Reviews (24)

"Painting the Impressionist Landscape"
If you want to advance your understanding of color theory; if you want to improve your ability to see and render the effects of light on your subjects; and if you want to create better paintings, then Lois Griffel's book, "Painting the Impressionist Landscape", is just what the art-doctor ordered. For me, Lois Griffel opened the door to new ways of perceiving the world before me, and through her instruction, I discovered more sensitive and rewarding ways to express myself through my painting.

In this book "the subject is Light"; and it serves to unlock some of the mystery of the sophisticated manipulation of color by revered Impressionist Painters (like Monet). Ms. Griffel, herself a master painter and gifted teacher, presents a methodical series of lessons to guide student-artists to a heightened awareness of light, and a more effective use of color in their own painting. Each lesson is appropriately illustrated with examples of paintings in various stages of development for further understanding of the advanced ideas set forth in each chapter.

"Painting the Impressionist Landscape" is not so much a "how to paint" book, as it is a "how to see color/light, understand it, and paint it" book. It is not a book for easy reading. It is a workbook for those who want to work at seeing and painting better. This book is a masterpiece and a must for advanced artists and serious beginners alike.

Closer to Seeing the Light
Artists are always striving to increase their understanding of light and the way it affects color.In her book, Lois Griffel presents straightforward and concise ways to do this. Following her directions for painting studies of colored blocks in different lighting conditions, I learned more about seeing color than I ever possibly could have on my own. Seeing the way she and others who studied with Henry Hensche at the Cape Cod School of Art bring their work to brilliant life helps me to see more and more of the light possibilities in my own work.As I go outdoors to paint the landscape now, I think back to my studies from this book, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to absorb these teachings. Thank you, Ms. Griffel!!!!!!

A Great Book.
This is a wonderful book. Lois Griffel is a gifted artist and teacher. Every page in this book is a feast of beauty for the eye and a feast of knowledge and understanding for your mind. For anyone who wants to learn to paint in the impressionist style this is the book to own. You will study it over and over, as I have. If you are a beginner or a seasoned painter this book has much to offer. It will teach you how to see and paint light which is the great gift to the world of art from the impressionist.

Painting the Impressionists Landscape
Painting the Impressionists Landscape is a must for any painter who wants to learn to see color.Lois teaches you to see and I feel this is of upmost importance in growing as a painter.Lois guides you through the exercises. I normally just let books sit on the shelf after reading them but I have USED this book. I have done the exercises and have seen the progress in my work.I refer back to it often and feel it would be an asset to any painter who is still open and wants to learn.Thanks to Lois for sharing her talent and knowledge so freely.

Lushious Landscape explained
This is a most revealing book about how-to paint landscape. Griffel holds nothing back in describing how to go about what she makes appear so simple. It is the ultimate read for those who seek clarification about color, light, texture, temperature and value. ... Read more

Book Description

The next best thing to working with a live model, Virtual Pose(r) 3 provides professional and student artists with an accurate and convenient method of viewing the human form--without needing access to a live model and studio sessions.

Digital artist Mario Henri Chakkour has created a CD-ROM and companion book that features models in 70 high resolution poses, images which can be zoomed in on and rotated 360 degrees. Painters, sculptors, and other artists will welcome the opportunity to study at length each detail and subtlety of the human form, giving them a deeper understanding of shape, form, and gesture. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Model search-done
Great Reference for my art group. Love the resolution and ability to project on large plasma screen.

I look forward to another edition, perhaps with paired models. Great Job!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

This book contains negotiation tactics and thirty-three forms designers need in every-day business, including: Estimate for Client, Preliminary Budget and Schedule; Proposal Form; Job Sheet; Production Schedule; Estimate Request for Suppliers; Contract with Illustrator/Photographer/Printer/Sales Representative; Merchandising Agreement; Release Forms; Permission to Use Copyrighted Work; and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

It's a $29.95 Lawyer!!
Our small graphic design firm had been relying on the legal forms and contracts from this book for about one year. Finally, we decided that perhaps we ought to visit with a lawyer to make sure we were doing it right...$560.00 later for an initial consultation, we realized that this $29.95 book was the best business investment we'd ever made! The lawyer confirmed that the contracts that we had been using were airtight and were great (he had a few other pointers...but, none worth $560.00).

We have had many comments from our clients that over all the creative teams they'd worked with over the years, our design firm had surpassed them all in business professionalism. If you are serious about running a firm, or just want to protect yourself, you really can't go wrong with this book! Such a small investment for such a large return!

Buy it, you won't be sorry.
This book has EVERYTHING you need ... and then some. When you think you're not going to need one of the forms in this book, you later realize that YOU DO! As a freelance artist, using these forms made me feel as though clients noticed that they were dealing with a real professional. Absolutely a great investment.

Useful Guide
While I probably won't use too many of these forms directly out of the book (or off the included CD), I find every form filled with helpful tools and ideas. Since purchasing this book, I have used a number of the forms just a guides for creating my own.
While I can understand that people might be disappointed that the forms included on the CD use fonts that not everyone has, as a designer, I would strongly recommend that you get those fonts anyway. If you are serious about being a successful graphic designer, you can't rely on the default fonts that come with your computer (besides, Helvetica is a great and well-crafted font).

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the business side of graphic design, or anyone who is interested in covering their behind (protection from those eventualities such as uncooperative clients).

A good investment
There are many books that contain legal forms for graphic designers but the reason why I enjoy these types of books from "Business and Legal Forms" is the fact that it does come with a CD and that you can fix the forms up to your liking.

It's one thing to use copies from this book or any book but more than likely you want to change something, omit something or add something to the forms and thus this is where this book provides convenience.

