Book Description

This workbook is a practical, visual guide that takes the guesswork out of choosing and using color combinations. Colors and color schemes are matched to specific moods, to help you select the best color combination for any design project, whether graphic design, interior design, crafts, or fine art. Large, tear-out swatches of each color combination let you mix, match, and test different hues in your designs. An essential tool for all who design with colors.

Large, tear-out swatches

1400 color combination

Color conversion chart for process colors ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Book
I'm a web designer with and I use this book frequently to come up with various different color combinations for client websites. It's become a mandatory staple on my desk! If you need to learn about color, this is a excellent starting source.

Must have.
Excellent and professional book. All graphic designers working for computer or printing media or interrior designers must have it.

Best book on color, must-have for designers
This is the best book on color I have found. It is a must have for anyone who has ever been confused about matching colors and creating the right mood. Though I was already fairly confident working with color, this book helped me a great deal by letting me see a wide variety of color combinations together. It has been an invaluable reference tool in helping me decorate my home.

The book begins by discussing the color wheel. This includes the facets of color such as hot, cold, light, dark, pale, bright, warm and cool as well as a great explanation of all the different color schemes. It is divided into over 20 different themes including romantic, friendly, earthy, fresh, calm, traditional, professional, magical, classic, tropical and energetic. For each of these themes a set of color schemes including monochromatic, primary, complementary, split-complementary, analogous, spilt, clash and neutral is shown. Tear out swatches, clearly labeled with theme and color scheme on the back, duplicate what is shown in the book. A brief tips section for using the themes in graphic design, interiors and fine art is also given.

In the back of the book is a process color conversion chart that gives the CMYK values for each of the 106 colors used. Swatches are included for this as well. This is very useful for graphic designers.

This book and Color Harmony 2 are pretty much identical in content. However, this one is bigger and contains swatches, while the other contains a great CD with a pallet picker. The one with the CD may be more helpful to web designers and such, but this version is probably better for interior designers and artists using traditional media. If I had to select only one color book, this one or Color Harmony 2 would be my first choice.

Useful AND Fun
You will not regret buying this book! The color theory information is brief, to the point, and helpful. And then there are the swatches. Hundreds of tear out swatches of color combinations. I play with them over and over while choosing colors for designing. CMYK values are provided for all colors, making it easy to use them for digital work.

Excellent Book on Color
This is a great book on color harmony. The book shows lots of great examples on how to apply color to your projects. If you are in print or web design, you definitely need this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Wolf Kahn is one of this country's best-loved contemporary artists. His brilliantly colored landscapes in oil have placed him at the forefront of American representational art. Many collectors equally prize his luminous pastels, the subject of this delightful new book.

With more than 100 colorplates illustrating his brief, breezy essays, Kahn reveals his distinctive approach to working in this medium. Offering a rare glimpse into the way an artist thinks and why he works the way he does, Kahn's musings about the creative process bring a number of key issues to life for artists, students, and art lovers, and make the book a valuable supplementary text for pastel classes. Including an introduction by noted art historian Barbara Novak, this book will be eagerly received by Kahn's devoted following.

WOLF KAHN, noted artist and teacher, has exhibited his work throughout the United States and abroad. He has taught at Cooper Union and at the National Academy of Design in New York; has been a guest lecturer at various art schools; and has written articles for such publications as Art in America and the Art Journal. He lives in New York City.

BARBARA NOVAK has published numerous books and articles on American art and art history. She is Altschul Professor of Art History Emerita at Barnard College and Columbia University, both in New York City.

100 illustrations in full color, 101/4 x 93/4" ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Now This is Inspiring Art
Very beautiful work. I love Kahn's minimalist approach, he is an exceptional colorist. I could look at this man's art all day long and not get bored.

Wolf Kahn Pastels Color Feast
Why does an artist do what (s)he does? Wolf Kahn gives insight into his thinking. He touches on composition, use of color, and elements of design. We know the colors, but we might not understand why they work. He helps us understand. Just out of curiosity I viewed the plates upsidedown, and they were very exciting viewed that way. Try it! The book has beautifully printed plates, but I found placement of some plates to the text somewhat inconvenient and perhaps a little confusing at times interrupting the continuity of reading and study. I would have wished for some of the smaller paintings to have been actual size. I would have learned and understood more. You may learn some new vocabulary and some words he has defined for his own usefulness. The cover and binding are confluent to the interior of the book. I consider this book to have worthwhile the purchase and the time spent reading it. What are my credentials you might ask? I am nearing graduation in master of arts in studio painting and have degrees in journalism and education.

Beautiful, Colorful Pastels
From the first time I saw Wolf Kahn's work, I knew I wanted this book. It is filled with his beautiful pastels and it is a very interesting read about how he came to create them.

Wolf Kahn Pastels
Wolf Kahn's self-admitted charm glows in this book of his pastels. Wolf Kahn is a wonderful story teller, in his words and in his beautiful, simple, radiant paintings. He is a wonderful teacher who loves to share his experiences and his vision. I could re-read this book over and over, pondering and absorbing the beautifully reproduced pastels.

