5 comments about Creative Cloth Doll Faces: Using Paints, Pastels, Fibers, Beading, Collage, and Sculpting Techniques.

1. Another wonderful cloth doll book by my favorite author in this area. Great illustrations. Thank you!



2. Excellent book! Great instructions on how to draw a face on cloth and how to paint and highlight facial features. I haven't made my first doll yet, but I have it on my "to do" list. I really like Patti Medaris Culea and Anne Hesse's dolls as they seem so realistic with the beautiful colors and embellishments. I make handsewn beaded jewelry and I look forward to making my first cloth doll creation. One of the things I really like about Patti's books is she also includes other dollmakers work so you can visually see all the different styles of the designers and it makes your own creative juices start to flow.



3. Creative Cloth Doll Faces: Using Paints, Pastels, Fibers, Beading, Collage, and Sculpting Techniques
   Using many photos and easy to follow directions and diagrams, Patti has reduced the terrifying and difficult task many feel unable to acheive to its basics and allows the artist in you to come alive!
   
   The book has dolls from a number of different artists and demonstrates each of their approach to making the face come alive! The tips are portable and not limited to just Patti's own dolls, but ones you can save in your head for future use on a new project.
   
   I highly recommend this book for both beginning dollmakers as well as for advanced artisans who want to improve their work or techniques.



4. That's what this book is good at. Easy to follow directions, great patterns, that can be changed to fit - your doll. But most of all, a easy way to get that face looking, like a face. Not a blob of colors, where the eyes are not in the right place, or are too big on one side, and smaller on the other. This book also has great tips for those who are more experianced. The face intimadates most begainers, and some who have expriance too. And this makes it fun to come up with your own doll face. Where you'll know it will look like a face. Enjoy - this books is tons of fun. You'll find yourself going back to it, again and again.



5. Creative Cloth Doll Faces is delightful, inspirational and visually stimulating. It takes the idea of an art doll to a new level of elegance. The directions are easy to understand, even for a beginner. It is amazing how much diversity can be made from one basic face. Each artist gives the face his/her own creative identity. I highly recommend this book to folks who wish to get into the making of elegant art dolls. Bravo for Patti Medaris Culea for a fine tutorial that includes paints, pastels, fibers, beading, collage and sculpting techniques.

5 comments about Face Off: How to Draw Amazing Caricatures & Comic Portraits.

1. This is one of the best commercially available books on caricature. However, I would recommend looking at a few books, rather than just this one (this isn't a standalone caricature education resource). Some of the caricatures don't look a lot like the real people they represent; whether this is an artistic choice or a limitation of the talent involved is a mystery. Many, useful techniques are contained herein; some readers may be disappointed in the results achieved and need more instruction in achieving a recognizable likeness. Worth a look; one of the best.



2. I used to do caricatures and this pretty much is what I did for over a year. This is a well designed instructional book... It gives many variations of eyes, noses, mouths, facial structure and hair style. I recommend this book as a handy reference source to my students.



3. I purchased this book about a week ago after seeing it at a bookstore and seeing all of the excellent reviews for it. I have been studying art for a few years and having worked at a bookstore as well I know when I read a good art instruction book and this is definitely one of them. It has practical to do steps that gradually build a persons skill. A common pitfall of art books is they show a finished product of the artist but they leave it a mystery as to how they got there. This book will help seasoned artist as well as give newer ones confidence in their ability to do caricatures. Highly recommended!



4. I have several books on caricature and have to say this is the best. The funny thing is that some of the pages looked kind of familiar and I realized that they were some of the handouts used at the local amusement park. After looking at Harry's picture at the end, I do remember him holding some excellent training classes at the park. He has an excellent way of explaining the whole process. This is an excellent book on the subject.



5. Very good explaniation and a lot of figures for practice.
   I like so much.

5 comments about Drawing From Life: The Journal as Art.

1. I love this book, and it repeatedly finds its way into my bag to be taken out and thumbed through on the bus, on vacation, at work during breaks or while I am on the couch during those rare few minutes of "me-time". It takes the idea of "journal" and makes it multi-faceted. You see the artistic side of journaling of course, but the author proposes the idea that a scientific journal or furniture designer sketchbook is just as artistic as the watercolor journal. It really takes away the fear that just because you can't draw or have no idea how to collage you can't create a meaningful journal.
   This isn't a "how-to", it's a "just-is". If you are looking for a book to teach you visual journaling techniques, this probably isn't the book for you. But if you like to see how others journal in a way that fits their lives, you will enjoy this book.



2. I really like this book and it is one of my favorites, one I will return to again and again when I need a little creativity kick start.
   As a mixed media artist who writes/draws in a journal daily, I really enjoy getting a peek at what other people are doing in their journals and how they work things out on paper,what inspires them or drives them as the case may be.
   If you are looking for a "how to" book then this is not the book for you, there are plenty of fine books in that specific area of interest.
   I like it because it is unique and real,not trendy or cute, or edgy, it's just a wonderful compilation of other people's journal pages.



