No comments about House Proud: Nineteenth Century Watercolor Interiors from the Thaw Collection.

3 comments about Hensche on Painting.

1. This book is about Hensche's thoughts and insights to painting the landscape and about the Portrait and figure. Alot of valuble information in such a little book. Well worth the price. It could be used as reference book, to be reread over and over.There was a chapter on Seeing that I liked very well.Though I am a pastel painter and he focuses on oil, the information is well suited for any medium.



2. Very informative. I agree with his feelings about professors telling you to go get 'm tiger without providing enough basic information and that we need to get back to drawing as a basis for painting.



3. I found this book far less useful for practical painting pointers than those based on the treachings of Hawthorne, William Morris Hunt, Henri and Sloan. Granted, those are tough acts to follow, but there it is. What I did find fascinating was Hensche's perspective. Clearly, he greatly admired Charles Hawthorne as he should. He even went as far as to suggest that Hawthorne in some ways eclipsed Monet and bridged the gap to the abstract expressionists ... maybe in some ways. What I found absurd was Hensche's suggestion that he had gone beyond Hawthorne (and therefore beyond Monet!). Hey, I've heard from some of his students that Hensce was a great teacher and a nice guy ... and I don't doubt that, but in my opinion, as an artist, he never painted anything of tremendous merit. On another topic, the book shed some fascinating, although brief, insight on a rivalry between Henri and Hawthorne that I had never heard of before. Also, there are some refreshingly blunt statements that Hensce made summing up a couple dozen artists from Rubens to Andy Warhol at the end of the book. So, the book is worth a quick read if this sort of thing interests you. I'm glad I bought and read the book (it is brief and inexpensive) even though I don't think it was outstanding.

5 comments about Watercolor Painter's Pocket Palette.

1. Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced artist, this little book is an essential part of any watercolorist's library.



2. This is a lovely practical guide. Most books on color or on watercolor color never quite get to the point of what you want out of it, which is plain information and palettes of color.

   The Pocket Palette sets up a palette and clearly shows how each color looks when mixed or glazed (painted over another). There honestly isn't another book of this size and practicality out there. This is not necessarily a book on color theory. It is covered but is not the aim of this at-a-glance, application kind of book.

   As this book is concise, this review will be concise! This book, plus a color wheel and a short book on color theory (a Walter Foster book will even do) should fill out your arsenal for dealing with watercolor color. (That might seem like a lot, but for a lifetime of using watercolors it is the least you can do for yourself.) This book is an excellent value, even if it is short, and it IS portable, perfect to bring along with your sketchbook and notes.




3. I purchased this little book with high hopes that it would be a timesaver, but I was disappointed enough to return it. There are several types of problems. First, although I could find no statement of this, all the paints used are Winsor & Newton; if you use even similarly named paints from another company, the printed results of mixing and overpainting will be irrelevant. Second, only the Winsor & Newton names for the colors are given, and no pigment information is supplied. This is inexcusable, since formulations change even with a single manufacturer, and "Bright Red," fpr example, means one set of pigment ingredients and properties for Winsor and Newton, but completely different ones for paints from other companies. Third, a statement is made that all paints depicted are durable. This is untrue and potentially disastrous for anyone who trusts this statement. For example, it is well known that alizarin crimson and genuine rose madder (both in the primary palette oin this book) are easily damaged by light; permanent alternatives must be used if a painting is to be hung in a normally lit room. Finally, results will vary depending on the paper you use, and -- this one is not the fault of the book -- color reproduction in printing can never truly match what really happens on the paper. It's a pretty little book, well put together physically, but it is often misleading and is in no way a valid substitute for making your own notebook of color mixes and relevant information. This is essential both for understanding the properties of your pigments and paper in the first place but also for recording the compositions and behaviors of mixes used in your paintings.



4. If you want to learn how to mix watercolor without getting "mud" then this is for you. It is not a substitute for the real experience of mixing colors for yourself and watching what happens (such as any blue with cadmium red. Did you get a purple? Hmmm! Interesting!)