For those who love glorious color, peaceful abstract landscapes, especially artists and Wolf Kan 'groupies,' for anyone who can't get enough of Wolf Kahn, you need this book. A sparkling complement to Justin Spring's Wolf Kahn. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Capturing the Spirit of Chinese Brush Painting
What a delightful treat for painters of all stages!!! Nan Rae's book is a very lively and spiritual work that draws you to her obvious passion for her art. I'm a beginning painter and have bought several brush painting books. The Ch'i of the Brush is a very dedicated book with beautiful illustrations that are easy to follow-her directions and explanations make you feel that she were giving you the lessons right in your own home!! This book gives you an exciting confidence and enthusiasm for the art that makes you want to learn all that you can do. The histories and works included are very appreciating and thorough--very interesting to read. Plus, the most beautiful part--Nan Rae's wonderful illustrations and paintings are displayed page after page and her happy spirit lifts right off of those pages!! If you could pick only one book on Chinese Brush painting, this is definitely the one to have.

Lacks the True Spirit of Chinese Painting & Culture
Being a collector of traditional and contemporary Chinese paintings for over 25 years, I am also very interested in the variety of techniques different Chinese painters use. This book covers the basics of Chinese brush painting, ideas and concepts taught for hundreds of years so there nothing new in this book. Not seeing Nan Rae's work prior to purchasing this book, I was very surprised by the mediocre level of her paintings. Her paintings have a western influence but her ability to merge the two cultures just doesn't work. For myself and other fellow collectors, her paintings in no way capture the essence of what true Chinese culture and its painting is all about. Another disappointment about her work (from this book and website) is that many of her paintings are copied (and not very well at that) from older Chinese paintings and famous artists works. If your really interested in Chinese painting techniques, find books by true Chinese painting masters such as the Chinese painting series by the Asian based publisher Art Book Co. (with English text) and not someone who paints as if it were a casual hobby. Buy this book if you're interested in "reading" about simple Chinese brush techniques but once your actually begin painting, find some reference paintings created by actual Chinese artists who capture the true spirit of Chinese painting and the culture.

A Must Have Book! A Real Treasure!
This is a book filled with beautiful art. From the helpful detailed instructions for the beginner to the inspirational techniques and compositions for the experienced artist, this is the one book you must have on oriental brush painting. I teach brush painting and every student lights up when they look through this book. This book goes to every class I teach and every student wants a copy to take home. I have many books on brush painting but this is one I will always treasure.

Exquisite Eloquence: The Art of Explaining Art
The first thing that struck me as I thumbed through this graceful publication was how visually beautiful it was. I thought perhaps I had purchased a lovely coffee table book! Ms. Rae's work is beautifully reproduced on its pages and alone is reason enough to buy this book. As I dug deeper, I have discovered the author writes as eloquently as she paints. Her explanations are clear and concise and the illustations are very helpful. But more importantly, perhaps, woven throughout the book is an underlying sense of encouragement. This author doesn't just want to show you "how-to," she wants to inspire you. And I must say, she succeeds. I also suggest checking out her website. She is a prolific and exuberant artist!

a wonderful and perfect book for painters and art lovers ali
This is **THE** Ultimate Chinese brush painting book
Being a student of chinese brush painting I have bought quite of few books on the subject. This one is simply the best and... the most beautiful. It's a perfect book for book beginners and advanced painters, but it is also a book that should make the day of people who simply want to understand chinese painting better.
Nan Rae's paintings are incredible, her writting style is easy to follow, precise but humourous, never boring or too technical.
A must buy for any one interested in arts.
I know what I'll get my friends for Xmas this year! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

anatomy with an attitude
burne hogarth was not only a good draughtsman but also one of the most insightful with regard to the history and science of drawing. to appreciate this book one has to have an open mind(which for an artist is the only way to be)then you would see that he has learned human anatomy quite thouroughly then altered it to suit his line of work (drawing tarzan and the likes) and simultaneously he has also used this derivation of his to teach drawing to his students.this is not a realistic anatomy book which gives you a documentary reference for the human figure, but its a book which simplifies realistic anatomy for amatuers so that they get over their fear of anatomy drawing and later study anatomy just as the author did and make his or her own style.he has stylised and simplified all muscles and altered or even merged some.one of the attractions of this book is the section called the nine principles of foreshortening. this book as with hogarths other books are products of a lifetime of drawing comics and teaching,the author makes it very clear that the figures in the book are his ideal (which neednt be yours)he strongly recommends you to do your own research and not use this book as an encyclopaedia.i have heard a lot of criticism of hogarths style,that it is too strong and will influence other artists to become mere carbon copies,to refute this i must tell you that michelangelo copied and studied works of massacio, ghirlandiao,donatello,but ended up better than any of them.drawing is highly dependent on master pupil tradition, in this age where there are no great masters living in our neighbourhood(unlike michelangelo) we have to look up to the books by people like hogarth . as a teacher hogarth ranks as one of the best along with robert beverly hale,george bridgman and paul richer.

An all-around great book
Dynamic Anatomy is an excellent book. It teaches all about human anantomy. I escpecially reccomend it if you have some trouble with hands. The book containes lots of detailed drawing primarily for the male figure. Though sometimes the angles of of his figures are a bit weird(sometimes you just can't see were all the muscles are)it still gives you a great visuall concept. I also highly recommend Dynamic Figure Drawing another one of his books.

