5 comments about Big Book of Fashion Illustration: A Sourcebook of Contemporary Illustration.

1. I am thoroughly enjoying this book. It's well done- nice reproductions,comprehensive and contemporary. It's exciting to see Fashion Illustration still alive and well (if not used very much in USA). Nicely organized. My only hope is to be included in the next installment (Here that Martin Dawber!!!).
   Completely satisfied with my purchase.



2. i loved the illustrations that were selected for this book, its orgenized in an easy to read maner. great source of insperstion.



3. When I bought this I was worried that I would be stuck with another "how-to" manual for fashion illustration. I just received my copy and wow! I'm so pleased with the quality of the illustrations and the variety of styles presented within- I can't wait to get drawing!
   
   This was exactly what I was looking for, a source for stylistic inspiration to bring into my own drawing skills.



4. This was a really useful source book of current fashion illustrators. Both the layout and quality were very good.



5. This book consists of fashion illustrations of many contemporary artists. There are no tutorials in the book but finished drawings. They are prepared in many different mediums and with use of computer programs as well. For me they are great source of inspiration. I recommend the book.

5 comments about Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy, a Step-by-Step Manual.

1. This is a wonderful book that goes into great detail about how to write each letter. The author knows so much about copperplate and she offers great advice and tips. Listen to her advice! Instructions are very easy to follow and I got a really great understanding of writing copperplate. Great for beginners or for those with experience who want to work on technique.



2. First to Eleanor--thank you thank you thank you! For giving me a handwriting style that will last centuries yet.
   
   Ahem... Copperplate hand is beautiful, and instead of having to guess how to go about making it right from a one-page sample, you have a kind and considerate teacher walk you through a complete tutorial in a real-world classroom pace--with every intention of actually passing down this beautiful hand--warts and elegance--all--from her years of experience into your fingers. This text will be your guide to teaching future generations this beautiful hand. I am honored to have found this book and even more honored to have the chance to learn this hand from a true master. I hope you will find it, as I did, that her tone is considerate, experienced, and helpful every step of the way--she made _every_ _word_ _count_. She will never bore you.
   
   At this moment I plan to work on this hand whenever I take notes. I have a Namiki/Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen, and although the default nib cannot vary stroke width through pressure--it's a hard nib--I have every intention of enjoying the styling of copperplate in my everyday writings. Like any others who have recently rediscovered the pleasure of writing a journal, I am using a fountain pen or a roller ball on a Moleskine brand notepad. There are many blogs and online write-ups helping you get into this fun activity. Check them out. But I realize I need a cursive hand to work on, otherwise my handwriting would remain illegible! But thanks to Ms. Winters--I am saved!



3. I have a number of books on Copperplate. This is the most thorough, and produces the best results. Winters sweats the details, both in the letterforms (which all the books cover), but in the fine details of them, details of posture, help in choosing paper and ink (A real issue when trying to learn copperplate -- the right paper can make all the difference).
   
   Absolutely, if you're trying to learn Copperplate, get a copy of Winters and read it. It will make all the difference.



4. After studying calligraphy through workshops and lessons since 1989, I decided to add Copperplate to my repertoire. I found learning this style requires a whole new "think" on writing: different flexible pen nibs, pen angles, paper slant, stops, bold and hairline strokes, and of course incredible(albeit refined)embellishment. This book holds prime position in my library, is ink-stained and spotted, has pages unbound from overuse, and is the most perfect way to learn this hand as any I have ever seen. Every time I want to use Copperplate on a commission or project, I haul it out to have beside me, to remember all the little specifics that make Copperplate so beautiful. I love this book!



5. I was looking for a book to explain everything from soup to nuts. This is it. A little history, an equipment guide, and then into the basics. Advanced and commercial techniques are covered also. I highly recommend this book.

No comments about Modern Americana: Studio Furniture From High Craft to High Glam.

4 comments about Logo.

1. This is a great reference. Most of the designs are in black and white, which does emphasize the form. As designers, it's important for us to understand that shape might be the most distinctive aspect of a logo. This book includes backgrounds and cites the designer for nearly every of the 1300 logos featured.



