5 comments about Airbrush: The Complete Studio Handbook (Practical Art Books).

1. This book is great for beginers and good for someone a little further along. It gives you most airbrush tricks that you'l need to paint whatever you want to paint.



2. I hate to gush but this is, imho, the single best book on airbrushing that I've seen. It covers technique from beginner to advanced. The instructions are straight forward. I suppose they could seem boring if you're an advanced artist. Since I learn from even a rehash of what I already new, I wasn't bored.
   
   Unlike other reviewers, I wasn't disappointed because it doesn't cover painting motorcycles or helmets. The title is fairly straightforward and a good clue to what the book covers. If you're only interested in painting motorcycles, try How to Custom Paint Graphics here on Amazon.
   
   If on the other hand, you see an airbrush as another tool in expressing yourself through art, get this book. Vero is a master at solidifying visualization. He introduced the use of shields and the book contains a template for his design for one of the most versatile shields around.
   
   When you aren't using it for reference, I recommend putting it on the coffee table. People who drop by my apartment are instantly drawn to the cover which features an illustration of Vero's "Study of a Girl". Instant conversation starter!
   
   Rado Vero is recognized as one of the greatest illustrators who ever lived. Reading his thoughts on airbrush and different ways to create are as invaluable as reading Da Vinci's ideas on creating perspective. It didn't bother me that it was first printed in 1983. Nothing in this book has been outmoded. In fact, many of his ideas, such as use of shields, are now the standard in art schools. I expect it to be equally as valid in 2083.
   
   I have bought multiple copies of this book and given them to friends who are just getting into airbrushing. I expect that I will buy quite a few more before it's over.



3. ... this is the one.
   
   Covers the mechanical stuff more briefly than many, and has a nice section on fixing problems, including straightening a bent needle. Gets briskly on to the =use= of the thing, and runs a series of exercises to help you get the hang of techniques, including learning how to draw freehand. This guy is not hung up on anal-compulsive frisket cutting, but recommends a "universal mask" you can make out of a styrene or metal sheet that will do for a lot of work.



4. Excellent book however as the title states relates mainly to studio applications and technical details. Not really applicable to air brush enthusiasts wanting to style cars or helmets etc.



5. Service was great and the book was awesome. Answered every question I had and taught me things I never thought of.

5 comments about The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel In Two Semesters (P.S.).

1. I picked up this book based on the title and cover art alone. Just happened to be looking for something different, and BOY, did this book deliver. I found myself reliving my own college days and (some) exploits through the main character--and discovered that the main character and I must have attended the exact same college nearly 30 years apart.
   Thought that the font change was a very interesting feature of the evolving storyline--for a visual person like myself, I often wish more authors could weave more elements of a book together like that.



2. This book was purchased for a college class and its better than I thought it would be!



3. This is by far one of my most favorite books. I laughed out loud all the way through it.



4. I picked up this book after the cover ironically attracted my interest. I adored the first 100 pages or so, yet I'm always a sucker for sardonic banter and irreverent humor. Underneath the humor lies a story lacking any real character development or a coherent plot. As some would agree, the ending served its purpose, yet still left the reader completely unsatisfied. I failed to notice the protagonist come of age in this supposed "coming of age" novel, but maybe it's just a "design" thing. Quick read, and ultimately a forgettable one.



5. I feel like a party crasher. I don't know why it took me so long to read "The Cheese Monkeys," I'd been aware of it for a number of years. Finally, in the dullest of doldrums, where every book I'd pick up ultimately failed to engage my imagination, I read this roaringly funny coming of age novel.
   
   Written by graphic designer Chip Kidd, "The Cheese Monkeys" is a novel of art school academia, which I thought would bore me. However, the book is wholly original and thought provoking. It's smart, has style to spare, and is unique in execution. The characters all seem true to life - even the broadest of them are free of exaggeration and conjure memories of people I've actually known.
   
   I'm not going to bore you with quotes and details from this gem; just know this: "The Cheese Monkeys" is a GREAT American novel and you'd be a damned fool not to read it.

2 comments about Denim by Design.

1. If you like to work with denim ,this book has many projects to be completed fairly simply.also,good photos throughout gives an idea of what the finished item will look like.combine with your own ideas and you can expand on the designs.



2. This book is not worth it. There are a few good ideas but the products are ugly. The book is going back. Sorry

5 comments about The Art of Finding Nemo.

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R52EG2F6D2TTZ This cover is the most beautiful one of all the Pixar artbooks I've owned. That pastel drawing was done by Ralph Eggleston, production designer.
   
   This book will only enhance that feel-good feeling you have after you watch the movie, probably several times if you have kids.
   
   There are a lot of pastel storyboards drawn for lighting studies. They are incredibly beautiful and you can almost feel the texture to them. The colour theory used for the movie is explained to you by Ralph Eggleston.
   
   The pages are filled with character studies, set designs and lighting studies. Most of the panels were captioned to explain the art direction behind. You'll feel as if you're going on a tour at the Pixar studio, looking at art with artists talking to you.
   
   This book gives you the movie.
   
   This is almost a required purchase if you like Finding Nemo or just beautiful art.
   
