5 comments about Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium.

1. I don't know where to begin praising this book. It is like a candy store of ideas and new things to try.



2. I haven't actually used any of her techniques yet, but the book is beautifully put together with excellent instructions, illustrations and materials lists for each project. As a silk painter who also paints on canvas, I was delighted to see she even had a technique for painting on silk. The spiral-bound book binding is an added plus. I'm really glad I bought the book - it's opened new doors for expression.



3. I didn't know I wanted this book until I had a gift certificate to spend. I am a mixed media painter and always want to add any books to my library on acrylic painting techniques. I really like the ideas in this one, and most of the descriptions and demos are pretty well explained. I was glad to see some information provided on different substrates, and processes as well as the basic techniques!



4. Looking to make the switch from oils to acrylics, I wanted a text that was a kind of "user's manual" for the medium. This book was very useful in this regard. I believe Franz Kafka said, "Art needs craft more than craft needs art." This manual can't make you a great painter... but the simple, reference-style layout and generously illustrated, "how-to" text will strengthen your familiarity with the paint. Some of the example art is a little kitschy, but it serves to illustrate rather than enlighten. Also, the book is spiral-bound within a hard cover, so it is both durable and will lay flat... very handy for reference while at the easel. Anyone starting out in acrylics, looking to see their possibilities and limitations, will gain from having this reference in their library. Experienced acrylic painters, or people looking for inspiration beyond technique, should pass on this book, however.



5. This is a great book focusing on the tools and techniques used in creating acrylic artwork. The techniques are easy to follow and the tools used are simple enough to find. NO obscure or artist-patented colors forcing you to buy into their personally-branded, over-priced products.
   
   I only wish that after each technique is covered,there were some step-by-step projects/lessons to follow along with for trying out the techniques.
   
   An excellent, must-have guide for all aspiring acrylic artists.

5 comments about An Introduction to Acrylics (DK Art School).

1. Not a whole lot of additional information about painting in general. Is great as a broad overview, lots of examples. It just didn't go into too much detail about anything, and technique was hardly covered.



2. Great guide for the budding artist. I'd work with acrylics in the past, but needed a refresher course - found this book very helpful.



3. I love this book. I bought it based on the reviews, and I'm glad I did. I'd definitely recommend it, especially at such a low price.



4. This was the book my teacher had us buy for an Intro to Painting class. Gives you all the basics, i.e. what materials to buy and how to start. Thank you to my teacher for finding a reasonably priced book that did the job.



5. This is a great book as a basic staple for reference and for ideas.
   I've been painting for over twenty years and I still thought this was an excellent guide for color and style as well as being a refresher of basic techniques.

5 comments about Rethinking Acrylic: Radical Solutions For Exploiting The World's Most Versatile Medium.

1. Excellent book! Great ideas for acrylic painters. You won't be sorry if you purchase this book!



2. I am in love, love, love with this book! First, the layout is awesome! Second, the information is truly priceless! I've use acrylics for twenty years, and came across this recommendation after getting into a slump. She is a Golden artist, so this book was geared toward the brand, but her explanation of the ways that you can use the materials was phenomenal and she doesn't hit you over the head with "You have to buy these products". I purchased this book, along with three others, about a month and a half ago, and have referred back to it at least a dozen times. I HIGHLY recommend this book! I would give it 10 stars if I could!



3. Another great collection of techniques to keep handy for stimulus when you need it.
   
   Easy to follow lay out and descriptions.



4. Good transaction...I would have liked more of a variety of color plates in the book.



5. Just a great book to provide technical advice on the possibilities of working with acrylics. Love it!

No comments about Acrylic Innovation: Styles and Techniques Featuring 64 Visionary Artists.

5 comments about A Potter's Workbook.

1. The book arrived in great condition and very quickly. I would definitely use this vendor again.



2. An excellent resource for the novice or the professional. Wonderful read, and great pictures.



3. Clary Illian presents a decent book dealing with the conception of form in pottery. She details aspects of functional pottery such as volume in relation to function, and little details like rims and bases, handles and spouts.
   
