No comments about Colors (Childrens Books).

2 comments about Oil: Landscapes with William Alexander (Learn to Paint Step by Step).

1. This is an exact reproduction of an older version by William Alexander, titled: Secrets to the Magic of Oil Painting II. Excellent beginner's book for those interested in his wet-on-wet technique. This famous technique should be taken advantage of as it can enable you to produce the basic painting in very little time, after which you can elaborate as it suits you - more details, etc.



2. The book, Secrets to the magic of oil painting is one of the books to be followed by students of oil painting. This book mainly deals with painting a variety of landscapes, with emphasis on mountains and a wide variety of trees. The author thoroughly explains the kind of brushes and other tools to be used to bring out the real-life effects and also the kind of colors to be used that are not quite obvious to a novice in oil painting. The only drawback about the book is that it could have included more number of paintings and a variety of other landscapes, in particular. However, it provides very good starting tips to any novice in oil painting. A sequel to this book, Secrets to the magic of oil painting - 1 written by the same author is one of the books that can be used by students wishing to master landscape paintings.

2 comments about Dog Painting 1840 - 1940.

1. This is a beautiful volume that goes far beyond any coffee table book. Not only is it a treasure trove of canine art, but the research surrounding the breeds and artists is extensive. I recommend it without reservation.



2. I bought this book sight unseen expecting a treasure trove of dog art. While it does contain plenty of art I was very dissapointed in that a huge portion of the prints are in black and white. I don't know of too many artists that paint in only black and white and grays. I would have given this book a far higher rating if the prints would have been in color and larger. You have to give it to the author for the scope of the collection within the covers, but I'm an Irish Wolfhound fan and there were NO paintings of wolfhounds in the book other than a few paintings that had a wolfhound in them with several other breeds (none were indexed). If you're a dog fan, buy the book "Mondo Canine"- you won't be dissappointed.

2 comments about Portrait Painting in Watercolor.

1. This is one of the most sought after books on watercolor portraiture. Reid suggests the face and still gets a likeness. He leaves something for the viewer to fill in and be a part of the painting. It takes practice and intuition to bring out the aritists innate intuitive abilities expressed on paper. Reid shows step by step how he approaches his subject. He focuses on contrast and value and immediacy to give the painting life and spontaniety. A valued book to read over and over.



2. ...The book is brown, in colour and concept. Charles' book on Natural Painting is much more appealing. However this book is well written and illustrated although not colorfully. There is some interesting insight into portrait technique -- but realistically, I doubt if Charles learned to paint this way himself ... his talent is inborn and self-taught. His portraits are startling and unique in their ability to capture likenesses from a swirling mass of tone and/or color sometimes using only subtlist details of shade and highlight. The facial details that we plebians see (2 eyes, nose, mouth, chin, hair) have little to do with Charles' images -- sometimes many key features are ill defined or undefined ... however he always manages to capture the likeness. He sees in a different way -- I think he sees primarily tones (shades of gray) more than anything -- color seems to be secondary to him (this is apparent in his Natural Painting book too) -- yet he also has a unique and insightful perspective on colors, especially skin tones. A good book.

4 comments about Celtic Design: Illuminated Letters.

1. The Celtic sure did some amazing artwork. I bought this book to view the artwork closer. This book delivers.



2. THE COVER OF MEEHAN'S "ILLUMINATED LETTERS" IS MISLEADING. THE COVER EXHIBITS THE VIBRANT AND RICH COLORS THAT CELTIC ILLUMINATION IS REKNOWN FOR, BUT UP0N OPENING THE BOOK, I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND NOT A HINT OF COLOR. COMPLETELY BLACK AND WHITE. THERE IS AN INTRODUCTION, BRIEF BUT INFORMATIVE, AN EARLY DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER, MAJOR INITIALS CHAPTER, DECORATED ALPHABET CHAPTER, ANIMAL ALPHABET, AND TWO DECORATED AMPERSAND CHAPTERS; WHO USES AMPERSANDS THAT MUCH?! I THOUGHT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MANY MORE EXAMPLES OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS (NOT AMPERSANDS) FOR THE 160 PAGE VOLUME THAT IT IS.



3. This book makes Celtic lettering styles accessible to anyone. As great as Meehan's other books.



4. This is an excellent book for those looking to create celtic designs.

   This book teaches about the development of illumination. It then goes into the major initials, decorated alphabet, decorated ampersands, the animal alphabet and animal ampersands.

   The book is best used when accompianied by Aidan's other Celtic Design books. I have 7 of the books in this series and love them all!

   All in all this is a great book for someone looking to create celtic designs.

No comments about The Frank Tenney Johnson book;: A master painter of the Old West.

