3 comments about Minimalism: Art and Polemics in the Sixties.

1. A stunning and brilliant book, this is THE essential work on minimalism.



2. This book is already becoming the standard work on the etiology of the movement. Meyer combines a complete mastery of the period's theoretical issues with a sleuth's approach to its historical narrative. Essential.



3. This history of minimalist theory and thought is based on the contention that the question of what constitutes minimalism has remained unresolved since the 1960s. Chapters trace the movement, examine its major qualities, and considers the presence of minimalism as a debate or argument developed in response to works of others.

5 comments about Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea.

1. This Guy is one of the coolest guys. I have this book and his Shenzhen book and I abosolutly love them. I lend them to people all of the time. You can't go wrong with this book. This has to be the very best way to capture a memory. You go under cover with Guy in a way that video cameras and microphones cannot take you. Simply awesome.



2. I finished this graphic novel about 2 months ago and it still stays with me. Guy Delisle excels at delivering "big picture" descriptions of life in Pyongyang and North Korea as well as the more unique (or odd) details of a Westerner just trying to pass his time on a job in a nation closed off from the world.
   His art compliments the mostly lighthearted take on his often puzzling encounters. It also helps the more serious matters subversively arrive.
   Delisle briefly pulled back a curtain and introduced to me to a place and people I've known very little about. My curiosity about Pyongyang and for details about life in N.K. has only continued.



3. Unfortunately I do agree with the person who felt slight disappointment with the artwork - and I found depth of penetration of the subject slightly disappointing too. And yet the book did leave a deep impression on me, of shock, and so I would recommend it. it's educative too - I knew nothing of N Korea before. There are some other artists' work in this book, which form part of the narrative for a few pages, and their work is vv impressive. But maybe the stark style that G de L has plumped for matches the subject matter, stark, and kind almost sterile. Still v well drawn though, just basic at the same time. Def worth a look though, v interesting indeed.



4. I am fascinated with North korea so I enjoyed it. Overall, I thought this was good but not great. If you think you would like this book, you probably will. It's a little boring/. I know North Korea is stiff and uneventful for foreigners but there's just not a lot of story here.



5. This is probably one of the more unique books to come out in the past few years, in graphic novel format or otherwise. Delisle, an animator for a French company (though he is originally from Quebec), is assigned for two months to North Korea to work with an educational film studio in the capital, Pyongyang. Delisle's experiences mostly consist of going from his hotel to work and back, accompanied at all times by his guide and translator (except when they lose track of him) and occasionally venturing forth on an officially approved field trip to a museum or other important site.
   
   The things Delisle sees are so bizarre and absurd he is constantly reminded of science fiction movies. His hotel, one of three in the city designated for foreigners, is situated on an island on the outskirts of Pyongyang, is almost completely empty. A great ceremony is made of a visit to the subway, which is "lit up like Las Vegas" (the rest of the city has sporadic electricity) but only seems to extend for two stops. The downtown is dominated by a giant 100-story triangular building that was designed as a hotel for foreigners during the Seoul Olympics but stands empty and unused. Next to Guy's hotel is an "International Cinema Center" which is only open once every two years for a festival of propaganda films. Oh and did I mention that every foreigner arriving in the country is required to pay respects to a 20-meter statue of the Dear Leader before going anywhere else? There are more chilling moments as well: the Museum of Imperialist Occupation has paintings of American soldiers pouring motor oil down the throats of children during the Korean war.
   
   Delisle's take on things is a humorous one but the undercurrent of fear and oppression in the country is palpabable on every page. I read Delisle's subsequent book, Shenzhen, (which is also great but lacks the tension) first and felt that his drawings, which resemble quickly sketched comic stripts, left something to be desired. I appreciated his style more here, since the book has the feel of a graphic journal; at one point in the book he depicts himself in his hotel room at night sketching out the events of the day. I knew very little about North Korea before reading this and am glad to have had a peek behind the curtain courtesy of Monsieur Delisle!

No comments about Painting as Model.

5 comments about Coffin: The Art Of Vampire Hunter D.

1. If your a Vampire Hunter D fan, I say get this book. Goes nicely to any collection in that series. tons of pages on art work done over the years from the artist. I say a must buy ^^



2. As for content and art this book is fabulous, but I was kind of expecting more prints. The layout they chose for the book is interesting and I don't really find it necessary other than for a wow factor. To me it really didn't add anything to the prints inside, but to be fair, it didn't necessarily take away either. This book defiantly features what I enjoy best about Amano's art.
   
   A good buy for Amano fans or any artist interested in graphic art and/or inking.



3. I bought this book for my boyfriend, who is a huge fan of the series. I cannot speak from my own experience with it, but from his near fainting reaction upon receiving it, I would say it is definitely worth the money. From what he has said, the artwork is incredible. I would recommend it for any fan of the series or the art.



4. The art in this book is detailed, beautiful, and breathtaking... I was blown away by even the pictues which were only sketches.
   
   I recommend it highly to fans of Vampire Hunter D... as well as anyone who is an art fanatic or art book collector... or even just someone who loves Vampiric things in general.



5. This book is HUGE, which it should be to show off the fantastic artwork. Loved it! All Vampire Hunter D fans should get it, just don't expect it to fit in your book shelf.. lol! Pay close attention to the dimensions in the item description. It also comes in a slip case to protect the book.

No comments about Adventures in the Human Spirit (3rd Edition).

No comments about Raphael.

5 comments about Fashion Rendering with Color.