Lacking
I bought Hogarth's "Dynamic Anatomy" because I was impressed with his drawing style. Unfortunately, there is too much flash and not enough in-depth exploration of the body. Muscles follow the bones so it is critical to know the bones. Hogarth gives no attention to this. This would be a decent supplement to learning new ways to draw the human form. I might recommend it to someone that had firm knowledge of the body already.

Exceedingly specialist
I was interested in buying a book called "Dynamic Anatomy" (who wouldn't be: surely something for everyone?) But this book deals with drawing knees and so on. Really, for artists only.

From the illustrator of the Tarzan comic strip...
I cut my teeth on drawing people with Burne Hogarth. He has analyzed the human figure in a brilliant manner. Despite this, I would recommend "Dynamic Figure Drawing" over this book. For starters, the first sixty pages are devoted to art history. Nothing wrong with this, but for people that want to get started on drawing the human figure, it's not necessary. Second, "Dynamic Figure Drawing" is more accessible for beginners. The forms of the body are broken down so the reader can see the shapes. I would buy this book after spending alot of time with "Dynamic Figure Drawing". There is relevant information in this book, but it's not for beginners. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Numerous step-by-step watercolor techniques
As a beginning artist, I tend to accumulate technique books. "The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor" has been one of my most useful watercolor books. It is, in fact, the book that my watercolor instructor uses for reference material for her students.

The book covers a wide variety of techniques, each in the context of a short, complete, step-by-step project which results in a good-looking painting (I occasionally frame one). Techniques covered include seeing colors, mixing, washes, underpaintings, tilting paper, dry brush, use of wet vs. damp vs. dry paper, various uses and methods for lifting, reflections, lighting, contrast, and many, many more techniques, settings, and approaches to challenging scenes. I learn something different from each project.

One implicitly learns the art of simplification and watercolor expression by comparing each projects' nature scene photograph with its respective final painting. That mindset, plus the book's setting-specific techniques, carries over to painting similar scenes outside of the book. It is important to supplement the cookbook nature of the book by applying the same techniques to one's own photo references, and to painting live in nature.

Nice for all levels
This book is a nice tutorial for different levels of painters looking for activities. Not super loose and not super overworked, the activities are a good primer for more complex paintings down the road. Good color pictures that are not too small. A good skill builder.

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!
I have been doing watercolors for a while now and there were certain things about painting nature that I didn't know how to approach. Buying this book, really helped me. It shows you how to paint skies, water, trees and so much more at various times of the day and in different seasons. This book has helped me gained more confidence in landscape painting. It has taught me so much. This book is THE ONE for watercolur landscapes,it is COMPREHENSIVE and COMPLETE and if you buy it you will never be sorry. I'm glad for the day I got a copy.

Fantastic, easily crate a vast arry of beautiful scenes
This is a fantastic book that shows you how to create a vast array of beautiful nature scenes and landscapes seamlessly. It is a must have for anyone wanting to paint nature in all its glory.

The book starts out with a discussion of tools and materials. It then explains color and its characteristics. A list of all the colors used in the book is provided here. The basic watercolor techniques are covering including laying washes, working wet-in-wet, using a dry brush, masking, creating highlights with an eraser, stippling and more.

The book is packed with over 130 lessons that teach you to paint trees, leaves, skies and water. Some projects include painting a delicate tree in a cloud-filled landscape, simplifying a close-up lacy crystal pattern, sorting out a maze or snow-covered branches, paining rapidly flowing water, capturing dripping rain and rendering water reflections.

Each lesson deals with a particular subject taken directly from a photograph and a specific problem such as capturing a stormy dawn with mostly dark color but making a thin reddish band look unforced. It then offers a basic solution and provides a step-by-step demonstration of how to go about painting the scene.

The wide variety of subjects and the consistent and detailed format of teaching in this book have really helped me improve my painting. The author has a great knack for breaking complex subjects into simple steps and focusing on what is important in making the painting a success.

A Cookbook for Beginning Landscape Watercolorists
This is a "Joy of Cooking" of nature watercolor images and recipes. The book has hundreds of photo-watercolor pairs to help a watercolorist who might be struggling with a particular problem in representing a scene in nature in watercolor.

There are pages on basic techniques and what they look like.

There are very specific examples. I had to chuckle at the sheer number of pages and pages of different kinds of cloud formations, for example.

The reason why I give it 4 and not 5 stars is that some of the examples were flat and the descriptions too pat. The best advice to give a budding landscape artist is to go LOOK at the world and (as Frida Kahlo said) paint what you see. The examples were a little too cookbook and there is the danger of the student spending too much time at the feet of the master and not enough time at the feet of Mother Nature.

So, go look at a nature scene, take a crack at painting what you see, maybe take your own photos of it for draftsmanship later, and then refer to Petrie's book if you get stuck. Or just enjoy it over a cuppa tea when relaxing at home. ... Read more

Book Description

The power of the image of the nude--the expressivity of the flesh--has inspired artists from the beginning.An understanding of human form is essential for artists to be able to express themselves with the figure.Anatomy makes the figure.Human Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form is the definitive analytical work on the anatomy of the human figure.