This book offers forms for graphic and web designers as well. Definitely a good investment.

Great forms! No fonts.
I agree with other reviewers that the CD-ROM could use some help. My computer didnt have any of the fonts used with the forms which has caused me major problems trying to get the forms to print out as they look in the book. The fonts should have been included. Otherwise, the forms themselves have incredible potential. ... Read more

Book Description

EXPLORING ART offers a thematic and global approach to teaching art appreciation. It balances Western and non-Western approaches to art, unlike competing books, which concentrate much more on Western art, artists, and historical styles. This global approach acknowledges the diverse backgrounds of today's art students, and explores the similarities that unite culture, as well as difference or distinctions. In doing so, EXPLORING ART ultimately reveals the universality of the human impulse to create art, as well as the persistence of basic themes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book is crap-tacular!
If my sock drawer was organized like this book...there would never be a matching pair of socks. The old socks and the new socks would cling together in a wad of static electricity, making it painful to dare try and pull them apart and match them up in any other way. The book lacks fabric softener, and reading it is itchy torture.

But seriously...this book tries to be "smart" by organizing the chapters into "subjects for art",and it doesn't work.
It's stupid! ... Read more

Book Description

These biographies of the great quattrocento artists have long been considered among the most important of contemporary sources on Italian Renaissance art.Vasari, who invented the term "Renaissance," was the first to outline the influential theory of Renaissance art that traces a progression through Giotto,Brunelleschi, and finally the titanic figures of Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, and Raphael.This new translation, specially commisioned for the World's Classics series, contains thirty-six of the most important lives and is fully annotated. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Better than many Modern Art History Books
If you were to read a modern art history book of the high Renaissance, chances are the author of the book drew at least some of his information from this book written by Giorgio Vasari. Giorgio Vasari was an Italian Renaissance artist who also wrote about the various artists of his time. A contemporary of Michangelo, Georgi Vasari's book reads like a Who's Who of Renaissance artists. For a book more than four hundred years old, the style is amazingly modern and interesting.
Vasari has an artist's eye for critiquing another artist's work. His writing style is not boring, whereas many would be reduced to general descriptions like "beautiful" and "amateurish", he dissects the artist's work between strong and weak points, pigments and flesh tones or landscapes vs. portraits or the use of light and perspective. He states the reason why some art or one artist is renowned and others ignored. His judgments have generally stood the test of time. Vasari also weaves in some interesting tidbits and anecdotes of the Artist's life. I found this book more interesting than many modern day Art History books.

Necessary for art historians and college students
Vasari's prose is effusive but easy to follow because it says the same things over and over about each artist. If you have any interest in the Italian artists this book is a crucial and reliable source of information. Artists lives with an emphasis on their contemporaries and their development are lavishly detailed in this book. It's a crucial source for a college-level art history report. Art historians respect Vasari's analyses of the artists' lives.

Vasari LOVES the High Renaissance artists, especially Michelangelo and Raphael, so you'll find that those chapters are especially long and informative. At times the praise of these artists, and others of the Renaissance, seems exaggerated and excessive. But you get the general gist of things, and find yourself itching to see the paintings that he tells stories about after you read about each artist.

Some hard work, ultimately worth it.
Slogging a little bit, because it's difficult to read even interesting prose descriptions of paintings and also painfully aware that I lacked a lot of the technical understanding of what he was discussing-- my history of art knowledge has huge holes in it. I turned frequently to the Internet to find the paintings Vasari was discussing and that helped a great deal.

I read the George Bull translation and it felt really clunky, although it's a plus that the footnotes are at the bottom of the pages rather than at the rear of the book. If I'm going to go on to read Volume 2 then I have to say that I'd choose another translator.

I knew in an intellectual way that a lot of the Renaissance was about reclaiming lost arts and sciences, but reading Vasari gave me a much better gut level feel about that really meant about the development of the arts. Connects real people to the history lesson, albeit in a gossipy and occasionally too-flowery way.

In the Land of the Blind . . .
This is badly-written, badly-structured, gossipy, confused, misleading, and in too many places downright dishonest. Nevertheless it remians our main source of biographical information on the great artists of the Renaissance and Mannerist periods.

Most of these geniuses were considered so unimportant in their own lifetimes that the details of their lives weren't thought worthy to be recorded. It is telling therefore that it was Vasari, himself a rather vainglorious and self-important artist, who first conceived the notion of setting down the minutae of his own class. Unfortunately he was more a man of the brush than the pen and used his biographical duties to settle a few old scores and to pass on rumor and gossip.

Of course, the very ineptitude with which this work is written gives it an extra appeal in our own dumbed down age, but compared to great biographers of the past, like Plutarch, this is clearly inferior goods. Unfortunately, it's all we have to go on for most of the artists here. If it's a great work, it's a great work solely by default.

'In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.'

Absolutely fascinating
I read this book in preparation for an upcoming trip to Florence. I am a big Michelangelo fan to begin with, and the idea of reading something written by a contemporary and aficionado of his was intriguing. I was well rewarded for my interests.

Vasari clearly idolized Michelangeo and Raphael. That is apparent, but as he did for every other artist's Life he covered, the level of personal detail and anecdotes is invaluable for someone like me looking for the story behind the artists. Artists from each phase of the Renaissance are covered with detail of both their personal and artistic lives. I can say I learned so much from each chapter that I will surely be taking this book with me for reference when I am in Florence.

One caveat, I think it would be helpful to have a book with photographs of the works Vasari discusses. Unless you are already up to speed on the major Renaissance works, it is more helpful to visualize them with the assistance of Vasari's descriptions. I found myself running to the internet often to see what he had been talking about.

