5 comments about Visions.

1. The books are awesome for sure BUT I think Amazon should warn buyers that this "book" Visions is actually a hard case containing the books Transfigurations and Sacred Mirrors so that people don't buy both or all of them (as was the case here).
   (In fact, on the Amazon page it is recommended to buy Visions and Transfigurations....)



2. Amazon is great! Got the books fast and well-packaged. These books are amazing, and Amazon is amazing for getting them to me so fast, right before Christmas, and we are all very happy with the transaction. Thanks, Amazon!



3. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, Grey's paintings are intellectually provocative, as they show human bodies as energy forms interacting with other energy forms.



4. This is an amazing collection. If you don't mind spending the money this is the best option for the complete Alex Grey experience. It comes with both of his books in beautiful hardcover format. They aren't just all of his pictures either. There are many, many side articles and writings with pictures describing many fascinating things about his life and works and other teachings. Plus, you get the 6 glossy drawings you can frame on your wall. The book contains close-ups of many of the paintings so you can see the incredible detail put into them. My only complaint is that the little lock on the outside of the whole hardcover casing can be hard to lock because of the books on the inside pushing out, but this is a minor detail. I highly recommend this for anyone craving the complete Alex Grey experience in hardcover.



5. These book and prints give you a very complete look at the amazing work of Alex Grey. He teaches through his paintings. You can't go wrong with this purchase!

3 comments about Robert Warren's Guide to Painting Water Scenes.

1. Thank you very much to this shop for sending this book immediately !!! Long shipping time is so annoying....
   The book has excellent instructions and plenty of step by step examples. Not only picturing ponds, but also seas and waterfalls



2. Very good instructions but I searched for acrylic books and did not check close enough as acrylics are mentioned but this book is strictly for oil painters. Also, no templates.



3. Robert Warren has outdone himself in composing this wonderful instructional book on oil painting-it is very well explained-this book is for intermediate to advance skill level.

5 comments about Silk Painting: The Artist's Guide to Gutta and Wax Resist Techniques (Practical Craft Books).

1. An excellent book showing many and varied techniques with very easy instructions. This book is very inspiring.



2. You name it she tells you how to do it. For beginner & Intermediate silk painters. Educational, Informative and well formatted. My only suggestion is a ring binding so the book could lay flat when it is being used for refeence.



3. An excellent, comprehensive guide for the beginning silk painter. The author demonstrates many inspirational designs and recommends her preferences for dyes (by brand), gutta, and other resist options. I've not painted on silk before and, after reading this book, I feel I have all the knowledge I need to begin painting on silk.



4. I love this book! I think the blend of historical content and variety of techniques described make this the perfect book in your resource library!



5. This book has great, inspirational photos and very good instructions. My main disappointment with it is the authors attitude toward silk paints (i.e., not dyes). I have used several varieties of the paints that are made to mimic dyes and find them to work very well, leave the silk soft and be very easy to use. They are a great way for a beginner to get started and try most of the same techniques used with dyes without the hassle of steaming or the toxicity. I am glad that I had some experience silk painting before I got this book because her attitude would have discouraged me from every trying. Aside from that - it's an excellent book, worth the price and full of great pictures to inspire you.

1 comments about Watercolor Mixing Directory.

1. This Directory is by far the best of the books on mixing watercolor paint. It has more basic colors, more mixes than other books I have looked at or have bought. The mixes are very close to the actual paint - and always close enough to know approximately what you will get when mixing two colors together.

5 comments about Daring Color: Mix and Mingle Watercolor on Your Paper.

1. I love the way she combines color - "color mingling". Her colors are transparent yet intense. There is much attention to shadows and compostion that is quite helpful. Get her book; you'll love it.



2. This book has some good ideas and great use of color. Pretty instructional for a veteran "hobby" watercolorist.



3. I think "Daring Colors" by Anne Abgott is a fantastic book! It gives me those shortcuts I've always been thinking about. Instead of painting tons of layers, you can mingle your paints on the paper and get the same or even better results! Awesome book! I am drooling all over it! Very well written. It guides you how to achieve very vibrant and realistic paintings without investing many hours, so you can enjoy your finished product much sooner. One of my favorite books on watercolors.



4. As a watercolor instructor, I am always on the lookout for new approaches to color. This book meets all of the criteria and more. Information is clear and simple with great illustrations. This is a great book for beginners and up.



5. Just a fun book to read if you want glow in your paintings.....good ideas to try, and techniques for creating interest in watercolor paintings, and for getting good mixes without ever getting mud.

5 comments about The Ultimate Picasso.

1. For many years I've been a great admirer of Pablo Picasso's work. Whenever I travel I always look for Picasso's museums or General Art Museums where Picasso's works are displayed. As a result of these trips I've gathered panflets, brochures and many books focusing different phases of the artist. However something was missing! And that would be a comprehensive overview that could be able to explain and make sense of his imense and brilliant lifelong work and at the same time to show magnificent reproductions! congratulations to the author who was very successful in her enterprise!



