5 comments about Interior Design Visual Presentation: A Guide to Graphics, Models & Presentation Techniques, Second Edition.

1. Wonderful illustrations for you to use as a guide when creating your own drawings, and presentation models. I've been able to refer to examples from this book when I've hit a rock trying to create my drawings and model spaces.



2. I gave this book as a gift, but the recipient (a new interior design student) was very pleased with it. Also had the book shipped directly to the recipient (to make it in time for Christmas). It was received in good shape in a timely fashion. So while I've yet to see the book myself -- the gift review in conjunction with other buyers' reviews makes me think it's a great purchase!



3. This book helped me tremendously with getting my senior project portfolio ready. It goes into detail about presentation methods, mounting, layouts, ideas for portfolio covers etc.
   
   I would like to see another version of this book being published..in color though! Some of the ideas spoken about are definitely outdated and inapplicable in this day of age.



4. I am a student studying Interior Design and I have found that this book is a great one that every student should have on their shelf. Its an amazing resource



5. This book has taught me more than I learned in an entire semester at a FIDER accredited Interior Design program at a local college. Well worth every penny.

5 comments about Make It Bigger.

1. I ordered this book late November in 2006. It was not in stock, so expected to ship sometime in February. Every 3 weeks I received another email notifying that the expected ship and delivery dates were pushed back another month or two.
   There's NO reason that this should happen - so I googled the book and eventually found a publisher's site to order from.
   
   Great book, but BOO amazon.



2. A great read for anyone who is ready to make the jump from art school to working clients. Scher goes into excellent detail about working with illustrators, the structure (and politics) of agency work, her strategies/approach to design. She also shares good insight on how to work most effectively with clients who may not know a whole lot about design. I found this very practical, and a very easy read. I am also a big fan of her work, which spans several decades.



3. Paul Scher hit me. No, literally. On a student tour of the Koppel/Scher offices, I was standing by a closet--Paula flung the door open and I provided the rubber stop. Though it's been a struggle, the last 12 years have softened my emotional pain. Make It Bigger provided some very necessary closure.
   Also, trust whatever Randy Silverman (a previous reviewer) says about anything, especially anything concerning design. Frighteningly insightful.



4. I have to say I'm not a big "fan" of Paula Scher's visual style, it's far too "horsey" and "big-boned" for my taste, but I am a fan of what she has to say about the design profession and her experience in it.

   This book is an excellent reference/story book on the frustrations of dealing with clients (which are many, as I can relate) who have poor taste or are just clueless. I agree with everything Paula says here and enjoyed the grain of salt with all that's said. I can feel the frustration and exasperation Paula speaks of as anyone worth their blood has designed something great, only to have a client with tunnel vision ruin it. Sigh.

   Any serious designer should read this book, or already has. I would have no problem calling anyone who hasn't read it a poseur in this profession!




5. Too often designers see their own result(s) and design solutions without the knowledge of the 'client process' . . . a truly remarkable reality in this business. ALL design students should be made aware of this aspect of the profession, possibly even before seriously considering if one wants to be a designer. There is so much more to it than having an 'AHA' on one's own. Ms. Scher has presented this in a manner both pictorially and honestly with examples and explanations . . . and, of course, with much experience in the real world of design (which must also include some humor). I have been a designer for thirty years and would recommend this as part of required reading from the start for future "wannabes" and for all of us who need that reassurance that this is indeed how it works.

5 comments about Vilppu Drawing Manual.

1. For the fundamentals of drawing, this is the book. Glenn teaches a different technique than most other masters (or current teachers even) ever have, whereby you learn to really understand the gesture the model is taking and draw from that, rather than attempting to copy the lines and shadows that you see as you observe the model. This enables you to then draw from memory or imagination. It also creates a drawing that captures more of the "life" of your figures.
   
   There is a brief introduction to anatomy, but it is really only enough to get you started in your understanding. For anatomical or advanced figure drawing, you will want to look at the other available products. Other books on this subject: Head Drawing Anatomy Volume 1, and Drawing Hands and Feet. He goes into the human anatomy in detail on DVD, which is much easier to learn from than a book, and covers each section of the body in apx 1.5 hour each.



2. Although I think it's excellent, I believe that there are a lot that are better ones out there. Don't want to diminish it's value but of the several instruction books available, I rarely use it. That however doesn't mean that it won't be of great value to others.



3. my only irk is that this doesn't really teach how to draw the head. for that, ya might like Andy Loomis' Drawing The Head and Hands.
   