Kick back and relax with this very easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable guide to some of the Renaissance's finest artists. ... Read more

Book Description

This text presents drawing instruction with detailed break downs of various types of characters. Maternal? Elderly? Sassy? Sexy? It all starts with body proportion, bone structure, body masses, the facial expressions, the hands, and the feet. Hats, props, fabrics, and choice of medium are all thoroughly covered to ensure your ability to develop convincing life-like characters.

* Includes unique three-step drawing guides that develop the sketch from stick figure to full-blown character
* Detailed examples of how to draw faces, hands, and feet
* Learn to draw realistic fabrics in a multitude of colors and textures ... Read more

Book Description

Acclaimed botanical artist Bente Starcke King shows artists of all levels how to create artful and soulful illustrations of tulips, irises, rose hips, echinacea and more. Taking readers step-by-step through proven techniques for capturing this popular subject matter, Beautiful Botanicals:

*Provides numerous tips and 19 demonstrations for all the most popular mediums, including watercolor, pencil, pen and ink, ink wash and mixed media (watercolor with colored pencil or ink).

*Draws even casual readers in with striking, colorful illustrations set against white backgrounds.

*Appeals to fine artists, decorative painters and even garden enthusiasts with clear instruction and plentiful demonstrations.

The book also covers such practical topics as cleaning, along with signing and framing one's artwork, and it includes interesting stories and facts about the flowers and plants presented. It's a must-have for any nature or art lover! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Not for beginner's only...
This informative and insightful book is not for beginner's only.I was delightfully surprised by the subtlety and complexity offered by author Allrich. His understanding of "the process" and his passion for painting infuse this book. Although the writing style is extremely accessible, I believe that the title "...for the Serious Beginner" does not reflect the depth and richness of his instruction. A painter at any level will be able to find some insight that will gently push him/her to a deeper level of understanding and working. This is a valuable little book that offers far more than the title implies. I have returned to it again and again, and have continued to learn from it...and I am far from being a beginner. Painting is a life long passion of mine.

Not for beginners only...
This informative, well written book is not for beginners only, as perhaps the title implies. I was delightfully surprised by the sublety and depth offered by author Allrich. His understanding of and obvious passion for the process of painting infuses this book. Although the writing style is very accessible, I believe that the title"...for the Serious Beginner" does not truly reflect the richness and depth of his instruction. A painter at any level will be able to gain insight that will help push him/her to the next level of understanding. This is a valuable little book that offers far more than its title implies. I have returned to it again and again, and continue to learn. Painting has been a life long passion of mine, and this book has proved to be a valuable addition to my (growing) collection of painting books.

Probably the best current title for the "advanced" beginner
I purchased this relatively small book four years ago when I returned to oil painting after a long absence. I still refer to it and find the information to be exceedingly relevant to my current work.

As Allrich justly states in an early chapter, "there really is no shortcut in learning to paint." While instructional material can be helpful it often delays the student painter from the actual task at hand; putting brush to canvas. The search for the perfect book is exceeded only by the relentless quest for equipment as a contributary factor in the retardation of skill development. Having said that I must now suggest that this title is one of the few exceptions.

Most reviewers of this title will comment either favorably or unfavorably on the specific palette Allrich has chosen for his work. However, few (other than the previous reviewer who didn't like the "yellow" paintings) can argue that Allrich's work isn't beautifully rendered even if the palette is somewhat unconventional. And no one can claim that his work lacks a unified vision of diverse subject matter yielding that special emotional response that separates art from graphics. Steve Allrich is a fine artist.

Buy this book and read it (just don't skim it and look at the pictures). The information contained within it is comprehensive and often universal no matter what style of painting you're into.

While there are literaly hundreds of books on oil painting currently in the market place this small gem is one of two or three that I consider essential.

A "MUST" read for the educated beginner
I cannot belive there are bad reviews written for this book... This is a great book!.
Painting is a state of being, a perspective, a way of looking at nature. Paiting is for the Judgemental and the enlightened mind. Paining is not something that you can write clif-notes about, unless done as quick reference for the experienced.
This book will not provide you with deep insight and subject matter on color because the author wants you to experience color on your own.
Color is the trademark of the artist. Because of this all photgraphs of work created by the artist are shaded with yellow.
This book as been written with taste and purpose and gives you all that you need to embark on your quest as someone who is serioulsy thinking about painting in oils or on any medium.
Two thumbs up from me.

Too late too return!!!!
I wish I had read muriel Geny-Triffaut's review of 2/8/2001 ("A small book, a big disappointment...") before ordering this book. I would hope that the printing of the book was the problem and not Mr. Allrich's paintings which seem lifeless. Another thing, I am always put off by a painter who only exhibits examples of his own paintings. ... Read more

Book Description

Trompe l'oeil murals can turn even the most drab room into a beautiful work of art as enchanting as it is convincing and realistic. Now readers can learn how to capture that magic with The Art of Trompe l'oeil Murals.

Master muralist Yves Lanthier has decorated the homes of celebrities with his breathtakingly true-to-life paintings, but readers don't have to be rich or famous to benefit from his expertise. Step-by-step illustrations let readers watch as Lanthier's work comes alive, and will inspire them to create lush, highly sophisticated murals of their own using simple elements.

Seeing is believing, and this is one book readers won't want to take their eyes off of! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great book and a lot of text
Hi all. I draw as a hobby and have been drawing since I was a about 10. I took drawing classes before, but when I look at my previous artwork, they really don't have the "realism" that I wanted, i.e. they look too much like cartoons. I wandered around and tried looking for some books to teach me how to obtained that photo-realistic quality with a pencil.

