2 comments about Canvas Remix: Techniques For Creating Mixed-Media Accessories.

1. I found that the techniques shown in this book were at the beginner level. Although I will hang onto a book if it is the slightest bit inspirational, I could not find any in this book and decided to return it.



2. I recieved this book yesterday, and found a fountain of good information. Author Alisa Burke starts the book with definitions of tools and supplies, then on to stretching and priming canvas. (Most if not all projects are unstretched) There are 38 pages of techniques, with color photos for the steps, along with some helpful hints called "in the mix."
   
   Most of the projects are beautiful, fun, and useful. There are several I want to try right away, including the tote, pouch, canvas beads, and i-Pod case. This book fullfilled my need of the basics of working with canvas, stretched, or unstretched. After learning the basics, you can easily craft whatever you want.
   
   I would have given this book five stars, but I think some of the techniques could have been done more in depth. Otherwise I am glad I bought it, and it will get a lot of use.

5 comments about Paint Watercolors That Dance with Light.

1. This book was of great interest to me for her opinions on different techniques. I especially liked learning more about masking and glazes.



2. "Paint Watercolors That Dance with Light" is a very well written, easy to understand book that can be applied to other media as well. Her explanations are clear and concise. This book would be a great addition to any painter's library. Defnitely would recommend to others.



3. Elizabeth shares with me the meditative and contemplative aspects of painting. Additionally she values pure colour glazes and this has provided me with a new way of glazing, a technique that I love. The book is suitable for someone who has been painting and is dedicated to impovement. It builds on the knowledge that you already have and doesn't treat you as a novice. Thankyou Elizabeth, it is a delight to own your book.



4. The paintings capture light and shadows with incredible beauty and are inspiring to my own watercolor endeavors. The book is a worthwhile addition to any watercolorist's library.



5. HER WRITING DEFINITELY SHOWS HER LOVE FOR WATERCOLOR. IT SPEAKS TO YOUR SOUL.

5 comments about The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook - Landscapes.

1. This is really a must-have. Very detailed in a clear and direct language. Excellent for every level of watercolor painters!



2. This has some great step-by-step lessons for creating different effects in a landscape watercolor. The only criticism I have of it is the drab coloring in many of the examples.



3. This is a really great book on watercolor. It is full of wonderful tips and explanations of how to achieve many simple to advanced effects. It also explains why certain colors are better to mix with others for the results you want. It is also amazingly readable. I set it by my reading chair and I am drawn to pick it up and read just for interest. I am learning so much. FYI- I have lots of knowledge about art, but am a beginning to intermediate watercolorist.



4. This book offers great advice on landscape painting so, If you've wanted to paint plein air with watercolors, this is the book for you.



5. This book contains valuable techniques for the creation of landscape features in watercolor. It is perhaps a bit overwhelming for the absolute beginner, but for anyone who has a little experience with watercolors and is motivated to improve, it's a great book!

5 comments about 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die.

1. What an amazing compilation of some of the world's most beautiful works of art through the ages! As a museum geek, I've seen many beautiful paintings in my life and have been very fortunate to have traveled in Europe and was exposed to major art museums in countries than my own. This book has "filled in the blanks" if you will, and has opened my eyes to more modern art, as well as the old masters. I am now studying art history and plan on broadening my horizons by visiting many more museums and galleries throughout the world. I bought a copy for my mom and my girlfriend, and they love it too.



2. I am enjoying this book. I wish the paintings were of a larger scale, stil you can see the pictures well enough for recognition. There are many best parts but I enjoy the alpahbetical index that I am using to highlight my more appreciated works. I enjoy the explanation of the artist and style beneath the paintings. Each painting is pictured in this book in color. Great buy!



3. I bought this book based on the reviews here, I thought the book was pretty good.
   
   My main problem was with the size of the images. Someone here said most images are one to a page, or two to a page... and that the smallest images are an inch by an inch.
   
   I'd expected all the images to be a lot bigger. Many of the images, maybe even 25% - 50% weren't much bigger than an inch by an inch. This is a real problem if you are looking at the book as an artist and want to see how the brushstrokes were made a little bit etc. at least on some of them. But the images were too small for this, and no detail views were shown (except a very smalll number at the start of each section).
   
   I found it really hard to look at all the small images and take in the painting properly too. Many were just too small for me.
   