   The section on mixing flesh tones is especially helpful. It's fun just to browse this book and enjoy the tonal variety. A really nice book, in a small, portable format. One of my favorites.




5. Being new to watercolor painting, this book has been extremely helpful to me in determining the mixtures to use to create the colors I need. I've just sent one to a friend who is just beginning classes in watercolor and I'm sure she'll enjoy it as much as I have.

No comments about Game Development Essentials: Gameplay Mechanics.

1 comments about Landscape Painting.

1. This was recommended by the leader of a workshop I took. It had been out of print, so I was happy that it had been reissued. However, I feel that a number of newer books were more helpful to me than this one was. As a new painter, I feel the need for more definitive guidance. This was a little chatty and vague for me.
   
   Also, these days, most or all pictures are in color. These are all black and white. It shouldn't make a difference, but it does.

No comments about Watercolor Made Easy: Expressive Color: Discover easy methods for keeping your watercolors fresh & lively (Watercolor Made Easy).

5 comments about Let Them Eat Cheesecake: The Art Of Olivia Volume I.

1. At first you can't help but chuckle, especially if you were around during the 80's. Alot of the work in here is very time based and looks like posters hair metal bands would drool over. Regardless of the decade inspiration, the sheer talent Olivia has will keep you studying a piece long after your nostalgia for the days of air guitar and Iron Maiden ware off you can't help but see nothing but beauty on page after page. My favorite piece is "Cat and Mouse" it's a bettie page number. Enjoy!!



2. Who better to draw women than a woman? Olivia De Barardinis is the undisputed queen of cheesecake art, that wonderful if ill-defined blend of sensuality, sexuality, humor, and glamor.
   
   Although her style covers a wide range, each illustration depicts a lone model. Based on Olivia's notes at the end of the book, it sounds as if each woman's presence is just too big to share a page with any other. Each time Olivia paints, she captures something unique to the model, so two models might confuse the directness of the image. Other visual elements appear in her work often enough to form a recognizable ensemble: happily erotic poses, improbably high heels, and lingerie ranging from antique to futuristic fanatasy. Various of the paintings here show other influences, including Bettie Page, Klimt, Marilyn Monroe, Erte, and generations of other sensualists.
   
   Olivia uses the last few pages to add notes describing the paintings. The text identifies each one by title (if any), year, medium, and usually the name of the model. In many cases, Olivia says a bit more about the woman depicted, the inspiration for the image, or something else to help the reader enjoy the picture - as if help were needed. Then, the last two pages let her talk about the creative process in each of her media, including watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and her trademark oil. I recommend this to anyone fascinated by Olivia's voluptuous, vivacious vamps and vixens.
   
   -- wiredweird



3. Second Slice, The Art of Olivia is two books in one...sort of...about ¾ of the book is displays Olivia's paintings in portrait format. Flip it over, and the rest of the book is in landscape format...a flip book for adults! Olivia's second slice is every bit as filling and delectable as the first offering featuring 124 pages with 140 paintings in full color. Each of the two sections provides a detailed index with the name of the piece, size of the original painting, materials used, the name of the model, as well as Olivia's own commentary on her works. These comments are often as entertaining to read, as the paintings are to view.
   
   The models used in this edition include Pamela Anderson, Rhonda Shear, Bettie Page, Julie Strain, and Sandra Taylor. The paintings of the saucy Julie Strain are some of my favorites in the book. With her long, kinky black hair, ample curves, and playfully wicked smile, Strain made a wonderful pin-up queen for the 1990's, when most of these pieces were completed.
   
   Olivia experiments with many forms of style and color, which make for some of her most striking and exotic work to date. This is well displayed in "Zebra Lady III" as the nude, striped model (Rhonda Rydell) blends into and almost disappears into the striped backdrop. While not necessarily known for darker, gothic works, Olivia clearly shows she can compete with the best in that genre with works such as the female vampire on display in "Things that Go Bump in the Night" and the winged, horned "Banshee" which serves as one of the book' covers.
   
