3 comments about Simply Pottery: A Practical Course in Basic Pottery Techniques.

1. I had hoped for a little more information. This book would be great for someone who needs to follow a project plan.



2. This is a good book to use as an introduction to pottery - great for teachers. "Simply Pottery" is arranged in a series of fairly simple projects presented in a step-by-step fashion with lots of pictures. It is particularly suited to those who are interested in handbuilt work, although it does cover some wheel thrown projects as well. Those with a little experience with pottery will get some good ideas, but you may get more out of Kathy Triplett's "Handbuilt Ceramics" or Don Davis' "Wheel-Thrown Ceramics". Happy potting!



3. Hello I checked this book out at my hometown's library. I loved it. That is why I am ordering it. I am getting my degree in college in Pottery, and this is the best book that I have read in pottery. It is simple and the pictures are excellent. I have bought several books on pottery, this is one of the top five. I am going to reccomend it to all my fellow potters.

No comments about Color Woodcut International: Japan, Britain, and America in the Early Twentieth Century (Chazen Museum of Art Catalogs).

3 comments about Erotica 17th-18th Century (TASCHEN Icons Series).

1. Fun book that you can get a few giggles out of, I especially enjoyed the flying [...] with butterfly wings [...] a nun on pg. 153 and the cat watching the friar tugging at a rope tied around his [...] while smacking himself in the [...]. Another funny one was the guy getting shot in the [...] by cupid while he's [...] on page 171.
   
   Funny stuff aside, the highlight on the book is the de Sade engravings from page 111 to 141. Also the artistic ability by Agostino Carracci is amazing. His engravings are absolutely beautiful.



2. Yuk. This rating isn't the fault of editors or such, but the criticism of someone who was interested in whether people of yore generated high-quality nudes of ladies of their age (I'm male, nude males don't interest me). If they did, they didn't make a living doing erotica. I wasn't interested in the erotic side of this (if you've seen it in one collection, you'll see pretty much all that's offered in others - it's quiet repetitive and boring and so unimaginitive that you can pretty much guess what the next generation will do... A parade of genitals and often some sick-statement art saying bad things about sex.).

   The single-star rating illustrates an art critics dissappointment in the quality of the artwork. Women were almost always drawn like men with breasts, all muscles and heavy bodied. Art style has advanced greatly - I've seen and am a fan of many modern artists who's sketchings and paintings break my heart in their ability to render people as real (some of the prettiest of which are of normal, non-glamor model people!) An art apologist will state "But people of that era often viewed fat women as the eye of beauty." That isn't what is wrong here; I've seen heavy women portrayed in realistic artistry and they are pretty. What is wrong is that the painters and etchers managed to render butt-ugly women! Literally, the paintings and drawings are just childishly ugly.

   As a passing art scholar I learned a lot in buying this; the artwork is true-to-norm for the age (art has always grown and improved over the years), and varied, and for fans of the age would be great. But the quality of it based on pure true-to-life norms and beauty which a normal person would base it one is: it stinks. Look at later series and you will see a slow progression in the quality of artwork to the point where modern artists could drawn naked women who looked like real naked women. Not galmor girls, just real naked women! Indeed, if you've never seen it, check out some good art instruction books who use real people for models - it's impressive how a person doesn't have to be a glamor girl to be attractive. If they are presented in a quality piece of art, at least.




3. This is a small scale (pages measuring 5" by 8") high quality art book of explicit erotic painting and engravings - along with a spirited and sensitive ideological introductory essay by Gilles Neret. He starts out with the far-reaching assertion that "there is only one real antidote to the anguish engendered in humanity by its awareness of inevitable death: erotic joy." This collection focuses on the representation and the provocation of that erotic joy. Those who enjoy explicitly graphic erotica (including those who might prefer to call it 'pornography') will not be disappointed in this book.

   Neret has an abiding enthusiasm and a curatorial talent, for he has assembled a wide range of examples of erotic paintings, drawings, and engravings. In addition he has a sturdy confidence in the rightness of erotica's goal for its admirers: the enhancement of sexual experience. So yes, at least some of this art will do the customary and expected job of successful 'erotica.'

