5 comments about Oil Painting for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter.

1. This is a great book that doesn't insult the artist.
   The author takes you through the thought process, the planning and the execution.
   It's not for someone who never picked up a paint brush before- for those people I suggest taking a class.
   It doesn't spoon feed you step-by-step of every brush stroke. Other wise it would be just a "here's how you can copy me exactly and not really learn anything" type of book.
   I loved the book and I am inspired to paint "plein air".
   The author's paintings are beautiful ( and yes some of the fall exterior paintings have a golden-yellow feel, but that's what the artist wanted to use).
   It is worth every penny.



2. IF you are serious about painting, this book is worth 100 times its weight in gold. If you're just dabbling in it as a hobby, then go ahead and buy one of those generic "how to" books. I am relatively new to painting, but took to it like a duck to water at 42 (my father is a well-known landscape artist and I've always had a natural bent). I luckily happened upon Steve Allrich's book at my local Blick's store and, at first, hesitated to purchase it, questioning whether or not it would be worth the hard-earned $20.00 that COULD have gone toward a couple of tubes of cad lemon. I wonder no more!
   
   I own a slew of painting books and make it a habit to study almost as much as to actually paint. I study A LOT. Yet, on any given day in my basement studio it is rare that you will find me without Steve's book by my side, frequently propped open to a "demo" page for constant reference. This book has dramatically affected my painting style (in a re-e-ally good way) and has simplified considerably my palette. I LOVE this book! And I love this man's honest, humorous, inspiring and intelligent take on the profession of painting with oils. He clearly writes from the heart and makes no apologies for his unique, but very effective, techniques which even the seasoned artist will find valuable (as some of my artist friends can attest).
   
   This is not a book for hobbyists, however. It is much too inspired to be reduced to a "how to" book. But it will encourage, teach and guide you if you desire to truly embark on this often misunderstood profession of artist.



3. This book is not for the true beginner. It may be good for someone with a lot of experience but not me. I wanted a book with the basics of painting, a how-to book.Oil Painting for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter



4. I found this book to be very easy to read and helpful with basic concepts needed for a strong foundation in painting with oils. I especially like the info about shading, color for impact and components to make your work more polished.



5. I should have listened to the other reviews. The images are yellow toned and it makes it very difficult for a beginner to learn how to mix paint and get the right colors. The book also doesn't guide you on this matter which makes all the difference. I haven't used this book once.

5 comments about Art Escapes.

1. This book offers some very unique ideas. A fun read of some very interesting ideas.



2. I teach art at middle school and high school levels and I find myself refering to this book often for teaching ideas as well as using it myself. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to any artists in your life. Wonderful full color illustrations. Nice size to carry along with you on any outings and the spiral binding allows it to lay nice and flat. I love mine and would love to see some sort of a sequel to this book with even more great ideas!!!



3. A wealth of ideas beautifully and lovingly presented. It is full of easy-to-create, yet original and fun tips for quick art projects. Everything is explained in simple clear words, her language is upbeat and sparkling with enthusiasm. The idea of creating "thumbnail sketches" and small format paintings is an excellent way of bypassing any blocks which result from intimidation before a "big project", whether that is caused by dreading the time such a project would take, or the fear of wasting color and paper when one doesn't know if there'd be any results. The projects can be regarded as "small studies", "experiments", as "a moment of playing around with something artistic".
   
   The projects cover a variety of styles and themes, from realistic sketches with some very helpful and easy-to-follow tips on perspective, to semi-abstracts, to abstracts, to collages, to playing around with photocopies to create original works of art. I found her division of "color triads" to four types and the range of colors they can produce when mixed to be very helpful in understanding the moods of certain paintings and how to create them. They also inspire you to experiment with creating your own color triads (hence, a certain range in your palette) to bestow a certain character/light/mood on your own paintings.
   
   Not only are these ideas a way to make "takeaway art" in your busy life and keep you well nourished while you're on the run, but some of the results of these projects could easily inspire you to a larger piece of work which you will want to find time for. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to get art back into their lives despite the lack of time!



4. This isn't so much a book to me as it is a portfolio presentation with it's spiral binding and minimal pages. It doesn't work for me because, as one reviewer said, there are other books that better facilitate the creative process. For the price you can get much more quality and quantity than this one offers. My suggestion is "The Artist's Way" by Cameron, a book that has content that will keep unpealing levels in thought process towards substance. I'd categorize this as a book more apt for pre-teens and teens who enjoy a mix of crafting projects.



5. I really enjoy this book. It has workshops or projects to explore different techniques and to just stimulate your creativity. I used one of the projects to get started with shapes and watercolors--it has great pictures. I also enjoy the color palette used. This is one of the better art books to purchase. I have looked at many and some may have a couple of pages that really resonate but this one is consistent throughout the book. Using the exercises broadens your range and gives lots of ideas.