Flipping through this book, my jaw dropped in amazement at the examples in this book. Near the end, the illustrations of zoo animals (tigers, horses, etc) were so life-like! The artist really know how to shade. I instantly brought the book.

Let me tell you, this book is very complex and loaded with information. There are lots of text for an art book. First, the book goes over the basics of shapes and different shades of pencil lead (from hard 6H to very soft 8B, the "#2 pencil" is near the middle). Then we go over shading. The book is primarily focusing on different shading and strokes techniques in order to get that "life-like" realism in your drawing. In my personal experience, trying to obtain that level takes many hours and many practice. If you are the type who gives up easily, then this book isn't for you. Nobody said drawing is easy. Or, if you are only interested in drawing nice line-arts (and letting a computer do the rest), then this book is NOT for you as well. However, if you want to draw to the highest realism with just a pencil, then this book is worth considering.

I should also mention that a small chapter is devoted to color pencils (whereas the rest, or 90% of the book, is on graphite pencil), but I haven't bother with color yet.

Good book for beginners!
Any beginner to drawing with pencil should and eventually will come across this book. Save yourself the trouble and get this book now for you drawing library. You will learn something from it!

Good starting fundamentals
I like this book as it covers most of the basic topics in pencil drawing. As compared to other books for beginners, this book gives sufficient guidelines and examples. The only concern I have is that the examples are not very "real", not "live" enough. After all, I would recommend this book to beginners in pencil drawing. ... Read more

Book Description

Known for its simplicity and fluidity of line, traditional Chinese watercolors capture the essence of natural objects with a profound, unmatched beauty. Renowned artist Lian Quan Zhen shows newcomers how to paint in this loose, liberating style through a series of basic demonstrations.

Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors:

* Combines classic Chinese painting principles with Western watercolor methods for breathtaking results

* Features 12 step-by-step mini-demonstrations covering everything from brushstrokes to composition

* Combines the use of ink and watercolor

Following Zhen's unique watercolor methods, artists will learn to paint entire compositions based on classic Chinese watercolor subjects, including flowers, birds and fish. Mini-demos ensure that artists will successfully render every detail, including eyes, scales, feathers, beaks, petals and more. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Exquisite watercolors? A Simply Excuisite Book!

The title "Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors" is, by all accounts, an understatement! Of the countless dozens of art technique books I've read over the years, this one is by far the most captivating, beautiful and unique.

Rarely have I ever been this impressed by a book on any topic, let alone one on art techniques, of which I'm generally rather critical. I'm so used to art books that leave too much information lacking, are unoriginal, show sloppy technique, or simply cannot keep my interest, that this book left me salivating for more! It is truly an exception!

The author, Lian Quan Zhen brings to life an interesting blending of Chinese painting techniques and Western watercolor methods to create a style of painting that is simply, well... exquisite!

The author begins by covering the basic tools and techniques of Chinese painting, from materials and supplies, to mounting of completed paintings. He covers the difference between Chinese paints and watercolor paints, painting in ink, and even shows the *correct* way to hold a paint brush!

Zhen goes on to give one of the best explanations of effective painting composition that I've seen yet. He covers everything from linear perspective and establishing the focal point of your painting (which he refers to as 'establishing priority'), to geometric organization of objects in arcs, circles, triangles, rectangles and s-shapes, and provides clear examples of each.

Next, the author beautifully conveys the three basic styles of Chinese painting, which he identifies as "detail-style" (gongbi), "spontaneous" style, and a blending of the two which he simply calls "half-detail, half-spontaneous," and throughout the book he gives many beautiful examples, and techniques for creating each of them.

Through the rest of the book, Zhen shares the creation of many beautiful compositions, not only in Chinese ink, but also in watercolor using many of the techniques he uses in his Chinese paintings, and showing how the two different methods can be used to create very original, beautiful works of art.

I cannot recommend this book more to anyone with an interst in watercolor, but I must warn that once you see this book, its very likely you will be equally drawn to Chinese painting.

As for myself, and my growing addiction to Chinese painting techniques, I've now traded in several hundred dollars for a plethora of Chinese art supplies, and I couldn't be happier!!

Many thanks to Lian Quan Zhen, for sharing his uniquely beautiful approach to painting with the rest of us, and for introducing me to a brand new way of looking at a blank sheet of paper, particularly xuan paper!

Fabulous Book!
I am a beginner watercolorist and I found this book to be a great help! It is so easy to understand and follow.

BEAUTIFUL BOOK!
Not only do you get detailed instruction and easy to understand illustrations with complete list of supplies, you have a beautiful picture book as well! Great addition to your art book library!

Beautiful Teaching, Beautiful Art
This is one of the clearest and easiest to follow beginning art books that I have ever read. The author manages to weave together traditional, modern and improvisational oriental brush art and watercolor in a practical useful guide. Early in the book, the author gives a detailed guide to mounting sumi-e style paintings made on shuan or rice paper. I haven't found a better mounting guide in any other book. The step by step pictures for mounting rice paper paintings is priceless. In the latter half of the book, the author describes his watercolor techniques and tools. I found this section useful. He emphasizes that you don't need hundreds of colors and dozens of brushes. Beautiful results can be realized on a very modest budget. Too often, beginning watercolor artists spend hundreds of dollars before they even paint a single picture. You don't have to and this book vividly demonstrates that. It is a superb teaching tool and I highly recommend it to student and teacher.

Eastern Painting Meets West
Born and raised in China, the author, Lian Quan Zhen was trained as a physician who later emigrated to the U.S. Now living in California he holds workshops demonstrating his breathtaking approach to Chinese painting. The author's mastery ranges from strict traditional Chinese painting to combining these methods and style with some Western watercolor techniques.

