2 comments about Copper Red Glazes.

1. This book provides a clear and detailed understanding of the technical side of copper red glazes. I did find it in some places to be "heavy" reading and the lack of good quality colour photographs was disappointing.



2. This book contains everything a potter would want to know about how to obtain that elusive copper red glaze. Although not a book of formulas, it does go into specifics as to the how and why of firing, with a comprhaensive section on trouble shooting. Highly recommended by a producing potter getting copper reds.

2 comments about California Tile: The Golden Era 1910-1940: Hispano-Moresque to Woolenius.

1. This two-volume set covers California tile makers in the early part of the 20th century, until the depression and a change of fashion put most of them out of business. Each tile maker is covered separately, in alphabetical order, with an essay on the company, including its founder and its specialties, and many, many closeups of tile in glorious color. Most are pictures of a single tile or multiple-tile picture, but there are a few fireplace surrounds, baths, staircases, and other installations. In addition, in the back of the book are some explanations of how the tiles were made, who copied whose styles, and other details. Volume 1 is Acme to Handcraft; Volume 2 is Hispano-Moresque to Woolenius, but both volumes have the information in back. If you love tile, or any kind of design, you will pore over this book.



2. Without a doubt, this has got to be one of the best, if not the best book on Arts and Crafts Tile I've seen, and I've got them all. Although dealing with California tile makers only, there's enough material here to fill two books - and in fact, that's what they did! I didn't realize that this is really Vol. I of II, the other covers the rest of the H's down to the Z's. And that's my only gripe - $82 if one buys both, AND now I have to wait 4-5 weeks for the 2nd part. But as a reference to companies and what they made, this book is outstanding. Can hardly wait - Note, the cost of this book has gone up from $41 to the present $59.59 - So, I'd suggest buying the second vol now, before that goes up also. Note II there are two DIFFERENT Books the first covers Tiles from A to half way through the H's, the Second volume covers the rest of the H's down to the Z's. Even though they have different ISBN's Amazon seems to be getting them mixed up, calling the first the "Hardcover" the second book the "updated" book. There are two books, get them both! The 2nd book just as good as the first! 2006 update - these two books remain about the best for CALIFORNIA tiles, but The Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles (by Norman Karlson) Vols. 3 and 4 are just as good. However Norman's books (as great as they are) are a bit pricey - You just want California tiles? Then stick with the California Tile books (one and two) But want to have the best reference for ALL the U.S.? Then go with Karlson, but you will easily spend $200-$240 to get all four vols. If you go with Karlson, then you don't need this California book.

2 comments about American Realism.

1. One of the myths of "realism" is that it is somehow less challenging than non-representational art. This terrific book takes on the broad sweep of American Realism from the Civil War through 1990. The book is full of wonderful images from so many different styles that the reader can begin to see that what is called realistic or representational has its own symbolic language and is full of its own abstractions and distortions of trying to represent aspects of our four dimensional world on a two dimensional surface.
   
   The book is full of paintings of all types and styles within this broad topic. There are also photographs of related sculpture and even photographs that are themselves the work of art. The images contained in the book range from the sublime, to the odd and strange, through the raunchy and vulgar.
   
   The text is lively, insightful, and adds a great deal to the reader's understanding of the images included.



2. Edward Lucie-Smith's inimitable style of writing endears him to his readers who might just be buying art books for the pictures - the ubiquitous coffeetable book. His approach to his subject (and his catalogue of published books on art is staggering in scope) is always 'Art first, Opinion second', which is another way of saying that he lets the work describe itself in the sensitive way in which he constructs his books.

   AMERICAN REALISM is as much a sociological study of the American progress as it is a matrix to etch images that accompany that historical trek. In his fine introduction he sets the tone for the journey, then addresses early American art and begins his intensive presentation with the works of Thomas Eakins and Winslow Homer. Subsequent chapters find new insights into American Still Life, the Impressists in America (Cassatt, Sargent, Chase, Hassam), then proceeds on through the Ashcan School, Regionalism (one of the most creative chapters), through the Urban and Social Realism of the likes of Hopper, Marsh, Soyer and Shahn. Here his style of writing diverges as he addresses the Revolution in American Art, or, what has America made that is uniquely her own. Of great interest here is his emphasis on painters such as Paul Cadmus, Philip Guston, Jared French, George Tooker, Andrew Wyeth, bringing to their works a sensitivity rarely written prior to this book. After Abstraction he once again returns to representational art and brings to life Fairfield Porter, Neil Welliver, Jane Freilicher, Larry Rivers, Richard Diebenkorn,Wayne Thiebaud, Chuck Close, John Nava, Alice Neel, Gregory Gillespie, Martha Mayer Erlebacher, Eric Fischl, Leon Golub, and yes, even Jeff Koons.