No longer will working artists have to search high and low to find the information they need.In this, the most up-to-date and fully illustrated guide available, Eliot Goldfinger--sculptor, illustrator, scientific model-maker, and lecturer on anatomy--presents a single, all-inclusive reference to human form, capturing everything artists need in one convenient volume. Five years in the making, and featuring hundreds of photos and illustrations, this guide offers more views of each bone and muscle than any other book ever published: every structure that creates or influences surface form is individually illustrated in clear, carefully lit photographs and meticulous drawings. Informed by the detailed study of both live models and cadavers, it includes numerous unique presentations of surface structures--such as fat pads, veins, and genitalia--and of some muscles never before photographed. In addition, numerous cross sections, made with reference to CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and cut cadavers, trace the forms of all body regions and individual muscles. Information on each structure is placed on facing pages for ease of reference, and the attractive two-color format uses red ink to direct readers rapidly to important points and areas. Finally, an invaluable chapter on the artistic development of basic forms shows in a series of sculptures the evolution of the figure, head, and hands from basic axes and volumes to more complex organic shapes. This feature helps place the details of anatomy within the overall context of the figure.

Certain to become the standard reference in the field, Human Anatomy for Artists will be indispensable to artists and art students, as well as art historians. It will also be a useful aid for physical and dance therapists, athletes and their trainers, bodybuilders, and anyone concerned with the external form of the human body.With the renewed interest in figurative art today, this will be an especially welcome volume. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Very disappointed with the lack of quality information
After purchasing this book I was very disappointed with the information the way it was presented. This book is extremely biased towards using male subjects as the so-called norm.

What is dangerous about this type of book is that it teaches artists only about stereotypical male anatomy. The skulls depicted are all male caucasian skulls. Therefore it would lead people to believe that the alpha-male skull is a generic skull, which to me is simply biased ignorant thinking.

Personally, I was hoping for a resource that would not only give information about male & female skull differences and body differences, but also to compare and contrast differences between the races.

Not only does it leave out the differences between the male and female skeleton and musculature, but it bases all of its drawings on caucasian male anatomy, which to me is very incomplete. Also, the book skimps on discussing proportions. I have seen amateur websites that do a better job discussing facial proportions than the information covered in this book.

Lastly, I am giving this book a 2 because about the only good point about it is that is does a good job describing muscles.

Personally, for a serious artist I would look elsewhere.

the best anatomy reference available
this text served me extremely well as i learned figure drawing and is the best anatomical reference i have ever seen, a genuine encyclopedia of anatomy. however, artists should be warned that the approach is analytical (anatomy is broken down into its elements) rather than illustrative (anatomy is presented as pictures of different poses). goldfinger (a sculptor) attempts to explain surface form structurally, from the inside out -- starting with individual bones, then joints, then all visible muscles, facial features (eye, mouth, nose, ear), fat pads, surface veins and arteries, skin folds and finally a gallery of "mass conceptions" of the head, hand and full figure as blocks, continuous planes, cylinders, ovoids and photographed models. (some internal musculature is omitted because it does not affect surface form, but there is extensive information and photo documentation on the facial expression of emotions, largely based on the classic research by ekman and friesen.) this "inside out" approach also determines the content of the 1 to 3 page descriptions of each bone and muscle. in the section on muscles, four diagrams show the skeletal muscle attachments, isolated muscle form, form within surrounding muscles, and surface appearance in lean models, usually from two different points of view. schematic diagrams analyze muscle form into its basic shapes, or show the mechanical effects of muscle contraction. the text is often heavy going but presents unusually detailed and clear explanations of muscle attachments, action, form and interaction with other muscles or joints. there is also much information not available anywhere else, and all sex differences in anatomy (for example in the abdominal musculature and hip bones) are described in the text. goldfinger's goal is to provide the artist with the information necessary to identify the bones and muscles contributing to surface form in any model, any physique or any pose, and i have never found it to fail that purpose. for a breezier and visually more attractive approach, simblet's book is preferable.

comprehensive, well-organized
Obviously, no one book can completely cover the subject of human anatomy, but this is the most complete reference for muscles that I know of. Basically, every muscle has it's own section: a page of illustration & photos, and a page or two of text. As a result, virtually everything about the muslces is clear, and I cannot say this about other books.

There is also information on bones, facial expression, and drawings that simplify the structure of the body. However, I reccomend the book mainly because of how well it covers muslces. This is an especially nice reference if you can also study a real skeleton and live models

Awesome reference
This is an extremely exhaustive book and well worth the price. As far as I know, there exists no more comprehensive book on how every muscle interconnects in the human body -- it is truly an encylopedia of the human anatomy.

A few things keep me from giving it a 5 star review.

1: Goldfinger's illustrations are fair, but not masterful, particularly those of the human face.

2: Strangely, there are almost no fully rendered full-body illustrations or even any fully rendered "body part" illustrations -- almost all the good sketches are of isolated body parts alone. For example, there isn't any fully rendered muscular illustration that encompasses both the upper arm AND the lower arm(!) There ARE full body illustrations, but only in a more schematical form.

3: There are no "application" illustrations of the anatomy in case studies such as bending, posing, flexing, etc. Most of the examples are in prone positions.

Granted, much of this information can be taken from any number of other anatomy books, particularly Richer's "Artistic Anatomy," which this book is largely based on and I also highly recommend.

Nevertheless, as a reference guide to the human body, this book has no peer. If you truly want to understand how the muscles of the body interconnect, there is no better alternative. This book is obviously a labour of love.