3. "The impulse to record our daily lives on paper is nothing if not universal." This quote is on the back cover of Drawing from Life. We aren't told who said it but the idea doesn't suffer for the lack. Teacher/author Jennifer New has compiled an exceedingly rich volume of journal pages and managed to include something that will appeal to everyone.
   
   My particular favorite piece of Drawing from Life is the fourth chapter -"Creation." Architect Steven Holl refers to the sketches and paintings that litter his twenty years of journaling as "seed-germs" Filmmaker Mike Figgis says of his diary, "It's the only truly frank conversation I can ever have." The most relevant message for me, however, originated in a lecture by poststructuralist John Dewey who argued that, "the value of art is not as a relic, a museum piece to be admired from afar, but as an aesthetic experience."(152). I emphasize this quote because it seems the most powerful part of the idea. Art should have a "verb" identity. Rather than embodying the passivity of a noun, art demands action. There isn't a way to avoid interaction with it - no matter your like or dislike of the piece you are observing. That this observation changes the observer is a critical point and can be pushed farther, as social psychologists have done, by insisting that observation changes the observed as well. The significance and meaning of a piece is transformed by every person who sees it; it's voice is strengthened, weakened, done away with, glorified, altered irreparably in a kind of mobius strip of creation. All these changes create changes in a timeless loop of inquiry and understanding and thereby creating past, present and future lives for the artwork. Figgis and Holl's comments on journaling reveal the kinesiological mechanisms of art - the creative movement of body, mind and spirit from which it springs.
   
   I don't know if there is an innate compulsion to record our lives. I don't think its outside the realm of possibility but I have to wonder whether it's the journal or the subsequent creation of witnesses to our lives that matters most to us. I don't think everyone chooses words as a tool for documenting their existence and I don't believe that everyone who wants to do so leaves behind a material representation of their lives. Those who do, however, probably find that having a witness to their lives provides a more tangible rest at the end of things. Jennifer New has produced a book filled with pages of beauty and experience and we, as readers and artists, are allowed to witness art as verb through different eyes.



4. I saw this book in a local bookstore and knew I had to have it- I found it here on Amazon for much cheaper. I love the illustrations and variety of styles represented. As a high school art teacher, I occasionally use this book to help students spark ideas for their personal art journals. Great book for anyone seeking visual inspiration.



5. I am a visual artist and have always been fascinated with the concept of journaling. This book helped me understand that there's no wrong way to keep a journal (for those of you who tend to think your journal isn't as interesting as other peoples, or that you're "not doing it right", this book is a confidence booster). Journaling is often personal and it's easy to feel self conscious of ones journal while in a vacuum; going through this book and seeing the stories and examples of total strangers helped me not be so critical of myself. I very much enjoyed the examples of each persons journal, especially the handwritten ones; the image quality was so good you could read the entries clearly. It's fun looking through other peoples journals, but confusing if you don't have the person there to explain things...this book includes how the journal writer works, why they do it, and how it has benefited other aspects of their career and/or life.
   
   I was impressed that the majority of the people featured in the book weren't career artists; some were naturalists, psychiatrists, mothers, and college students (to name a few). I liked that there was a wide spectrum of individuals featured in the book.
   
   It also shows that there are a variety of ways to keep a journal and that it doesn't always have to be a "Dear Diary" kind of scenario. It was also interesting to see what people used for journals and how they incorporated other media such as collage, digital photography, etc. or how journaling led to other forms of creation.
   
   As other reviewers have mentioned this is not a book of journaling techniques. However, I found it inspiring to see the different kinds of journals people keep and it's given me ideas of my own to run with.

5 comments about Pencil Magic.

1. If you are into pencil and Landscapes, this is the book for you. Very helpful



2. This is an excellent book for the beginner. It covers materials, perspective, techniques, and has excellent examples. I bought several different "learn to draw with pencil" books at the same time from different authors, because they all have different techniques. This is my favorite.



3. This book really help to learn drawing with pencil. HaS many examples on how to do it.



4. I love the more detailed drawings seen in this book. Alot of pencil drawing technique books look dark and smudged. Phil Metzger has used a wonderful talent to help others. I generally try to be more photorealistic in the pictures I draw in pencil or pen and ink and this book was one of the most helpful I have found. Buy it Buy it Buy it if you really enjoy drawing and want others to see what you were looking at when you drew it.



5. If your new to pencil drawing, you will learn more in the first 20 pages of this book than you will from most other books cover to cover.

No comments about Library 101: A Handbook for the School Library Media Specialist.