   Overall I think her approach is extremely limited. she mentions only briefly in the beginning chapter that she will be presenting only a functional approach. But even within that approach I feel she takes a very narrow stance.
   
   This book is OK if you want to study how to become a potter who makes functional pots (but not if you want to actually glaze those pots). It will not help you contextualize the role of hand-made ceramics in postmodern america, which is something that I think all ceramists need to think about.
   
   Pros: not just a schematic approach, but a workbook of ideas and concepts, as they relate to functional pottery. Ms. Illian clearly has a deep appreciation of the material as well as a great deal of experience (she worked for bernard leach!).
   
   Cons: reads like journal scribblings. often more white space than words or pictures on the page. very limited vocabulary and conception of clay. many of the sketches and greenware examples (they're all greenware) feel like complete throw-aways.



4. Once you have some skill at basic throwing, this is the book you need! Clary examines aesthetic principles of pottery. If you have wondered aloud just what has happened to your pot as it emerges on the wheel, you can get your answer here. Why does your pot look cumbersome while the person next to you has double the clay and yet their creation is light and airy? If you have pondered the question, you need a course in the matter. There are no colored pictures because the book is about form and not about glazes or other embellishment. No more bowlng pin vases for me. I am on to lovlier pots!



5. If you're looking for a book on technique, which I was, RUN AWAY! This book is about the philosophy of making pots. I found the title misleading; I expected something more concrete (no pun intented). This is a cerebral book; it has its place, and I may learn to love it, but not today. Today I'm just disappointed.

5 comments about Acrylic Painting For Dummies.

1. I don't consider myself an amateur painter but wanted to get some extra techniques on painting with acrylics. This book has about only a handful of photo examples of painting techniques that go step by step in the process. And to have only a handful of examples in a 304 page book is a huge disappointment.
   
   Most of the photo examples shown in the book give the beginning process without the much needed middle in-between steps much to my annoyance. Another gripe is that the pictures are too small and don't show the details necessary to get an idea of what the author is describing in the text.
   
   I feel like returning this book to Amazon but the hassle of the process is not worth it. I will probably end up just giving the book to my local library.



2. I probably have at least a dozen books on how to paint with acrylics but this one is more helpful and informative than all of the others put together. The instructions are simple to understand and easy to do but the effects are truly creative and varied. The organization is excellent, making it very easy to use. Everything is shown step by step, unlike so many books where you are given a couple of instructions followed by a completed picture...the kind that leave you clueless about the steps it took to get there. The techniques are broken down so that they are very easy to understand but that doesn't mean the effects look simple when finished. There's a multitude of techniques to try as well as demonstrations of brush techniques, kinds of paint mediums and various additives. There are art supplies I never even knew existed that can make very interesting effects. This book differs from others in the "Dummies" series in that there are many colored pictures and illustrations. This book is a pleasure to use.



3. Great book for novice painters like me. Really gave me a lot of great short cuts and also the basics with a sense of humour and fun.



4. Fantastic book - not for dummies though. It has very in-depth instructions and it teaches you a lot of good techniques. I gave this book to my sister who is a novice and she loved it. Highly recommended.



5. I just love this book. I should be using it for a reference book, but I am reading it from cover to cover. I love it and I don't want to miss a thing. There is so much information written in an easy to follow fast moving text. Love it.

5 comments about Color Mixing Recipes.

1. Am very disappointed with this book. I expected primary color mixing only. Tubes of premixed paint are very expensive. The author is using too many premixed paints, therefore not teaching much at all.



2. I am new to acrylic painting, and although I am familiar with colors, this book really is a blessing when it comes to "recipes" for mixing colors. Well laid out and easy to use, this little guide to color mixing is complete and comprehensive, to boot. It's great, and I'm sure it will be my constant companion for some time - or at least until I'm a little more comfortable with mixing my own colors and getting something other than "mud."



3. I got this for airbrush painting and I usually use acrylic paint. It is very easy to understand and it even taught me a couple of little tricks I never heard of and I went to a fine art college. I didn't find any of the typos someone else pointed out, but I may have bought a revised edition. It has a small section on mixing skin tones, but the other book in the series devoted to portraits is invaluable and should be considered a purchase with this book.