Expenisve for What You Get
I agree with the previous reviewer. I was required to buy it for a class and it is heavy and expensive. Some muscle groups are shown under load to emphasis structure, but mostly it is pretty motionless.
I was unhappy with the lack of female models and examples of differences between the "standard" male form and the female. A female forearm shows different musculature than a male one, but you would never know it from this book. This book is heavily male-body centric. I am hoping someone creates a female-based anatomy book for artists. Too much on the market is just like this one, although I think he does a good job of showing the very individual parts.
There is a section on facial expressions which at the time was very useful. However, you are better off buying a cheaper anatomy book and getting Gary Fagin's "The Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression" which is an excellent value. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

40 Year Friendship
I bought this book almost 40 years ago. I was surprised and pleased to see that it is still "thee" book. Everytime I get stuck for help, I go to this book. Now I am planning courses to teach pre-school teachers in Japan. "Thee" book is open once more. Any chance it is available in Japanese? Thanks Lowenfeld and Brittain!!!

Meeting with the Titians
As I finish my final weeks as an art education major, I have tried to complete a reference guide for some of my friends that I will be leaving behind in my department. Other than books by Dr. George Szekely, Viktor Lowenfeld's book "Creative and Mental Growth" stands as the 'bible' for the educator, period. Art isn't "frill" or "elective classes" to children, it is the way of life. Without the understanding of how children view their world and how it does bend toward creative expression, a teacher is simply stumbling around in the darkness. In this stumbling a teacher may find a light switch from time to time. However, join the rest of us with the "torch" of post-modern education with Mr. Lowenfeld's book.

an essential text for all art teachers
This was one of the few required texts in my art ed classes that I did not sell back at the end of the term, and the only text which i still refer to 10 years after graduation. It contains valueable information for any educator who wants to ensure the creative growth of their students. It also includes a wonderful chart of children's artistic development. I've highly recomended it to every student teacher I have trained. ... Read more

Book Description

Stan Lee, the Mighty Man from Marvel, and John Buscema, active and adventuresome artist behind the Silver Surfer, Conan the Barbarian, the Mighty Thor and Spider-Man, have collaborated on this comics compendium: an encyclopedia of information for creating your own superhero comic strips. Using artwork from Marvel comics as primary examples, Buscema graphically illustrates the hitherto mysterious methods of comic art. Stan Lee's pithy prose gives able assistance and advice to the apprentice artist. Bursting with Buscema's magnificent illustrations and Lee's laudable word-magic, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way belongs in the library of every kid who has ever wanted to illustrate his or her own comic strip. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Great book for any "wanna-be" comic artist!!!
Have you ever wanted to learn to draw comics? If you have, this book is the place to start. How to Draw Comics: the Marvel Way teaches A-Z on comic-book drawing, using the Marvel comics style.
The book is written by one of the founders of Marvel comics, Stan Lee, and is illustrated by veteran Marvel artist John Bucema. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to draw comics.
The writer uses many pictures with excellent analysis of each. He writes as if he's talking to you, using a humorous tone. This book would be comprehensible for teens through adults.
The book includes many excellent pictures which make it very comprehensible, and fun to read.
How to Draw Comics: the Marvel Way is an great starting point for any "wanna-be" comic-book artist.

SORRY, STAN
When I was a teenager, this book was the bible for any kid wanting to get into comics. In retrospect, I wonder why--I mean, it's not really informative and it doesn't give anything away--i.e., give you any details on the finer point of comic book storytelling and drawing. In short, it's as instructional as a Lee Ames book, and that's not saying much. Besides, in light of the new direction that comic books are going these days, it's a bit dated. If you really want to get into comics, here are four great books to get you started: The Encyclopedia of Cartooning Techniques (an overview of cartooning, from technical stuff to business aspects), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Science Art Techniques, Chris Hart's How To Draw Animation (because animation helps a lot, kids!), and let's not forget Wil Eisner's great book that started it all! Sorry, Stan. My verdict--2 stars; but add an extra star if you're a 12 year old aspiring comic book artist just for it's inspirational benefits.

Good Book.
For anyone wanting to just start drawing, then this is a pretty good book to start with. It starts out with basics like figure drawing and perspective and moves on to subjects such as composition and panel creations. However, don't expect to come out an expert artists after reading this book. It merely is a stepping stone to get you started on drawing really cool comics. The exercises are presented really simply and almost systematically so that it's easier on a novice drawer. What the book lacks is any information on technique. You'll notice that the artist's drawings are much better than your's, but don't feel bad, that's because he's probably holding the pencil differently or is using a technique other than just holding the pencil like he's writing an essay (which is how all us beginners start out). Bottom line is, it gets you aquainted with drawing and the step by step exercises makes sure that you have reference to work off of so that you can compare your work and progress with the illustrations in the book.

It's to bad I don't own it..................
It's a good book for getting started. It was one of the first How-to-Draw books, and even if it's a little dated it's still better then some modern How-to-Draw books. It gives you some proportion guidlines, faces, dynamic angles, inking and the comic book cover. It's not very stylized, which is good because the book isn't commanding you to copy their drawing style. One of the reasons that I think it's good is becouse it makes you want to draw. A lot of modern books are kind of blah in the sense that you just like looking at the pictures. This book is for begginers without having a baby drawning style which makes you feel like a fool. This book is very well made, and one of the only weaknesses I can think of is it dosn't show you how to draw everyday clothes (folds etc.). I really like this book becouse it's a firm starting point.