2. This is a nicely conceived book but has a few problems. None of which stopped me from buying it!
   The design and typography used to differentiate sections of the book (groups and categories in the book or classifications of types of symbols, logotypes, signatures, etc.) is difficult to use. If the actual type and design to differentiate these sections had been more clearly done, the book would have been much more useful and leveraged one of its greatest assets. (So, whoever designed the book made that mistake!)
   The last section of the book is on multiple solutions used for one identity. This is in contrast to most identity design which uses only one logo or symbol (Apple, Nike, 99% of the book).
   This multiple identity solution (sorry, the author calls it something else but I don't have the book with me at home while I write this) is a trend that is emerging slowly over the past 10-15 years. But the coverage in this book is very thin. There are a number of other examples of this method which are not included. I wish there was more on this.
   One thing I would like to have seen more of is deeper historical context of identities. More text on, about, why, and who of each or most of the designs. Right now, it is just a picture collection.
   Not so much a flaw but something to consider - This book has the greats. Old and newer and very new. But it also has some real silly stinker examples. You wonder, why is that logo in here? For example: the ugly reworking of the UPS logotype shield. Why include this? (and I am not a fan of Paul Rands original although, it would have been far better to included for historical impact purposes)
   Indeed, this is the bible and shows the good, the bad, and the ugly but all on a level playing field.



3. I can't possibly explain the scope of the book briefly; therefore, I will explain some of the benefits, challenges and basic layout of Logo. First of all, the book covers over 1,300 different corporate brand marks currently in use around the world and categorises them by a similar characteristic shared by each logo such as a chapter featuring handwritten typefaces, a chapter on square logos, 3D logos, etc. The book is mostly in black and white with the use of colour being used sparingly, which is unfortunate as colour is an important element of some of these logos, if not the most important. Seeing the Pepsi logo in greyscale, without seeing how it uses its red and blue gradients, is disappointing.
   However, the book is satisfying by the sheer quantity of logos being printed and is a rich source for inspiration and reference. The editors reference every logo, so you know the year and the designer and most references include a little spiel about how a logo came to be, why it was accepted and why it works. A must have for graphic designers just because of its convenience.



4. As a design student, I have been looking for a book that has collection of logo to reference and analyze. This book is a great reference to see logos that are substantial and corporate. It contains logos that are well known to small. Also, most of all the logos are in black and white which I find it better to understand the form.

5 comments about Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2.

1. The reason this gets a 4 and not a 5 star rating is because I read Volume 1 right before I read Volume 2. If you read Volume 1, wait a little to read Volume 2. 2 is fantastic, Robert Kirkman is an amazing writer, but it falls short of being as amazing as 1. Volume 2 picks up right where Volume 1 left off, and has Mark learning more about himself and his powers. Now that he has taken on his fathers job for Cecil, he is having some trouble juggling everything all at once, and that's the basic plotline of this one. What you have to remember about this is it is all about setting up the later comics. Each issue stands almost entirely on its own, but when you read later issues, or volumes, if you haven't read this one, they aren't nearly as good, and some just won't make much sense without this one. So read it, buy it, enjoy it, just remember this one is all about laying groundwork for the future of Invincible.



2. STOP reading this, if you haven't yet gone thru Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 or INVINCIBLE, Vols. 1-3 (FAMILY MATTERS, EIGHT IS ENOUGH, and PERFECT STRANGERS).
   
   As Invincible, teenager Mark Grayson may be one of the most powerful superheroes on the planet, but Robert Kirkman writes him as such a likable, down-to-earth kid that you find yourself easily relating to him. INVINCIBLE is one of the best comics going on out there today. You're really, really missing out if you haven't yet checked out this title. Anyway, about INVINCIBLE ULTIMATE COLLECTION, Vol. 2...
   
   As we found out in the previous volume, Omni-Man (the erstwhile Defender of Democracy) turns out to be a humongous super-villain. Having confessed to his son Invincible (and, unwittingly, to the rest of the world) his true goal of conquering the Earth for his home planet of Viltrium, Omni-Man ends up beating the living snot out of Invincible in a cataclysmic battle and then blasts off into deep space, leaving his son in critical condition. The betrayal leaves Mark and his mom in deep shock, and their coping mechanisms kick in. Mark's mom takes to drinking and passing out on the couch; Mark internalizes everything.
   
