



3. This is helpful in understanding the actual process of drawing and how its done is explained well.



4. this book was not helpful at all!!!i had just recently got into manga and anime drawing so i thought that this book would be helpful to me you know with the title being "basics for beginners" and all. all it did was show me useless information.all it does is show you characters made out of these weird rectangle type things only and then the finished project (but thats all no hair no clothes no nothing), instead of step-by-step directions on everything. if you are a beginner i would highly reccomend NOT, i repeat NOT getting this book!!! it confused me and didn't actually show me how to draw anything!!!if your a beginner and don't know where to start, your not alone!!! although this is the first book i ever got on the whole anime subject i would suggest some other how to draw manga books but definately not this one. try how to draw manga ultimate manga lessons volumes 1-6 and more how to draw manga volumes 1-4. believe me if you want, if you think diferently and want to try it any way be my guest but in my oppinion it's a total waste of money!!! hope this helped!!!



5. I would say pick this book up, because i am not a beginner but i still got alot out of it. If you want to get into drawing anime or game characters or you want to be pick this one up. This book really helped me brush up on my basics.I also fully intend to follow up with all the rest of the books in this sereies.