   There are some pictures of the book on my blog. Just do a search on "parka blogs finding nemo"



2. I loved the movie, loved the book. Buy it. Don't hesitate. In years to come this is going to be a classic movie and the book will be valuable as well.



3. lots of storyboards, beautifully colored concept art and cool character sketches. It's definitely a great art book.



4. This is another great addition to the Pixar library, great for colour andlighting reference too for artists.



5. This book does a beautiful job of showcasing the concept art behind the movie. The majority of the art uses pastels as a medium, but there are also examples of pen and ink, pencil sketches, sculpture, digital wire frames, and more. But, if you're looking for actual frames of the finished movie, this is not the product you want.
   
   The thing that sets this title apart from the other "Art of" Pixar books is the quality of the narrative text. All the "Art of" books have wonderful imagery. But, in this book, the text truly immerses the reader into the world of concept art. Conversely, the text in The Incredibles book often goes off on tangents about the director's personal life and events at Pixar. I like how this book keeps the focus on the art.

3 comments about Bookmaking: Editing, Design, Production, Third Edition.

1. Ignore the review complaining about the long wait for the 3rd edition. The 3rd is here and it's great. I have a core library of titles that I recommend to folks who are seriously interested in the real process of publishing, not the polyanna version sold to vanity publishers. This book is essential reading for understanding the broad scope of the publishing process. The chapters on production are particularly useful.



2. One of the best texts on the production of books is "Bookmaking" by Marshall Lee. The second edition is more than twenty years old, but the third edition was just published. It covers virtually all topics, from word-processing to book printing, and everything in between. Most importantly, it shows how the computer has changed the publishing world. 

   NOTE: Don't pay attention to "A Reader"'s review -- "Reader" is criticizing the publisher, W. W. Norton, for taking so long to print Lee's book. It's like criticizing Tiger Woods because the golf course is closed.




3. For the past 2-1/2 years, I have seen this book's publication date set back season after season.

   Where is it? Why the constant pushing back of publication date?

   The third edition is sorely needed. The second edition is more than twenty years old, and the entire pre-press section is thoroughly outdated and worthless.

   Norton, get your act together!

5 comments about Lettering & Calligraphy Workbook.

1. Thank you very much for your excellent description of the item being sold and the speed of the delivery. I will watch for your items in the future.



2. I tried to take a course that would teach me the basics of Calligraphy and wasn't about to find one that fit in with my busy schedule. So, I attempted to learn on my own . . . and this book is a great place to start. With my starter Calligraphy pen set and this book, I am well on my way to learning the basics. The workbook even includes projects. For the price, it is a great deal.



3. I agree with other reviewers that this book is informative and will benefit those looking for a general book on the history of calligraphy and on various alphabets. If you are looking for a book that will let you practice individual letters on pre-lined sheets, however, this is not that type of book. I've given the book three stars so that folks may read this and consider what they really want from a calligraphy book. Personally, I would like to get better at calligraphy, but calligraphy books tend to insist that you buy a panoply of supplies, set up an ergonomically correct workspace with an adjustable drawing board, and line several sheets of paper--using a T-square and other such materials--before you practice a single letter. With limited free time, I would like to be able to sit and practice calligraphy casually for relaxation. This book is not the type of workbook I sought to facilitate that goal. To be fair, this book does emphasize that it takes time and dedication to perfect a craft; since I bought online, however, I did not know the book's approach until it arrived! If you are looking for a hobby rather than a craft, you already own a calligraphy set with basic instructions, and you are looking for a workbook of the type used to learn cursive in elementary school, you may want to just buy a practice paper pad.



4. Lettering & Calligraphy Workbook is the most thorough and well though out approach I've seen for both teaching and learning the art of calligraphy. Yes, it would make an excellent textbook and the reasons why are plenty; it's readable. It is straightforward in approach, the language is clear and direct. There are a plethora of illustrations; everything from compasses, brushes, writing tools and specific calligraphy instruments to setting up your workspace, studio layout and tips and tricks of the trade are drawn out through out the book. The Workbook is not overly scholarly, but it is professionally done; artistic principles are explained and the correct terminology is used throughout the book.

   Do you have a specific project like producing a poster, want to get help with greeting cards, or do you want to add some variety to the repertoire of alphabets you can already produce? Did you get a calligraphy book that doesn't tell you much about paper products and now you need more direction? Maybe another calligraphy book doesn't cover the general history of writing and development of alphabets and you want your students to be aware that writing is a part of the culture? This book has all of that, and MUCH, MUCH more.

   I find it surprising that others have not made this book the obvious choice for all levels of calligraphy practice. This book will be an excellent resource for anyone teaching, self-teaching, a student, a hobbyist, a beginner or advanced calligrapher. As you gain more experience of course you'll want to collect other books that are only about showing different type faces and nothing at all about how-to-do some things or investigate problem solving methods. A professional may have several books that are very artistic in scope, using watercolors and employing other very advanced techniques, but they may contain no information at all about how to make a quill pen.

   This book will teach you everything you need to know to get started, get practicing and get excited about calligraphy. While I also like and use other books, this is by far the most important and indispensable one on the subject that I own.




