No comments about Tom Wolfe Carves Old World Santas (Schiffer Book for Carvers).

1 comments about The Human Form in Clay.

1. I expected this book to offer me assistance in building human forms in clay; that's why I give this book a 4. Instead of advice, I got a gallery book of less-than-realistic art pieces (histories of ceramicists) by: Viola Frey, Akio Takamori, and Luo Xiaoping, among others. I kept the book for what it is. For a how-to-book, I recommend PORTRAIT SCULPTING, ANATOMY & EXPRESSIONS IN CLAY by Philippe & Charisse Faraut.

2 comments about Creating Original Porcelain Dolls.

1. For the beginner in making artist's original dolls this is the BEST book I have found if you want to make original dolls in porcelain. The step by step pictures are absolutely brilliant and the book takes you through all the processes from sculpting, to mold making, to pouring, firing, painting, putting your doll together and dressing it. A must for any original doll artist in porcelain.



2. This is a very comprehensive book for the advanced artist who has an interest in sculpting, molding, casting and firing his or her own porcelain originals. Anatomy, sculpture, mold-making, firing and decoration techniques apply not only to dollmaking, but to any similar sculpture, moldmaking and casting endeavour.

   Patterns and instructions are included for doll clothes and creation of marionettes, as well as supplier listings. However, these suppliers are in Germany, so they may only be of limited use for those of us in other countries. The book is translated from German, but the translation is nearly flawless and is written in easy to understand verbage.

   I highly recommend this book to the experienced dollmaker, sculptor or ceramic artist who is interested in making the leap to creation of originals for porcelain reproduction.

3 comments about Carving Wood Spirits in Tree Bark.

1. This is the second book I have bought for woodcarving. I liked it a lot. The instructions were easy to follow to produce good quality faces. One of the things I had difficulty to find is the type of bark is describing specially in the area in Mexico I live in.



2. This book is good for the very young and for those who know little if anything about carving. We wanted a book that goes quick after a particular project such as carving a nose or an ear or an eye but the book was very slow to complete a rather middle of the road project. We were searching for a book that effectively flows quicker than showing each stoke.
   
   We wanted and expected to see more than a few particular woods that a carver would target for a particular project and the book fell short of our expectations.



3. I'm just starting to carve and whittle. This book was recommended to me by a sales person at Woodcrafters as a good basic book. Was he ever right! It gave me the fundamentals I needed from making a bench hook, to finding the correct type and piece of wood right on through the carving. Made me feel like I could actually do this and not fumble around.

1 comments about James Carpenter: Environmental Refractions.

1. There's an inherently classical discipline to the experiments and exploration that James Carpenter's work seems to embody. What I find fascinating is the metrical expansion of ideas and ideals -- the inventions are meditated and gradual, the discoveries are thoughtfully implemented. There's always the implication that wild experiment lead to merely wild results, with a lessened sense of application. This book is a grand reference to the intellectual character of his work, that has been surely transformative in the marveled evolution of his work.
   
   This book is, perhaps solely, the best way to envision the history and intelligence of Carpenter's work, and the support of his team in the manifestation of consistently extraordinary renderings of solutions for his clients.

No comments about Artists in Glass: Late Twentieth Century Masters in Glass.

No comments about Charles M. Russell: Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture in the Amon Carter Museum (Library of American Art).

3 comments about Tin Craft: A Workbook.

1. Good book, well written, and has a lot of practical information one can use. I will be using much of what I read in my craftwork. I would buy it again, but I have one now.



2. while the professional Editorial Review / Book Description indicates otherwise ("venture off to your local grocery store, purchase a six-pack of soda pop, return home, empty the soda pop in the kitchen sink and begin your lifelong obsession") this book has no hints about how to make those cool, colorful crafts that we've seen in import stores using "wonderful colors and shiny surfaces of easily available commercial cans", again quoting the professional book review.
   
   if you really need this, a book with such basic instructions, you will also need an adult to help you open the cans, flatten them, and curl the ends.
   
   what a disappointment!



3. Its the best tin can book in the whole world and I love it with my hole heart. This book helped me to make different arts out of tin even thought I am a poor crafts person! Its a must have!!!!

2 comments about The Golden Eagle: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at the Art of Bird Carving.

1. Simply a fabulous book, by a fabulous bird carver. But I agree that many will find the project too daunting for all but the most professional bird carvers. This is, nevertheless, an incredibly beautiful book and one that the reader can dream with. Just reading it, even if you never try to tackle something on this scale, is an extraordinary pleasure. The only real criticism I would have is that there might have been clearer liaisons in how he got from one stage of the carving to the other. Not that much of it isn't implicit. I guess I would just like a bit more "hand-holding." Get his other books as well. Scholz is truly at the top of the heap in bird carving.



2. Scholz continues his leadership in the field. This book is very interesting but it seems unlikely that many will have the expertise or dedication to duplicate his effort. Want something you can use? Get his DVD on Carving a Kestrel. However, get this one to see how the master creates a masterpiece.

No comments about Buddhist Sculpture of Korea (Korean Culture Series).