   The approximately 170 plates are by European painters and printmakers. When color was used, it has been faithfully reproduced. The range of media and mood is wide, and the subject matter is consistently explicitly sexual.'Everything' is revealed at times. Threesomes, orgies, assorted combinations and recombinations are sometimes the subjects of these works.

   There are boudoir scenes from the 1700's ( paintings of French artist Francois Boucher; the golden and voluptuous paintings of Jean-Honore Fragonard (softly beautiful women: dreaming - attended by cherubs - or sated and asleep in appealing disarray) and an assortment of anonymous politically satirical aat the same time sexually explicit paintings. There are social and cultural satires and a series of explicit and graphic paintings "for the education of the dauphin" that Napoleon hung in his bathroom. (Only several survived). A 1797 Dutch edition of de Sade's "The Story of Justine or the Misfortunes of Virtue" featured detailed and often gruesome illustrations - and some are included here.

   From Italy, Carracci's series of engravings, "The Loves of the Gods," done in 1602, shares similarities of mood and topics with much mainstream pornography of today, but Carracci named his exuberant couples after classical gods, and inserted edifying visual details into his scenes of frank and explicit sexual activity: the satyr's hooves, Bacchus' grapes, Achilles' warrior equipment, discarded in favor of Briseis, etc.

   Rembrandt (yes, Rembrandt) loved to paint women and evidently loved sexual subjects, for he did numerous erotic paintings, often of his wife and himself. His women (and his men) are real, often in a sort of sensuous and happy disarray, wrinkled and classically imperfect - and beautifully human. The attitudes of the lovers are unidealized, sensuous because so natural - and the drawings are lovely.

   English painter Thomas Rowlandson published a series of graphic and consistently and deliberately insulting caricatures of "the sexual practices of the English aristocracy" in the early years of the nineteenth century. Orgies, various sorts of sexualized cruelty, and an assortment of sexual embarrassments pervade his paintings. They were published then, and are reproduced here.

   This is a great little book. Art history enthusiasts will not be disappointed in this collection. More to the point, those in search of explicitly sexual art that succeeds at erotica's primary goal will not feel that they have wasted their money on yet more Art History.

No comments about New Art in the 60s and 70s: Redefining Reality.

5 comments about Paint Radiant Realism in Watercolor, Ink & Colored Pencil.

1. Fabulous painting book.Have yet to try the lessons but the instructions are set out clearly and will be easily followed.The quality of the paper in the book make it a must for art students.



2. I had never used watercolor before picking up this book, and now I used the techniques in the book almost exclusively. It's wonderful to be able to combine my favorite mediums and now I'm able to get the look that I was going for in my paintings. The instructions are very thorough and there are also some really nice palette suggestions.



3. I have admired Sueellen Ross's beautiful cat paintings for some time, and was delighted when this book was published. I am a cat artist myself, and good instruction books on how to paint cats are almost impossible to come by. Sueellen Ross has a very unique style which combines layers of ink, watercolour and coloured crayon, and builds a realistic and dramatic finished painting. The book shows step by step, not only how to paint cats, but also other animals, plants and furnishings. I tried using her techniques for a painting of my ginger cat in the washing basket, and was very pleased with the result. However, I feel that it was not quite as easy as Ms Ross claimed, and is most definitely not for beginners! This book will probably inspire you to give her techniques a go, and will therefore help to develop your art skills and knowledge. For those who are not painters, but enjoy good animal and feline art, this book will also serve as a good introduction to the work of Sueellen Ross and is a delight to look at.



4. The artwork is amazing. The best part for most I'm sure is her step by step instructions to create this work. She gives you instruction on her techniques that you could use on not just the work in the book but for your own work, based on your own reference material. It is realism at its best.
   
   It is not for the beginner, you should be confident in your drawing skills, not just tracing or linework. You should know tonal value and be able to create the illusion of 3D...the better your drawings the better chance you have at succeeding with the techniques in the book.



5. Sueellen Ross has presented an excellent demonstration book on her special techniques in painting animals. As a watercolorist I learned quickly to ignore watercolor books that exhibit paintings I don't care for or am not inspired by. So it is my perception that Paint Radiant Realism in Watercolor, Ink & Colored Pencil, did inspire me to experiment using her techniques so that I could approach her desirable style.