5 comments about Oil Painting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)).

1. I am currently working through this book and it is wonderful... a step-by-step guide that is simple, yet advanced.



2. Excellent book; I'd give it 4 stars for traditional oil painting. I'm knocking one star off because there is very little about water soluble oil painting, which is an important topic these days.
   I wish they had included more about water mixable oil painting facts and techniques. One example would be to warn people that you have to settle on one brand since they are not compatible as they are with traditional oil paints. Also, what about explaining about mediums to use? It's not the same as with traditional oil paints. So I have to go through this book ignoring the talk about how to mix with mediums and thus I have to find that information elsewhere, which interrupts the flow of working through this book.
   
   A couple of minor suggestions also:
   Include a checklist of the projects for readers to track their progress.
   The painting on page 15 showing the various stages of the painting process - explain more in detail, pointing out examples on the painting itself, maybe with arrows and circles on the painting explaining the different parts.
   
   I sure wish they would come out with a "Soluble Oil Painting for Dummies" book or incorporate it into this book, especially about how to use water soluble mediums.
   
   But otherwise this is an admirable book. I'm glad they wrote it.



3. I have read through half of the book and, even though I have some experience with oils, am learning something new or different in each section. It is easy reading and is designed to allow you to read each section independently in any order. However, reading it straight through exposes some redundancy - not necessarily a bad thing. The color mixing study, in the end, helps you to understand how to mix colors to create highlighting and shading. But the mixing proportions are not defined clearly enough - so the exercise does not yield accurate results. The author does not explain that the same color in different brands are not truly the same and produce different results. But you get the idea.



4. This is a great book for all us self-taught artists. It teaches us what all those terms and things are that we never understood, and how to acomplish them. I've been painting for 45 years and this book helped me a lot...."Back to the drawing board!"



5. Of all the oil painting instructional books I have purchased, this one is the very best. It takes you from the basics or oil painting in a very understanble way for any novice. Through the book, you are taught every element of oil painting from beginning to end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has the desire to oil paint. Make it the first one in your library.

5 comments about Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide.

1. I found this newest Cathy Johnson book to be every bit as informative and entertaining as her many previous books. The artist's love of nature shines gloriously within these pages. Not only does she give clear and easily understood instructions to 'capture nature', she also inspires you! This book is both working text and entertainment.



2. Having used 2 of Ms. Johnson's books before ("Creating
   Textures in Watercolor" and "Watercolor Pencil Magic-sadly
   out of print") I had great hopes for this new volume, and it
   does not disappoint. More than a collection of pretty
   watercolor studies to be admired -though it is full of
   them! - this book breaks down the process and tells you
   how to get the result you're looking for. Ms. Johnson even
   gives tips on the practicalities of capturing the
   uncooperative moving creatures of nature on paper! I have found something valuable on every page.



3. Cathy Johnson's newest book, Creating Nature in Watercolor, is a most delightful read and it's filled with tips and techniques on appreciating nature and capturing your interpretation of that observation in watercolor. Whether you want to learn how to document botanical samples in a journal or compose an extensive landscape on a full sheet of watercolor paper, this book is a must have! Cathy has a teaching style that encourages everyone to jump right in and have fun learning. This book contains short exercises as well as step-by-step lessons for painting landscapes. A beginner will find this book to be a tremendous start off point and a professional will find many useful tips and notes to help them progress in their treatment of nature and landscapes.



4. Cathy Johnson's newest book is a work of art in itself. The inside page design is simply beautiful. The illustrations by Ms. Johnson are very inspiring. And her tone is one of gentle encouragement ("yes, you can do this too"). I just received my copy recently and have already spent hours savoring it. Many of Ms. Johnson's books seem deceptively simple. One could quickly glance over her notes and paintings and then set the book on the shelf. The real value comes from taking her books, page by page, and actually DOING the exercises she provides. Pay attention to her teaching, follow her examples, and wonderful things will happen with your artwork. Creating Nature in Watercolor is a wonderful book and I am thankful that the artist took the time to create it.



5. I have just recieved Cathy Johnson's new book, "Creating Nature in Watercolor, an Artists Guide." I sat down and read it through, and found it felt like an beautifully illustrated letter from a good friend, who is encouraging me to join her in her love of nature and creating. The art work is superb of course, as I expected, since I already own several of her books, and recently took one of her wonderful Online Classes...and she has been drawing and painting for her whole life...but I also found much more in it than artwork. She not only shares many, many, many valuable techniques and tips...but they seem unique to her charming way of helping us out with some of the little things that become big things when you dont know how to deal with them. And she adds so many details and makes them all so interesting!
   Her 'personal relationship' with nature pulls the reader and artist into a close connection with creation and creating.
   It is a book for everyone...beginning and professional artists as well as all who appreciate nature.
   For me this is her best book....so far...:)

5 comments about Bouguereau.