   Flipping to the landscape side, the buxom blonde bombshell Shear is captivating in the painting entitled "Pomeranians" as she finds herself lying on the ground, covered in a wrap made out of those furry, little dogs.
   
   Second Slice is another gorgeous collection of Olivia's works, all from the 80's and 90's. It is filled with gorgeous women and bold, sassy, and exotic colors and settings. Olivia continues to prove why she is at the top of her game.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



4. Olivia is the Vargas of our time. As Vargas took the reigns from Petty, Olivia has done the same, and Just like Vargas went beyond Petty in terms of realism, and delicate beauty, Olivia De Berardinis has taken cheesecake to a whole new level. Every pose, expression, and little bit of body language is put to use. Every Shot is beyond what a glamor photographer would dream of. Utter Perfection on so many levels. There is definitely some of her art that pays tribute to Petty, and Vargas among other legends of pinup in many of her pieces in most of her books. This one is a collection that spans many realms, and genres as would only be appropriate in our day. (Frank Frazetta influence spans the universe) There are no pieces that are over the top goriffic, or Horrific works like Clevenger, but there is some definite influence from Fantasy art in a portion of this book. The cover of this book was also a cover on Heavy Metal Magazine of which Olivia did many covers for in the past. This book is like an homage to the beauty of the feminine and female form, as is all of her work. Mouthwatering is the only description I can give it. If your looking for extreme fantasy, or horrific, gorrific works go for Clevenger. But if you want to see the beauty of the female form that can only be described as: like looking into the eyes of an angel". Olivia's books will do you no wrong. This one is no exception.



5. Olivia was one of my favorite artist, and in my collection of Illustrations books she can't be absent. This new collection of paintings shows her skills to mold all kind of techniques.
   A must have release.

5 comments about Handpainting Fabric: Easy, Elegant Techniques.

1. This is a gorgeous book and a must have for those who paint on fabric, especially silk. Filled with techniques & things to try!



2. I returned this book, because it wasn't what I wanted. I skimmed it over, and there are a lot of pretty pictures, but it is mostly about silk, only cursory information about other materials, lots about one authors specific projects. Most of the instructional info can be found free on the internet.



3. This book is fantastic - as I knew it would be. From start to finish, it is clear, concise, easy to understand and full of ideas. I also bought another 5 star book that I wish I hadn't. Handpainting Fabric tells you exactly what you need to know without long narratives - which I hate. The pictures are fabulous and techniques are easy and written extremely well. This book makes you want to get started immediately. My suggestion is if you are just starting out, this is the book for you - it tells all you need to know. And why not - its Michelle Newman.



4. Hermoso libro, imagenes nitidas y bellas.
   Instrucciones faciles de entender.
   Lo recomiendo a todas las personas interesadas en la pintura en tela.



5. This book is beautiful and practical. It inspires its readers to get creative with their homes and their wardrobes. It includes techniques like assembling a makeshift "light table"(p. 49) that would work for anyone who fancies a craft that requires tracing. Mothers of preschoolers, fathers interested in raising creative children, and pre-school or elementary school teachers. Those who teach art to adults will also find much here.
   --------
   Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of THIS IS THE PLACE and HARKENING. Her own practical how-to book, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER, will be released summer of 2004.

1 comments about Painting Heartwarming Holidays: 4 Seasons of Painting with Jamie Mills-Price.

1. Bought as a gift for a friend, she loved it-it was sooooooo nice, I really wanted to keep it for myself.

5 comments about The Art of Watercolor.

1. I bought this book when it first came out, and it was a real revealation to me. Water color wasn't really taught in American art schools at the time, and this book was my first guide to the wonderful adventure of watercolor painting. I'm reviewing the newer edition, which has the same great text but has added more full-color illustrations.
   