In the process of "oohing" and "ahhing" over this book I learned many fascinating facts about Chinese paintings. For example, the inks/watercolors are made of plants and minerals and use glues as the binder. I also learned that the papers used for Chinese painting require a different stretching and preparation method than I'm used to for Western-style watercolors. The author also covers the differences between Western brushes and Chinese/Japanese brushes.

Mr. Zhen lists and explains the 6 Laws of Painting that were first formulated by Hsieh Ho of the Eastern Tin dynasty (317 - 420 A. D.) Along the way I learned some interesting historical facts on the evolution of painting in China during the different dynasties. The 3 styles of painting are introduced and later discussed. These are: Detail, which is what a beginner first learns. Spontaneous, also known as the Scholar Style, which is learned much later. And finally a mix of the preceding two which the author simply labels Half-Detail/Half-Spontaneous. Composition explained some of the traditional designs used. S-curve, C-curve, balance and weight, etc. Calligraphy and chops (a type of sigil-mark) are as important as the artwork to the final design.

The rest of the book explores in detail both mini-demonstrations and full step-by-step demonstrations of full paintings in Mr. Zhen's style. He effortlessly moves between traditional Chinese painting to combining it with western watercolor techniques. The result is breathtaking. The subject matter for the paintings are landscapes, birds, goldfish and Koi. There are chapters showing how to sketch and paint each of the animals listed above as well as backgrounds. And this only scratches the surface of the information and how-to's detailed. Anyone getting this book not only gets a great foundation in Chinese painting but also some interesting historical facts which makes it even more fun to read. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This user-friendly book is an alphabetical reference guide to 500 of the world's greatest painters and sculptors, from antiquity to the present. Measuring roughly 5 by 6-1/2 inches and now in paperback, The Art Book is not only affordable, but also light, compact, and extremely portable, completely reforming the concept of an art reference book. It is perfect for the coffee table or for the backpack or pocketbook as well. Each artist is represented by a full-color plate and by explanatory and illuminating information on both the image and the artist. Cross references are provided to other artists in the book, and glossaries of technical terms and artistic movements are also included, making the book a valuable reference tool in the art library. Presented are some of the most famous artists of all time and their greatest masterworks--never before have they been so accessible as they are in this format. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Excellent overview of centuries of art
Arranged alphabetically, which is very helpful. Sadly, it has generally but only one painting or photo for each artist, but then the intent here is to cover as many artists as possible, not to be comprehensive on any one artist, and it's quite heavy as it is already.

The Art Book is an EXCELLENT reference guide. How many times reading the Arts section of a newspaper, or an interview with an artist, etc., does one hear a reference to another artist and one has no idea who that person is? With this book, you can quickly check it out!

I also very much appreciate the cross-linking - since it's alphabetical, and not by style or school of thought, the editors have listed on each artists's page other artists who are similar or somehow related to that one. I have found the cross-referencing to be very helpful many times.

Unless one already has an encyclopedic knowledge of 500 years of art, this is a PERFECT book for one's art library as a reference tool. And it's also a GREAT jumping off point for exploring artists: page through randomly, come across something interesting, then go and look for a book of that artist, or head to the museum "in search of."

I treasure my copy, and would not ever wish to part with it.

handy dandy
I've used this book countless times for research, etc. It's a reference guide to 500 artists, and on one small page gives what is usually their most famous piece (Leonardo da Vinci "The Mona Lisa", Klimt "The Kiss"), a description of it, a few major details of the artist's life, date and place of birth/death, and also the names of other artists that fall into the same category. At the end of the book there is a glossary of terms, a list of artistic movements, and a museum directory. The reproductions are of very high quality and take up about half a page. It's a great book just to look at, but for someone who wants to gain knowledge of the subject, and for students, this marvelous little book (it's only 5 + 6 1/2 but quite thick) is a must. Phaidon did a splendid thing putting out this volume...you'll love it !

Enjoyable, beautiful
A great book, simply said. Not too wordy, and great artwork to see. Introduce yourself to all kinds of art.

A Must for Every Personal Library
The Art Book catalogs, alphabetically, 500 artists spanning from medieval to modern. It also includes helpful glossarys of both techincal terms and artistic movements, as well as a directory of both domestic and international museums and galleries.

A must for any college bound student or art enthusiast, novice through professional.

More Visual Treats
This is a must-have for anyone with an interest in the history of art. Not only intelligently organized (alphabetically), but colorful & detailed. 500 artists from Agasse to Zurburan, each with one representative work and brief paragraph on art and artist, with the vital statistics as a footnote. Browse it and enjoy the gallery-like quiet of this well-designed book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Essential for any children's book writer or illustator
As a children's book author and editor, I know that no one understands picture books better than Uri Shulevitz, and no one is more articulate about how they work. Most books about writing for children focus on young novels or on straightforward picture book stories. This book inspires you to think beyond those predictable formats and instead embrace the poetry of a good picture book, the magic of a good collaboration between text and art which is necessary whether you are working on a story book or a concept book or a nonfiction book. An intelligent and inspiring guide to the art of good bookmaking.

