5 comments about Sacred Mirrors: The Visionary Art of Alex Grey.

1. This book is easy to get lost in. The art has alot of stuff in it to absorb.



2. This book is filled with incredible art by Alex Grey. The only problem with the book is the fact that it is listed on Amazon as a HARDBACK and it is not. This is no fault of the artist but Amazon should be sure to correctly list their products.



3. Alex Grey's art is unique, provocative, visionary and striking. The anatomical detail, overall composition and beauty is uplifting. While this type of art may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is undeniably creative and powerful.
   
   This book is based on a series of paintings that are approximately 6'0" tall. They were meant to be used as a mirror for an individual to experience different aspects of themselves. In other words, to serve as a lens for a different perspective on what it is to be human. In general, the book proceeds from an outline of the body made up of elements, through the skelton system, blood vessels, nerves, etc. What is unique is that it goes beyond this to subtle and causal realms based on the experience of Alex Gray and the testimony of various mystics. It is meant to evoke awareness of these more subtle dimensions and even in book form could be used for meditations.
   
   This book also contains images of Jesus, the Boddhisattva of infinite compassion and other enlightened beings. Again, these are meant for contemplative experiences where you look for these energies in yourself as part of a contemplative practice. There are also some beautiful images of a couple kissing, making love, a small family, etc. These latter category of images are similar to the cover in that they represent the various spheres of Being from the gross body through the spirit.
   
   This book is on the large side, is printed on very high quality paper and contains a lot of color plates as well as contextual information. It is a bargain at the price it is being sold and some of the text is written by Ken Wilber.
   
   If you are not familiar with Ken Wilber's work, either Kosmic Consciousness or A Brief History of Everything would be a great place to get started. Either of these resources will help you to appreciate Grey's art in more depth and understand what he is trying to achieve.



4. I bought this for my fiance because he LOVES Alex Grey and He LOVES TOOL. He absolutely loved the book and actually I DID TOO!!! If you are a fan of either or (Alex Grey or Tool) it's a MUST BUY!!!



5. the images of sacred body - energy currents are incredible! Nowhere else will you find this kind of anatomical imagery. This is an incredible book. Alex Grey is a genius!

5 comments about Draping for Apparel Design.

1. it's required txet book for our college.
   it's readable and understandable easily.
   if you are a serious learner in this field, it's the one for you.



2. Excellent book about drapping and worth to buy especially for the beginner who learn how to modify your basic pattern, it would be better if in the next edition shown how to modify the pattern more specifically, with measurement sample.



3. I wanted to wean myself off dependency on commercial patterns and having invested in a dress form, I came across this book. It's a bit pricey but it turns out that it's a fashion school text book, hence the price tag. The text is very well-written and illustrated. The author has the reader analyze a fashion drawing, and identify the structural components of a particular garment as most embellishments can be broken down to basic components (i.e. dart excesses).
   
   My only peeve was that some definitions for terms I wasn't familiar with (e.g. Princess Line) couldn't be found in the back of the book. Also, not all the formats seen in fashion are portrayed in this book. Most, if not all, garment examples have a waist or empire seam, and designed for woven fabrics (no knits); and as far as I can tell, the author doesn't direct the reader/student on how to accomodate for that. However, I am happy that there is a section on bias-cut gowns (the info. is very hard to come by on the Net) As a self-taught sewer and wanna-be designer, this book will definitely help me to go to further.



4. A detailed, step by step guide for designing using the drape method. Easy to understand and also inspiriing. I wanted a way to create the designs I had in my head. This makes it so much clearer. A great resource to have.