1. I bought this book in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where we were able to see some of the originals. They're compelling and just draw you in! This book allowed me to bring the paintings home, and study them. It's easy to read, and goes into detail explaining not only about Bouguereau, but also explains a lot of the detail and symbolism that he used in his paintings. So now I can enjoy them on a whole new level. I'm not a big art buff, but I know I'm drawn to his paintings, this was just a perfect book to cut my teeth on, and help to develop a better understanding of some very famous paintings. Buy the book. You won't regret it!



2. Yes the reproductions are great and deserve full stars yet there is much fault with Wissman's ignorant statement that Bouguereau did not use (paint from) photographs. This comment potentially questions the creadability of what otherwise would have seemed to be a very good analysis. For alternative comments, see "W.B" - Montreal Museum's '84 publication for a traveling show. It offers more "behind scenes" info. about the production of his work and their authors more credibly state, he "actively collected photographs" but "he almost never worked from photos" which is still an understatement. Included are photos of him in his studio painting and with another photo of Mich's. Pieta in background. I found a used copy here on Amazon, ISBN 2-89192-047-3 Mr. B. was a transitional figure in art history, caught between early 19th C. "tail end" classical art and late 19th C. art when photorealism began rearing its evil head, destroying classical art and bringing this "ism" to a point of extreme today. It is impossible to determine what extent he used them, yet it is clearly evident to a more trained eye, that he used photos, particularly with some of the complex children/cherubs he incorporated. This occasionally created a quality which, no doubt, helped to inspire criticism (noted in Wissman's bk)regarding the overly polished, sometimes cut-out and outlined aspects of some of his figures. He was able to get away with it for the most part because he had a more proper training as a student prior to exposure to photos. (I myself am a painter/sculptor studying classical art - I admire B. greatly yet to say he was a purest would be false since he clearly had an opportunist streak about him as many others did, and to a certain extent I can't blame him. But he helped to start a terrible trend which has turned classical painting and sculpture into a virtually lost art).



3. The art of Bouguereau is stunning. It stirs a beauty from deep within us that blooms in recognition of a beauty made visible by the stroke of his brush. So full and intoxicated with passion, his work seems an extension of gratitude for life itself. Through the canvas of this fine French Academic Artist, we witness how love is truly more persistent than time.
   
   I am so taken by the art; I have yet to read what Wissman has written about his life. I think his art speaks with such clarity; he must have been a man with a great capacity to fully embrace the nature of the life he was given.



4. Adolphe-William Bouguereau (1825-1905) is in many ways the French equivalent of the British Victorian class of figurative painters - Lawrence Alma Tadema, Lord Leighton, JW Waterhouse - and had he lived in England rather than in the Impressionist laden France, he would be much better known today. Not that Bouguereau is unfamiliar to collectors and museums: in his time his portraits and luxurious paintings of shepherdesses and mythological creatures in a world of eternal beauty were popular and were added to important collections. It is only now with the new respect for the figure in painting that his name is becoming more recognizable.
   
   Fronia E. Wissman has written a concise and illuminating text for this monograph and her style of exposition matches her subject. The book is filled with magnificent illustrations of Bouguereau's paintings with details and full-scale works allowed the prestige of excellent color reproductions. This is a fine monograph and one that belongs in the libraries of collectors and art historians who remain fascinated with the fin de siècle schools of painting. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 05



5. Wissman did a great job providing a fair and balanced view of French painter Bouguereau's career. And it's a good thing too! Everything else related to the artist is either out of print or a flimsy postcard book. How could this be? Well, the unfortunate stereotype of Bougeureau buffs is that they "don't know much about art but know what they like." It may be that many editors assume that if you like Bougeureau's paintings, you aren't the type to read a serious art book. I like to believe this is wrong. I enjoy Bougureau's art very much and am glad that someone published a reasonable paperback history and criticism of the artist. I hope that one day, others write similarly good books about other "forgotten" 19th century artists.

5 comments about The Acrylics Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist.

1. I borrowed this book and am planning to buy it. There are a lot of ideas to expand on. It's not really a step by step book although some steps are shown for each style the artist introduces. He shows how watercolor, oil and other looks are achieved. I feel, it's the best comprehensive book directed specifically at acrylics I've come across to date...



2. This book gives a really good intro into acrylics for beginners. I've dabbled in acrylics, but the info in this book gave me the why as well as the how to different techniques. It's absolutely a beginner's book, but very thorough on the basics.