A Great Foundation for Creating Children's Books
I found this very readable book to be very well thought out in its explanation of what makes for a successful children's book. It has the most examples of illustrations of any book on writing children's books I have seen, with many illustrations showing why some methods work and others fail. Uri is vary clear and benevolent in his sharing the princeiples for successfully creating a book for children. It was like being in workshop. With this book I feel prepared to pursue creating a kids' book! ... Read more

Book Description

This is a whimsical guide to drawing faeries from best-selling art instruction author Christopher Hart. Included are all the popular ingredients of the faerie kingdom-faerie personalities, faeries at work, faeries at play, faerie expressions, faeries in flight, faerie magic, faeries facing predatory household pets, and the secret faerie rituals of birth, courtship, and marriage. Step-by-step instructions for drawing faeries are revealed through a captivating story of a man-now grown up-who as a youth gained secret knowledge of where the faeries live and play, and having done so, was able to capture on paper the elusive creatures in their unguarded moments. The overall design and presentation of the book will enchant and envelop artists in a magical world of faeries. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Inspiring
Marvelous. It's in the name: - a believers guide. If you were not a believer prior, you become a believer once you dive into this book and let your imagination bring to life the characters you create using the simple, strait forward logical steps. Guiding the reader thru various faerie characters, their life, emotions, movement, clothing as well as their friends to create your own faerie world. Thanks to this book, the population of faeries in this universe will grow tremendously.

How to draw faeries
This is a good book that shows you the basics for drawing for drawing these creatures. They have step by step procedures, emotions, clothing, and information about each picture.
The only bad thing about it is that there is only one picture of a winged fairy(the picture is also on the front cover)all other faeries are wingless in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Beautifully illustrated with black and white and color drawings from the journals of students in their acclaimed workshops, Visual Journaling makes this enjoyable tool for personal exploration accessible for everyone. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Excellent book
It is a journey to the deepest region of your soul. Easy to follow and very motivating to continue. Sets the innerself free.

Valuable to explore emotions
This six week program was helpful to explore emotions and to give me a structure for how to understand my many feelings. It took me longer than six weeks, but I still do the process to keep me in touch with myself. I got this book for a friend as well! We both love doing it together.

disappointed
I must agree with the other reveiwers who felt that it took the joy out of creating...I too found this book stifles creativity...the cover art is beautifull,the illustrations of journals inside are okay---but it is far too wordy to me...all this writing of intentions bogs one down and inhibits creative process..
I am an artist,therapist and use arts in my practice...

Not much substance here
As an arts therapist and professional counselor, I was disappointed in the content of this book. Visual journals have been used for decades by art therapists and a lot has been written on their worth as a tool for healing body, mind, and spirit. While there are some good suggestions in this book, it falls short in terms of depth and substance. Also, the people I work with-- mostly cancer patients-- found the authors' comments about cancer and other illnesses insulting. Yes, imagery may help to improve a sense of well-being, but this book implies that people control their health and can do so through visual journals. The authors are too simplistic in their claims and as a professional I cannot recommend a book that makes such claims to people in search of help and healing.

Visual Journaling, Going Deeper Than Words
As a practioner in the healing arts I appreciate books that aid me in working with client's consciousness. Visual Journaling has been such a book. In clear, creative ways, it provides techniques and inspiration for anyone seeking to know themselves and how their lives are affected by the images of their heart, mind and soul. I highly recommend this book to all seekers of inner truth. ... Read more

Book Description

Addressed to artists and art students in all media --in both fine and applied arts -- this book provides an introduction to the many different approaches to understanding color and its uses -- including aesthetics, science, psychology, and history. KEY TOPICS: Covers Color Basics; Perceiving Colors; Psychological Effects of Color; Compositional Effects of Color; Theories of Color Relationships; Subtractive Notation and Mixing; Light Mixtures; Color Combinations and Interactions; Color in Fine Art; and Color in Applied Design. Considers special aesthetic and practical considerations for color usage in each medium. Discusses color management with computer technologies. Provides direct quotes from working artists about the realities of color use. Features many demonstrations/illustrations -- in color and black and white -- of color effects and media -- including historic and contemporary paintings, photographs, crafts, advertisements, cartoons, commercial design, computer art, video, architecture, landscape design, sculpture, and clothing.For artists andart students in all media -- in both fine and applied arts. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Color, 3rd Ed.
Excellent source for artists, archietcts, or designers who want to push the envelope with color. Definite must for students in any Art and Design school!

color
It is just excellent,it provided me everything what I wanted,it helped me a lot in clearing all my doubts over the subject. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One lovely feature of this volume is that it shows the real material that inspired different faux finishes next to the excellent painted imitations. After extensive coverage of all aspects of getting started (tools and materials, preparation, safety concerns, and design and color considerations), and of working with glazes, there are dozens of detailed recipes for various marble and graining effects. The final chapter, "Professional Practice," explains how to set up your own decorative-painting business, including assembling a portfolio, identifying and reaching your market, financial planning, calculating rates and expenses, preparing samples, organizing the workspace, and working with clients. You'll even find a prototype contract and a checklist of supplies to bring on the job. Those who want to produce spectacular faux-finish results will learn a lot from Professional Painted Finishes. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Good variety
I liked this book because it contained great illustrations and it also had helpful information about the business side of faux finishing. The text is compact, so each page contains alot of data.

Superb book - Knowledge of teaching & Painting -
Great book for all levels.
Ina and Allan Marx run a great faux finishing school that has spawned this great book. Complete
and through it a bible for novice to expert painters. Not only do they teach you the technique, but alos
how to "look and see" the item you are painting from nature. They are true professionals and
above all both are excellent teachers. I have taken their classes, and as there is no substituion for
taking one of their classes, this book is a great how to guide if you can't take one.
Excellent. Their knowledge of teaching and superb knowledge of faux painting marry in this books.

An essential for the serious artist.
I have a library full of books on painting techniques but this and the Finklestein book are the two that I consider "must haves." While most new books on decorative finishings repeat and repeat and repeat . . . the same pedestrian information on faux treatments, these give much more indept information on the techniques involved.