5. This book is so beautifully illustrated, you hardly need to read a line. To me, draping is the most rewarding method of apparel design, in that what you see is what you get -- no sketching, drafting, sewing up a muslin, and then seeing the results. That is why I find this book to be the best of all popular draping texts on the market today. The instructions are clear, the book itself is clean and well laid out. The illustrations are flawless. You can follow the drawings and easily achieve the same results. There is so much clarity in the way the material is presented, it's easy to use, easy to understand, and easy to learn from. The quality of this book is similar to her pattern drafting book. I would recommend any book authored by Helen Joseph-Armstrong, as you will certainly get the best book on the subject. This book is absolutely delightful.

5 comments about Hot Textiles: Inspiration and Techniques with Heat Tools.

1. I am really enjoying all the ideas and great instructions for techniques packed into this book. I feel I really got my moneys worth with this purchase and will browse through it over and over.



2. This is one of the few books I have bought that I read cover to cover. I can't wait to get started on everything!
   
   There are not step by step directions but there are good descriptions of what to do to achieve each effect. It might not be the book for a beginner. The pictures are wonderful.



3. Although I am not skilled in this type of art, I am a visual artist. This book and the methods shown intrigued me enough that I will try to find a way to incorporate some of the methods and materials into my work.



4. Contrary to the previous reviewer who didn't think Kim Thittichai (Hot Textiles) did a good job on addressing the safety issues...I beg to differ. I'm only on page 27 and so far Ms. Thittichai addresses the safety issue on page(s) 7 (2 paragraphs); pg 10, entire page; pg 12, 1 paragraph; pg. 15, 1 paragraph; pg. 17, warning; pg 24, entire page. I think this is an excellent book which leads the artist into using different mediums and how to safely use each of them. I'd highly recommend this book to someone who has used some of the products as well as someone who is new to working in this textile environment.



5. Lots of innovative fiber techniques are coming out of the UK,
   and this is no exception.
   However, I found some inaccuracies, like MX dyes dyeing polyester
   (doesn't happen), and some downright blatant safety issues ignored.

5 comments about DragonArt Fantasy Characters: How to Draw Fantastic Beings and Incredible Creatures.

1. This is an excellent resource for artists of fantastical races. It has info for everything and fun little comments throughout the entire book. Wonderfully drawn, coloured, and simple to use, I highly recommend this book to other artists, as a guide on how to make their own wonderful creations.



2. We bought this book for our 14 year old and found it had nudity/partial nudity in many of the drawings. The work is beautifully done.



3. Jessica Peffer has come out with the most useful art books that i know of that relate to fantasy. I am a VErY big fan of her work and i recommend this book to every and anybody who is interested in drawing fantasy stuff. GO JESS!!!!



4. This book is divided into five sections: a preface and four parts. The preface contains a tutorial about how to draw people. It briefly covers all the basics: shapes and shading, penciling and inking, coloring, human body, face, facial expressions, hair, hands and feet.
   
   There are step-by-step tutorials on how to draw fantasy beings in part 1, 2, and 3. Part 1 contains classic fantasy creatures: a fairy, a sprite, an elf, a goblin, a dwarf, and an orc. Part 2 contains mythological creatures: a mermaid, a centaur, a faun, an angel, and a kitsune. And part 3 contains night creatures: a banshee, vampire, a werewolf, and a demon.
   
   Part 4 is about fashion. It shows a limited collection of clothes, accessories and weapons for male and female characters of various professions: warrior, ranger, rogue, mage, cleric, samurai, noble, and peasant.
   
   The step-by-step tutorials are very useful, but this book works the best for me as a source of inspiration. J. Peffer's artistic style is refreshing and extremely contagious.
   
   The bad thing about this book is that it's only 128 pages long. Overall, I think this is great book.



5. I bought the first neondragon book just because I liked the artwork on her website, and while I loved all the monsters, I have always struggled with drawing people. I'm so glad that she came out with this book, it has helped a lot, and even despite that, the graphics are awesome just to look at! I HIGHLY recommend this and everything else she has come out with. Keep up the good work Jess!

5 comments about The Animation Book: A Complete Guide to Animated Filmmaking--From Flip-Books to Sound Cartoons to 3- D Animation.

