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 Roy Lang's Sea & Sky in Oils: Painting the Atmosphere & Majesty of the Sea.

1. An excellent book of ideas for those attempting, for the first time, the complexities of the sea. I would like to have had a few more work studies under different lighting conditions. Certainly a terrific starting point for first timers such as myself.



2. this guy knows how to paint water but never give you a good tutorial at all, i bought this book 'cause of the painting in the cover... thinking that I'll learn to paint at least that painting... WRONG!!! only shows you how to paint small waves, boring scenes nothing great... last time I'm buying books of this kind in amazon... I'll better go to half price books



3. I made the mistake of not reviewing his work before buying the book. While his water is well done, his rocks look like they were painted directly from a squeezed tube. It's a distraction in many of his paintings. It is hard to learn from a book when you aren't impressed with the artist's work.



4. Very well presented. Well written. I would recommend this book as a manual for aspiring painters like myself. Some experience with oil painting is needed to follow instructions.



5. Living on the coast I can't get enough of the magical light, intense colour, reflections in water or a dark brooding sky over rough seas, the tranquil flat calm of a still day - the ever changing scene. This book shows how I may be able to use paint to capture the excitement of the sea on canvas. I am itching to get going after reading this simply set out art instruction book. It is ideal for beginning artists who wants to paint the sea in oil.

5 comments about First Steps Painting Watercolors (First Step Series).

1. I have never really painted with watercolours until I read this book and it made the transition into this medium with ease. I heard constantly that is medium is difficult to control etc. The techniques described in this book broke that myth for me and I have been using it to compliment my photographs.



2. Cathy Johnson is a down to earth and talented instructor. I thoroughly enjoyed working through "Painting Watercolors" and it came highly recommended to me. I used this book as my basic guideline for studying watercolor and I greatly improved by doing all of the exercises she recommends. She is a very natural teacher and I found it very easy to follow her demonstrations. I am encouraged and feel as if I am really on my way to becoming the kind of artist I always wanted to be.



3. Great book, perfect for ideas. Detailed easy to follow. Poor delivery service from the seller.



4. If you are looking for a good start-up book you can plan on this being the one. Her easy going style belies the amount of information and great try out activities that establish basic necessary techniques. True--no book can do everything and eventually one would want a supplement but think purchasers would be generally pleased with this user-friendly book. It is not a cookbook (thank goodness) but rather in a format that will establish a base and encourage and confirm to a budding artist that he/she really can paint.



5. I like all of Cathy Johnson's books, but this one is my favorite. It is very practical, understandable, and well illustrated. Although anyone would enjoy it, this book is especially beneficial to someone just beginning to paint with watercolors. It deals with the basics. I love it.

5 comments about The Paintings of Joan Mitchell (Whitney Museum of American Art).

1. If you're looking for a book on Joan Mitchell's vivacious abstracts, this is as good a place to start as any. In 2002, ten year after Mitchell's death, the Whitney staged a comprehensive exhibition of her work. This book was published to coincide with that exhibition. The colour quality of the illustrations aren't bad; although the description and bioblurb are pitched to a ubiquitous audience, they're nonetheless grounded in reality, intelligently written, and thus painless to read. All in all, you can't go wrong. If you can afford it, go for it!



2. text isnt that good.....way too many plates from when her paintings werent so good...1950 to 1964



3. I went to this amazing show at the Whitney. I stood for hours with her huge paintings. Even though a book cannot compare to the artwork in person, this book does a good job presenting Mitchell's stunning work. The only other book I have seen that might compare is Joan Mitchell by Klaus Kertess, but this book is hard to find.
   
   I recommend buying the Whitney Museum book. It is inexpensive and is comprehensive.



4. The painting of Joan Mitchell was for me a discover of an tremendous and excellent painter, almost unknow in my country Argentina. The quality of images, photographs and texts includes on this catalogue dont dissapoint me, in fact, it gave me hope in contemporary paint and help me as a painter.
   I recommended this book for any person who love the beauty of color, life and paint, and for painters who want to learn what means the freedom of action and think.
   Thank you and excuse my english.



5. This catalog of Joan Mitchell's Whitney exhibit is one of the great bargains among all artist monographs. Superb full color, almost full page plates of a wide range of Mitchell's work over a long period of time, numerous additional photos and snapshots, an in-depth biography of the artist and contributions by multiple authors make this a "must have" text, actually more valued than my collection of numerous Robert Miller Gallery monographs on the artist accumulated over many years. Her work has exploded in popularity over the past five years with good reason and many shows will be forthcoming.
   
   Like Ellen Landau's large-scale monograph on Jackson Pollock, you wonder why a book of this quality is available so inexpensively. Someone must have done too long a print run initially. Take advantage. When you look at the prices of the Kertess or Bernstock monographs on Joan Mitchell, you realize this is a screaming bargain, not to be missed.