   One immediate fallout to Omni-man turning traitor is that Invincible becomes an agent of a top, top, top secret government agency. As such, Mark is directed to various trouble spots around the world where his powers would be put to best use. This frequently keeps him on the move, and soon Mark's girlfriend Amber is getting fed up with the chronic lateness, abrupt departures, and frequent absences (she suspects him of drug-dealing). Yet one more repercussion to Omni-man's betrayal is that Invincible is instantly regarded with suspicion by a few in the superhero community (*cough*theImmortal*cough*).
   
   Averting disasters, saving lives, beating up on the bad guys, picking up the pieces of his life. Then there's school. An alien invasion causes a delay in the graduation of Mark's high school senior class, after which Mark only has two weeks to prepare for his first day in college.
   
   Writer Robert Kirkman keeps it real, or as real as he can get in the world of comic books. From the get-go, this comic book has kept it coming with unexpected twists and stories that are fresh and so enjoyable to read. Kirkman offers up offbeat takes on superhero conventions. He's already taken characters who were clearly based on recognizable DC superheroes and made them (or what happened to them) integral to the story (of course, I'm talking about the Guardians of the Globe). I'd like to think that Kirkman's characters, for the most part, behave just as real people would if put in the same abnormal circumstances. I like that Kirkman doesn't resort to Clark Kent-ism, where a disguise becomes impenetrable by virtue of donning a pair of glasses. Two of the folks who know of Mark's dual identities actually figured it out on their own. Heck, even one villain saw thru the costume and instantly recognized Invincible's civilian identity. Given, that was Mark's evil physics teacher (see ULTIMATE COLLECTION Vol. 1), so he already knew Mark.
   
   With the wild success of the comic book (it's about to hit the issue #50 landmark), Kirkman gets even more diligent about building his Invincible universe. I love numerous sub-plots, love that feeling of stuff always happening, with more stuff waiting just around the corner. Kirkman weaves in boatloads of sub-plots. Lessee, in no particular order, there's that ill-fated expedition to Mars (the endpage of which lets you know more will be heard from this); there's the Titan-turning-over-a-new-leaf arc; the continuing machinations of the dimension-hopping Angstrom Levy; the one with the Reanimen; and there's that issue devoted to Allen the Alien, which gets us closer to the monster Viltrumite arc.
   
   Kirkman invests more time into the supporting cast, fleshing out characters such as Robot (awesome!), Monster Girl, and Allen the cyclopic alien (also awesome). Mark's mom gets more face time and meets a friend with whom she shares a common ground. Even the guy who makes superhero suits is developed further. Also more on Mark's lovelife, more on his best bud William's love life, and even on Atom Eve's lovelife. Because, c'mon, who doesn't dig teen romance in a teen title?
   
   I love the seemingly throwaway touches. What Mark does with his graduation cap (the same cap, which, by the way, turns up in a later issue); his mom packing him lunch on his Mars excursion, and what happens with that. I like the fact that Kirkman isn't shy about involving his characters in heart-to-heart dialogues. #22 and #0 are two of my favorites, two issues which consist mostly of dialogue, stemming from Amber and Mark's heading-downhill relationship. And, in issue #23, Kirkman shows why Allen the Alien is such a popular character.
   
   The art? Ryan Ottley, who took over from Cory Walker back in issue #8, boasts pencils and inks that are visually compelling and elegant in its simplicity. In all this, Ottley retains much of Cory Walker's style. Credit, too, to Bill Crabtree, who with his crisp coloring definitely adds to the clean look of INVINCIBLE.
   
   INVINCIBLE: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION, Vol. 2 collects issues #14-24, #0, and a story from IMAGE COMICS SUMMER SPECIAL #1. Brief origins of Monster Girl, Rex Splode, the Immortal, Dupli-Kate, and Atom Eve are also included. As a bonus, there's a ton of sketches with commentary by Kirkman, as well as the script to issue #23. By the way, if you already own INVINCIBLE, Vol. 4 - HEAD OF THE CLASS and Vol. 5 - THE FACTS OF LIFE, then you basically already have the issues reprinted in this Ultimate Collection Hardcover.
   
   Otherwise, go get this one.



3. I have really grown to love this series. It is Spider man, meets the good parts of Justice league. It is fun, and awesome. I highly recommend it.