4. I am in a painting class (my first one to be exact)and I am totally stumped on the mixing (tone, tint and shade). I was looking for a book that wasn't overwhelming but easy enough for a newbie like myself to understand. Well I got more than I bargained for with this fanastic book. It breaks it down to the barest essentials for me. I know for a fact that once I get better in painting this book will always be my go to book because it is such an excellent resource.



5. Good review for color mixing theory and best of all actual recipes for hundreds of color variations- find the exact color and be able to replicate it. Indexes color by photo and name, as well as a conversion chart for acrylics. Great help. Love itColor Mixing Recipes

5 comments about New Acrylics Essential Sourcebook: Materials, Techniques, and Contemporary Applications for Today's Artist.

1. I am an experienced artist working in all media except oils. I have had other books on the essentials of acrylics, but this one encourages the artist to follow their own inspiratin while using a particular example as illustration.



2. 
   This is truly a must book for the working artist that gives them updated information on acrylic paints. It also informs you about the acrylic mediums, the working grounds(surfaces) that acrylic paint can be applied to and if any problems. This book is easy to navigate getting answers to your questions quickly with well organized layout sheets.



3. First let me caution, this book is in no way for beginners. In fact, its overly technical slant is enough to scare people away from acrylics. I'm only partially kidding. As a well seasoned painter and someone fairly knowledgeable in the field, I found the author's vocabulary a bit daunting at times. Flocculation anybody? Does anyone besides the author of this book know what this word means? Flocculation is when your paint curdles, OK?
   
   That said, this book offers wonderful suggestions on how to achieve some stunning effects in the acrylic arena. But in no way is this book a how to. You'll see a picture with something you want to know more about, and you get one sentence without any further explanation. I found this and other things about this book frustrating. The other kink in the works is that many of the "new generation" of acrylics this author is championing are solely manufactured by Tri Art Acrylics, a company the author consults for.
   
   That being said, the book is beautifully presented and definitely has influenced my artistic approach.
   
   Siouxie, Bronx, NY



4. First of all Rhéni's book is just beautiful: the layout, the colours and the illustration are so inviting. But what impressed me the most is the way the author writes - as if she is actually talking to me, directly answering to my personal needs. And congratulations on the Drama Queen - she is truly inspirational.



5. This is a truly inspiring book. It's all about possibilities and ultimately gives you the knowledge and freedom to explore your own potential with acrylic painting. How awesome is that! I have the first book which shares the 'what and how' about acrylic products, but this book compliments it with sharing up to date information about 'all it can be' and more so you can make the best choices for you and your unique way of creating. It's really in-depth, easy to read and clearly presented. I've been using acrylics more and more these days, and so I've been referring to this for everything...when I want refreshed insight about different surfaces, media, colour and all the mediums! Personally I love the charts, glossary and Q&A sections, oh and the whole chapter devoted to being a greener and more future conscious artist! I am so inspired by this book, I love it!

5 comments about Altered Surfaces: Using Acrylic Paints With Gels, Mediums, Grounds & Pastes.

1. This is the book that I have been wishing for. I love texture and color and this book shows how to create both. The photos are stunning and inspiring. The instructions are clear. Please ignore any lower star reviews and get this book. It is small but chocked full of information. You will not regret this purchase!



2. This book is a good starting point, but if you are new to acrylics, then you'll eventually want more comprehensive information. Also this book only features Golden products. Most of the information applies to other brands, but not every company offers the same products nor do products with similar names perform exactly the same.
   
   The pictures in the book are really scrumptious. They make you want to just dive right in and start painting!! There are lots and lots of beautiful pictures and plenty of up close detail shots.
   
   This book is far more of a "why don't you try this. . " than a how to". There are a couple of straight forward instructions for things like mixing a dirty glaze or making a glass bead gel transfer (really cool). But mostly it is just ideas to try that are loosely described. There are 34 sections in the book and most concepts only get a page or two of description, and again there are a lot of pictures.
   
   Bottom line: This book is more for a craft painter looking for an overview than a fine art painter looking for in depth information. And the pictures are drool-worthy.



