No comments about Watercolors (30 minute ART) (30-Minute Art).

No comments about Color Your Own Gauguin Paintings (Coloring Books).

No comments about Charles Arnoldi: 1972-2008.

1 comments about The Magic of Things.

1. This book is the catalogue for the current exhibition held at the Kunstmuseum Basel,which already appeared at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt. It is divided into several essays, on the prehistory of still-life painting (still-lifes already appear in religious paintings of the XVth century)and on the role of Flemish painters in the development of the genre in the Frankfurt region. These two essays are then followed by studies on the different types of still-lifes (Vanitas, banquet, fish, game) and on some key artists like Jan Davidz. de Heem (famous for his sumptuous still-lifes). The book ends with the XVIIIth century when the rules of floral still-lifes in Germany were edicted by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his autobiography "Dichtung und Wahrheit" (Poetry and Truth).
   
   This book is well served by wonderful illustrations of works by such masters as Georg Flegel, Willem Claesz Heda, Sebastian Stoskopff or Jan van Kessel, among others, but it is somewhat misleading: in no way is it a definitive study of still-life painting from 1500 to 1800, as it is limited to German, Dutch and Flemish artists. Granted, a beautiful strawberry still-life by Chardin appears at the end, but it is the exception that proves the rule and it is somewhat lost among the large group of central European paintings. Italian (Carravagio...) or Spanish still life (Melendez, Zurbaran...) are completely omitted, which is, in my opinion, quite disappointing and should have been mentioned in the title of the book (which only says "still-life painting 1500-1800"). Besides, many of the artists discussed are, at the most, "petits maîtres", which account for the weakness of many of the works illustrated in these pages.
   
   In short, some beautiful illustrations of mostly average works (with the above-mentioned exceptions).

No comments about Jeremy Fish: Rome-antic Delusions.

2 comments about Women Of Flowers: A Tribute to Victorian Women Illustrators.

1. The book is the one I expected. I had seen it at the public library. BUT the size was a surprise. I expected a much larger book. This one is 6" by 7", much too small to enjoy the paintings of flowers and difficult to read the print.



2. Along with the stories of these brilliant women artists and beautiful renditions of their artwork are sprinkled Victorian flower language, poems and quotes that make this an exquisite tabletop book that your guests will not be able to put down. Most of these talented women never received honors while they lived because in their day, women were not given their worth. Many of these ladies used male pseudonyms just to stay employed. A beautiful compliment for those that appreciate the language of herbs and flowers.

1 comments about Looking at Paintings: A Guide to Technical Terms (Looking At...).

1. You would like to think that every Student of painting would already know this stuff, but...

4 comments about The Intimate Landscape: A New Look at the Origins of the American Barbizon Movement.

1. THe Intimate Landscape not only provides a good review of an important period in American art, but provides insights into the work and minds of greats like George Inness, an artist who I would love to learn still more about. My only criticism is that the reproductions are a little dark.



2. "The Intimate Landscape" is "co-titled" "A New Look at the Origins of the American Barbizon Movement" and thereby purposefully connects the landscape paintings of a group of 19th Century American artists (mostly East Coast) to an established category of painting in France. Fair enough. The research on these Americans--William Morris Hunt, George Inness, Homer Dodge Martin and Alexander Wyant--is well done and their lives and works well-described. As is probably true with most books on painting, it would have been nice to have had more illustrations. But those provided in this work are representative and well enough printed, and this is a small, specialized work after all.
   Anyone interested in the evolution of American landscape painting will find this a valuable reference book.



3. An enthusiastically and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic American Art History collections, The Intimate Landscape: A New Look At The Origins Of The American Barbizon School by Estelle Riback offers an expertly informed and informative history and analysis of the work of American artists William Morris Hunt, George Inness, Homer Dodge Martin, and Alexander Helwig Wyant who were the late-nineteenth-century progenitors of what was to become known as the influential American Barbizon school of art. Breaking with previous American and European art traditions, these four original, gifted, and innovative artists opened a new movement in the development of American landscape painting, preparing the way for an eventual emergence of modern art in American salons, galleries, and popular culture.



4. "The Intimate Landscape" is a detailed look at the Barbizon School of art. Barbizon art was mainly landscape paintings from which impressionism eventually sprang. After a brief introduction on the Barbizon movement and what made it different from the Hudson School and other landscape artists author Estelle Riback introduces the reader to four of the most important American Barbizon artists. Each of the artists, William Morris Hunt, George Inness, Homer Dodge Martin, and Alexander Helwig Wyant, get their own chapter with a detailed analysis of their influences, history, style, and the legacy they left behind.
   
   "The Intimate Landscape" is an excellent analysis of the American Barbizon movement and a recommended read for anyone interested in the Barbizon School.

5 comments about Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist.

1. Mr. Brown's Eternal Truths is the kind of book I have picked up again and again. Not so much for the artistic advice, as for the cheerful inspiration that fills every page. It inspires me to actually head to my art table and begin painting, which is much more than most books. And, most especially, Mr. Brown approaches everything (his paintings, his advice, his life) with humor and joy. A lesson to us all.



2. This book is an amazing compendium of technique infused with insights that will inspire artists to rethink what, why and how they paint. Set up casually with plain talk, it belies the great book design and wonderful artwork. I highly recommend this book to all artists who aspire to do better!



3. Fantastic book, and highly recommended for anyone wanting to get inside the "meat" of an art instructional manual. Harley has a wonderful sense of humor, and an easy way of explaining his procedures. I have read it through cover to cover, and use it to reference repeatedly.
   Next purchase, is Harley's newest book.



4. Brown's book is excellent for intermediate or advanced artists. I think beginners will find it confusing and beyond them (Brown presumes some drawing and painting abilities are in place). His book will help you "bust loose" and get to the next level. His advice and side-comments are entertaining, anti-establishment, anti-artsy-baloney and generally right on! Enjoy.



5. I wish this book had been called, "Eternal Truths for Every Artist Who Works in Two Dimensions." It's about flat art. A very few points are relevant to sculpture, but not many. Could easily have saved the money I spent on this and have NOT earned the purchase price back in increased sales yet.

2 comments about Space (Creative Painting Series).

1. I have looked at three books in this series: Form, Space and Color. The exercises sound interesting, but the demonstration pictures are very rough and not very inspiring.



2. Space is truly a final frontier for informative and inspiring painting techniques.
   Without getting bogged down in too much instruction-speak, the painted images serve as the best and most useful models for understanding perspective and spatial theories.