4. In this second hardcover collecting Robert Kirkman's Invincible Volumes 3 & 4 (issues 14 - 24 and Origins) we see Mark Grayson maturing into the world's soon-to-be most powerful superhero. After the climactic and disturbing events in the first collection where Mark discovered the truth about his father our hero is left to figure out things for himself. Without the guidance of his super-parent Invincible sets off for college and starts working for Cecil Steadman and the government, which pits Mark against villains and monsters capable of mocking his superhero monicker by actually hurting and beating him. Relationship troubles with Amber and his Mom who is still dealing with his dad's absence put a strain on Mark's life that not even his superpowers can alleviate (a la Spider-man). I am glad to say that I enjoy this comic because of the fact that Invincible is, strangely enough, NOT invincible. Sure, Mark doesn't have a weakness like Kryptonite, and can't be hurt by conventional weapons, but other supers can with a bit of trying inflict some damage upon him, either by thrashing him physically or going after his loved ones, showing that a secret identity is not as easy to hide as in the Superman universe. Kirkman handles his character much like Alan Moore handled Miracle Man all those years ago, pointing out that even the most invulnerable of beings has limits, and that the world does not always recover when these creatures cut loose. Often violent and bloody, the Invincible comics in this collection also contain moments of tenderness and genuine feeling between characters that make each story addictively readable and leaves you begging for more.



5. The book got here quick, packaged well and in great shape. What more is there to say.

5 comments about Visual Grammar (Design Briefs).

1. I stumbled on this book at the local library and found it a very fascinating read. I've been involved in graphic production for years and can push the objects around on the comp, but never really knew the basics and foundation of visual language.
   
   This is a great primer to learn the basic concepts that lead one to want to learn the syntax and the structure of the visual nouns learned.
   
   This is something I will purchase and pore over until I learn the concepts.



2. Wow. Thats just it for this book. Seriously, someone wanted a publication and farted this thing out. I mean, it gives you the vocab of the elements...thats it. Im a college design teacher and this book would be great for a middle-school art/design class.
   
   If you want simplistic...this may be for you.



3. This book certainly takes the simplicity route. It is ruthlessly straightforward in regards to expressing it's information, in a layout that is without a doubt concise and efficient. The nadir? It also unfortunately reads like stereo instructions and the knowledge it tries to impart is thoroughly basic at best. Simple shapes and the like may be the building blocks of structure, but without any really tangible information to be gleaned we are left with an attractive skeleton. Yes there are some bits of wisdom in this book as well as some fetching Adobe Illustrator rendered graphics, but by and large we're just left with more white space than a snowstorm. I really do think people should form their own opinions about reference materials however, maybe you could learn a great deal from this work. Buy it, try it, but I honestly can't envision the need for this volume in light of so many other exemplary works on the subject.



4. Everything was excellent except the quality of the binding on the book. it isn't bad enough for me to want to return it but it is something to mention.



5. The standard for visual literacy was set by Dondis A. Dondis in 1973 with "A Primer of Visual Literacy". However, it was (is) a heavy read. Christian Leborg's "Visual Grammar" gives us a more visual approach to the subject. His thesis is that we cannot understand the visual images that assault our eyes unless we share a common understanding of the symbols involved. Leborg enlightens us with a symplified but nonetheless complex view of symbols that are abstract, concrete, active, and relative. It's an interesting exploration using only basic geometric shapes. This is a "must have" book for those who teach design and a desirable book for students. All you need to know is that it is published by Princeton Architectural Press. Princeton publishes some of the most important books on design. Their positive discrimination is evident in all of their publications.

5 comments about Handbags: The Power of the Purse.

1. Handbags is a light-weight (as in no information on what makes a great handbag great) lots of very good photographs of iconic "classic" and "it" bags. Lovely biographical sketches of taste-making handbag designers and many historical bags and historical details (but not adequate if you are doing historical costumes). One brief sketch of how a very high-quality (Hermes) bag is constructed. All in all a lovely read, though, because of the pictures.



2. Another excellent book on handbags with beautiful photographs and descriptions by designer/historical context.



3. This is a great product because it shows you all the collection of purses that have been made. It has the expensive ones and the wierd ones and how they are made popular.



4. I somehow thought this would be a much larger book. It's quite small in size. Still it's lots of fun to see all the variety of handbags over time. It's a light hearted subject.



5. This book helped my mom and I understand the different handbags out there that are really looked at as high fasion. We are both into fashion and after reading this book, she bought two authentic Hermes birkins - WOW!! - from Haleys Couture Galleria aka hermes galleria and MightyKismet. Both excessively nice ladies. Awesome news for us. We recommend this book as it helps you learn all of the styles out there and is really like one big encyclopedia. Awesome. Thanks.

