4 comments about The Art of Describing: Dutch Art in the Seventeenth Century.

1. An analysis of the 17th century Dutch preoccupation with vision, the discovery and use of the microscope, lenses, optical devises, the study of the retina and how we see, new ideas of perspective and a discussion of the work of noted scholars of the day, as Keppler and Huygens. A fascinating discussion of Vermeer painting exactly what he saw while Rembrandt painting "the invisible human depths." A very fine study designed to help us think and see.



2. While not for those looking for a coffee table book (or a list of catalogue entries with glossy photos), this work remains interesting and creative. Alpers is one of those scholars interested in the "period eye," studying epistimological habits and visual strategies in 17th C. Netherlands. She covers issues thematically, with chapters dedicated to issues surrounding cartography, optical devices, etc. A nice work.



3. Alpers' brilliant 1984 study teaches us how Dutch artists of the seventeenth century "saw" in contrast with with their Italian counterparts. Already one of the most frequently cited books on Dutch art, this ground-breaking work should be read by anyone with an interest in visual representation.



4. the author took a fascinating topic and destroyed it by writing in a convoluted, unintelligible fashion--a lot of artistic claptrap, unfortunately--it's like witnessing a stream of consciousness acid trip at the Rikjsmuseum

5 comments about The Graphic Designer's Digital Toolkit (General Interest).

1. An poorly designed graphic design book is highly suspect. This book is not only ugly but completely uninspired. Perhaps a decent aide for those who have never used the programs at all and don't plan to do any professional design work, but not really a great resource. (You can find out as much or more through the programs' help sections and online forums). I wouldn't waste your money.



2. When I purchased this item, I was not informed that there was a new edition of the book, I would have preferred to buy the latest ...



3. this is the core syllabus for a class i'm taking. we complete the assignments that are in the book. the projects are useful and clearly explained and comes with all files on a cd.
   after completeling the book, one should have a solid foundation of basic operations w/in photoshop, illustrator, indesign, etc.
   i'm happy with it.



4. This takes the basic information that can be found in the manual or anywhere on the 'net and repackages it as yet another How-to computer book.
   
   Unfortunately, as mentioned above, it is full of errors and examples that make you cringe, both in taste and demonstrating the author doesn't really know how to do it.
   
   When you are reading how to correct a photo in Photoshop, nothing puts you off more than that the example shown is badly corrected. The same goes for all the aesthetically challenged examples and the book itself.
   
   How difficult is it to design and layout an attractive, easily navigated and organised book on graphic design if you are in fact a capable designer?
   
   Unless ofcourse you are not.



5. the book is new, and cost only 31 dollar compare to the local bookstore where cost 53 dollar.

1 comments about Paint Along with Jerry Yarnell Volume Four - Painting Techniques (Paint Along With Jerry Yarnell, 4).

1. I have watched Jerry Yarnell paint on television and always wanted to paint. I will use this book in conjunction with his TV programs to learn some painting techniques and possibly take classes from other artists. One step at a time!

5 comments about Freaks!: How to Draw Fantastic Fantasy Creatures (Fantastic Fantasy Comics).

1. My son enjoys a lot working with the book. There are a lot of tricks that are helpful when you draw your favorite creatures.



2. ...But NOT for beginner artists:S
   
   The book itself is pretty cool with lots of characters and pretty pictures to look at. That alone, is ALOT of inspiration:)
   
   BUT.... And this is the bad part about the book... I'm not learning much from it:( There are very little hints on HOW to actually draw something. I'm not advanced enough for this book as i need step-by-step guides, wich this book does not contain much of. Sadly:(
   
   It's probably a really great book for the more advanced artists, but i cannot recomend this book for beginner artists like myself... I'm sorry. I also cannot recomend any other books as i haven't bought that many yet. But by all means, if you really WANT this book, the pictures in it makes it worth buying:) Inspiration is also an important part on your way to becoming a master artist:) And besides, the more people who buy it, the bigger the chances gets for a follow-up book:) Wich will probably be better for us non-professionals:p



3. What a great book! I do furry art and needed some pointers on how to draw animal people forms. This is the only book I've ever seen that explains how to do it. Easy and precise instructions on all types of animal people, cats, dogs, turtles, bears, etc. You name it, it is in here. It teaches anatomy and really helped me with animal type legs with three joints. I like Steve's art, but Brett Booth is the master! Book was worth it just to stare at his fabulous characters. Please, please, please, do another book just like this one, but with more cartoon furry type art.



4. When I found this book I was overjoyed at its subject matter and I was soon whisked away by the beautiful pencil and colour renderings of the wonderful anthropomorphic folk. However I was soon placed right back down where I had started and I soon realised that this book hadn't in fact taught me anything as a skilled artist.
   
   This book has huge potential, the subject has massive scope, but this book doesn't. Its woeful attempt at what should be the biggest part of this book, the anatomy (human AND animal), left me feeling like the author had missed the point. I was expecting to be shown some detailed examples of how to build up the shapes of animal faces (a tricky subject), I was expecting to learn how to easily construct paws, claws, fur and scales but they too were all given minimal coverage. Maybe I was expecting too much? Although books like "Drawing & Painting Fantasy Figures" by Cowan manages to meet high expectations and is brimming with ideas.
   