3 comments about Kirby Five-Oh!: Celebrating 50 Years Of The "King" Of Comics.

1. Landmark issue #50 of the Kirby Collector is an oversized collection of many items including 50 best Kirby stories, 50 best covers, 50 best examples of unused art, a 50 page art gallery, 50 best Kirby character designs, 50 people influenced by Kirby, all with text, full page photos and skads of Kirby primo art, pencilled, inked, and colored! Mark Evanier, John Morrow, and much more. A beautiful tribute to the King with hundreds of full page and smaller examples of art. Quality color cover and white, nice inside pages, and a color section that is psychedelic. If you are a fan, you must have this great book or be whipped by Granny Goodness for insubordination.



2. This book has lots of Kirby's work and after all, that's why i bought this large format paperback.
   I took one star off for the crappy paper inside, but it does have a glossy cover though.
   Also lots of facts about kirby you might have not known.It's a list of the 50 best 'everything' about Kirby.
   If you love Kirby then what are you waiting for?
   Buy the book already...



3. WOW, the KIRBY legacy continues to grow ! This is the capper of great tabloid issues featuring the world's adoration of Jack Kirby. Why do we all love this guy...because he was the BEST. And still is if you head into a comic shop today. More of his work is in print now then ever !!!

4 comments about Painting with Pastels: Easy Techniques to Master the Medium.

1. This is a terrific book for those moving to or starting with pastels.
   I'd highly recommend this as a solid reference.
   
   That being said there is an issue with the printing quality.
   The is printed in China (go figures) and it shows. On almost every single image, except perhaps the cover, there is a distinct bronzing problem with the colors.
   Depending on how it's held in the light you can see the edges around various parts of the image light up in reflection. These are not the quality reproductions of images you'd see with a lot of other books by different publishers. The quality is sub-par.
   
   This same issue occurs in certain pigmented inkjet printers when using glossy paper. The micro-encapsulation of the ink particles reflects certain type of light to produce this effect and is always an issue when making high quality prints on this type of paper.
   
   As I said earlier, the information in the book and Ms. Price's explanations are wonderful but perhaps they should have it printed in a country where quality control is taken seriously.
   
   It's a shame that such nice images has to have this effect.



2. I have begun dabbling in pastels after working with acrylics for many years. My work just didn't seem to go the way I wanted, so I explored the various books out there and purchased several of what I thought would be great beginner books and also for those of us with some artistic background. I have to say "Painting with Pastels" by Maggie Price is my favorite! She covers all the necessary bits (types of pastels, papers, workspaces, choosing subject matter, composition, strokes, color (in many different ways - paper, underpainting, application), use w/watercolor), blending....and so much more. I also loved the sections where discussion, with appropriate figures to compliment the written work, on using either photos, slides, still life, landscape, and models, as your subject when using pastels. I now feel confident in my own work and know I can now expand into producing works of art that even I can be happy with and hopefully someday become an expert, well at least adequate, artist using pastels as my medium.



3. Maggie's book covers many of the techniques for which this veteran artist is famous. The section on painting with light alone, makes this book an invaluable addition to any artist's library. Her writing style is clear and accesible whidh makes following along with the lessons simple. The examples of works in progress that Maggie provides walk you through each exercise effortlessly.
   If I were attempting to paint in pastels for the first time - or, if like me, you would like to kick your pastel painting up a notch, BUY THIS BOOK. You will be delighted!



4. I'm just getting started with pastels and fell in love with this medium. Prior to this I have done oils for years, and teach in other mediums as well. I buy reference books all the time in the areas that interest me. PAINTING WITH PASTELS by Maggie Price is the best of those I have purchased. It seemed to be written just for me! It is VERY informative; the examples are marvelous! Landscapes are my favorites and there is a strong unit on them. I have a student who likes to do portraits and there is good advice for this too. However, if you are looking for guidance on painting animals there isn't any. But the important things like values, composition, focal points, lots of stuff on colors including layering colors, and much more is in this book. Thank you, Maggie Price!

5 comments about Learn Calligraphy: The Complete Book of Lettering and Design.

1. I enjoyed reading this book and peruse it on occasion, but I cannot follow it. It is beautiful, yet not practical enough. I believe it is not well organized, that it visually all sort of runs together, and that it should have been spiral bound. It's worth it to pay a few dollars more for spiral bound, yet the majority of how-to books are NOT offered as such. With a book you are doing copywork from, it's a pain trying to weigh it down to stay open without damaging the spine. I will hold on to this, but am here now to shop for a more useful book.



2. Margaret Shepherd has written many books about this subject (Calligarphy), this is special because include a sort of recomendations for students.
   I really enjoyed this book.