5 comments about Big Art, Small Canvas: Paint Easier, Faster and Better with Small Oils.

1. I found this book to be very inspirational. I wish I had thought of it!



2. This book is not only instructional, but a complete course in painting miniatures -- and fills a vast void in that area. The author not only provides excellent reasons for painting on a small canvas, but gives practical advice on setting up space and equipment, preparing the panel (canvas), and staging & lighting the props for a still life. She goes on to review elements of color theory, and presents her favorite complementary palettes. She discusses methods of 'seeing' in order to get the underlying drawing right, and outlines the most important elements of design: composition, perspective, balance, focal point, and texture. Additionally, several methods of creating depth in a painting are covered. Thereafter, Washor presents a series of step-by-step still-life and landscape demonstrations, each of which illustrates yet other enigmatic features of art. She even discusses framing! This book is packed with practical, useful, and instructive advice, and is filled with gorgeous, painterly examples of the author's work to inspire us. What a find!



3. Overall, the book was good. I liked the intro and the chapter on equipment. I would have liked more step by step pictures to show the development of the painting. Also, some better descriptions of painting techniques would have been helpful. The book does inspire me to experiment on my own but it doesn't give enough insight to avoid common mistakes.



4. Disregard the size of the paintings if you like, and just look at the gorgeous colors and brushwork!!!!! So sensuous. The author is very generous with her information. Her color palette is unusual, and the color schemes she uses are really, really lovely. This is one of the top oil painting books around. I highly recommend it.



5. Recently, since I was going to attend a workshop led by Joyce Washor, I purchased her book since it was on the materials list as suggested reference. I studied it before, during, and after the course, each time being totally fascinated. It is a clearly written guide, filled with helpful illustrations and photographs of her exquisite oil paintings, designed for any artist irrespective of their experience level. This is truly a favorite in my art book collection!

5 comments about John Singer Sargent: Figures and Landscapes, 1874-1882; Complete Paintings: Volume IV (John Singer Sargent).

1. These books are the epitome of scholarly research into Sargent's work, made even better by the researchers inclusion of intimate personal and professional details. This presents a great background to viewing the well printed illustrations. One should not just purchase one of these volumes, indeed the experience palls UNLESS all three are not bought . One cannot praise this sort of in depth research and the resulting publications highly enough. The only quibble is one of size, given that Sargent revelled in life-size compositions, it is a a pity that pure economics forbid the printing of larger volumes- I mourn the death of the "elephant folios" so derided by librarians.



2. A wonderful collection of amazing images. This book will be looked at for many, many years.



3. The best book on a painter I have been able to buy for quite a while. As with the other three volumes so far published of Sargent's catalogue raisonne, this is absolutley stunning. Paintings are all in colour unless they have been lost, and the figures and landscapes are breathtaking. The text is anecdotal and interesting, with contemporary correspondence and criticism. This is what a catalogue raisonne should be, and never is - something exhaustively illustrated and investigated, rather than an artist's lifetime crammed into one volume with highlights followed by black and white "postage stamps" at the back (as long as the artist is worth it - and Sargent is worth it). A great tome on a great artist, and unbelievably good value. Go out and treat yourself.



4. The color reproductions are awesome. This books is a collection of Sargent's less known work which is refreshing. Some oils are not as polished as the more well known work which helps to show his technique in early stages---a plus to serious professionals and students. To me, this book provided a wealth of visual clues to understanding his thought process and technical principles. The writing, however, is the typical stuff used to fill most coffee table books. No insight whatsoever into Sargent's painting principles, tonal procedures or color palette. The author obviously knows little in that regard but there is so much information out there the text could have been more illuminating. Buy it for the reproduction quality and awesome collection of works. Worth every penny in that regard.



5. Still waiting for the delivery of Sargent's Figures and Landscapes. It was ordered on 4/14. Hope it will be delivered soon.
   
   Deirdre Dunne

5 comments about Helen Van Wyks Favorite Color Recipes.

1. My wife and I lived in Rockport when Miss Van Wyk was still painting. We have the first version of her color recipes book in its original three ring binder form. Her book offers the beginning painter great suggestions and solutions on many typical color mixing problems. Thanks Helen.



2. I love this book. It's been very helpful for times when I just can't seem to mix the color I'm looking for. I look in this book and it always has good information.
   
   Even though I have a BFA many things that would have been helpful in the real world, just weren't taught. This book fills in a lot of blanks.



3. Helen is a great teacher. I have taken art classes and learned 1/10th of what I learned by reading her book. I am colorblind and people argue with me about it because of my ability to use the right colors. I only wish she was still here so she could produce even more information etc.



4. An excellent book that covered many subjects of painting, and how to use particular colours successfully for that area, I found this very helpful and informative.



5. I have not had enough time to give a very detailed review on this book 'however from what I have read I am very impressed with the clarity in her descriptions on mixing colors and their use.