3. This book is a really useful guide for incorporating different mediums, gels, grounds and pastes to create some really interesting textured effects using brushes, stencils, stamps and many other easy to obtain tools. It mentions only Golden products but there is nothing stopping anyone from testing with other competing products to see what works best for them. There are only 51 pages but they are all jam-packed with glorious examples, instructions and information. From my perspective it is well-written and worth every penny. If you enjoy working with acrylics this is a must-have book.



4. While I do agree that this isn't really a "book", you should know what to expect from a Design Originals publication. I can also see the point about not using other manufacturers' of acrylic paint - but I can always choose to replace a recommendation with a substitute if I choose. And I love Golden products! The cover first caught my eye, you can't see how colorful it is, and it is beautiful! When I began to leaf through the book I saw so many ways to play with acrylic paints I knew I had to get it - and I am so glad I did! I have had a blast exploring acrylics and losing that fear that I am just wasting them (I suffer from Artist Acquiring Disease* - I love getting new goodies but I hate using them, hate making that first cut, that first mark, because I am certain I will never see something this awesome ever again. I am working to conquer this disease and I am pleased to say I have not acquired for 1 1/2 months! Hooray for me!!) Like I said, I really enjoyed this book and I refer to it all the time to check out new techniques and color schemes.
   
   
   
   * I hope whomever reads this can appreciate the humor in which this was written



5. For anyone working with collage, mixed media, card making, scrapbooking - anything to do with altering most surfaces to use in your work, this is the book. Chuck full of great techniques using a plethora of gels, mediums, etc., to get wonderful effects. You will enjoy.

5 comments about Drawing Made Easy: Lifelike Heads: Discover your "inner artist" as you learn to draw portraits in graphite.

1. I have been drawing for a looooong time, but my portraits always lacked a 3 dimensional quality. Lance Richlin's excellent book provides detailed instructions on how to achieve very realistic results both from life and from photographs. My portraits have improved significantly using his methods.
   
   Another reviewer says that there was little in the way of instruction. What book were you reading?? The whole book is a systematic approach to acheiving realistic portraits. I think it is far more likely that the reviewer was unwilling to try new methods - in this case - classical drawing.
   
   My number one criteria for an art instructor is this - do I like their artwork? Is it realistic or does it have some quality that renders the drawing flat, lifeless, affectless? I have looked at hundreds of art books in my lifetime and very few have made it to my shelves for this very reason. This book made me *want* to draw, to experiment, to improve. More than a year after my purchase, I am still using it as reference and inspiration.
   
   Additionally, the text was humourous and light. The instruction was easy to follow and made perfect sense. The book itself was beautifully printed.



2. What I expected was a book about how to draw portraits. What I got was a "pamphlet" about how to draw portraits. What content is there is very good but it is lacking information because the book is also too short. For instance, there is not enough information about drawing eyes. What few examples are there do not go into enough detail about all of the little intricate details about eyes. This would have been an outstanding book if it were printed in a larger format with more pages of instruction and examples that you can see without using a magnifying glass!
   
   
   
   



3. I have been looking for a book, and classes online,that cover the areas of portraiture that I don't know. I have been learning on my own and need guidance from a professional portrait artist. I came across Lance Richlins work on DRAW SPACE, a website dedicated to helping artists learn what they need to become the best artist they can become.
   I was impressed by Mr. Richlins work and decided to send for the book that goes along with his classes.
   I am very impressed! He guides you through every area from shadows and light to features and expressions. But he also covers how much time to spend on a drawing with a live model. The differences between the features depending on the race of a person, including drawing different hair types and the skin tones.
   It's not a large Walter Foster book but it has punch!
   I will be taking the classes from beginning to end, because I know that with Mr. Richlins guidance and encouragement, I can only improve as an artist.
   I highly recommend this book for anyone dreaming of a life in portrait drawing!!



4. I enjoyed this drawing instruction booklet. It's slow and methodical pace allows one to learn one area and then build up each lesson. Great for a beginner or intermediate.



5. This is not what I expected, it came as quick as it could
   from international seller. I will keep it of course.
   It got here and in good shape, so not seller's problem
   that is not the information I wanted in an art book.