   Irk aside, I love this book and, since I've practiced drawing the spheres, cylinders, and cubes alot before following this, I found I was able to learn and adapt to the methods extremely well.
   
   What Glen Vilppu does is amazing. He starts with the teaching gesture drawing, then moves onto spherical forms & overlapping, cubes and manipulating them, merging the spheres & boxes, and cylinders. Those methods alone, and analyzing forms, will allow you to draw anything. The two anatomy sections aren't bad, although I wish more was taught regarding the feet, head, and facial features. Even three pages for each area would have made this even better.
   
   What I personally recommend is practice those three shapes alot (google "Ten Minute Drawing Techniques" for that and more), then move onto this. Learn all the methods, analyze the drawings, and draw from them. "Don't copy, analyze" as Glen will say. Then look for whatever anatomy or figure drawing book that best suits your needs in progressing.
   
   While not perfect, this is a must have.



4. Besides Nicolaides' Natural Way to Draw, this book is really all the elements it takes to do drawing in about 13 lessons. If you have mastered all 13 lessons, you really will have become a great artist. Each lesson builds up on the previous one, and your suggested not to move on until you feel you are ready for the next one. Combine this manual with his series of DVD's and you pretty much have art school in a box. I am not even kidding about that either, the DVD's are literally him teaching in the class as well as demonstrations of him doing the drawings and models to draw from. You get to see a real master at work, and then you will have the confidence to do it yourself as he describes.
   
   This is not a quick fix book like Edwards' Right Side of the Brain, this is the real deal as far as learn to draw books/ series are concerned. I liked Nicolaides' book as well starting out, although I feel that not enough people take it seriously due to the amount of work required. Believe it or not your going to arrive at doing the same amount of work even if it takes you a lifetime to discover that. It is best to do your blind contour and form studies, etc. now so you dont have issues later with the natural element to drawing. Although this Drawing Manual does not deal with such things, that would be how you should acquire the feel of the thing anyway.



5. This is an excellent book. Vilppu focuses on gesture drawings for the most part and builds from there. You will learn how to construct the figure: torsos, arms, legs, and briefly hands.
   A great book for both illustrators and animators. Highly recommended

5 comments about The Other Statue.

1. Out of all the Edward Gorey books I've read so far, I think THE OTHER STATUE is the finest and witties. Published in 1968, it is similar to most of Gorey's works from this era, but the humour is even more droll than usual and the characters amusingly named. Moments of great significance and total unimportance are juxtaposed in a hilarious manner.
   
   No one reads Gorey for the plot alone, as the pen and ink drawings hold most of the charm, but a summary may be of interest. Like Gorey's first novel THE UNSTRUNG HARP, our tale is set in the province of Mortshire near Backwater Hall. A number of guests arrive for a party, but the weather turns stormy, and LordWherewithal is killed by a statue blown from the roof and the priceless heirloom, the Lisping Elbow is stolen. Who among the cast of characters could be responsible? The clergyman Rev. O. MacAbloo, Horace Gallop, a gypsy selling Orphobismic Lozenges, or Miss Quartermorning? I would suspect the governess Miss Underfold, but Dr Belgravius and his nephew Luke Touchpaper are out to find the person responsible.
   
   Now that I have written a little about the book, I see that it sounds weird and silly, but this is a very entertaining book, and certainly the best introduction to Gorey around. Give it a look if you like droll humour.



2. I know the Rev. MacAbloo is at least partly responsible (and he's probably *mostly* responsible). Miss Quartermourning knows something but isn't telling. Miss Underfold had second thoughts after the fact but she was in too deep to get back out.
   
   What I haven't figured out is the missing floorboard or those odd two-legged creatures.



3. There is somthing about this book. It is so intrigueing I keep reading it over and over. For such a short story I have definately gotten my kicks out of it. Well worth a read again..and again...My favorite Gorey book.



4. Gorey fans will enjoy this dark vintage offering, which was first printed in 1968 and has been out of print until this year. Gathered for the annual charity fete at Backwater Hall in Mortshire, the assembled guests are suddenly disrupted by the mysterious death of their host, Lord Wherewithal and the theft of the family's heirloom, the Lisping Elbow. The Other Statue is a gothic mystery filled with exquisite details and haunting images (both in the illustrations and the words.) It leaves its readers pondering and wondering what happened to the sequel, "The Night Bandage", promised "to follow" on the back cover.