More a basis than the only tome you will need
Overcoming Stan's hyperbolic style, the earlier chapters of the book are the most useful and where any aspirant artist should make sure they have everything covered. Particularly good are the perspective chapters.

Later on the book tends to gloss over things, partially (one suspects) because they are harder to explain. Having been through various copies over the years I can assuredly say I have yet to actually glean anything from the composition chapter and there is precious little of any use in the inking section.

A good foundation, but nothing particularly more. ... Read more

Book Description

For both beginning and advanced painters, water can be one of the most popular but least understood of elements. In this instructive guide, author and artist E. John Robinson shows the secrets of painting water, its special properties, and the limitless ways it can be used in paintings of all mediums.

Readers will discover how to use water to convey mood, to capture the effects of wet streets and mud puddles, and to portray fog, ice, and water's reflective qualities. They'll also learn how to paint creeks and lakes, rivers and waterfalls, harbors and the ocean, weaving sunlight and shadow into all their water scenes to create works that flow with life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful, but not as good as the last 2 books!
If you are looking for the same level of instruction as in the prior E. John books, you won't find it. The pictures are beautiful but no major step by step process--more a global overview. I pre-ordered this book months ago, as I think E. John is a phenominal painter and seems so spiritually attuned and connected with the ocean. I was a little disappointed with this edition, but being an admirer of E. John Robinson's, I would have purchased it anyway. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A top-flight book of a complex subject
A truly comprehensive book, enjoyable to both read and look through. It covers the history and scope of air travel, including airport and aircraft design, corporate identities and marketing in a thorough, extensive and compelling manner. It is distinctive in how it successfully melds a global scope and a focused perspective.

Excellent
This book is an excellent overview of the history of civil aviation, terminals, and airfields. The attention to detail, both photographic and linguistic, is marvelous and provides a wonderful account of airport design. The faithfulness to the original traveling photo exhibit allows readers the opportunity to experience the cultural presentation alongside the historical reconstruction. All in all, a wonderful book for any aviation fan.

Building for Air Travel: A must have!
BfAT is one of the most intriguing books you'll find about airports. It covers a lot of airport design aspects- but it is not an engineering book. In other words, you won't have to face boring charts and graphs. All you get is interseting texts, divided into differnt issues, and many rare and beautiful pictures. If you really like airports- you should have this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Both hobbyists and students of design will value this easy-to-use self-teaching book. Each of its 100 sections shows a complete A-to-Z calligraphy alphabet, with lessons on correct pen strokes and advice on avoiding errors. Beginners will find sound basic instruction, while experienced calligraphers can extend their repertoire with letter styles that range from classic Roman to clean and elegant contemporary styles. In addition to analysis of each alphabet’s features, the book’s detailed instruction provides information on— Tools and materials * Layout basics *Numerals and punctuation *Illumination and ornamentation * Tips for the left-handed calligrapher . . . and more. Readers will also find examples by master calligraphers from past eras. This book’s spiral binding ensures that pages lay flat when opened, allowing calligraphers to study and copy each pen stroke with ease. The Calligrapher’s Bible is printed in color and features more than 350 illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Journey Through Time
It is amazing that this one small book contains the physicality of writing of Western civilizations and its development. Writing has forever been the keeper of culture, and this book allows you to travel through time, visiting its development, not only in its formal venues, but variants as well. It gives you the how-to, but brilliantly flashes bits of history to better understand the evolutions of calligraphy. This is one book that no calligraphy afficionado should be without. It is the ultimate collection of alphabets used in various time periods, as well as a springboard into further research of the history of calligraphy itself. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Jack Hamm approaches the student with respect...#1 book
"Drawing the Head & Figure" by Jack Hamm

'Practice the "rough"! Hamm writes. Jack Hamm's book is refreshingly straightforward. There's nothing here for the "drawing on the right side of my ambition"
crowd. Hamm's freehand illustrations are absolutely PACKED into this book, from 10 to 25 illustrations generally, on each and every page with brief but concise text.

Hamm's presentation does not overwhelm the beginner because he does not use a confusing style of teaching. It's as though he took Stephen Peck's "Atlas of Anatomy for the Artist" and reduced it to its bare essential text, while at the same time, increasing the number of illustrations in the book. I'm truly amazed at how much good basic instruction Hamm has packed into only 120 pages. He is to be complimented.

$11.95 is the list price, but Amazon discounts that down to $9.56, and with the many clunky HOW-TO-DRAW books are approaching $20 and $30, this is one of the best bargains on the market.

Want to know how to draw the shoulder, the "six-pack" (abdomen), the pectorals, upper body and the neck? Hamm shows how better than 95% of the drawing books on the market today.

Hamm devotes an entire page each, to show how to draw lips, nose, eyes, etc. Likewise, there is an entire page to show closed hands, and another entire page to show the open hand. The Nose page shows 21 different styles of noses. And on page 41, Hamm shows the SIMPLIFIED FIGURETTE, with an Egg-shaped head, egg-shaped chest, egg-shaped pelvis, a couple of stick legs and arms, and illustrates its use in dynamic action poses. BRAVO!