   The pictures are great, but the text is what makes this book outstanding among the many watercolor books currently on the market. As the title suggests, the text explores and explains the many facets of watercolor as an art form. The illustrations support the text by showing well-chosen examples of the great variety possible with this beautiful and intriguing medium. Many books on watercolor offer lessons in a particular method or painting style, or focus on one style of painting (usually the author's). This one covers diferent ground entirely. Instruction books can be excellent, but if you are ready for more depth, this could be the book you need. It's true there is a typical section on materials and basic techniques, and there are suggested exercises at the end of the chapters. These are fine in themselves, but other books can give you that. What makes this book special is the author's wide knowledge of painting styles, and his careful avoidance of favoritism toward particular styles or artists. If you are ready to read this with an open mind, you may see the merits of painting styles that you thought you didn't like. This certainly was the case for me!
   
   
   Who would benefit from this book? It would be useful to a complete beginner, if he or she is very disciplined, ready to work, and above all ready to READ a though-provoking non-simplisitic book. Non-painters who admire watercolor and would like to learn more about its history will probably enjoy a browse through the text. But I think it is most helpful to intermediate painters who are beyond the intiial struggle to master the basics of watercolor, and are ready to deepen their understanding of this wonderful art form.



2. Le Claire has contributed a lot to watercolor painting in this book loaded with illustrations of expressionim,experimentation in the media it inspires to do watercolors ,This is surprisng since it is published by the American Artist (for many years since I have first seen the magazine has published little of advanced watercolor painting) But the book doesn't limit itself to transparent watercolor rules.Such as No embossing no cutting ,no ink,nothing but pure color that maybe started by pencil line.If a painter hasn't advanced from that rule ,then he isn't a painter of the 20th century to my mind.Too often watercolor books are promotions of a watercolorist's technique, many of these artist are hampered by poor formal ability: line ,color,shape, etc.Le claire has some ability so the book has authority. It is a book that is well worth the modest price.



3. This book by Le Clair is lucid and touches all the important aspects of water color painitng...It is a great instructional book...I wish I had studied this book several decades ago. I am a self-taught artist and this book will help all such self-taught persons



4. There are two things about this book I think make it a great book for any watercolorist's library. One is the sheer variety of paintings shown and the other is the numerous 'assignments' at the end of each chapter.

   As another reviewer stated this book does not show you only one or a few artist's techniques. Rather it covers a broad range of techniques, art styles and artists and shows a diverse array of watercolor paintings. Everything from traditional representational paintings to contemporary and experimental works are shown. And all are used to illustrate that chapter's main point that they appear in. Works from famous artists to current living ones are displayed.

   Each chapter ends with exercises designed to let you practice principles, techniques or styles the preceding pages discussed. Now some people don't like or need such 'assignments'. But other people, like me, enjoy them as a challenge and as a way to see that they've not only read the chapter but can practice till they've learned it. If you don't care for such things it's easy to skip over them. But I actually found some of these projects fun to do.

   I have a sketchbook of watercolor paper that I use strictly for trying out projects from my various watercolor or other painting books. It is separate from my other sketchbooks or paintings and its sole purpose is strictly to practice, even copy, the demo projects and assignments. Even the greatest art masters learned first by copying the masters before them. There is so much to learn from this book. Not only how to paint in watercolor but also some art history as well. Definitely a recommended buy.




5. This is one of the best books on watercolor I have read and I have read a bunch. Many watercolor books give demonstrations and descriptions of a limited range of techniques used by that particular author. The authors' focus is primarily on showing you how they painted particular sample paintings. You learn, but mostly how to paint the sample paintings and a little about the author's technique but not much else.

   Mr. Le Clair provides the kind of instruction I would expect from a college watercolor class. He covers much more than just the basics but, nevertheless, the book could well serve as an introduction to watercolor. If I had to choose one instructional watercolor book this would be it. The second book I would choose is "The Watorcolorist's Essential Notebook" by Gordon MacKenzie, but it needs to be supplemented with a more basic book.