   I'd rather have had less white space and 30% bigger images, this could easily have been done without sacrificing much text or design quality. (The cover art was awful too!)
   
   I also bought '1000 Masterpieces of European Painting: From 1300 to 1850' at the same time and this book was so much better at having larger images and showing details than this book (despite the book being far SMALLER and having far less pages than this one too!). It had a nicer feel too, the arrangement of the images and text was far less uniform than in this book and therefore much more interesting. It did have less white space but was actually far more elegant despite this.
   
   The selection of images seemed very good though (despite the bad graphic design of the book) and it was well-made. It weights an absolute TON but then it would!



4. An enormous, beautifully compiled collection of artwork whose title I couldn't agree with more. Filled with easily digested insights into some of the greatest artwork in history, this almost 1000-page book is great for people only mildly interested in art or for serious art-core types.
   The pictures are lovely and there's just enough text to get you interested in someone new (or old) at every turn.



5. Did I get a bum copy of the book? Or is it a joke that the book contains 1,000 paintings to see instead of 1,001? The Kiss by Francesco Hayez is listed and pictured twice in my copy - but with different dates. The Kiss on pg. 429 is dated 1859. The Kiss on pg. 475 is dated 1881. Also, I've seen quite a few typos and wordos so far, and I'm half-way through. The book is cute, informative, but needs an editor ASAP before the next edition. Or let us in on the "joke" if that's what this is.

3 comments about Bold Visions: A Digital Painting Bible.

1. Beautiful images, great price, and a good overview of the steps Gary Tonge uses to create his spectacular fantasy and science-fiction paintings.
   
   I keep looking for a book, or DVD, that will provide very detailed step-by-step directions for creating digital drawings and paintings from scratch using Photoshop. One that is designed for the beginner, but advances rapidly. I guess my unrealistic hope is to find material that takes me through the process in "baby steps" with directions like "I used this specific brush, with these settings, and this color to paint this area. Then I switched to this specific brushe and color and painted this here."
   
   While this book doesn't get that specific--it does provide a good overview of the steps Mr. Tonge uses to create about a dozen different images. For example, his chapter on "Bringing a Fantasy Landscape to Life" includes 15 steps along with screen shots. In addition he has included useful information regarding composition, lighting, scale and perspective, with illustrations on how these are used in his work. And for the price--I don't think you'll find a better book. If you do, let me know!
   
   One recommendation I have for the second edition of this book would be to include a CD or DVD with a video showing the step-by-step processess for one of his paintings! I'd pay double for that!



2. Bold Visions is an excellent publication! Any aspiring artist will find this book very informative and inspirational.
   
   The quality of this book is of a very high stand and the format in which it is printed makes Gary's work really stand out! Bold Vision clearly explains the techniques used to make great images, and informs the reader in a tutorial way of how the images are created!
   
   Bold Visions is a essential book to anyones collection.



3. This book is really informative from an artistic perspective, I would have like to see more of the PS functions displayed but the way that Gary Tonge explains his techniques more than compensates. This book has extraordinary displays of Gary's artistic capabilities and the direction for me is easy to follow and understand. I have searched for a book like this for years and Gary Tonge delivered! You wont find any better instruction for a better price...Get this book!

3 comments about Splash 10 Passionate Brushstrokes (Splash).

1. I have most of the Splash series and I think 10 is one of the best yet. I love to see what other watercolorists can do. Their imagination abilities are truly remarkable. Splash 10 is also special to me as my teacher, Susan Stuller, has two paintings included.
   
   Marti Franks



2. Book ten already! I wonder if the folks at North Light thought Splash would last from January 1991 to May 2008 for the latest edition. Especially when you consider the number of books out there. Put 'watercolor painting' into Amazon's advance search and more than 8,000 titles pop up, try 'watercolor instruction' for more than 800!
   
   I mentioned in my review of book nine that I thought the contents rather subdued in comparison with previous editions and ten does rather continue that impression. I must admit that I have no idea about the criteria for inclusion in this series but selection is probably based on what is available and maybe there just aren't many eye-stopping paintings around. I'm thinking here of Deborah Rubin's tram painting in book eight or Hosey Hutson's beautiful painting of the side of a barn made up from 7-UP signs in book six.
   
