5 comments about Traditional Oil Painting: Advanced Techniques and Concepts from the Renaissance to the Present.

1. I can't say enough good things about this book. It goes into great detail about so many important things. This book should be in every artists library.



2. My impression is based on looking at the pictures on the author's web site. They are wooden and uninspired. He is technically adept in some respects, but altogether is work is not better than that of many art school students. Technique does not make a picture speak. Why even bother with the book?



3. This is not a "how-to" book; it is an excellent reference book to keep within reach when you are working. The older books are so obscure, so difficult to try to understand (I am thinking of the Doerner book in particular) and based on speculation about the techniques and materials used by the masters of the past. Mr. Elliott has kept abreast of discoveries by conservators in the major museums using the most up to date, sophisticated technology; as well as the continuous testing of other experts in various fields (Paint manufacturers) and the ASTM. That is why he can warn about using zinc white; how and when to use the umbers; how to organize your pigments and use them according to their innate characteristics; the safe support to use for your painting; why some paintings from the '70s are falling off the canvas, etc. Again, it is an invaluable reference tool. I think other reviewers have been thinking of it more in terms of a how-to book, rather than as nuts-and-bolts information to bring to your own artwork.



4. The book is quite well written with several excellent tips for advanced oil painters and superb illustrations. The author is modest and knowledgeable, sharing insights about the mysteries of painting as well as several practical solutions to composition questions and palette references.



5. I, have been wanting to purchase Virgil Elliott's Traditional Oil Painting for some time... and I must say,,,it is one of the finest teaching books that I have ever read..Starting to paint later on in my life,,,words cannot express how glad I am that I bought it...It is helping me sooo very much,,,What a Master teacher he is...I highly recomend it to anyone even to those who have been painting for many many years...
   Betty Jane Covington

3 comments about Color Mixing Recipes for Portraits: More than 500 Color Combinations for skin, eyes, lips & hair (Color Mixing Recipes).

1. This is great value for a novice that needs help to mix skin colours. The text is kept to a minimum and the charts clear to understand.



2. This book is cool. Flip the hard pages (wipeable), and you have all ethnic colors at your fingertips. Of course you will need to adjust, but it is full of basic eye, nose, lips etc. colors and carts. Im glad I bought it.



3. If you are looking for a technical guide on how to mix skin colours for all the different races of people (well most anyway) then this is the book for you. It gives you all the information you need (which paint and how much)to mix just about every shade of flesh, covering both cool and warm versions, it covers the full tonal range for each mix and shadow effects. In summery it is the most comprehensive flesh colour mixing book I have come across yet and I have got most of the more popular books on this subject. At this price it is a bargin
   

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

1. 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.



2. 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



3. 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.



4. 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. The artist does a good job explaining how a painting comes together. The video which is good but his voice is so soft you have to turn the volume up a lot to hear it.

5 comments about Jenny Saville.

1. The book opens with two short essays and a reprint from The Independent, January 30 1994, which is a statement by the artist about her work and her approach; in addition there is an interview with Jenny Saville, May 2005, in which she further describes her approach to painting. The book includes a Biography and a Bibliography. Of the text by far the more interesting are the two in the artist's own words, far more down to earth and revealing, the two short essays border on the pretentious.
   
   There is no question that the book is beautifully illustrated with around 85 full-colour images. However it is worth noting how that breaks down. There are 32 paintings illustrated, and while a few approach full-page size many are smaller, unnecessarily so as there is plenty of room on the page; these picture need to be as large as possible considering the actual size of the paintings. About 20 of the illustrations are of a detail of the paintings, these images are full page or even double-page bleed illustrations; they are very informative although one or two seem so enlarged as to become abstract images in their own right. The remaining 33 or so images, mostly double-page bleed illustrations, are photographs of extracts from the artists notes and sketch books, her sources such as books or photographs, and views of her studio; however again one or two go beyond being informative and are simply arty pictures for their own sake.
   
   This is a well produced book, the illustrations show the artist's work well, and convey an idea of the texture of the paint. However overall I feel it is lacking, the attempt at a showy display and the cleaver photography detract from the paintings, and apart from the artist's own words the text is insubstantial. FIVE STARS for the artist, but the book could be a lot better.



2. I pre-ordered this book and when it arrived, I was not disappointed. I pored over it for a few days before bringing it to the studio to show the artists who work in my studio. They were equally excited by this collection, but then what do we know? We just make our total livings at making artwork. It is our day job!
   
   Sorry that I can't look into my crystal ball to see what she'll be like at age 80 but right now, she is breathing real life and power into contemporary realism. This book shows ample reason why Saville is celebrated and her detractors are virtual unknowns.
   
   The best always rise to the top...always.



3. bought it at moma-snatched it up. love this painter-she is extremely talented. good book too. missed the last gagosian show:(



4. This book is top-notch. The reproductions are very well done, and there are tons of close-up shots of individual paintings showing Saville's brush work. I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in contemporary art, portraiture, or figure painting. As a painting student, it is great to be able to see the whole painting on one page and then examine a series of close-ups and even shots of the artist's reference materials. Very informative. Oh, and the paintings are stunningly beautiful as well!!!