1. I have found Bina Abling's books to the most useful of all the different fashion sketching books out there. This book was a supplemental to my Fashion Sketching class, and it has invaluable information on techniques for rendering multitudes of fabric, designs details, etc. in full color.
   
   As noted in other reviews, there was also a lot of black and white images for a book focused on 'rendering in color.' But I have found that a lot of the illustration work I'm now doing will be printed in B&W, so having Abling's examples of how to create color and texture variance in a limited color palette has really helped my art.



2. Would have been useful if 98 % of the book was actually in color, not black & white. Was extremely expensive for such a short book printed in this way.



3. I bought this book because it had such good reviews, but I was very disappointed with the contents. The title is fashion rendering with color, but most of the illustrations are black and white (very misleading). Plus the illustrations don't look very professional in my opinion. If you have no drawing skills but want to become a fashion designer, then this is the right book for you. Otherwise, don't buy it.



4. Bina Abling's Fashion Rendering with Color is a great source of information and consultation for starters on fashion design, and drawing in general. I've just started fashion design lessons, and I do not have many resources regarding this specific subject in my country, so I turned to Amazon.com to find the best, and I did. I've presented a collection of 30 dolls, using some of the styles on this wonderfull book, and I'm doing great, so I recommend this book to anyone who is starting, or just wants to know how to render with markers, and other materials.
   
   I hope you find this review helpful, and have a nice day!



5. Rendering with Fashion by Bina Albing is a very descriptive and helpful illustrated book for all students. This book has proved to be extremly helpful to the new student in drawing and finishing a fashion product. It gives prompt examples to the learning with colorful examples to help one learn. Idealy all students should get this book for future no matter the experience already learned.

3 comments about An Artist's Handbook: Materials and Techniques (Abrams Studio).

1. Every art studio needs a guide to essential drawing and painting materials and how to use them, making AN ARTIST'S HANDBOOK a key acquisition not just for college-level art libraries and individual artists, but for general-interest holdings where patrons would understand the historical and modern techniques the artist needs to master in all media, from sketches to oil and acrylic paints. It's the only in-depth 'materials and techniques' guide oriented to modern art students and should be considered a staple acquisition.



2. Laurie, Doerner, Wehlte, Hiler, Kay... and now Krug. Not a law firm, but a list of writers about art materials and techniques, who actually have something useful and important to say: art materials don't just mysteriously show up at the store in little tubes, you can make them yourself, as artists have done for centuries, until this part of the creative process was hijacked by manufacturers concerned with shelf life and merchandising. Margaret's coverage of casein, distemper, and encaustic are worthy of particular note; these techniques are rarely explored in print, and the recipes and demonstrations for distemper (painting with glue, like Dieric Bouts or Bonnard) and distemper as underpainting for encaustic (like the Fayum paintings of Egypt) are both scholarly and artistically exciting. Fabulous! Get this book, and get painting!



3. An Artist's Handbook: Materials and Techniques by Margaret Krug is an inspiring and extremely user-friendly reference for both students and teachers of art. The abundant examples of beautifully reproduced artwork, all in color, keep pace with the wide range of drawing and painting techniques Krug describes. The author's vision is expansive; though examples by historical and contemporary masters are in plentiful supply, I was delighted by the inclusion of a concise and lively watercolor by seven-year-old Helen Henry done in 1914 that would not be out of place in a gallery today. For her rich array of offerings, Krug provides historical background and information on materials as well as step-by-step instructions and suggested exercises for getting started.
   
   The various elements of the book - the great reproductions, Pamelia Markwood's wonderful photographs that illustrate the technical processes with clarity and precision, the book's thoughtful structure, and Krug's easily understood instructions - work together to give one the sense of being personally guided by a very gifted and knowledgeable teacher and practitioner of art. The book also helpfully includes a list of further recommended reading, a glossary of terms, an index and safety guidelines. I highly recommend it.

3 comments about Best Movies of the 70's (Taschen 25).

1. I cannot believe that for around $10, you get an absolutely beautiful, high-quality hardcover with amazing photos and well-written, critically insightful text. It's just a steal. Great to pick up and locate a film you've just watched for additional details. I just did it for Robert Altman's "Nashville."



2. Little to tell, you have to buy it. the book contains not only excellent reviews of films by critics, but also subject analysis, data concerning film creators, history of cinema and certainly has picked to review many of the great films of the decade.



3. Excellent photos, movies and information. Very nice. I loved this Taschen's collection.

1 comments about Claymore, Volume 6 (Claymore).

1. Disclaimer: Claymore SHOULD be started from Volume 1 and read from there, as the story arcs flow from volume to volume.
   
   The Volume starts with the fallout from their first attacks on "The Awakened" male the group was ordered to kill in Volume 5. All the ladies are rather beat and bloody, but the battle continues. Miria does her best to do some damage control, but in the process, only enrages the male further when he realizes her strength, and before long, even she is worse than she ever wanted to be. All seems lost, but Clare steps up to the plate begins the transformation into her true self. The battle sways in the girls favor, but not without surprises and a glimpse into "Pandora" by the end. The second story introduces Ophelia, a sinister rogue "Claymore" with a knack for some really twisted games. She becomes the first true villain in the series as she decides to truly torment and test Clare to her limits. The arch doesn't fully expand until Volume 7, but the start is a good taste of things to come. The series as a whole is wonderful, it keeps you engaged and gives you enough action and story with quality characters to keep you wanting more. If you need a Manga series to start on and don't mind some blood and mature themes....this is your starting point. If you're a seasoned vet, you should already know by now. Buy Volume 1 and get to reading!!!!