5. I teach calligraphy at the local community college, and I considered selecting this very excellent book as the text for the class. It covers all the basics and much more. After I showed it to some of my students along with the other book I was considering, most of them found the other book, Learn Calligraphy by Margaret Shepherd, which is totally written in calligraphy, more inviting, less intimidating. So I will use the Shepherd book for the beginner's class, and this book for the intermediate class. It is a good enough resource for even the advanced calligrapher, and offers a wealth of information on how to use calligraphy for fun and profit.

1 comments about Rings: Jewelry of Power, Love, and Loyalty.

1. This book has a lot of pictures and gives a brief history of the rings. I can look through this book again and again and never get board. I would recommend this book. Well worth what I paid.

1 comments about Chinese Propaganda Posters.

1. Hello Kitty aesthetics meets scary Mao. A Cultural Revolution in a Book. Not for the faint hearted.

4 comments about How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books and Get Them Published.

1. Good book for those wishing to know more about the field or not knowing where to start. When you get serious, you'll want to read some additional books on working with the publishing world. From what I've understood, very few agents will touch children's books. So, you'll likely be going it alone up until you really get established, if you do. That means you will be working directly with the publisher/editor yourself. As a result, you will need more information under your belt about the publishing world than what this book contains, but this is an excellent source to learn about everything else. It does include some starter info about the publishing end of things.



2. I found this book to be very useful as a source for writing better children's books. It includes specific style and writing techniques with examples to teach us to make a more powerful manuscript. I wish there were more books like this with even more ideas!



3. Treld Pelkey Bicknell's 'How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books' is really more for illustrators of children's books then the writer's aspect of the book. It's a good source for that particular purpose. If you want a more indepth instruction on the children's book writing process I suggest Barbara Seuling's 'How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published.' Bicknell's book is valuable for it's comprehensive topics and illustrations. The first part include topics of constructing a story from beginning to end (planning and plotting, story structure, dialogue). There's a section on getting to know your reader and choosing the right words. Plus other informative information like looking into the world of children and the influence of new writing. The second part is devoted to illustration and discusses getting to know your audience, the types of picture books (board, pop-ups, zig-zag, flap, half-flap, holes, pictorial consequences, long text, minimal text, wordless, picture strips). It combines pictures with interpeting a text and using your imagination. Building the porfolio follows in the creation process. The last part is devoted to getting published. Starting from making the book, preparing the roughs, the right style for the right job. The author tops it off with factual writing and researching, Fad & Novelty books and finding the right publisher. To find what's in the market I also suggest the 'Children's Book Writer and Illustrator's Market Book' as a directory in that field to find the right genre of which publisher to contact. This book is a handy source like the other two I mentioned.



4. As a published children's book author and illustrator, I found this book to be one of the more helpful guides for those interested in children's illustration. Most books in the "How to Write Children's Books" genre focus on the writer's perspective and neglect the illustrator. This book, with contributions by an Art Director, also addresses portfolio presentation, picture book layout, style, dummies, tearsheets and roughs. True, the book is somewhat dated and there are more comprehensive books on children's book publishing. However, I would highly recommend this book to fellow illustrators.

3 comments about 60s Fashion: Vintage Fashion and Beauty Ads (Taschen Icon Series).

1. The 60S FASHION:VINTAGE FASHION AND BEAUTY ADS book is a fascinating time capsule of ads from the groovy 60s!
   
   Although the book is much smaller than I expected, measuring about 5.75" X 8", it's B-I-G on color pictures.
   
   A brief introduction by Laura Schooling written in English, German and French provide the background info on the times that "were a changing" explaining the youth revolution, rock music, and political upheaval that all lent to the influence of products that follow.
   
   You get to see and read the display copy of many products like Wrangler, Revlon, Ray-Ban, Old Spice, Clairol, Coppertone, and Sears--which are all still around today BTW--among others. I got a big kick out of reading some of the ad copy although some of it comes off as sexist, but it's all in good fun.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone going into advertising or fashion design or to those who enjoy kitschy pop art. Also to those like me who enjoy reading catalog ads. Great FUN!!!



2. I love this book! It's a great review of the culture of the 60's from the early portion of the decade which still had influences of the 50's to the mod and psychadelic fashions and fads of the latter end of the decade.



3. Except for a few pages in front giving a brief overview of the era, this book is full of bright, gorgeous ads from the 60s with no additional text. Mostly makeup, hair care, and other products for women, but with a decent amount of men's and children's ads as well.
   It was amazing to see all the models who don't look like they were sculpted out of plastic (wrinkles! stray hairs! thick, clumped on mascara!) who still managed to look fabulous.
   And going through the ads and counting the companies that are still around today was fun.
   Some of the ads are just odd- Pond's Angel Face, tint your face to match your fashions! Centaur Cologne, massage it into your loins!
   The best thing about this book was sharing it with older relatives and coworkers- they all LOVED it. It would be an excellent gift for a woman who remembers the 60s. I'm buying the one featuring ads from the 70s next, and hoping for a future book with ads from the 80s.
   
   My only complaint is that the binding is coming loose after quite a bit of handling.