5. I was extremely happy with this book. It was a reccomendation and I wouldn't have found her without that!
   Wonderful full colour pictures and interesting essays.

4 comments about Creating Textured Landscapes With Pen, Ink & Watercolor.

1. As with ALL of Claudia's books, this one is no exception - it is EXCELLENT!! She wonderfully illustrates in such a way that you are motivated to pick up your brush, watercolors, pen and ink and start painting!!
   
   It is a wonderful book to have to inspire you to paind.



2. I normally like her books on pen and ink, but this one has more to do with watercolor than pen and ink. I was disappointed and returned the book. It's a good book for to look at and you might be more interested if you want to know more about how to use watercolors. I have enough of those books!



3. Yes, the title says for landscapes, ink, pen and watercolor, but really you could apply the techniques in this book to just about anything. It has a huge sampling of textures and how to achieve them. Since I am a beginner, I thought the techniques would be difficult to learn, but the directions are incredibly easy to understand and non of the techniques are time consuming (aside from masking). Put this book together with Gordon MacKenzie's The Watercolorists Essential Notebook, and you have a complete watercolor art class through at least intermediate to lower advanced skill level. The images and text are easy to understand and give great reference. I do find the "handwriting" font a bit difficult on the eyes after a while, but otherwise a very well rounded book with easy to follow quick techniques that will really knock your socks off. Way to go Claudia Nice!



4. Just received this book today. It is very colourful and well layed out.
   
   There are tonnes of tips and techniques on watercolour painting as well as specfic examples and step by steps on different effects and how to acheive more contrast etc with texturing.
   
   Well worth it.

5 comments about Beach Stones.

1. beautifully photographed with detail and style. presentation of each stone is clean and presents the piece as a single jewel. Worth the price,
   just as a vehicle to peace and tranquility.



2. I loved this book since I enjoy the beach so much. It would go great with the book "Beach Lover's Guide to the Perfect Sandwich" After all you can work up quite an appetite checking out all the beautiful stones on the beach.



3. This is a unique and valuable book...showing stones that may be found on beaches around the world..her artistic way of laying out the positioning of these stones in the book is a treasure !Susan



4. This book has beautiful images and interesting text. A good book for people who love the beach. It would make a good coffee table book. I was disappointed in the lack of depth offered by the text. I was hoping for more in depth geologic information, and a greater variety of stones pictured. This is not the book for you if you want an in depth look at geologic process and the mineral composition of stones that wash up on the beach.



5. My Husband and I loved this book so much that we bought 3 and gave away 2 as gifts.

No comments about Jerry Yarnell's Landscape Painting Secrets.

5 comments about Watercolor Basics - Lets Get Started (Watercolor Basics).

1. Watercolor painting can be discouraging for the beginner because of
   its delicate and difficult technique. A complex sketch that took a
   long time to develop can be ruined in two minutes when the novice
   painter starts putting watercolor on it, therefore wasting precious
   time and effort plus some expensive paper and paint. That's why Jack
   Reid, a fine painter with a great instructional sense, suggest
   approaching watercolor by learning-by-practice four basic techniques:
   flat wash & glazing, graded wash, wet-on-wet and dry brush. Mr. Reid
   proposes practicing these techniques on exercises a learner will be
   glad to try: nice looking pictures based on very simple sketches,
   appealing enough to be stimulating but simple enough to avoid lazyness
   and frustration. Also, the exercises proposed can be made in small
   format, thus relieving the distress of wasting materials that often
   makes the beginner repress from practicing. It's indeed a delight
   working on that simple projects and finding that Mr. Reid's advices do
   work. Along these exercises the beginner will adquire a practical
   knowledge about how things are done in watercolor.
   
   Once the beginner is supposed to manage the basics, the second half of
   the book goes into the general problems of painting: value, colour and
   composition. Again, every subject is accompanied by exercises of
   increasing difficulty that the learner may be willing to reproduce.
   
   In summary, the book is brief but worth every paragraph and
   illustration. It makes those of us painting for some time as
   self-learners to stop for a while and think seriously about changing
   the way we focus our work. The only doubt it poses is if Mr. Reid's
   approach is valid for general watercolor painting or just for
   "Reid-ish watercolor". Anyway, one's style can only be develop by hard
   work; a book can only give directions on the basics. And this book is
   great for that.



2. This book is for the "Very Beginer". It tells you what to purchase to start...ie..which brushes, what paint colors, and paper type. It then goes on to show you step by step how to use those supplies to create a picture.



3. I am teaching myself watercolor painting and this book has helped me tremendously. The step by step exercises make is so easy to learn technique and the reasons for different techniques. It has also helped me to learn to draw better. I highly recommend it to any beginner!