3. I found this book just as I was beginning to paint. It helped me confirm that it was acrylics, rather than some other medium, that I wanted to use; and it gave me great instruction to get me going. I have subsequently read other painting-technique books (some excellent, others not) and I still think that, as a general discussion of acrylics, this book is perhaps the best I've seen. It has beautiful paintings as examples of what can be accomplished in acrylics.
   
   I was probably a bit stingy in giving only 4 stars, but I feel that, on a very few points, there might have been more detail or elaboration. Still, overall, I know of no better book for anyone new to acrylics--indeed it continues to be a favorite of mine. I recommend this book together with the website of Golden Acrylics; those two resources might be all you will need to educate yourself about the use and manipulation of acrylic paints and acrylic mediums.



4. Very informative with regard to brands of paints, brushes, mediums, and surfaces. Has recommendations for your beginning palate, brush set, etc. Expands on technique with demonstrations. REALLY like this book and glad I bought it.



5. I recommend this for the beginner level acrylic painter. What you need to know to get started with a lot of great product information.

5 comments about Andy Warhol: Giant Size.

1. Bought as a gift for a 21st birthday. Will be a memory that he can keep for a long time with a personal message on the inside front cover.
   
   Great gift idea! Would highly recommend



2. This is a real great (and large ;-) ) book with beatiful reproductions of Andy Warhol. My children love to go through it. It was also for sale on the Warhol exhibition in the "Stedelijk Museum" in Amsterdam last year.



3. My daughter is 24 years old and she is an aspiring artist. Andy Warhol is her very favorite. I got her this book for Christmas and it is her most favorite thing. She says that the detail that it has is facinating and compelling. One word of advice though...it is one HEAVY book so make sure that you are in a comfortable place to support it while you are reading.



4. Definitely worth the money!
   
   I've recently got into andy warhol and this is the second book i have by him. The book has stunning portraits/photographs/art thats what i love about andy warhol everything is unique and different.I wasn't sure what to expect with this book however i'm glad that I purchased it.
   
   You also might want to check out "Men - Andy Warhol"



5. Fantastic pictorial book...worth every penny. If you are a fan of Warhol, this is the book to own. Great prints of Andy's work from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s - including rare prints. You won't be disappointed - it is all here. The dimensions are impressive at 17" x 13" x 2 1/2", and it makes for a beautiful coffee table book that you will be proud to display. The pictures are sharp, both in color and b&w, and many are full-page, including pics of Andy and Edie. Outstanding!

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.

5 comments about Albertus Seba's Cabinet of Natural Curiosities (Jumbo).

1. I first saw this book at a resort we were staying at. I had to have it!! I have never seen a more amazing book. This book is something I believe everyone should own. It is a wonderful teaching tool for young children, an interesting study for adults, an artists dream to have each specimen right there in front of you, an interesting and colorful study of thousands of specimens of sea, land and sky. To think that these were drawings that occured way before the camera was even thought of. Once you see this, you won't believe you lived without it. Don't skimp on this one; buy the Jumbo book and enjoy. Don't forget to order a new coffee table to hold it! ( : You won't be disappointed...ever!! ( :



2. This book is an outstanding bargain. It is beautiful and breathtaking. I hadn't read the dimensions of the book before ordering and was really surprised when this 16 pound book arrived in its own cardboard case. The pictures are so gorgeous and some poster sized prints are included -- unfortunately, the images selected for the posters are not the most attractive of Seba's work. Before ordering, I had planned to cut out some of the prints for framing, but I can't bring myself to do that now --this book is just so amazing.



3. The book is more than I expected. It will be proudly display at my store Sol Interios. I know it will get lots of attention.



4. You have to see this book in person to really appreciate how beautiful it really is. Every single page is filled with excellent drawings of hundreds of animals, plants, seashells, etc. It is absolutly outstanding. Every book lover, or nature lover should add this book to their collection. The price seems expensive but when you see the book it will be the best 140 dollars you have spent in a long time.



5. This is a beautiful book, but I've had to factor in the cost of a dictionary stand or console table to display it. It's giant! and it looked silly on my average-sized coffee table.

2 comments about Watercolor Painting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)).

1. Wow! Most art books are like the ones you remember from college--sky high prices and nothing but print. Art books need pictures, and this one has plenty of them in color--no guessing as to the artist's tecnique. You can use it as a reference, or start from scratch. It gives you sources for everything you need. A must have for any artist's library.



2. Watercolor Painting for Dummies is a great book for both beginners and artist who just need to brush (no pun intended) up on the fundamentals of w/c painting. If you're looking for a book to give you all the information you need because you are just beginning, this is it. This book is chock full of everything you need to know and everything they teach in art class.
   Another good thing about this book is you don't have to start from the first chapter and read from there (unless you are a beginner).
   And there are several projects you can paint "along" with.
   This is a good book to have and refer back to again and again.