5. I don't know where this late sixties Gorey work has been hiding, but it's good to see it in print now. Apparently this is part one of a mystery, and I look forward to part 2. Fans of Gorey's unique world, with its obscure humor and painstakingly rendered artwork, will enjoy this offering as yet another fine example of the master's hand. It tells the story (more or less) of an Edwardian garden party at which somebody dies, whereupon the characters dither about in various suspicious and barely coherent ways, and nothing is yet resolved. Fans may find this one reminiscent of "The Willowdale Handcar." Those unfamiliar with Gorey's work should first investigate his fine "Amphigorey" collection to get a sense of the utterly unique niche Mr. Gorey occupies, a mix of fine art, cartooning, illustration, highly subtle literate wit, and a morbid turn.

3 comments about War Posters: Weapons of Mass Communication.

1. This book is very interesting because it shows posters made for war propaganda from both sides of the conflict. The posters give the reader a glimpse of how the other side viewed itself and its enemy.
   
   I am totally against fascist regime in Nazi Germany, Italy, and Imperial Japan, but to see their war posters, I sensed they really believed that they were fighting against a greater evil. The question is, what if we lost? Would we be portrayed as the evil capitalist empire on a mission to exploit the entire world?



2. It's not surprising to learn that this handsome volume was printed in conjunction with a British museum exhibit of war posters. The graphics chosen for inclusion here are of the highest caliber, and I can only imagine that curators pored over each of these and culled dozens (hundreds, even!) of others.
   
   It's fascinating to compare the icons, color schemes, and appeals to patriotism that have accompanied modern warfare in its various arenas. The posters are worth lingering over and thinking about, and the international flavor of the selections is laudable.
   
   I might quibble that the final chapter of anti-war posters seems vastly less impressive than it could have been; perhaps the author felt that it needed to be included, but didn't have the page count to accommodate the topic? No matter. A brilliant book; highly recommended.



3. This book is a formidable weight! It can be used as a 'coffee table book' but it is more than that. The illustrations are brilliant and the explanatory text very interesting. If you have an interest in propaganda, you should love it. I was given it as a present but I would have bought it anyway if I had spotted it first. It is unusual and brilliant.

5 comments about Drawing Realistic Pets from Photographs.

1. I purchased this book for my daughter's 14th birthday. She loves to draw and is quite talented. I gave "Drawing Realistic Pets from Photographs" to her for her birthday and she loved it. She sat right down and sketched the cat. She said when she opened it "Awesome". This book shows the picture of the animal and then how to pencil/charcoal draw the picture by hand. I would highly recommend this book.Drawing Realistic Pets from Photographs



2. Lee Hammond's books (all of them !) are so great! Easy to understand and lots and lots of great tips. Really comprehensive and excellent work.



3. I am an oil painter and I wanted to experiment with pencil drawing.I have a few of Lee Hammond's books and I think this is the best by far.A very good book that explains a lot of detail and helps a beginner get motivated to learn.



4. I purchased this book for my daughter because she loves to draw animals. It has fantastic illustrations and pictures with easy to follow instructions. My daughter is eight and it was easy enough for her to understand yet challenging enough to keep her interested. She was very happy with the book & her drawings have really improved with the help of this book.
   
   This book has been great for her & she's since checked out other how-to-draw books from the library. It's helped give her more confidence in her art work.



5. I like to draw but always have trouble getting my sketches exactly looking life like. After doing the lessons in this book there's no stopping me. It is so easy to understand and the final results are amazing. Well done Lee Hammond I also bought the painting copy with excellent results as well.

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

1. I have previously purchased a couple of the 'Virtual Pose' series and this is a wonderful addition. I found the system easy to use and as a person who likes to do life drawing and figurative painting but without ready access to a model, it is invaluable.



2. Though I do wish these series provided more content [most Virtual Poser books and DVDs only have under about 12 poses], I have to say that the quality of the images, the books, the DVD and the models are great. I would buy the entire series. I would like to see varying body types in other editions, including obese/over weight models and people from different ethnic backgrounds though.



3. The photographs are in high quality and the quick time cd incredible. I find the models attractive and a good choice. As an artist who constantly requires new material this is a wonderful too. I think however that some of the poses are not suitable for painting classical works. I was hoping for poses that one could use for paintings and drawings that inspire a romantic / classical era with more of an' emotional' feel to it. Take for example the cover picture, although it is beautifully photographed and the models perfect, the pose itself is hard to place in the context of a painting. Obviously different artists have different needs and I suppose for the graphic artist it may be more helpful. Most the poses are vertical and some seated. There are no horizontal or lying postures of the couple to use for vertical paintings. Since I do not know the entire range of Virtual Pose books they may be found in one of the other editions. A good tool to use when wanting to practice perspective, user friendly on the whole.