2. This is a great book. It's chock full of illustrations--so many that they just quit offering text every few pages to let the images catch up. It goes through his entire life, showing the art he created for each section. It's great, insightfull, a huge folio-sized book and just an all around great read/see.



3. I took this book out of our university library to have on hand while reading Françoise Gilot's "Living with Picasso", in order to see representations of the artwork to which she refers throughout the book. "The Ultimate Picasso" proved invaluable. Not only does it contain Picasso's complete major works, they are also presented in chronological order which made look-up easy despite Gilot's often describing an artwork and the process used to create it but not always giving its title (she always gives dates). I ordered "The Ultimate Picasso" before the library due date because I couldn't bear to not have the book in my house!
   The photos of the artwork are brilliant and crisp, and the accompanying text is informative.
   You will not be disappointed by this book.



4. this book rocks so much it breaks the very laws that govern physics!! so much information, so many beautiful pictures, so dense. it seems to capture the very spirit of pablo picasso. it was give to me as a valentine's day gift, and it is one of my most prized books. this is a MUST purchase for any picasso fan.



5. To see tons of Picasso works in one book is nothing short of breathtaking. This is easily the best Picasso book that focuses on his paintings. What's incredible is to see the prolific amount of work he was capable of, and just what a inventive genius he was. Without a doubt the greatest Artist of the 20th century. Not all the works make sense, or are even recognizable as anything, but that was Picasso; his art was how he viewed the world, and how his own heart felt inside:confused, and out of place. His Cubism is nearly mathmatical, and very intriguing. IF you're interested in Picasso as more than that weird guy who made all those paintings i just don't get, come and check out this book to see all of what he was made of. You'll be amazed and inspired.

1 comments about Fairies.

1. Fairies provides us with another offering from the renowned Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano (of Vampire Hunter D fame). The book is packed with full color portraits of fae folk. The title Fairies is deceiving in that it is not exclusively fairy; rather Amano covers a spectrum of magical creatures primarily from folklore of the British Isles. Some familiar creatures include pixies, leprechaun, goblins, mermaid, Merlin and Nimue. Each creature is given a descriptive phrase declaring its attribute. For example, Brownies are considered "The Hardworking Fairies" while changelings are labeled "Kidnapping Fairies." One might compare it to books by Brian Froud, yet it is its own creature (pun intended).
   
   This tome spares no production expense. There are several full page spreads along with a handsome 4-panel pullout illustration. Black and white spot illustrations are incorporated throughout the book. This is a quality fine art book with a sturdy binding and coated pages. It feels good to the touch and it effectively delivers the reader to a place of magic and otherworldliness.
   
   One thing to note -- this is not necessarily the best book for those studying fairy lore -- rather it is a book to add to your collection if you're a fan of Yoshitaka Amano's artwork. And even if you're not, the versatility of his unique vision makes this book a feast for the eyes. Some highlights include a portrait of the Swan Maiden (with obvious influences from Gustav Klimt), a stunning chapter dealing with A Midsummer's Night's Dream, and a striking rendition of Merlin from the Legend of King Arthur.
   
   Newcomers to Amano's work might better start with Worlds Of Amano or Amano: The Complete Prints, but if you love them, this book will soon be added to your collection.

5 comments about Painter's Handbook: Revised and Expanded.

1. Very Good Book! There's no complete informations like Ralph Mayer, but is very simple and atualized in some topics like acrylic grounds and alkyd resins.



2. I do know how I would rate the items I ordered for my son that works in New York City, He makes a wish list of several items he would and etc.
   I have been doing this for several years and I love it as I would never know what to send him, other then Gift Cards. That's ok for some people but he lives away from home and I can choose anything I want and I know he will like the gifts I buy. He greceived gifts htat are wrapped by his Mother and Dad and he never knows what I pick out and send.. I do put other gifts like cookies, home made candy and some other surprises. Over all I would rate every thing I order and makes it so easy for me. A 5.



3. The Painter's Handbook is without doubt to artists' painting materials. Gottsegen's knowledge and expertise in the field allow for an in-depth understanding of the tools of the fine artist, and his book dispels so many of the myths surrounding art materials that have been perpetuated in other resources.
   -Mark Golden, CEO, Golden Artist Colors, Inc.



4. My painting instructor reccomended this book. If you're serious about art, you might want to get this...It's a handy reference to materials (frames,grounds,paints,solvents), techniques and safety/protection...It's also easy to follow, well researched and comprehensive. The 4 stars is because there is some outdated information...e.g. Gottsegen explains how to make oil paints...But given the health risks (of working w/ dry pigments), difficulty and time required in this process, it really isn't feasible.



5. I recommend this book enthusiastically to my students as a concise, clear, easy-to-use and thorough reference on painting materials, especially oil painting (though it does cover other painting media). There hasn't been a technical question about materials that it hasn't answered for me, and the information provided has also led me to experiment with new materials. It is not a "how-to" book on painting and there are no pictures or anecdotes, but it is oriented towards serious students and professionals. For me, "The Joy of Cooking" of painting -- wouldn't be without it.