   When you get past the comparable pictures in this book you will find the writing poor and uninformative towards the artwork, and its ability to teach you how and why to draw the characters this way, particularly slack. I would suggest that any amateur artist should fill their head first with knowledge from Hogarth's Anatomy books, and to study and learn how to draw animals as well (which this book remarkably neglects to suggest you do!!) Other than the excellent artwork, which I must compliment, this book was very disappointing.



5. I bought this book and refer to it continually when I need ideas or inspiration. It is not a traditional how to draw book in that there isn't step by step instructions on how to draw each "animal head person" in the book, but guidelines. The expectation, I think, is that the reader will practice putting together the basic shapes and learn from the abundance of illustrations. This would be a good book to pair with another drawing book. A lot of the poses are superhero style.
   
   There isn't a huge focus on basic drawing skills; for younger readers, Lee Hammond covers these well in her drawing books. Older readers might want to check out "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain".

4 comments about Jeremiah: A Romantic Vision.

1. jeremiah is a very special book done by an unbelievable artist with the most beautiful watercolor drawings of rooms of famous people. There are very few people if any, who can do watercolor painting the way Jeremiah does. Enjoy this book for the beautiful art work, which you will not see very often.



2. If you enjoy the early 60's aesthetic of the wealthy this is a fantastic book. Really gorgeous designs of a great designer at his best.



3. Previously I had viewed some of the material in various magazines and was eager to see more of Mr. Goodman's work. This book does not disappoint. As an interior designer I have always admired the art of "rendering." The book is a treasure to be enjoyed over and over again.



4. Mr. Goodman's remarkable talent to paint a portrait of an interior as lush, dramatic, grander than grand was clearly sought after by a legion of society's most celebrated style icons. Like the American painter John Singer Sargeant, Mr. Goodman's confident handling of paints thrusts the viewer into a world of impossible glamour. Environments that boasted the highest ceilings,gleaming marble floors, heavy gold frames,crystal ornaments, rare fabrics covering museum worthy pieces of furniture and forests of exotic plants all bathed in the most dramatically dappled sunlight easily, happily, transports the viewer to a dreamy never never land.We're talking rooms dressed to impress and then some!Homes belonging to high-style mavens like screen goddess-Greta Garbo,society designer- Bill Blass and the boy-crazy shutterbug who eroticized the male form in the public imagination, Mr. Bruce Weber. There's a history lesson here of decorating styles through the mid 20th century of both public and private settings. But the strength of the book is the spectacular painting technique and the rich, romantically luxurious point of view of the gifted artist, Mr.Goodman. In the 21 century world thats devoid of any masterful illustrations in the popular press, to see such skilled, dreamy, visionary work is a special treat indeed.

5 comments about Skydyes: A Visual Guide to Fabric Painting.

1. Skydyes: A Visual Guide to Fabric Painting I purchased this for a friend who had been unable to get it in N.Z. through book stores. It arrived very promptly and she is delighted with it. Judi Exton.



2. An excellent resource written by one of the experts in the field of fabric dying.



3. I am very happy with this book. I'm going to attend a workshop with Mickey Lawler in August so I was pleased at how fast the book arrived. It is everything I expected it to be.



4. An inspiring and well written book that takes the guess work and mystery out of creating your own fabrics. Mickey's style is user-friendly, approachable and encouraging. The illustrations are good and Mickey's own fabric creations will inspire the reader to try their hand at this art form. I highly recommend this book!



5. A must have reference book for fabric painting.

No comments about Painting Houses & Gardens in Watercolor.

1 comments about Lowell Herrero.

1. Herrero's work is beautifully displayed in the gorgeous coffee table art book. Herrero's rich colors come alive in the printing process that is used here to display a wide range of his paintings as well as some interesting text. I am not a painter myself, but some of my friends are, and they were struck with the beauty of this book as well. Highly recommended as a gift or as a addition to one's own art books. You won't be disappointed.

4 comments about Plane Image: A Brice Marden Retrospective.

1. It is a bit difficult to review a good artbook when you do not like the artist it is centered upon. As an artbook, this catalogue for the recent retrospective at the MOMA is a model, with magnificent illustrations and a comprehensive study of Brice Marden's career, as well as a very clear checklist of the works in the exhibition. Now my opinion on Brice Marden is that he is basically a decorative abstract artist (especially in his late works), overrated by the art market, and that he does not compare to giants of the likes of Robert Ryman or Agnes Martin who really transcend the tradition of abstract painting, taking it to new heights.



2. When I saw his paintings at the SF Moma I was blown away. Especially his Cold Mountain work. I think Brice Marden is a great painter. This is a well written book and it shows a lot of his earlier minimal paintings, but leaving out a few paintings from the mid 90's. Interested to see what he does next.



3. I received the item very fast but thanks that the postman knows me as part of the addres information was missing. Probably because it is an odd address for people overseas. We have a different system here. Apart from this, everything was ok



4. This handsome volume explores Brice Marden's illustrious career as an abstract artist of New York city from the 60's unto the present day. The reproductions seen here are first rate in quality color and the writing is direct along with Marden's interesting interview. A must-have for anyone who thoroughly enjoys abstraction and modern art --especially for those who are following Brice Marden's remarkable journey with large, great paintings.

No comments about A Home: Paintings from a Bygone Age.