4. can someone please make a figure drawing book with good lighting on the figures? i havent found one good source book for this yet. but in comparison to what ive bought so far, its better than most. still can not beat a live model i guess.



5. but i still like # 3 better..takes some getting use to.. works a little different than 3 with the controls

5 comments about Pattern and Palette Sourcebook 2: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Color and Pattern in Design.

1. It doesn't show enough of the patterns, the cd is useless. I'm actually quite mad I bought it. I have limited space for my books and most of which I use all the time.



2. I still cannot understand why this book has so poor rating.... hm?!
   I am a graphic designer and I bought this (and the earliest version) in Germany at a trade show.
   Me being a designer, NEVER expected the book (the CD) to have the patterns in vector as I read inside the book that the patterns are protected, they are NOT royalty free... (besides, being a designer I want to create my own designs! So I went on and like someone said, yes, the CD is not quite that good (same thing as in the earliest version).... I looked at this book as a color combination inspirational book AND I LOVE IT!!! (THEM BOTH)...
   If you see this book as a color palette reference and are a designer, artist, illustrator, YOU WILL LOVE IT!
   I know I did and I am very strict as what books I cherish.
   I based some of my designs on some of the color combos Heidi suggests and was AMAZED by the result! I had a friend (a Trend Forecaster expert) check my own patterns and the color applications and she was blown away!
   Do not pay attention to the 2-3 stars if you are looking for a book that can color inspire you.... THIS IS IT!



3. I love the idea of this book very much. You get a palette group from which smaller palettes are made, and then patterns in which that smaller palette is used. It's a great inspiration tool, one I will probably use a fair bit. There are many colors in the book that I just love, and many palettes that were beautiful.
   
   However, the book and, more specifically, the CD with it could have been better designed. I would have liked to see a better use of the patterns. The patterns didn't have a range of colors applied to them, but rather used the same number of colors. It would have been nicer and more useful to see two colors used here, three here, and four here, rather than just two here and all five or six here. I also would have liked to see the RGB values presented with the colors (or even just listed at the back of the book). As a digital artist, I use the RGB values far more than I do the CMYK values.
   
   The CD was also poorly designed. The tool itself is a brilliant idea- getting to play around with the colors in the patterns yourself- but since it uses RBG to select colors and the book has only CMYK values, I have to get an extra tool to convert the CMYK values to RBG values to even use the palettes presented in the books. There's also no indication of what color you've selected other than the RGB values in the boxes, and that's probably helpful only to a very select few. The last issue I had was that some of the lines in the patterns were extremely small or thin, and since you're expected to click the part of the image where you want to change the color, this presented an issue.
   
   I'm going to keep the book and enjoy it, but, honestly, if I had known what I do about it before I bought it, I probably would have skipped buying it. There are books that do the same things as this one does, but that have done it better.



4. Book arrived safely, quickly, and in excellent condition! Thanks so much!
   Why do I call this review thoughtful honesty? Because the book is the way it was promised, intact and like new. Think about it...



5. This book is full of interesting and attractive color combinations and patterns but for some bizarre reason does not include vector files for the patterns shown - sort of like a cookbook that has beautiful pictures and detailed descriptions but excludes an ingredient list. This is such a shocking oversight that I wonder how it made it into print. Rockport is a consistently excellent publisher but they really missed with this half-effort. Useful only as a color reference.

5 comments about The Oil Painting Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist (Watson-Guptill Materials and Techniques).

1. This book has a wealth of information for the new artist. Tips, techniques, materials, tools, solvents, mediums, and how to apply them. I haven't had a chance to go through it all yet, but it seems to be the most complete book I've found on oil painting.



2. Has some nice excersices but overall was rather bland to me. I would actually say the "oil painting for dummies" is a better choice.



3. This book is great! It is very comprehensive and approachable for a beginner. The author goes to great length, but is concise.



4. I am taking a beginning oil painting class, where this book
   was recommended as the best reference book available. I do
   agree with that assessment. It is most helpful with information,
   materials, techniques and sources. It's really great.



5. After almost 30 years I am ready to start painting again. I felt very lost and over whelmed when I went to restock my painting supplies. This book has been tremendously helpful, and I will be keeping it on hand to use as a reference.

2 comments about Come Look With Me: Exploring Landscape Art With Children (Come Look With Me Series) (Come Look With Me Series).

1. All types of art and artists with questions to start conversation about the piece. Great for the elementary age.



2. I am a docent at an art museum and the goal is to get children develop a love of art. This book is exactly what will assist a child to enjoy art.