   The sparkling and informative dialogue of this book is enhanced by superb reproductions of paintings in both color and black and white. This book is somewhat dated now, having been published in 1994 and newly released in paperback. One hopes that Lucie-Smith will write a sequel to this volume and bring the public up to date with the many artists who belong in this company, artists - like Wes Hempel, Gerard Huber, Michael Workman, Wade Reynolds, James Doolin, Willaim Fogg, Robert Peterson, Daniel Sprick..........and of course countless others. A 'must have' for any solid library.

3 comments about The Collected Concept Art (Warhammer).

1. There is nothing special about this books. I know that when it comes to arts there are opinions as much are people on earth, but you have to trust me on that one.
   
   The book is somehow poor and most of the concepts are really weak ( as idea and drawing techniques ). If you are a casual fan of warhammer, maybe it's a good buy, but if you're an artist looking for a nice album with art you probably want to pass this book



2. I got to know the world of warhammer when I was 13, and yet after 14 years of search, they finally came up with something worthy to collect. This book is all about Warhammer game for PC, so basically it contains all the artworks from the game. The printing quality is nice, and it includes the comments from each concept artist, which gives you a little bit of what behind those great artworks. Some of the pictures dirty abit because it's original drawing, but overall they are simply nice to view. One thing that makes this product not really good, basically it contains the artwork from The GAme, ONLY. So for any of you who's looking for Art of Warhammer, the real art of Warhammer, then this book is not for you. You can consider buying the other ones , The Art Of Warhammer and the art of Warhammer 40 K.



3. The Collected Concept Art of Warhammer concerns the MMO game "Warhammer Online", that is currently under development.
   [...]
   
   Pro:
   Like most Black Library releases, the book quality is great, with brilliant color illustrations printed on heavy coated paper. The first part of the book breaks down certain points of the full 3D cinema intro and includes some commentary ([...]). The remainder of the book and its art is as excellent as you'd expect from a Warhammer related production and should please most any fan of GameWorkshop material. Again this is conceptual art, not the full pieces done for boxes or game books.
   
   Con or Other:
   More than half of the content focuses primarily on 'human' factions in the Warhammer universe; in this case the Sigmar Kingdom and the various forces of Chaos. This seems to be a trend for BL / GameWorkshop releases, which is a shame considering how much of Warhammer is neglected as a result. The remaining races average four or five pages each, some only one. The text is kept to a minimum, only a few short inductory paragraphs explaining each race as well as some short blurbs from the artists. Despite this being a concept art book do not look to it for words of wisdom or artistic process from the artists themselves. What is there sounds tacked on and in verbatim they almost all repeat that "...this particular race is my favorite, my work is done on a computer, and I love Warhammer."
   
   The one thing that sticks out, and this can be both a pro and con, is that much of what's in the book or similar can be seen on the game website itself for free. If your a fan this shouldn't deter you from enjoying the book. Skim it at a bookstore, get it at a low price or used, and add it to your collection. A collection which will likely grow as its a good bet more books related to this will be released as the game evolves.

1 comments about Ceramics: A Potter's Handbook.

1. A wealth of knowledge can be found in this timeless book that covers all the major aspects of ceramics.

   For the novice, it covers the the world's history of ceramics. Discusses clay and glaze compositions and gives step
   by step explanations of the various techniques from wheel throwing to hand building to making plaster molds for
   slip casting.

   For the advanced ceramist, there is good information of various kilns and their construction. It offers analysis of
   several major clays, frits, and feldspars as well as other useful reference tables including some recipes for
   glazes from low fire to high fire.

   I first bought the book in '82 as a college freshman and it has proven a valuable aid ever since. It is on the top of
   my "required reading" list for anyone interested in getting involved with studio ceramics.

No comments about Glazes and Glazing Techniques.

No comments about Advances in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells III: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings.

3 comments about Erotic Drawings by Jean Cocteau (Evergreen).

1. Seriously though. I have never seen such amazing penises!! I came across a show of Jean Cocteau work at a museum in Montreal in 2004. I was not familiar with him, but immediately fell in love. Homoerotic drawings are just one type of his works, but I must say, the realism in these drawings is just phenomenal...



2. Whit Jean Cocteau drawings you're flying on erotic clouds.Yes,this the Dreamtime of sex,when anything is possible.
   While being essential, Jean Cocteau's drawing is gentle and evocative. I loved it!



3. I accidentally stumbled across the work of this artist during a recent trip abroad. I had never heard of Cocteau or his reputation as an artist. His nudes are both provocative and engaging. Although this book only shows one dimension of his craft, it is well assembled and the quality of the publication is exceptional. Don't miss your chance to see his work if you can. There is really nothing else like it.

1 comments about Jackson Pollock (Portfolio (Taschen)).

1. This portfolio contains many of his major works, and the pictures are high quality and glossy. My only complaint is that the ink is a little too glossy. It includes works from early to late, highlighting the progression of his artistic style.

No comments about Chris Ofili: Devil's Pie.