No comments about Installation Art.

2 comments about Pinstriping Masters 2.

1. I love my new book. It has some great stuff. Not so much for beginners like I'd hoped but still a good addition to the learning library. :)



2. I'm into pinstriping, and I wanna get tips, infos, and ideas from the best. Got the Pinstriping Masters 1, and I was happy to see the released of a second opus.
   Not deception at all, great book, great pictures, good explanations, go ahead, will be a great buy for yourself or as a present for anybody who's into pinstriping.
   My only "negative" note..?? the book is too shoooooooooort...
   :o))))..
   Keep it wet.

3 comments about How To Draw Crazy Cars & Mad Monsters Like a Pro (Motorbooks Studio).

1. This book was written and drawn by some of the original artists of Ed Roth's studio. It doesn't get any closer than this, great book!



2. My kids just loved this book. They are both aspiring artists and have done some great work since Christmas!



3. I bought this book for my husband, after several refferals from other hot rod friends. This book is better than described.

No comments about Mystic Masque: Semblance and Reality in Georges Rouault, 1871-1958.

No comments about Shaping Space: The Dynamics of Three-Dimensional Design.

2 comments about Arts and Culture, Combined Volume (2nd Edition).

1. I personally felt the best thing about this text book was its beautiful images--the pieces of art are from all over the world, with varied mediums, differing meanings, and from differing time periods. The book is detailed and lengthy--it is not only ideal for those who thrive in artistry, but also for those who are studying the given topic.



2. This is the sort of book that a student buys for a Humanities class and keeps the rest of their life. Children growing up with this in the home will immediately identify the worlds greatest art and buildings having already seen it here in this book. This book represents an investment in a cultured home and is one the whole family will appreciate for a lifetime. The pictures are beautiful. The organization is state of the art.

5 comments about The Art of Walt Disney: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms.

1. This book goes through the entire Disney legacy, in what is supposed to be art criticism. As far as it goes, the text is pretty good, but they are mere accompaniments to the photos, which is the bane of many art/design books. Finch makes an effort at being comprehensive, though ultimately - if you read through the whole thing - it comes off as a vanilla milk shake, with virtually no depth and ultimately flattering to just about everything Disney.
   
   Moreover, the beginning of the text is far stronger than the end, reflecting hte fact that this is an update. As such, the author worked much harder and dug deeper on the sections that covered Walt Disney's work and ideas directly - the subject of the first edition and far more interesting than later work - and then feels the rest is pasted on to update it. To cover the post-Walt Disney things, many of which represent great art in and of themselves - would merit an independent work like the first volume.
   
   Futhermore, by separating the book into discrete sections devoted to film, TV, parks, etc., the author misses one of the most important aspects of the Disney company: its work is self-reinforcing through all the media. Thus, though the early TV shows did not get enough commercial sponsorship and hence lost money, Walt Disney viewed the shows as the ultimate tool to implant his brand in the minds of the young. Even the toys were part of this, though they are almost entirely neglected in this book. It all fits together, each part morphing into the others, which Finch fails to see.
   
   The worst failing of this book, though, is its utter lack of analysis beyond crude evocations of historical context. Though purporting to be a critic, Finch does not ponder any of the company's impact on, or as a reflection of, American culture, particularly the dark side. Why do many people (myself not among them as I essentially love the DIsney legacy) despise the way the company transforms culture into its own immediately recognizable brand? What does it say about the American predilection to recreate realities, such as a mock European village, rather than seeking out the real thing (even at similar cost)? These are tough questions.
   
   In the end, this reads like something directly out of a PR department. I enjoyed the images and some of the reconstrctions of the films. But this offers little in the way of true criticism.



2. This is such a great book with great information about the disney company and of course mickey! and lots of great pictures!



3. If you love animations from Disney, or the Disney success story, this is a must buy. My Wife loves this.



4. This is not just a book for Disney art lovers -- it is a terrific background on the Disney Company as a whole and the process in the art of animation. It goes into detail as to the extent of Walt's genius and leadership abilities. Never the less, the art in this collection is phenomenal!! I personally love the preliminary sketches and the process that eventually become what you see on the screen. There is also a chapter on the role the Disney Studios played during WWII. I will cherish this edition for many years to come.



5. This book gives good insight into the story of the Disney company. It was nice to hear an honest account of whether each movie was a success or failure with critics and audiences, though I feel some were a little shortchanged. A book of this size should have had a chapter (or at least a full page) dedicated to each movie. And while it is heavily illustrated, the text does not in any way rely on the pictures. I guess screen shots from the movies or brochure style pictures of the parks are "art" but based on the title I was expecting more unique in depth imagery like preproduction and concept art, storyboards, construction photos (from the parks).
   