5 comments about Creative Discoveries in Watermedia.

1. I ordered this book without seeing it. The customer reviews that summarize Dews' freedom and enjoyment of painting are true. She writes wonderfully and explains perfectly. When I received the book, I read all of it. She has more fun and coaxes her readers to jump up and run to the paint and, on the way, grab anything that doesn't move to add to the experience. A real fresh look at enjoying art.



2. We are so lucky that a talented artist like Pat Dews reveals her painting techniques to everyone. A beautifully put together book with great action photos and easy to follow directions. I especially love the painting for keemakoo. Highly recommend!!



3. Pat Dewsbook"Creative Discoveries in Watermedia" is the most informative and comprehensive book in my art library.Her "how to"examples are well defined which is a tremendous help to those who are new to the abstract genre and to many who need inspiration.



4. When I saw the cover I knew this would be a book I would love. This is a inspiring book, not a "copy me" book.



5. This is one of the most informative books I have read on the subject of "How To" in the arts. The author writes in precise language that benefits both the beginner and advanced artists. The way she described her techniques alongside the illustrations made it easy to grasp her instructions. She shares all that she can fit into a book of this size. This book is not only exciting and inspirational but one that I will keep and refer to for many years to come.

1 comments about Giddy Up! Cowgirls Gone Loco! A Gallery Girls Book (Gallery Girls Collection).

1. The latest edition in SQP's Gallery Girls collections takes a trip to the old west with Giddy Up! Cowgirls Gone Loco! Cowgirls are new avenue for the Gallery Girls Collection but as usual, SQP has lined up the usual array incredibly talented pin-up artists to bring these stunning ladies to life. Good ol' fashion Americana at its finest! The roster for this edition includes Arantza, Joe Pekar, German Ponce, Pelaez, Ernesto Cumpian, Danilo Guida, Perla Perlucki, and Marcelo Sosa. Stefano Mazzotti provides the front cover while Danilo Guida handles the back cover, both in full-color.
   
   In a way, it seems rather odd that these mostly Spanish and South American artists would be working a theme so inherently "American" as the wild west, but trust me, it all works out very well. In side is everything from sharp-shootin' gun-slingers, saloon girls, Indian maidens, and rodeo girls (usually using their ropes in erotic bondage illustrations).
   
   Alejandro Ferrero gives us a sheriff and her deputy surrounded by horde of blood-thirsty Indians...we know she's the sheriff because she has her badge tattooed on her buttocks! Diego Florio's sexually enticing "Big Boobs Jane, Wooden Signs" has a rather amply blessed young lady who uses her assets to paint with in lieu of paintbrushes. Pelaez's soft, subtle lines and attention to detail is always a highlight of any Gallery Girls collection and this one is no exception. Palaez provides us a sexy topless cowgirl brandishing a flaming branding iron. Arantza's contributions are always highly anticipated as well. One of her pieces showing an Indian lass atop a rearing horse is certainly one of the book's best pieces.
   
   Giddy Up is printed on high quality, glossy stock, with 64 pages of gorgeous women. The wild west has NEVER been this wild...or this hot!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

5 comments about Collectors Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain (Collector's Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain).

1. This is a very thorough history of Limoges. I did not find the pattern that I inherited, but after reading the book, I now understand why there are an amazing number of patterns.



2. Purchased this book as a gift for my wife, who has some Limoges dinnerware. She loved the book and has been able to identify much of her collection with its help.



3. If you collect Limoges Porcelain this is an excellent reference book, with a large section on marks and their dates. The colour pictures identify many patterns, along with a detailed section on manufacturers and a history of Limoges porcelain.



4. I purchase books online based on the reviews so lets be honest. Debby DuBay's book Antique Limoges at Home is the book to purchase. Gaston's book has terrible photographs & just can not compare to DuBay's books.



5. Mary Frank Gaston wrote the foreword to Debby Dubay's Antique Limoges at Home and the introduction to Collecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain and I'm thrilled. Two experts collaborating to give collectors all of the info they require to collect successfully. Please write a book together.

3 comments about Spanking Tails Vol 2 - A Gallery Girls Book.

1. This book was a major disappointment. I almost returned it but got too busy to take care of it. For the Gallery collection I was very disappointed.