5 comments about Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines.

1. Well-laid-out basic procedures. Two pages in the back which are truly useful checklists for planning and starting paintings. I am excited about applying this method to subjects I have painted in the past.



2. Linda's work is so bold and fresh it borders on the abstract. The approach is groundbreaking, and the resulting work is rich and fluid and inspiring.
   The book starts out with suggestions on materials and supplies. She then leads you through very simple exercises to teach the basics of understanding negative shapes. She also provides instruction on modifying shapes, composition strategies, and color. Then she leads you through more and more intricate layers. It's an entirely new way of thinking. I have used these techniques in my own work and with my college students as well. Artists at any level can benefit from her ideas.
   
   (I also took a workshop from her and highly recommend her as an instructor.)



3. This author takes watercolor to a useful and understandable technique for the person new to this media. Her directions are clear, consise and knowledgable. Her demonstrations, while challenging to duplicate, are easy to follow. I highly recommend her book to anyone seeking to widen their understanding of what watercolor can do for their art.



4. This is an original book that will expand your painting skills by providing you with techniques to approach painting through negative spaces. Everything is explained meticulously in step by step diagrams that leave nothing unclear. It is a valuable addition to painters who want to expand their repertoire of skills. However, the technique explained in this book, fascinating as it is, has its limitations, as it can only work in pictures where the negative spaces are darker than the positive ones (you will understand how and why when you read it). Should the painter want their negative spaces to be lighter in color than the shapes depicted, this technique would not work.
   
   Maybe it is a first step and the author, or somebody else, can expand the possibilities of this technique further; what we learn in this book is certainly not the last word on negative-space painting. The author explores mostly landscapes, and the results of her specific approach gives results that are highly original, but that have a specific eerie-spooky character. Since I haven't tried applying the technique yet, I cannot tell whether that eerie quality is an inevitable consequence of that technique, or is it the result of the author's/painter's specific choices, and whether a different painter could get results of a totally different quality.
   
   Despite these limitations, it is a very useful approach to get to know, especially for painters who do not just want to learn a new trick, but who also want to learn how to see in new ways. Highly recommended.



5. This is truly one of the best tutorial and creative books written on how to paint with watercolors. Linda Kemp is a visionary artist and her work resonates her masterful accomplishments. It's hard to combine the technical aspects of picture making while nurturing the creative elements of painting. Linda shows the reader how to do both. She takes the student on a fundamental learning guide with her work that is understandable and achievable. She does not ignore the importance of composition and color in picture making and the book illustrates many useful design concepts that are important in picture making. Many watercolor books are filled with pretty pictures, Linda Kemp's book is a look into an accomplished body of work as well as a useful reference book for both beginner and experineced painters. A real treasure for the artist's library.

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.

4 comments about Watercolour Textures (Collins Artist's Studio).

1. 
   If you are looking for someone to hold your hand, forget about
   this book. Ann Blockley is a better painter than teacher, since she assumes you know quite a bit about watermedia. However, if you have a good foundation in painting, she can introduce you to some very nice techniques.



2. If you are familiar with Ann Blockley's flower paintings, you will be surprised by this book. (You can see a gallery of Blockley's paintings on her website.) It is no ordinary, watercolour how-to book, and the cover and title give nothing away. In this book, the author admits that she has stepped well outside her comfort zone to explore an entirely new approach to the painting process. We can be very glad that she did.
   
   The simple chapter headings give no idea of the innovations Blockley presents. There are the usual texture mediums described in other art instruction books, but Blockely applies these mediums in entirely new ways: clingfilm, salt, inks, granulation medium, bubbles and foam, gold and silver pigments, paint resist and more. The beautiful colour illustrations inspire and encourage the reader to experiment, but the text is even more important.
   
   You could approach this book in one of two ways: either you can use it for the techniques alone, or you can use the techniques to move outside your artistic comfort zone as Blockley has done - beyond what is familiar in your established approach to painting. Blockley admits that it took courage to do this publicly in a book. Any artist - of any medium - can take heart - and inspiration - from what the author shares of her out-of-the-zone process.
   
   This book has plenty of demonstrations and includes three guest artists: Shirley Trevena, Moira Huntly and John Blockley, all of whom explored art mediums in daring ways. You can google all three names and take a look at their on-line galleries.
   
   I nearly didn't buy this book because watercolour is not my medium. I am so glad I did. It's one of the best books I've come across for encouraging the exploration of new ways of artistic expression - in any medium. Better still, Blockley makes the process simple, interesting and fun.



3. Beautiful and inspirational book! I can't wait to try by myself all the examples and exercises.



4. I pre-ordered this book quite a while back and it finally arrived yesterday. WOW! Was it ever worth the wait! Every page is inspirational. I am primarily an oil painter but this book has inspired me to get back into watercolor. I must have 100 watercolor books but this is the one I would save in case of fire. What a great book!!!