3 comments about Painting the Maya Universe: Royal Ceramics of the Classic Period (Duke University Museum of Art).

1. As anyone who owns books on the ancient Maya will probably attest, they have a habit of becoming out of date rather rapidly; yesterday's Copan is today's Xukpi and yesterday's King 18-Rabbit is today's Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil. Don't get me wrong, I think this is a good thing. Unlike the vast body of scholarship that Egyptologists can only hope to add a sentence to here or a footnote to there, Mayanists are faced with a field where every turn of the spade yields material that is likely to keep them busy for decades. That is the exciting thing about Mayan studies; every year sees yet more exciting discoveries by both "dirt" archeologists and by "armchair" or more correctly "keyboard" scholars. Every new book on the Maya is welcome and if they are as well written and lavishly illustrated as this one, they are doubly welcome.



2. I've read much of what has been written about Mayan ceramics and can say with confidence that this is the best book on the subject ever written. The essays in it, by top professionals, discuss the forms and functions of the ceramics, the meaning of their calligraphy, their basic themes and the places particular styles of ceramics come from. Indeed, if you read it carefully and more than once, you too will be able to decipher the principal inscriptions even on pots that are not in the book. There are hundreds of full-color photographs of Mayan ceramic vases and plates in this book. These vases are decorated with pictures of formed the greatest Pre-Columbian civilization. These ceramics depict Mayan textile design, Mayan hair-dressing, Mayan head-dresses, Mayan ceramics (within the ceramic paintings), Mayan concepts of design and of the other worlds below this one. From them we learn of Mayan myth,Mayan ritual, Mayan daily life, and Mayan art. Leaving aside the great monumental art of sculpture and stucco that adorned major structures, leaving aside the structures themselves, and giving credit for a host of varieties of artistic representations ranging from the Tsimshian to the Moche... I think it is an absolute fact that the art that appears on Mayan ceramics is the best that America ever created prior to Columbus and arguably the best... period. This book discusses, describes, depicts and defends that incredible artistic legacy better than any other ever did.



3. This handsome book covers a wide range of Maya ceramic imagery, and is filled with stunning photographs. The imagery is also broken down by catagory, and is supplimented with explations of glyphs. The accessible text that explores the mythology, culture, iconography, and hieroglyphics on and related to the ceramics. The information is thorough without being overly specialized.

5 comments about Caravaggio: Colour Library.

1. I've seen nicer books coming in at several hundred dollars but for the ~$5 you really can't beat this one Plenty of beautiful full color plates this makes an excellent student edition and a reference book for home. If you're purchasing for an all out art reference library you should look into a different edition.



2. Someone made a reference in 1999 that this is an 80 page book. It is 127 pages and filled with quality color plates. The paper's a bit thin, but certainly adequate, as is the text. I have just finished reading 'The Lost Painting', and wanted to peruse some of the works discussed in the book (a fascinating read and/or listen with the audio book). Another reviewer noted this is as a wonderful book to begin a collection. The publisher, Phaidon, really puts out some fine materials. I own three of their publications now, one being '50 Self-Portraits' and another on Tadema. If you have an inclination to dwell awhile on the stunning legacy of Caravaggio, this should more than do the job.



3. This is a nice overview of the work of Caravaggio.. and the price is very good - I saw a similar collection (though it was hardcover) for nearly $100 - I am satisfied with this general overview for much cheaper. I think the colors are pretty good - and the artwork is, of course, timeless!



4. I have recently returned from the met and observed the great colour used by Caravaggio and was inspired to by the book. This contains a great of information and has great paintings on my favourite artist--Caravaggio. God bless



5. This book contains many beautiful full page photos of the works of Caravaggio. Each painting is accompanied with a brief explanation. References and comparisons are made to other famous works by great artistic masters. A great book to begin your art book collection!

2 comments about Light on the Earth: Two Decades of Winning Images (Wildlife Photographer of the Year).

1. Obviously, with a collection of the top photos from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, it's got to be good. Many photographers who have been published in the BBC series are lesser-known, and sometimes one-hit-wonders. These images show why it takes more than a camera and a sponsor to create a stunning image. Gone are the static portraits and cluttered landscapes. These images are some of the best efforts from some of the best talents - not just showing nature, but conveying it with feeling.



2. The images in LIght on Earth are the best of the best from the BBC's annual wildlife photography competition. Anyone can enter the contest, and the images that come out of it are amazing. The editorial staff have a knack for picking emotionally powerful, visually stunning images that weave together like a complex tapestry- to have the best of the images is one place is priceless.
   I would also recommend checking out the actual competition, which can be viewed online, to see some of the ones that got away.

No comments about Whistler Landscapes and Seascapes: Landscapes and Seascapes (Watson-Guptill Famous Artists).