Another feature I like about Hamm is that he has acheived clear mental focus. That is to say, when he offers a book on "drawing" there's nothing in there on Working With Color, or Painting, or Composition, or worse, attempts to burden the student by imposing metaphysical ideas. Hamm approaches the student with respect. When he titles his book "DRAWING" then drawing is exactly the subject he treats, and not other complicated and non-essential matters. By the way, Hamm does offer separate books on the subjects of:

"Still-Life Drawing and Painting" "How to Draw Animals"
"Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes" etc. all at bargain prices.

Hamm reminds me of the working draftsmen of the Rennaissance era with his uncomplicated teaching method, and he's a teacher for the working day. If I could rate it higher, I certainly would. Jack Hamm's book belongs #1 of all beginner drawing books.

The complete one-book reference on drawing head and figure.
This book is a clearly written, easy to follow, detailed and concise handbook to drawing the head and figure by using several different approaches and understanding the anatomy of the human body from the outside without going deeper into its musculature or skeletal structure. This fully illustrated reference contains over 900 diagrams and illustrations and is structured into fourteen carefully organized sections that pack into one book, without leaving anything out, all the information that usually takes other authors 2 or 3 volumes.
The author covers general topics like figure and head construction, basic lines of the figure, head patterns, angles and comparisons, movements, proportions and simplified figures. He also goes into specific topics like facial features, hair, torso, neck and shoulders, arms, hands, legs, and feet. As an added bonus he includes not so common topics such as youth and age, and clothing, but as a warning, note that most fashion elements like clothing, hairstyles and makeup are from the 1960's since this volume is a reprint of a book originally published in 1963.
By studying this book as if it were a textbook on a course, doing all the exercises and reviewing each section afterwards, I have noticeably improved my drawings in a very short time.
If you are a beginner, this is the first book you should buy to understand the fundamentals of head and figure drawing before going into deeper, more complicated and not so thorough figure drawing books. If you are a seasoned or professional artist, get this book to discover new principles and techniques to experiment with. This book is a must for any artist's bookshelf.

The #1 Best Figure Drawing Book
I've read several anatomy and figure drawing books and flipped through a bunch more. I think this is probably the very best figure drawing book of all. Anatomy books generally just throw a bunch of bones and muscles at you and teach you nothing about drawing them. You soon forget the names of most of the bones and muscles and you're not much better off. In the opposite extreme, Anthony Ryder's book gives you a few good drawing tips, but that's all. Jack Hamm's book is different and far better than the others. He points out the shapes of the human body in many different positions and shows you how they are defined by light and shadow. He tells you hundreds of details about how different parts of the human body look and should be drawn. He makes you aware of so many things that help you visualize and draw the human body. Finally, he gives you a much deeper understanding of the body. I wanted to be able to construct bodies from my imagination instead of being limited to copying what I see. This book helps you do both. You can draw something better if you understand it better. And even though this book seems modern, by the time I finished it I got the feeling that this book taught me a lot of what the great old masters knew, before modern art took over the art world. This is the real book you should get if you want to be good at figure drawing, not that horrible hoax of a book "The Natural Way to Draw" by Nicolaides.

LOVE This Book!
Can't really say too much that hasn't already been said! This is a wonderfully detailed and informative book. Although over 40 years old...these techniques are timeles. Kinda like Mozart. What I like most about this book (and Jack Hamm books in general) is although the book is instructional, it doesn't teach you how to draw it teaches you techniques to improve your drawing. Too often (especially in the past couple of years) art instructional books tell you what to. Line here, cirle there, shade a bit after--this book provides the information and allows you to work it into your style. Every artist's work is like a signature and this book nurtures that.

Great Book-Thank you Jack!
Drawing the Human body may be perhaps the most commercial aspect of drawing and may also be the most aesthetically pleasing as well. Moreover, it is also perhaps the most difficult of subjects to draw as well.

Jack Hamm has produced a commendable piece of work. He breaks down the drawing of the body into its constituent parts and does not rely on one technique alone to describe the basic building blocks of each part. He reviews the process of drawing the body in many different ways. Each of these ways will def. assist you in becoming more familiar with the body form and lead on to more confidence in drawing the body as well.

Its will def assist you in drawing the human form.

Thank you Jack for sharing your knowledge so clearly as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Many decorative-painting books concentrate on a limited range of simple wooden surfaces. This one instead chooses innovative destinations for the more experienced paintbrush: salt and pepper shakers, a flour sifter, a table runner, cabinets, a lamp base. By applying decorative-painting techniques to entire scenes rather than isolated motifs, author Catherine Holman endows her work with a delightful folk-art flair. The book's title tells the truth: these scenes really are charming, and the choice of subject matter is pleasantly suited to each object. A quaint brick tea shoppe adorns a little teapot; a snow-filled landscape complete with warmly lit houses beneath a starry sky bestrides the tin shade of an oil lamp; the large four-bin cabinet sports a scene for each season; the umbrella stand features (of course) a rainy countryside topped by a rainbow. Look closely to be rewarded by wonderful details hidden in the scenes--a lacy hammock, a glass of lemonade, a scarecrow, a woman gardening. Full scene patterns, color-keyed charts of paints, and detailed materials lists accompany the superb directions and good color photos, and ordering information is provided for each of the nine items to be decorated. Basic decorative painting skills are a must before attempting these projects, but with such good guidance even the brave novice may produce something to be proud of. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Really great a great book!
Worth every penny I paid!
Great book for beginners and advance artist. Step by step instructions with pictures at the same pages, Easy to learn in every step from shadings to highlightings in every details!