3. This book is excellent. When I received my book, I started to practice for 1 week and now my handwritting is pretty.



4. I was really having a hard time picking out calligraphy how to books so i went to the book store. unfortunately they do not have a lot to choose from, at the second store i found a better selection and found Margaret Sheperd's books. Wow, great books and great way to learn, she has a funny side to her and this book is incredible, not only do you learn you have fun doing it. i also saw a few more books in her name. Unfortunately i didn't have very much time to look at them all and i cant wait to go back to see the rest. I am thinking of picking up all her books.
   
   I think this is the best of the starter books. Very easy and a fun read too!
   
   Cheryl



5. I am the author of this book and just want to respond that I agree with the very critical reviewer who felt strongly that Copperplate should have been included. I wish so too. But it would need a whole other set of supplies and hand positions. Copperplate comes along much later, and is really outside the main core of the broad-pen historic hands. Maybe some day!
   To respond to Gary Bisaqa's review, I agree and I have covered the business end of calligraphy as a free-lance job, in a whole other book, Calligraphy Projects for Pleasure and Profit.
   I wrote this, like all my other books, because I wish I'd had such a book when I started out. Thank you to others who wrote in to say that it helped them start out too.

5 comments about How to Draw and Paint Fairies: From Finding Inspiration to Capturing Diaphanous Detail, a Step-by-Step Guide to Fairy Art.

1. I was looking for a drawing guide for my daughter's 11th birthday and was hoping this book would be the key. We flipped through it at the craft store and it looked like a great instructional guide. The only hesitation I have and reason I did not purchase the book is the last few pages. There are some ill-clad fairies exposing more than I want my daughter to be drawing or her younger brothers to be seeing. I know it is common to have fairies naked even, so I was grateful there was only a few pages of what I would consider suggestive fairies. But, I wanted to share this review for other "carefully modest" parents who would rather not expose their children.



2. The best How to draw Fairies book for beginners available.
   Filled with valuable drawing and paint tips, along with beautiful fairy prints for inspiration.



3. This book was not only wonderful to look at, it was very instructive also. A fantastic way to spend a rainy day!



4. this is a nice little book. but i don't think the fairy faces are very pretty. it gives you good ideas for the poses. but you'll have to have some knowledge of how you like pretty fairy faces to look cause the artists depictions are not that pretty.
   you could draw inspiration in some of the scenes and poses though. also when you do the -search inside this books pages option- the pics they show are the best pictures in the book. theres probably a more visually stimulating fairy book out there but this book does give some good instruction and i do not regret purchasing it as a gift for my niece.



5. I saw this book at my local craft store at full price, but waited till I got home to order it, since I had to place a order though Amazon - and with the reduced price and the free shipping is was a great deal. I only had a moment to look the book over in the store, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got my copy, as to how well made the book was. It's a glue/sewn binding - very sturdy. The paper is also of good weight - and the illustrations are high quality and breathtaking.
   
   Unlike the one negative review here, I was pleased to see the the first chapter contained basic information on supplies and color theory. I am no stranger to drawing and painting - but I am self taught so it was very informative to read a up-to-date book, (as most of my books are of the hand me down variety, and are at least two times older than I am!)
   
   The in between chapters cover everything from drawing to painting techniques that I have puzzled over in my favorite fairy art. It was wonderful to see everything laid out step by step. The final chapter contains a collection of fairy art of different styles and talent levels, and just like the rest of the book I was inspired by looking over the different pieces.
   
   My only minor complaint about the book is on page 21 which covers paper stretching. I believe they make a mistake and list the steps out of order. I had to go online and look it up to figure it out. First gather your supplies, paper, gummed tape, board, water and wet the paper, THEN wet the tape and tape the paper to the board. Also the online instructions said to leave the paper on the board WHILE you do the art - which makes perfect sense to me now that I think of it. But the book said nothing either way, and I thought that I had to remove the paper after it was dry. Although the illustrations do show the tape removed from the paper after the paper was dry.
   
   Overall I am thrilled to own this book!

5 comments about Great Book of Dragon Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Craftspeople.

1. This is my favorite addition to my reference Library. It has great dragon patterns from whimsical to fierce looking dragons. Wonderful material to inspire any artist no matter what their mediums.



2. I bought this book for my 13 yr. old son. He loves to draw, and collects dragons, but never drew any dragons. With this book, he got some info, and some patterns ready for him to trace or to make his own dragon with! He loves this book!



3. I bought this book for tattooing purposes and it really wasn't all that helpful. Good info on the history and legends of dragons but most of the pictures were pretty cheesy. Works good for general art reference though.



4. I purchased this book for my 12 year old son for Christmas never thinking that it would be as big of a hit as it was! He loves dragons and is quite a good artist, so it was perfect. He could not put it down. I highly recommend this book!!



5. As usual another excellent book by the very talented Lora S. Irish.
   If you are into dragons you MUST get this book.