5 comments about Drawing and Painting Fantasy Landscapes and Cityscapes.

1. A lucid and comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of modern fantasy art-making. There are several featured pieces throughout the book which take the reader step-by-step through the artist's creative process, something I found to be enormously instructive. This book won't make anyone a great artist (no book will) but it will certainly help focus and hone one's techniques, as well as introduce some possibilities one may not have considered before.
   
   I'd recommend for anyone from beginner to advanced skill level: beyond that you probably no longer need a book...



2. I got this book on a whim because it was a 2 for 1 deal with the "Fantasy Illustrator's Technique book" and I didn't have any expectations for it. I found myself refering to this book a great deal, more than the original book I bought. I used it for techniques on getting depth/distance to paintings, lighting, and for inspiration from pictures of different fantasy landscapes. It had mostly oils and digital art in it. I wish it had more on acrylic techniques, such as specifics on glazing or textures, but oh well, it's been a great buy, and I would recommend it for the mid to advanced level amature artist with fantasy interests.



3. I dabble in fantasy art, being much better at looking at it than actually creating the stuff myself. I did enjoy this work. While I will never be as good as the work displayed in this book, I use books such as this for inspiration and motivation. This work is well done. It gives some good, basic tips in developing this particular genre of art. It would be difficult to say if this work is good for beginners or if it is only for the advanced student. We all have our own level. I personally found it helpful, interesting and quite motivating. If nothing else, it is fun to thumb through and just look at the wonderful pictures.



4. For some one like me, who would love to learn how to draw amazing looking and well detailed citys and Landscapes. this book is very helpful, in telling the reader were to start and what the best media to use would be.
   
   in all its a book i would recoment to any one out there who whants to learn how to draw fabules Scapes.



5. This book makes me want to get my drawing supplies out and start fantasizing. A real stimulus with beautiful illustrations.

5 comments about How to Master Airbrush Painting Techniques (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. I've been looking for an informative,complete and properly illustrated book that doesn't make the attempt to go over the heads of any novice, like me, and yet, covers all the neat little tricks that a good teacher of any skill and art combined, can put into a comprehensive book. I never lost interest at all. My attention span is a good way of telling me when a book that I'm reading is worth it's mud at all! I like this author,Ms. JoAnn Bortles puts it all out there in a way that makes it easy to apply to my own techniques as I go through each lesson. I like this book. I think it's the Bomb!! And I would recommend it as a fine gift for a friend or a personal purchase any time.



2. just got my wife a used air brush. she thinks this book will help her get started on several projects she has planned. she is used to oil painting, and says this looks like fun.
   thanks!



3. This would have to be the best book I've read about custom painting and airbrushing on cars/bikes. The book is great for the beginner (like me) who wants to know about airbrushes, suitable paints, and the techniques to start creating a custom paint job.



4. Very comprehensive. I felt the author was having a personal casual discussion with me about what I wanted to learn instead of just documenting technical information and techniques. Teaching painting techniques in writing must be a tough task, but I think the author did a good job.



5. I'll start off by saying I keep picking up this book over and over. The Troubleshooting chapter is so detailed. It covers nearly every problem I have ever had with an airbrush. I have other airbrush books and none of them have this much "fix it" info. That one chapter has saved me so much time and stress.
   The rest of the book is great also. One of the learning chapters has a really fun exercise that was so easy but gave me really cool results.
   The book is very easy to follow and the examples in the book can be applied to almost any airbrush project. She uses a common sense approach that takes away the complications that come up when I'm trying to learn a new technique.
   And unlike my other airbrush books, it has lots of photos. The example chapters have many photos that cover each little step.
   It also tells how to get great ideas to airbrush.
   And I really appricated the way she also tells how to deal with how to not get discouraged when things go wrong. How to deal with the stress that comes from trying to be be artistic.
   I have another of JoAnn's books and while I enjoyed that one, I like this one better.
   It is also a large book with nearly 200 pages. I feel this book was a great buy.

1 comments about Tactile: High Touch Visuals.

1. Blurs the boundaries between fine art, graphic design, and product design. If you make "things" then this book will prove inspirational for any artistic endeavor.