   If you have the older Concise edition of this book, then I don't think this one is necessary. So there are stills from a few more movies, but all the classics up to Fantasia 2000 are covered in the smaller book. Besides, the best of the new movies covered is Finding Nemo, and who doesn't have that on tape or DVD? Don't spend this much money on a few screen shots, just watch your movie. And I was particularly interested in seeing some of the new parks that weren't in the other book (California Adventure and Tokyo DisneySea) but alas they accounted for about 3 pages. Just a warning because the annoying shrink wrap prevents anyone from flipping through to decide based on the contents whether or not to fork over that much money (and the cover is so enticing...).
   
   If you have never read anything about Disney this is a great place to start, but if you already have a collection of Disney books (especially this one's concise ed.) then this one doesn't have much more to offer. And if your true passion is in the theme parks, don't let this deceptive title make you believe that equal emphasis is given to the "Magic Kingdoms". There are way better (and cheaper) books on that subject that will give you much more insight.

5 comments about Metal Techniques for Craftsmen: A Basic Manual on the Methods of Forming and Decorating Metals.

1. I always look forward to reading translations of German metal working texts, for instance Otto Schmirler or Fridolin Wolf. With two thousand years of history, they have the potential for sharing centuries of knowledge. This book is another primer, and doesn't give us more than a slightly above average review of what can be done in shaping sheet metal. This book has a few historical pictures of repousse, chasing and engraving that I have never seen before and suggests a contemporary craftsmen should aspire to this level. It would be wonderful if this book took us (me) to that level.
   
   Most if not all of this information is available in other, more specialized books. For example, sinking and raising are better covered in Silversmithing by Finegold. Engraving is better covered by Brittain, Wolpert and Morton in Engraving on precious metals, or Hardy and Bowman in The Jewelry Engravers Manual.
   
   I'd rate it at 6.5/10. It's worth a read, and has some projects it briefly follows, specifically making flat plaques, and branches off into sculptural options such as flamingos or portraits.
   
   There is a very brief section on working with air chisels that in 1995 (when it was originally published) might have been fascinating. Since this edition came out in 2001, American blacksmiths had covered this concept much better in the Anvil's Ring at Artist Blacksmiths Assoc of North America. The ABANA magazine has articles that are much more informative about this topic.
   
   I've seen German craftsmen working with copper and brass alloys, and there are no advanced or sophisticated tips or techniques here. A similarly styled, but much shorter and MUCH more inspiring book for metal workers who want to work with copper and iron as if it were a precious metal is "Metallslojd och klenmide" by KE Granston. It's not written in English, but it's a superb example of what this genre of craftmans' knowledge should look like. This book is a solid, general source for a club or school library. Refer to Schmirler, Finegold, Granston or others if you really want to learn how to really do some of the things Steines talks about.



2. The Metal Techniques for Craftsmen : It has been reissued again the 10th reprint of "THE" standard reference work on Metal forming and decoration.
   Some times I think he has a time machine as it covers metal work from the first cave person picking up a rock and beating a piece of native copper or silver for a bauble to the recent present. With a shift in what he calls western work techniques. For the east and middle eastern style sitting on the dirt floor holding the item with your feet style.
   It is divide into the following parts:
   
   * Part One Metals: basic information
   * Part Two : Metal Decorative Techniques
   * A}Decorative Techniques employing contrasting metals
   * B}Metal techniques that require soldering
   * C}Combining metals with non metalic materials
   * Part Three: Methods of fabrication
   * Part Four:Metal Finishing
   * Part Five: Hand Tools and their uses
   * Part Six: Charts and tables
   * and finishing up with source of supply(you can see what the long operating ones are) Glossary of terms, bibliography
   
   I will not say that if you have this one and his other one you don't need any other. But you probably muddle thru most any problem you come up against.
   
   Like with most books in the metal arts area. They seem to generate a love em or hate em camps.
   This book covers more ground then most of the current crop of arts jewelry work books and the reprints in this country of the Euro books.
   If you have a long time interest in metal art work and the processes that it entails. And more than just an interest in jewelry this will be a good long term investment. And it is a great reference book, I use it on a metals forum to answer questions from people that come to it as a source of clear good info.