Very throurogh, great high quailty painted finishes
This is a wonderfully thorough book on creating the highest quality specialty painted finishes. It is advanced enough for the serious decorative painter while the instructions are detailed enough to allow the amateur or novice to try these techniques with outstanding results. The interior designer will also find it to be a valuable source book for fresh exciting design ideas.

Overall, the projects are more sophisticated and time-consuming than those in most books. A great deal attention is paid to tiniest details that make these finishes really stand out. The instructions are excellent, showing you how to create each finish step-by-step with a complete text description and demonstrative photos. Complete material and supply lists and recipes accompany each project.

The book starts out with the basics such as materials, safety, surface preparation and finishing coats. The glaze section is next with information on multi-layer glazing, novelty effects and techniques for glazing in small and large areas. There is great chart of problems and solutions and another on how tools affect glazing as well.

The simulation of marble and stone follows. Here the author talks about the formation and replication of stone before going on to the projects, which include fifteen marble and stone types such as malachite, granite, red levanto and French grand antique.

The section on graining is fantastic. It contains the most in-depth information on graining I have found anywhere. There is an analysis of patterns, a discussion of color, techniques for creating knots, troubleshooting section and color swatches of straight gained wood styles. There are over 20 wood types covered. Some include American oak, Brazilian rosewood, orientalwood, burl and birds-eye maple.

The final section of the book talks about setting up a professional practice. It contains financial planning, estimating, sample-making and much more. The appendix gives a great list of sources, lists English and metric equivalents and has a nice glossary of terms. If you want to create truly professional looking finishes, this is the book to get.

A "MUST HAVE" for faux painters! Great for beginners & pros
Excellent examples and how-to's for faux finishes. Even though it uses oils, the techniques for application can be used for water-based paints, but remember, oils give much more depth and translucency than water-based. I, now, use water-based paints in my business and still refer to this book. Book details TECHNIQUES step-by-step with beautiful color PICTURES, gives MATERIAL LISTS & PAINT COLORS. ALSO,includes chapter on building a professional BUSINESS. Another plus to this book, is it is one of the few that discusses the polishing and finishing of the work. Good price from Amazon also. ... Read more

Book Description

Complete coverage of basic design principles illustrated by student examples

Design for Communication offers a unique approach to mastering the basic design principles, conceptual problem-solving methods, and critical-thinking skills that distinguish graphic designers from desktop technicians.

This book presents forty-two basic to advanced graphic design and typography assignments collaboratively written by college educators to teach the fundamental processes, concepts, and techniques through hands-on applications. Each assignment is illustrated with actual student solutions, and each includes a process narrative and an educator's critical analysis revealing the reasoning behind the creative strategies employed by each individual student solution.

Assignments are organized from basic to advanced within six sections:
* The elements and principles of design
* Typography as image
* Creative word play
* Word and image
* Grid and visual hierarchy
* Visual advocacy

Design for Communication is a highly visual resource of instruction, information, ideas, and inspiration for students and professionals. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This work contributes to graphic design education
I am particularly impressed with the strength of the sections and introductory texts for each section. It is very cleverly planned and well written. More importantly, the strength of the book for me lies on the fact that the assignments do not illustrate but on the contrary, strengthens your observations, aims/objectives, methodology, structure and propositions for the design education.

The book is also in excellent record of what goes on in design colleges in terms of methods of working (to record students statements and instructors evaluations is, on its own right, a great contribution to knowledge within the design education). The interaction between students statements and instructors evaluations are very important for me. The two different texts create a dialogue within the book.

The book brings theory and practice together for the students and educators which is very rare in design publication and education and even more so at the BA/ undergraduate level..

Thank you for your great work!

A Unique Approach to Graphic Design Education
Professor Resnick's new text, Graphic Design for Communication offers a fresh, innovative approach to teaching visual communication in general and graphic design in particular. She presents many conceptual design principles in a format that is easy-to-understand, practical, and clear in its organizational hierarchy. The book provides intelligent, pragmatic lessons about design that will be of use to both students and teachers alike.

The book's most notable strength lies in its author's unique approach to the subject matter. In the past, most authors have tackled the task of writing an instructional text on design by focusing on a few basic principles of the craft and supplementing these with exercises designed to impart specific skills and techniques to the reader. In contrast, Resnick has employed a far more inclusive, conceptually focused approach. Like her peers, as an educator she does offer text that presents her perspective on various basic design principles. Yet unlike many others her focus is clearly on the reason we design-namely to effectively express and communicate ideas. And again unlike some other texts, ideas about BOTH form and content are give their due here. The different principles explored each section are illuminated with appropriate exercises. This is where Resnick's book shines as a unique accomplishment. For her illustrative exercises, Resnick invited a remarkable group of international educators to work with her as collaborators. All were invited to submit their best assignments along with student work for inclusion. In this respect, Graphic Design for Communication is unlike most other texts because it offers an inclusive diversity of approaches to design and will certainly be a great tool for educators. As a text for use at all levels of instruction, it offers the best, "road-tested", assignments for lecturers to draw upon as inspiration when explaining the principles of design to students. The numerous exercises impart information in a manner that is at once both practical and conceptually expressive.