   So what does this latest book have to offer. There is certainly no reduction in quality from the ninety-nine artists included and the range of styles is as wide as previous books. Dan Burt's included again (he's also in book seven and eight) with his amazingly flamboyant casual brushstrokes and so is Soon Warren's glass bowl with flowers done in an almost photorealist technique. Ted Nuttall (also in book eight) contributes a lovely portrait rather reminiscent of Charles Reid's style: an apparent casualness of color and brushstrokes that makes it look so easy but is in fact the epitome of creativity and professionalism. John Salminen lives in the Minnesota woods and so is intrigued by big cities. He has two paintings that nicely capture the feel of a metropolis, his starting point are his own city photos. As with previous editions all the artists write about their techniques and inspiration.
   
   Book ten is the same size as the others, printed on good paper with a 175 screen. The paintings are divided into seven sections with the usual favorites: landscapes, still life, flowers (with some really good exhibits) and people. I always thought the design of the series rather good, clean and uncluttered but this book has a rather annoying design conceit: there are three examples of display type printed on the paintings. This seems to me a totally unnecessary idea, empty areas of a painting are there for a reason and not to be considered as an optional place to add text. I've not noticed this in previous books.
   
   Despite the fact that this tenth book (like the ninth) doesn't quite come up to the creative exuberance of the previous eight it still has plenty of wonderful watercolors to inspire you and the series still continues the very high painting selection one has come to expect.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.



3. Rachel Rubin Wolf must be doing something right with now a tenth in the series. The Splash series is a collection of current watercolor artists and some of their most inspiring work.
   
   This one is Passionate Brushstrokes. The colors, the ideas, the perspective of the paintings are once again terrific.
   
   It is especially helpful, as an artist, to read from each artist their breakthroughs, their inspiration, their secrets along with each painting in the book.
   
   It is not a how-to book but looking through the book is motivating and inspiring if you are trying to get a new painting going.

5 comments about Vitamin P: New Perspectives in Painting.

1. Schwabsky manages to pull together precise & intelligent critical essays of an enlightening array of painters from all over the world. The selection of images from each artist's oeuvre is generous. Big names like Currin and Ghada Amer appear alongside lesser-knowns with little academic biases. The only beef, really, I have with this wonderful volume of contemporary painters is the miniscule sizing of the actual text. Tedious to acknowledge, but the problem is actually distracting. This may be natural hierarchization, but the text size is 6 or 8, at the most. Have plenty of focused light nearby when turning pages & enjoy!



2. Vitamin P arrived on my doorstep before its scheduled date in perfect condition! Its a fantastic source on contemporary painting filled with large coloured illutrations of the artworks.



3. For painters this is an excellent book in looking at contemporary painting inspiration or even just some of the issues. As I am taking a contemporary painting course this book on the side helps me when I need further information or perhaps a better explanation (if the artist is indeed in the book)



4. A wonderful selection of contemporary painting today which display a variety of interesting painting solutions.



5. I purchased this very interesting and unique book as a review for
   a grad student. It was well-received, but I regret that it had small type.

5 comments about Mastering Composition: Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting (Mastering (North Light Books)).

1. Like many art books of this kind, the title overstates the content. The content is mostly a rehash of many other books on this topic, many of which I already own. Not a bad primer, and worth reading if you haven't already studied the basics of composition.



2. This is one of the stronger books on teaching the role of structure in images and building structure into one's painting. Anyone who introduces image structure by way of Charles Bouleau has a leg up in my estimation. Among painting instruction books that deal with composition, this is one definitely to add to one's reference shelf. And then borrow or ante up for Bouleau's book to see to what this author is referring.
   
   This book is strongest at showing that decisions about structure need to be taken early in the painting process and, subsequently, how the painter can manipulate contrast to support the structure. Photographers can learn a significant amount from this book, especially in the post-processing phases.
   
   The DVD is cleverly done and nicely imparts one lesson, that even slight changes in color anywhere in the image alter the contrasts in the image and either support or interfere with the artist's intentions.
   
   This book is not a comprehensive look at structure in images from a theoretical standpoint. The author often does not specify what type of contrast he is pointing out in an image. But what he does cover he does very well.
   
   This would be a good textbook with one of the few DVDs that actually does its job well. Many photographers would do well to own this book. Congratulations.