3. This book is ok if your just starting out as a student of jewelry design or as a silversmith.



4. I took a chance on what the first two reviewers on this site said about this book and bought it unseen. Thanks to Oppi Untracht and those two people I have purchased a book without parallel. Their descriptions are both honest and accurate. In fact the title and sub-title of this book is both accurate and understated.
   This is the most exhaustive photographic treatment of artmetal on the market. As an example we see a detailed treatment on inlaying in which a craftsman from India first casts and then inlays silver into a piece of Bidri work.(Bidri work is the inlaying of pure silver, in wire and sheet form, into cast objects of a non ferrous zinc alloy) Thirty Four photos show the process from casting a dish to finally polishing the finished product with the silver inlaid into the surface. There are other books on the market that talk about inlaying like "Metalwork and Enamelling" by Herbert Maryon (another excellent book) but they only talk us through the process whereas here we get to see it being done in photographic form. I will only list that one example but all the processes and subjects are explained equally well whether it be discussing Soldering, Casting Waxes or Raising metal, or even explaining the subject of Polishing Compounds.
   The section at the back of the book on Material and Tool supply houses will be of much use to those living in North America. No doubt since its publication some of these will have closed but at lest it gives you a point of reference to start from and I only wished that we had them way down here at the bottom of the world.
   The book also includes a good Glossary and there is also included a Bibliography which will be of use to those wanting to look up some of the older titles.
   I will finish there as I am giddy with delight and am about to really start rambling on and believe that you will be too if you buy this outstanding book.
   5+ Stars



5. I have always regarded this as the ultimate reference book for metaworkers. It covers many different facets of metalworking in a very clear way with lots of good photographs. How can this important book be out of print?

No comments about Persian Rugs and Carpets: The Fabric of Life.

5 comments about Art of Coppersmithing: A Practical Treatise on Working Sheet Copper into All Forms.

1. a very informative treatise on an "Old World" art that few know how to do in todays industrialized and technological society. Remarkable, Very easy to read and follow. Will become your reference when need arises!



2. The book is an interesting history of coppersmithing, but too much is relating to boring the apprentice. The style of the book is in the old English wording (late 1800's) which is a slow read for today. The needs of the day were well explained but don't relate well today. Most current artist keep their skills a secret, so you will be looking for more.



3. This book shows how to make every kind of pot, pan, still, kettle, teakettle or brewry gadget that you would want to make out of copper. Big and small. Household and industrial.
   
   Although, dealing exclusively with copper, most of the techniques shown can be applied to other common sheet metals.
   
   This book doesn't deal with raising from the whole, as in silversmithing, but with piecing something together, and using dovetail joints along with soldering to make a whole.
   
   Lots of woodcut illustrations and concise text. There is some obscure and obsolete terminology; such as 'spelter'. Do you know what that is?
   
   Spinning, dies, power presses and such are not delt with in this book. Neither are the common sheet metal gadgets and tools, such as slip rolls, brakes, shears, roll crimps, and such. Hand hammering, stakes, charcoal firepots; that is what you will find in here. This is like blacksmithing for copper.
   
   If you are interested in working with copper sheet, or brass,I have not seen another book out there as good as this one. Especially if you want to make utilitarian objects. The book is packed with information.
   
   If you are interested in artistic copper forming you will still find the basic techniques in here as to how to work the copper. But there isn't much in the way of artistic design, like how to make a copper rooster weather vane.



4. This book I believe deserves much praise. The Astragal Press have here reprinted a book written in 1893 which highlights skills that in my part of the world have essentially disappeared. With the technological progress that has sweep across the western world since this book was written you would I suspect have to travel to India, Iran or maybe Eygpt to see this sort of hand skill in use today.
   In the authors day copper was the metal of choice for making the Glue Pots and Tea kettles, the Stock Pots, Frying Pans, Tallow Coppers and Brewing Coppers to name just a small aray of items listed in this book. Today the vast bulk of these would be manufactured from either Stainless Steel or may Aluminium.
   So the author desribes with words and some outstanding drawings how these items could have been constructed during this period. Pattern Development of some of the items is also covered. The universal subjects of Soldering and Brazing do get good coverage as does the subject of Tinning a copper to be used for cooking purposes. He has included formula for working out some of the blanks required to start from and some good descriptions of the hand tools and stakes etc. to form the work with and on.
   A previous reviewer has said that this book is mainly a historical text and of little practical worth today. This is valid only up to a point. It is my belief that this book does have a practical worth and anyone who is looking at this book will be looking precisely for what this book delivers on. That is that this book is about crafting and the art of working metal. The skill to plastically deform a metal to a desired shape is very well covered here and I think that there is a movement, even if a small one, to relearn some of the skills lost in the last few decades with the march of technology. I work in a sheetmetal fabrication shop and no one has these skills anymore and some will say "so what!". But when a job comes in with compounding curved surfaces it is to books from this generation that we must return.
   The book itself has been well manufactured though I would have perferred a hard cover. Both the Table of Contents and the Index are clear and concise.
   I therefore give this book 5 stars and believe that if you want to do some serious metal working in your job or at home as a hobby then this book will serve you very well.



5. This is a book which may be of historical significance but is of little practical value today. It was originally published in 1894. Do not get this as some kind of how-to guide or you will be disappointed.