Graphic Design for Communication features a structure that is pragmatic and clear. Each section opens with a well-written, articulate introduction to a different design principle (e.g., basic elements of design; typography as both image and semiotic message; word and image relationships; the grid and visual hierarchy; and visual advocacy). This text is followed by a series of design assignments (from basic to advanced) that teach students how to effectively integrate ideas with various techniques and processes. The design exercises are amply illustrated with examples of real student work completed in response to the assignments. In addition, most of the student samples include a brief process statement from the student as well as a critical instructor evaluation. As another reviewer pointed out, students will certainly appreciate the many illustrations (some in color) and the opportunity to examine both the process and critical evaluation of peer work outside the classroom. By using student work for examples (as opposed to those created by master designers), Resnick succeeds in bringing both the assignments and the creative design process to life.

Because of the great range of exercises included, this text will serve both students and educators as a useful handbook. For anyone who has either audited a class or wished they could have, the book is a joy. It is a little like auditing the "best of" graphic design education-all the more rewarding because the author was enlightened enough to collect some assignments and visual examples from cultures outside the U.S.

Professor Resnick deserves special credit for her concise editing and clean layout. I suspect one of the challenges in a compilation of this sort had to be the careful editing of her collaborator's assignments. It would appear that she did not just leave them to their own devices in this regard. Rather, as an educator herself she has thoughtfully and carefully applied her writing skills to the task. The result is a well-considered, consistent survey of the principles that guide modern graphic design. In addition, I must add that her bibliography is outstanding. It should be adopted as a standard reading list for anyone interested in the field.

As with the very best cookbooks (I am thinking of the classics here, such as Rombauer and Becker's Joy of Cooking or Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking) this book will find a place in the libraries of both novices and experienced students of design. Like those texts, it effectively explains the important principles that guide all design work. Her decision to present contemporary master "recipes" (those proven to work in the classroom) introduces students to design as a thoughtful "process" without forfeiting any artistry or pleasure along the way. It is clear that Professor Resnick is passionate about her work as BOTH a designer and educator and in this book she she shares that pleasure with us, the reader.

Design for Communication: Conceptual Graphic Design Basics
This new book, like Elizabeth Resnick's earlier one (Graphic Design: A Problem-Solving Approach to Visual Communication), that was published in the early '80s, has a generous amount of student work on its pages, providing the reader with some wonderful and useful examples of solutions to the problems presented. There's even a section with some of these shown in full color!

When Ms. Resnick wrote her first book, no graphic design was being done on a computer. This current text, published now that we're fully into the digital age, also very wisely steers clear of a "how to" approach. It's all too easy for students starting out in graphic design now to think that it's about "how to use QuarkXPress" or some other software package, but Resnick's book stresses concepts, communication, and the art of creating fresh and thoughtful solutions to design problems. It will help students to learn the importance of research, and how to develop the analytical and conceptual skills they will need as professional designers later on.

The idea of using quality student work as a teaching tool is a very good one. It results in a book that is much more appealing to the student. Each solution has a statement by its creator as well as the instructor's feedback. I think students will find the author's approach to the subject fresh, direct, and very accessible. The presentation of each problem consists of: the Assignment Brief, Objectives, Specifications, Process, and Critiques. This results in a very clear, useful, and well-structured text. I highly recommend this book!

Finally, a graphic design text with depth
There are so many books out there on graphic design that are merely pretty picture books, and focus only on what a piece LOOKS like. What students need is something with depth, something that addresses the conceptual aspects that can be so difficult to grasp.
Resnick's book really targets this need, by presenting an integration of formal and conceptual issues and respecting the students' intelligence in the process. It shows them how FORM influences and strengthens CONCEPT, which I haven't seen in any other text. This is one of the most important (and elusive) issues in graphic design education.

The book is illustrated entirely with student work, all high quality. Students will love this approach; they are used to being shown only the work of experienced professionals.

The book is also going to be really useful for instructors
who want to improve the rigor and depth of their assignments but aren't sure how to go about it. ... Read more

Book Description

This meaningful book provides a thorough understanding of the basic visual and expressive aspects of drawing, and centers around the belief that drawing well embraces the ability to feel as well as the ability to see, resulting in works whose expressive force is amplified by a sensitivity to visual dynamics and humanistic urgings.Offers an intensive examination of vital drawing processes and concepts, an in-depth analysis of exceptional drawings by old and contemporary artists, and suggested exercises to enhance users' grasp of important measurable and dynamic phenomena. Focuses on important drawing fundamentals, and covers topics not usually found together in a text of its kind, such as color, media and materials, and 'finding your way'. Includes a unique survey of common errors or 'pathologies' in drawing. Presents over 400 visuals, 25 new drawings, and nearly 30 quotes throughout to highlight important points and pique reader interest.For graphic designers and illustrators. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

How to see drawings
I have used this book for years as source material for the college level drawing courses I teach. Its greatest value is the high calibre of master drawing examples by everyone from Michelangelo to Rembrandt and Watteau, as well as appropriate and sensitive student examples. Mr. Goldstein breaks down the approach to drawing into contour line, structural line, shape, gesture, volume, combination drawing. The book is dense with writing as this is largely a verbal analysis of visual issues in which each drawing example is discussed in a very detailed manner. Some may find the approach too verbose, and indeed this is not a "how-to-draw" book in the "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" category, but more of a guide to conoisseurship and the philosophy of drawing. In fact, there are precious few exercises described for the student. I think that for the drawing student who does not have the benefit of a teacher, this book paired with a more practical "how-to" guide would be a terrific resource. This is the kind of book you will find yourself dipping into over the years. I always have it on an easy-to-reach shelf.

Goldstein is Gold
I bought this book for a college drawing class. And later on, because of scheduling reasons, I was unable to take the class. However, I kept the book and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The pictures are great...although I thought the spectrum of drawings could have been a little broader. Most pictures are black and white. Commentary is good--a nice balance between words and pictures. Goldstein has done well with this book. ... Read more