5 comments about Acrylic Painting For Dummies.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. Most of my painting experience is with watercolors. I've tried oils but, with a short attention span and even less patience, I found the long drying time of oils frustrating unless I was working wet-on-wet all the time (as in "Think Bob Ross"). Plus, cold weather's driven me inside where oil paint fumes drive the cats crazy. I won't mention what my wife thinks about the fumes. I bought this book more for the technical hints on the properties of acrylic paints than for the painting techniques (which as best as I can tell are comparable to the Dummies books on WC and Oils re: techniques which, in turn, compare favorably to most basic "How to Paint with . . ." books). This book met my expectations on the technical side and exceeded my expectations on the techniques side. In addition to helping me decide how to use the technical properties of acrylics to their best advantage, it also helped me figure out how to integrate my oil use and WC use in what the literature calls "mixed media." In short, there were some technical hints as well as technique hints that I could also use in my WC and oil works.



5. Full disclosure: I haven't read this book, but we got it for my mother law for her birthday a few weeks ago. She's pretty crafty with a large library and she quilts, paints, and sews. So, she seems pretty discriminating -- and she loved it. She used Oil Painting Dummies to try her hand at that technique a while back, and she's had nothing but good things to say about both books.

5 comments about Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists: Experimental Techniques for Composition, Layering, Texture, Imagery, and Encaustic.

1. I consider myself an intermediate level mixed-media artist. A few years back, this would have been a much more helpful book. It's great for getting started, gathering essential materials, and diving into mixed media works. However, because only one artist's work is shown, it's a very limited book. I would have liked to have seen at least 5 other artists, as this field is so broad, and learned some of their techniques. So again, this is a great beginners book, but only for beginners. Good how-to section on encaustics is helpful to those who haven't tried it, it's not easy to find that in a book.



2. Ann Baldwin is a marvelous instructor. Her workshops are very informative and loads of fun, & having this book is like continuing her classes right in your own studio.



3. This book is "full" of basic information for the beginner artist or a good reference book for the more experienced artist....excellent purchase !!



4. My own personal interests don't run to collage, which she relies upon almost exclusively. Don't get me wrong, she does it well. But I had heard so many good things abt Ann Baldwin that I bought this w/o looking at one first. So, I'm disappointed since it's more about collage than painting.



5. Baldwin introduces her techniques in great detail. It is a great 'Technique 101' bible. The lessons on composition are inspiring, as are her layering techniques. If you've never taken brush to canvas but have the need to try, start here. If you already create mixed-media art, continue here. Everyone will learn something from this valuable book.

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

1. There are so many details in this book! It is so comprehensive from how to set up your painting station - for efficiency - to many styles of painting. Being a beginner myself I am so glad I bought it. It also has great information for the expert painter/artist as well.



2. This is a great reference book for artists who enjoy working with acrylics. It opens up new possibilities for an exciting medium, and I found it to be an interesting book.



3. I bought this book for my sister for Christmas. She had mentioned an interest in acrylic painting, so I decided to buy her an inspirational and tutorial for beginners. A few nice things about this specific book was that it is spiral bound with a hard cover, making it great to use in the midst of working on a piece. There are tons of ideas that get a person thinking outside of the box, making it nice for someone stuck in a rut in the acrylic painting world. The material is current and overall a great value! Two thumbs way up!



4. I've had this book for almost a month now and have done 1/3 of all the projects. Some turned out great and some not so great, but I can't wait to try it again. I truly recommend this to anyone like me who's maybe been outta the painting game for a while and wants to discover a whole new world of acrylic and mediums, and gels and pastes and so on.
   
   5 stars



5. I really like this book. It is full of different things you can do with acrylics. The pictures are well done, the how-tos are perfect and it is inspiring. Its one of my favorite books to just page through.
   
   The only thing I wish it would do (and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars) is suggest substitutions for some of the supplies. Like using regular latex paint or primer instead of gesso. Or cutting up an old milk carton or detergent bottle for a palette made out of HDPE plastic. I'm a beginner and I don't need professional level supplies. If I can use something around the house rather than take a trip to the art store, I'm all for it. It would have been awesome of those kinds of things were included in this book.

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

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



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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. I have a fairly large collection of painting books and this one is definitely a favorite. It clearly illustrates tools, techniques and examples for a wide variety of painting styles.

2 comments about Creative Mixed Media: Paint Print Stitch Stamp Embellish.

1. I love Sherrill's fabrics , stamps and books
   This new book is full of ideas.....it's very userfull and I cannot wait buying in France ....
   ( Sorry my English is very bad )



2. This book features how to stamp and stitch fabric to make mixed media artworks. The author shows how to use computers, printers, stamps, glue batik (something new to me and very welcome compared to wax batik), and other embellishments to create deep and beautiful works on fabric. You will learn not only the batik and stamping technique, but see where sewing free form fits in, as well as how to create beautiful backgrounds.
   
   The works could be stretched and hung as artwork, but they also could be used to make incredible placemats, room screens, lampshades or other objects.
   
   The demonstration of a mask from Benin was my favorite work in the book but there is so much "eye candy" in here, as well as new techniques and ideas, that even if you don't do mixed media (I mainly do watercolor with occasional mixed media additions) you will want to try many of these ideas for yourself.

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

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



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



3. Love the way the book was written. Patti makes reading about technique so interesting and engaging! Great book and I've already recommended it to many!