3. Mastering Composition: Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting (Mastering (North Light Books))Originally recommended by an instructor, found the book an excellent research and teaching tool, especially for those who have difficulty with composition



4. This author/painter makes essential points for understanding painting composition, one of the budding artist's most allusive challenges.
   But what sets this book apart is its brilliant teaching methods. As an example, among several possible, is the DVD that accompanies the book, in which the author gives the reader a tour of paintings, showing in each what happens when he changes something. Thus the reader gets to see the effects of the changes, experiencing them in a hard-hitting way.
   If you're struggling with composition, this is a good book for you. If you know composition, it is still an excellent review.



5. Mastering Composition by Ian Roberts is a superb font of information. Each page in this book teems with suggestions that will help you assess your work in terms of value, color, edges... all of which play a vital role in creating paintings that engage the viewer.
   
   Mr. Roberts explains how effective and deliberate use of these and other elements of design enables you to transform your paintings into strong images that not only draw the viewer in but keep him there, exploring the rich panoply of your strongly conceived visual armature.
   
   Succinctly, this book is priceless and the complementary DVD helps solidify your understanding of the lucidly-presented lessons. Thanks, Ian!

5 comments about The Watercolorists Essential Notebook.

1. -I last painted with watercolors when they were in paintbox form -40 years ago in high school art.This book has been a valuable tool in getting me up to speed on present day brushes,paints and techniques.I
   am very pleased with the results I have been able to achieve in
   just a few months time.This book is a definite buy for newbies or as a
   refresher.



2. Let's just say calling me an amateur would be an understatement. I bought this book in high hopes of entering the world of watercolor. It hit the nail right on the head.
   
   The text is informative and precise without being overwhelming. Enough different information and very comprehensive. Although perhaps lacking in the texture/details department. Overall the best of the 3 other books I bought. This one may be the best beginner to intermediate book out there!
   
   The only drawback was the fact it doesn't say in the description that it is for tube watercolors, as I want to use pans...but still I think most techniques will work either way.



3. As a fairly new watercolorist, I have purchased many, many books on the subject in an attempt to gain skills, learn techniques, expand my thinking, etc., etc. Some of those books have been helpful, but usually only a page or two of a 60-page book was exactly what I was looking for. In other words, I was disappointed! Long introduction to say that THIS watercolor book exceeded all my expectations! I am oh so happy with it; I will probably use information on every page of this one. The techniques and skills introduced are interesting and fairly easy to execute; the author provides abundant details all along the way. The book has answered so many of my questions about producing sparkling water, distant trees, various types of skies, clouds, fog, using color schemes effectively, and the technique of "fading out" (which I love). And much, much, much more. It is well worth every penny and then some.



4. I like this book because it not only provides you with lots of knowledge but also encourages you to go away from conventional suggestions and create your own style. Its flow is very nice. Its material has been organized properly and I not only gained knowledge but also enjoyed reading it.



5. This is THE book that every beginning to intermediate watercolorist must have. I have been studying watercolor for several months, and I learned more from this book than I did in all of my classes combined. The author has a lovely sense of humor, making for a fun read while sharing so many of the tips and tricks he learned from decades of painting and teaching. There are detailed pictures demonstrating his techniques, as well as tips on how to choose paints, paper, and brushes. If you can only afford one book this month, it should be this one! And after you have read this one, check out his other book: "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook: Landscapes". Yet another fantastic book by this gifted artist and instructor!

5 comments about Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right.

1. This book suits more for the serious beginners or intermediate painters 'cause you have to be familiar with the basic concepts. It offers a way to verify the quality of your paintings point by point.
   My point of view is that you have to read it entirely before you can point on the problem. The topics are easy to reach after you know what you're searching for.
   Sometimes I would like to have more examples or explanations on some points.
   Simple but effective if you're not a complete beginner...



2. An excellent clearly written informative book. Will be much referred to and treasured for many years. Thankyou Mr. Kreutz



3. I wanted a comprehensive book on oil colors this is more about the basics then anything else.



4. ok for beginners and those who paint in an impressionistic style. could focus a bit more on materials. some good basic tips.



5. I'm a professional in the business and make my living as an artist. This book is a wonderful reference and is always close by on the shelf. The work in it is excellent and the principles are straight forward as well as solving lots of the problems artists and painters encounter. Love it and recommneded it many times over.