1. If there was ever a 'textbook' for learning animation, this is it. I have several books on animation production, from cell to 3D, and this on the pretty much the backbone of them all. I am not a professional animator, though I wish I was. This book provides a plethora of reference films for various styles of animation (it's nice to have a somewhat comprehensive list of styles) and suggestions for production. Though, it does lean more towards the artistry of animation, rather than digital production techniques to turn a quick buck.
   
   I recommend this book as a primer for anyone who is passionate about animation as an art, hobby, or the first step in building an animation production house from scratch.



2. I just about wore out my copy of the original edition of this book years ago; i never got far into *doing* animation, but it really helped me to *understand* what i was seeing on the screen (as well as serving as a source of recommendations as to Good Things to look out for...)
   
   While this may not be quite the essential text for asiring animators that Will Eisner's "Comics and Sequential Art" (q.v.) is for would-be comics pros, it is a Very Good overview of the field as a whole, from techniques to materials to the creative aspects.
   
   There is, admittedly, not sufficient detail on any one subject to take one to a true professional level, but there is sufficient detail and commentary to let the tyro make a beginning in almost any aspect of animation (within one's financial limitations, anyway -- while costs are rather less now than they were in the day when film was the sole practical medium of choice, some aspects of animation do cost more than others to do) nd work at it enough to get an idea as to whether that's what she wants to do.
   
   And remember -- you might not intend to make animation your life's work; but Mike Jittlov was an accounting major who took an animation course because he needed an elective and it fit his schedule. The film he made for that course won him an Oscar nomination...
   
   Anything can happen, and this book is a good place to check it out if you think animation might be one of the "anythings" you'd like to happen to you.



3. This is a great book for both students of animation and anyone out there who just wants to know more about that thing called animation. Laybourne is very easy to read and goes step-by-step through various animation processes in such an accessible way that its almost entertaining.
   
   If you have a serious interest or just a passing interest, this is a great book!



4. I am using this book for background info for an animation unit I teach with my graphics students. It gives you a good overview of many different animation techniques. It answered a lot of my questions. This book is a good start, but you might also want to check out animation by preston blair, and Animation from script to screen by Shamus Culhane. Shamus will make an animator out of you by the end of his book.



5. Although it is almost impossible for a book to provide the most up-to-date info, this book tries it's best. I really think that an animation book should be specified (ie 2d, stop-motion, 3d, etc) in order to not "cheat" the reader out of more intense knowledge. However, if a broad introduction is what you seek, then this book will work (but there are less expensive books that will do just the same).

5 comments about 2,286 Traditional Stencil Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. I know that people have been complaining about how some of the stencils are too small and become unclear when blown up. They have a few other issues, too.
   Here's the thing: the book has over 2,000 great stencils that are perfectly legible. I'm an illustrator, woodworker, and paper crafter. I am simply delighted at the various choices of stencil. Plus, the book is very inspiring in terms of providing a jumping off point to make up my own. I simply love it.



2. This is a wonderful resource for design ideas! I use elements of these stencils as patterns for guitar inlays. The copyright info on the inside cover is generous allowing use of the patterns, "free and without special permission." in certain circumstances.



3. If you are a craftperson, do not buy this book, though pictoral, it is more historical and you need a magnifying glass to see some of the stencils.



4. This book is chock full of great Victorian design. It has cartouches (ornamental borders), patterns, single filligree elements, and the best part is that they are all royalty free. You will need to scan the elements and clean them up a bit, but this book is a fantastic resource for the "flourish" trend that is going on in graphic design right now.
   
   Highly recommended.



5. I use these stencils as layouts for gun engraving. While many designs are too small and lack enough detail to be able to reproduce (about 30%) most are of good quality and detail. It's a great value for the price and I strongly recommend it as an indispensible aid for all engravers, wood carvers, and stencil makers.

2 comments about Contemporary Graphic Design.