4. I found this book to be very practical and inspiring with lots of ideas to try out, but I wish someone would write a book with experimental ideas of which household products that could be used, such as, paints,spackling paste, fillers (from craft store) instead of always pushing Golden products, which I love, but are very expensive especially if you are doing large works.



5. "Rethinking Acrylic" opens the door to new ways to use acrylic paints. There is a very good variety of techniques from different artists who present an excellent range of ways to approach this medium. I particularly liked the sections on acrylic skins, transfers, and acrylic encaustic. The book has very good illustrations and is spiral bound so that is lies nice and flat.

5 comments about Color Mixing Recipes.

1. 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.



2. 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



3. The book is a sampler of color combinations in water-based media. I feel that it would focus a student too much on 'right or wrong' rather than on finding their own answers and experimentation based on principles and theory.



4. If you've ever wanted to know how to mix colors or what colors to mix to get a color you want, this is the book for you. It's easy to follow and its spiral binding makes it very user-friendly. I'd recommend this book to any artist or wanta-be artist!



5. My Art teacher has had this book for 20 years, so I was very surprised I was able to purchase it new and revised. The recipes are presented in a clear and logical manner, will be a great reference guide

No comments about Jane Davila's Surface Design Essentials: Explore Paints, Mediums, Inks and Pencils, 15 Techniques for Fabric and More.

5 comments about The Art of Encaustic Painting: Contemporary Expression in the Ancient Medium of Pigmented Wax.

1. 
   
   There was such great hype about this book from both my instructors as well as fellow artists, that I was expecting extraordinary information. I admit it's a good book. It covers history, proper use of materials and it's limitations. What it doesn't do is inspire to explore/challenge the medium. If you are motivated to follow the status quo, then this is a great book. I feel this book emphasizes the traditional parameters of what encuastic is all about, however, it doesn't give enough exposure to current artists bending the traditional parameters of the medium . I would classify this book as a solid textbook. I look forward to future material from the author where contemporary artists are featured and material is presented in context of historical reference and limitations.



2. If you are painting with encaustics, you need this book. I have used it as my text when teaching at Penland School and I never get tired of reading it, keep it where I can always find it, and constantly am recommending it.



3. You've got to buy this book! Read it from cover to cover. And keep it in a visible place in your studio as a lifetime reference. When I embarked on using wax as a medium, the sales person at Pearl Paint in NYC advised me well by saying, "Buy this book." They knew their stuff and was very informative, helping me get all the materials I needed to get started. I paid full price for this at the art store, and still know it was well worth the investment. I am very grateful to Joanne for the time taken to compile so much information. I would recommend this book to any artist, abstract or representational.
   
   There are so many important details to be learned from this book. One of the most vital is wax recipes. Who knew?!
   
   Yes, I enjoyed the technical information...but WOW those images of beautiful paintings and sculpture done by encaustic artists (all different styles!) This book is motivational, inspirational and factual. The scope of creativity one can enjoy with encaustics is endless. In the encaustic classes I teach and even in my coming educational video, I suggest reading this book. Thank you, Joanne, for your contribution to artists!



4. Considered by many to be the best book on encaustic painting to date, Joann Mattera covers a wide variety of subjects in this engaging, well-photographed book. In addition to a wealth of bright, gorgeous photos of contemporary and traditional encaustic work, the author provides practical instructions and recipes for the aspiring encaustic artist. If you are an artist -- or an art lover -- this is one book that should be part of your collection!



5. If you haven't done encaustics before, this is the book you need to get started. It has great instructions on products you'll need to get started, compares different mediums, and walks you through the process. It even has chapters on protecting and transporting your work. An exceptional source for this type of painting.

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

1. 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.



2. After reading Lifelike Heads by: Lance Richlin I have decided that in our century Lance is the Master of our time. We have been touched by Masterful Artists through the ages, and to see a living genius is amazing. Reading this books allows the reader or beginning artist to feel guided through the steps to bettering themselves. Most informational books leave the reader feeling alone in the process. Lance Richlin's step by step drawing lessons leave you feeling confident and knowledgeable of supplies, technique, measurement and proportion, shading, anatomy, feature breakdowns, and along with side grabbing humor to keep you going, he even step by step shows examples of lifelike heads in detail page by page.
   I am so impressed with this book that I would suggest you not only purchase this book but tell everyone you know that you have witnessed the phenomena of a living Master of our Century.
   The only problem I can see is after reading this book you will compare every artist, teacher, and scholar to Lance Richlin.He is in fact the best.
   See for yourself [...]



3. An excellent book, very well written by a great teacher, undoubtably the best on the subject matter, extremely educational and handy because of its size.
   For painters I recommend going along to his website [...]. He does have dvd's available regarding painting in the classical style which are amazing. Rich with infomation, and a treasure to watch while he paints from live models. He very genorously teaches us the time honored techniques of the Masters and does have an interesting sense of humor!



4. This is a good informative book on drawing in graphite. The authors drawings are very impressive but, he indicates that most of his drawings takes him a full day and in one drawing from a photograph it took him a very long day. I am an amateur and I am unable to spend that amount of time but, I have learned much and do a satifactory (for me) head in about 3.5 hours.



5. For anyone who wants to learn to draw portraits this is a must have book. The art work is fabulous and the steps shown for how to produce them are easy to understand and very informative. I cant praise this book enough.