2. ... but I still enjoyed many of the very erotic illustrations in this edition! The quality varies greatly from artist to artist, with some artists clearly showing a much higher degree of erotic creativity than others. My own favorites were those involving women with other women, which were fortunately the majority of illustrations depicted. There are 22 drawings involving spankings, with another 11 showing girls getting whipped. I prefer the spanking illustrations, as they seem less harsh and much more sensual. The overall erotica quotient throughout is generally high, with the best work in this edition being those drawings by Palaez, Joe Pekar, Anibal Maraschi, and Danilo Guida! Dave Nestler's cover is also quite nice! Other notable individual drawings I especially liked include those by Diego Florio, Brian LeBlanc, Diego Cirulli, Pablo Kousovitis, and Perla Pilucki. Overall this one is well worth it, and I look forward to the release of volume three.



3. Spanking Tails Volume One was one of my favorite releases from SQP in 2005 so I was ecstatic to see that they have now releases a second volume of playful, spanking fun with scores of beautiful women drawn by some of the best artists in pin-up illustration today. I mean just look at that fantastic cover by Dave Nestler doing his best Norman Rockwell, Saturday Evening Post take-off. I love the Bassett Hound sitting there with the brush in his mouth, oblivious to the two gorgeous women.
   
   For the bondage fans there are lots of great pieces in the book including the one by Danilo Guide of a rather rotund girl holding a riding crop is about to deliver a whacking on a cute blonde to the amusement of several male spectators.
   
   I love the subtlety, or perhaps no so much, in Pablo Kousovitis illustration of a gorgeous girl getting spanked by a beaver using his tail. Great innuendo there! Anibal Maraschi moves the action to the classroom as the buxom teacher has her hot student pressed up against the blackboard, administering her a good spanking. Note the handprints on her backside.
   
   Joe Pekar's piece of a Catholic school girl bent over the lap of a lovely nun holding a paddle is one of my favorites! Pekar returns later with a golfer using a blond's rear end to plant her golf tee! (Pekar also does the full-color back cover) Another favorite is from the great Pelaez who always illustrates the most beautiful women as two hotties in lingerie go about their bedroom games. Diego Florio takes things to the dark side as a fresh, out-of-the-ground zombie smacks a lovely lady who has wandered over his grave.
   
   Other artists including in this volume are Arantza, Brian LeBlanc, German Ponce, Julio Cesar, Marcelo Sosa, and Pedro Cuevas. Spanking Tails 2 is a fantastic follow-up to the first volume!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

2 comments about Real Men.

1. The title says it all. Majorly hot stuff here. The men, the situations, the poses, the imagery is stunning. BUY THIS BOOK.



2. Ray Dragon describes the models in this collection as "real men, naturally sexy, rugged and masculine." Many of them may be hairy, tattooed, muscular, buffed, moustached, bearded and with a piercing or two. Some of them are wearing jeans, underwear, jock straps, undershirts, jerseys, boots, etc., once again demonstrating that men are often sexier partially clothed than nude. The photographer has included in the book Caucasians, African Americans and an Asian American or two.
   
   Mr. Dragon, according to his biography included here, began his career on the other side of the camera as a model for Jim French. There are several shots of him included here as he joins the ranks of other photographers who began as models, Bruce Weber and Kristen Bjorn, for example, and others whose faces and bodies are always included in their work, notably Tom Bianchi and Robert Mapplethorpe.
   
   Some of my favorites in these 70 or so shots (the pages are not numbered) are the cover shot of course ("Franky Motorcycle"), the photo of Dragon wearing a coat and tie ("Ray Dragon Suited"), the photo opposite that one of the naked man standing on a rooftop ("Jake Standing"), the photo entitled "Long Underwear" for all the obvious reasons and "Ryan." Some day in the future he may enter the land of bears, but he is just right right now.
   
   If I had one criticism of this most inviting book, it would be that while body parts are certainly interesting, sometimes they are more interesting if you get to see more of the body to which they are attached. Mr. Dragon says that these shots were digitally photographed. They are extremely well lit and beautifully printed.
   
   If you are tired of pretty boy shots and the Adonis syndrome and like the work of the Austrian photographer Paul Freeman and Tom Bianchi, you will love this volume.