1. Im pretty happy with my purchase it comes on time and in good shape to thanks



2. I got this book after a VERY long wait (nothing to do with Amazon, Taschen delayed its publication for months and months...) and I could not be happier with it.
   
   The waiting was well worth it, Taschen prints great products and this thick, colorful book is no exception, you get great design from the plastic jacket, to the silky pages that are very well printed (full yellow pages with no banding, WOW!).
   
   About the content:
   Interesting, up to date and very pleasing to the eye (even if you're not into graphic design you want to buy this book and have it sit on your coffee table, it looks great as an object too). You get lots of cases/projects from various places and eclectic cultures.
   
   I highly recommend buying this book if you work or want to work in graphic design.
   
   Aldana

5 comments about Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers (3rd Edition).

1. First off, I have to say this book is absolutely perfect for all first-time freelance graphic designers. My business partner and I recently started our own design agency at [...] and didn't have a clue about where to get our hands on the legal forms needed. We were referred to this book from another source. And since my partner's father-in-law is a lawyer, we decided to let him take a look at it to see what he thought. He said everything was solid. He couldn't find any holes on any of the forms inside. So after making a few small changes to custom fit our business, we were set. I can honestly say this book should be on the shelf of every aspiring freelance graphic designer. I highly recommend it.



2. I have only serious clients who are willing to pay me because I take a contract to our first meeting and make them sign it. These contracts will protect you and your clients! They are worded with the legal stuff but easy to understand. He even explains what it all means. It even has a CD so you can pop it in your computer right before your meeting (as I have done) and print a contract.



3. In starting out and gathering information it's hard to determine what books will be helpful. This is great. It is filled with tear out forms you can make copies of and use over and over. Great information. And the CD-ROM includes all the forms in pdf format, as well as Pagemaker and Quark XPress so that you can make changes to fonts and style, logo additions, and more, to suit your own home business. Files are compatible with Mac and IBMC platform, which is great for me being a designer working mostly on an IBM computer. Excellent book!



4. Our small graphic design firm had been relying on the legal forms and contracts from this book for about one year. Finally, we decided that perhaps we ought to visit with a lawyer to make sure we were doing it right...$560.00 later for an initial consultation, we realized that this $29.95 book was the best business investment we'd ever made! The lawyer confirmed that the contracts that we had been using were airtight and were great (he had a few other pointers...but, none worth $560.00).

   We have had many comments from our clients that over all the creative teams they'd worked with over the years, our design firm had surpassed them all in business professionalism. If you are serious about running a firm, or just want to protect yourself, you really can't go wrong with this book! Such a small investment for such a large return!




5. This book has EVERYTHING you need ... and then some. When you think you're not going to need one of the forms in this book, you later realize that YOU DO! As a freelance artist, using these forms made me feel as though clients noticed that they were dealing with a real professional. Absolutely a great investment.

5 comments about The Best of Brochure Design 8 (Best of Brochure Design).

1. This book has great photography, layouts and ideas. It's cleary defined by brochure type with author comments that includes the best examples of great brochure design. I used this for ideas on a company newsletter. It's a great value for the money. I highly recommend this book.



2. This was a good buy; inspirational design--good resource for leading the brainstorming process. Recommended.



3. Great range of designs and pretty decent selections



4. The Best of Brochure Design 8 is a collection of creative and contemporary brochure designs from around the world.
   
   The book is divided by categories such as corporate, annual reports, products/services, arts and self-promotional. It offers a varied group of design ideas and examples along with the tools and softwares used for creating those examples.
   
   Graphic designers as well as novices in the field will get a jolt of creativity from the many designs in this book. In my opinion, it makes a great reference guide for anyone in the design field.



5. yes was quite disappointed in this book, did not live up to review in dynamic graphics magazine. has some good ideas but not always useful unless you have a large budget or a fantastic client who wants to go the extra mile!

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 !!!