4. After looking at the library copy of Jack Reid's books on water color tecnniques, I knew it was the best way to learn and feel confident that I can do it! I had to have a copy of my own. The illustrations are great as the painting develops step-by-step, gently leading me to a new skill. Enjoyable confidence builder. Also, Mr. Reid's approach on materials is easy on the budget and makes the picture more important than the kind of brush that paints it. Styrofoam and twigs are right up my alley.



5. I would recommend this book to everyone to get so that you can practice watercolor techniques. Like all the other books in this series, you can't go wrong adding it to your collection.

5 comments about How to Draw and Paint Fairies: From Finding Inspiration to Capturing Diaphanous Detail, a Step-by-Step Guide to Fairy Art.

1. I was looking for a drawing guide for my daughter's 11th birthday and was hoping this book would be the key. We flipped through it at the craft store and it looked like a great instructional guide. The only hesitation I have and reason I did not purchase the book is the last few pages. There are some ill-clad fairies exposing more than I want my daughter to be drawing or her younger brothers to be seeing. I know it is common to have fairies naked even, so I was grateful there was only a few pages of what I would consider suggestive fairies. But, I wanted to share this review for other "carefully modest" parents who would rather not expose their children.



2. The best How to draw Fairies book for beginners available.
   Filled with valuable drawing and paint tips, along with beautiful fairy prints for inspiration.



3. This book was not only wonderful to look at, it was very instructive also. A fantastic way to spend a rainy day!



4. this is a nice little book. but i don't think the fairy faces are very pretty. it gives you good ideas for the poses. but you'll have to have some knowledge of how you like pretty fairy faces to look cause the artists depictions are not that pretty.
   you could draw inspiration in some of the scenes and poses though. also when you do the -search inside this books pages option- the pics they show are the best pictures in the book. theres probably a more visually stimulating fairy book out there but this book does give some good instruction and i do not regret purchasing it as a gift for my niece.



5. I saw this book at my local craft store at full price, but waited till I got home to order it, since I had to place a order though Amazon - and with the reduced price and the free shipping is was a great deal. I only had a moment to look the book over in the store, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got my copy, as to how well made the book was. It's a glue/sewn binding - very sturdy. The paper is also of good weight - and the illustrations are high quality and breathtaking.
   
   Unlike the one negative review here, I was pleased to see the the first chapter contained basic information on supplies and color theory. I am no stranger to drawing and painting - but I am self taught so it was very informative to read a up-to-date book, (as most of my books are of the hand me down variety, and are at least two times older than I am!)
   
   The in between chapters cover everything from drawing to painting techniques that I have puzzled over in my favorite fairy art. It was wonderful to see everything laid out step by step. The final chapter contains a collection of fairy art of different styles and talent levels, and just like the rest of the book I was inspired by looking over the different pieces.
   
   My only minor complaint about the book is on page 21 which covers paper stretching. I believe they make a mistake and list the steps out of order. I had to go online and look it up to figure it out. First gather your supplies, paper, gummed tape, board, water and wet the paper, THEN wet the tape and tape the paper to the board. Also the online instructions said to leave the paper on the board WHILE you do the art - which makes perfect sense to me now that I think of it. But the book said nothing either way, and I thought that I had to remove the paper after it was dry. Although the illustrations do show the tape removed from the paper after the paper was dry.
   
   Overall I am thrilled to own this book!

5 comments about Making Color Sing.

1. i learned of the book making color sing in an art workshop. It is not a new publication, however 'still in print' and it gives many processes for use of color that i feel any artist would profit by having a copy for reference..and achieving special effects. great guide book. one for the 'watercolorist's personal library'



2. Making Color Sing
   
   I am new to the medium of watercolors and have found this book to be very helpful. The author keeps the selection of colors to a minimum in order to keep your costs down but also helping you to learn the aspects of what each color can do. This is a book that I feel I can really learn and become a better artist.



3. "Into" watercolor? If so, this is a 'must have' reference that will not stay on a shelf, but be nearby your painting/study area as a useful tool in mixing and painting with watercolors. Not only is it written in clear and precise language and well illustrated with examples from the author as well as other artists, but it also is chock full of practical, valuable information on pigments, color theory, application techniques, and tips and hints for problem solving in case of unexpected consequences. I found this book easily readable and useful to both decorative artists and fine artists, experienced or beginner. It covers both the why, the what with, and the how to of watercolor application and much of the theory is applicable to other media as well. Even the non-painter will look at works of art with new eyes after reading this interesting and informative text.
   Making Color Sing
   Making Color Sing



4. This book was suggested by one of my Art Teachers in College. It was in answer to my question in regards to studying more about the use of colour in watercolour painting. It has yielded a wealth of information. I look forward to working my way through the rest of the book and applying the knowledge it contains. Would make a great short course textbook too. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to know more about the use of colours in their painting, regarding of the medium they choose.



5. This book is great but be forewarned that there is a LOT of fairly technical explanation and a lot to absorb. But if that's what you are wanting (I did want that) the author is easy to read and doles out the information in digestible chapters. If you want explanations and content, you'll get your money's worth. And oh yeah...her watercolors in the book are amazing, so she must know what she's talking about!