4 comments about The Practice of Tempera Painting.

1. Uno de los mejores manuales existentes, con consejos y ejemplos sobre la practica de la pintura al Temple, comodo de leer y directo al grano...pequeno de tamano, pero con las bases tecnicas de dicha practica.



2. This is, as the title promises, a very good foundation for any artist interested doing traditional egg tempera painting, or for any art lover who wants to know more about the medium itself. It covers everything from mixing gesso accoording to traditional recipes, to framing and care of the finished work. For me, though, that's the least of it.
   
   First, it's an incredible reference on the tools and techniques of water gilding. It limits itself to gilding as it works with tempera painting and frames, but is exhaustive within that scope. It discusses everything from the laying the bole ground to burnishing, then tinting the finish. Although this emphasizes traditional tools and materials, the author isn't afraid to use modern aids, like rubber cement masks. By the way, anyone who wants to use scrapers to smooth the gesso ground, as this author suggests, should consult a woodworker's guide for directions on sharpening the scraper. A little extra effort up front makes a world of difference in the scraper's performance.
   
   Second, it's a fascinating historical document. Although the book was written in the early 20th century, most of its recipes go back to medieval times, maybe earlier. Therein lies a potential problem, though. Back then people were a bit less careful about pigments like lead white and mercury-based vermilion. Since egg tempera doesn't keep well in wet form, the artist must use many pigments in their hazardous dry form. The practitioner should review the safety of pigments and techniques very carefully before trying the directions in this book.
   
   Still, it's interesting to read about the daily practice of art, including the artist's relationship to a pigment supplier, from a time so different from our own. The recipes, too, have an antiquated sound. I'm not sure I've ever seen sandarac, for example, let alone the range of colors all identified as "vermilion."
   
   This isn't just history, though. It needs some adjustment for modern safety and materials, but it's a very practical guide to everything there is to know about the many techniques in tempera painting.
   
   //wiredweird



3. There are not many books available on tempera painting mainly because few artists these days have either the time or the patience to grind their own pigments and mix them into a binder. For anyone who does have such an interest egg tempera is a fascinating and beautiful medium to learn. Anyone who has ever tried to scrape off dried egg yolk from a plate will soon realize how incredibly durable a binder it makes for a painting medium. The Practice of Tempera Painting covers a lot of subjects in-depth. Everything from preparing the surface, pigment to egg to water ratios, discussions of various pigments to actual instructions for the traditional hatching and cross-hatching brushstroke technique is shown.

   The only section readers today might want to supplement is reading up on a more up-to-date book on pigments. Many of the pigments discussed in Thompson's book, while still available, are now known to present health risks. Modern pigments that are safer and just as lightfast (in some cases even more lightfast) are now available that Thompson and painters of the 1930's didn't have. Other than that one caveat this book is a great introduction to egg tempera painting.




4. This excellent introduction to egg tempera is invaluable to oil painters as well. Thompson's writing is filled with humor and wit, making the book very readable.

   I was delighted to discover that, unlike so many books about painting techniques, Thompson's is clear and thorough without being a condescending "how to" manual. It also avoids being mired in footnotes and tedious tangential detail. It is obvious that he speaks from the perspectives of both painter and scholar. The only drawback is that the reproductions are in black and white, but as this was standard when the volume was written it is forgivable.

   This book will prove informative for artists, teachers, and museum professionals (I am all three) who are in search of solid information on tempera painting. Look no further and enjoy the read!

5 comments about Shag: The Art of Josh Agle.

1. This extensive collection of Josh "Shag" Agle's work is a beautiful and surprisingly extensive glimpse into the bold, curvaceous world of martinis and temptation that flows from Shag's seemingly endless imagination. With over 200 pages of high quality full-color prints, this book covers the grand breadth of themes and schemes that made Shag famous. This is easily the best collection of his work I've ever seen in print and I highly recommend it for any devoted Shag fan or indeed any modern art lover. Shag effortlessly captures the best of Mod and transforms it into an invitingly hedonistic world viewed through neon-colored glasses. An absolute must-have that you'll no doubt thumb through quite often, whenever you feel the need to escape into a life of glamour, excess, and beauty.



2. This is a cool coffee table book, if only I had the money to buy a print! Its great for colour design reference and styles for 50's drawing.



3. I think this book is a great collection of Josh Agle's retro modern artwork. I also enjoyed the foreword by Billy Shire and essay by Colin Berry, in regards to information on the artist himself. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves bright retro style artwork that doesn't take itself too seriously.



4. My husband and I are big fans of Shag's work. I bought this book for him for his birthday and he loves it. The layout is every bit as cool as you would expect and the pictures are brilliant- crisp and saturated with color. A must have for any fan.



5. If you are a fan of shag's art work such as I am this is a great book to display on your coffee table. The only regret that I have is that I wasn't able to purchase the limited edition copy of this book. Amazon had the best deal on the book I purchased by far.