A Wonderful Step-by-Step Guide for Painters
This book is wonderful. The pictures are in color and show such good detail. The step by step guide makes it seems like the instructor is actually in the room with you. This book is great for intermediate to advanced painters and would recommend to anyone who enjoys this hobbie.

A Wonderful Step by Step Guide for Painters
This book is wonderful. The pictures show so much detail and the step by step guide makes it seem like the teacher is in the room with you. Everything you need to be a successful painter is included in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In one handy volume, here are 187 easy ways for you to become a more successful artist. Inside, award-winning artist and art coach Kathy Gulrich shares some of her most insightful, and helpful, artist tips. You'll learn how to:

- Get your bio, artist statement, and resume finished once and for all
- Get your artwork into galleries and shows
- Keep your collectors coming back for more
- Develop - and learn from - your artist community
- Organize your studio - and yourself
- Be even more creative!

187 Tips For Artists is perfect for the artist who wants to get off to a great start - and the seasoned artist who's looking for an extra edge. No matter where you are in your art career, you'll find down-to-earth, practical artist tips that will help you become more successful - starting today! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Simple and Easy to Understand!
This book is easy to read and understand. This book doesn't bog you down with a lot of heavy theories and rhetoric. It's simple, organized, and you could open the book to any page and it shows you something that you could start doing right now that will help you take the next step with your work. It keeps the business of art as fun as the creative side of it!

Definitely a Good Addition to your Book Collection!
I adored this book! As someone very new to creating art, I thought the tips were very helpful and to the point and fun! I really liked that the book gives lots of tips for the business aspects of art AND for being a more creative artist. Plus these tips will apply to your other interests as well! :-) It's been a great addition to my growing collection of books!

Straightforward Advice
This book is perfect for someone who doesn't want to get mired down in art speak. The advise is easy to follow and straightforward. It has helped me organize my thoughts and most importantly pushed me into action regarding my art career. Many thanks!

Specific ideas to focus work and marketing plan
I received this book as gift and find myself returning to it again and again. It has helped me tremendously in keeping my marketing plan focused and in using my time much more efficiently. Perfect for the creative, but maybe not so organized type.

NOT for a working artist
I gave this book, along with others, to an artist about to go public, and he hated it. I quote from his letter:

"... surely misbilled and is a rip-ff. There are 206 pages in the book, each page has one paragraph and in many cases only one sentence. Several pages in the middle of the book are completely blank. The tips are a bit of a joke -- let me give you some exmples: 'Live in the present. Don't waste time recreating the past, or imagining the future. The's only one moment you can truly experience, and that's the one you're in.'"

"The book isn't worth $11.95, it's not worth a dollar in my opinion." ... Read more

Book Description

Whether you're an absolute beginner or an experienced muralist, whether your tastes are traditional or modern, this complete guide to mural painting will help you create fresh, fabulous looks for your home. You'll find 15 imaginative mural painting techniques, plus dozens of tricks-of-the-trade for painting murals like a pro! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Something's missing
I purchased this book in the hope that it would provide instruction to create the murals illustrated on the first few pages. Unfortunately, although there are very beautiful murals pictured,instructions are included for only a few. Perhaps my tastes differ from the authors but it seems that most garish and ugly murals were the ones that included "how to" instructions. It leads one to wonder if perhaps they do not want any competition in producing the more tasteful murals pictured! I also purchased the companion video and was disappointed for the same reasons- the instructions were only for projects I would not want to do.

Packed with color photos and easy projects
Use this introduction to create stunning murals based on a presentation of easily-mastered painting techniques applicable to home use. From tips on spacing and room perspective to using texturing and overlay processes for added finesse, Marvelous Murals You Can Paint is packed with color photos and easy projects which will encourage use in the home.

Good for Beginners
"Marvelous Murals You can Paint" is a good book for beginners in that it explains very basic techniques and materials. Line drawings and coloring book-type children's murals are illustrated. A very simplified way to do clouds with spray paint is demonstrated. If you're looking for realism or professional techniques, you will be disppointed with this book. The gallery is inspiring, with beautiful photos of wonderful wall treatments, none of which are explained or demonstrated. Shows a couple of basic landscape-type murals with good stone and wood effects. ... Read more

Book Description

Essential reading for artists, art dealers, and gallery owners, The Artist-Gallery Partnership: A Practical Guide to Consigning Art offers a unique and thorough discussion of consignment that clarifies all aspects of this crucial art world relationship. The book presents a provision-by-provision explanation of the Standard Art Consignment Agreement, a model contract between artist and dealer suitable for use. The contract is flexible, making it ideal for establishing consignment arrangements that are mutually beneficial. It covers agency, consignment, warranties, transportation responsibilities, insurance coverage, pricing, gallery's commission, promotion, return of art, and much more.

The Artist-Gallery Partnership provides artists and dealers with guidelines for sound business negotiations as well as ideas for resolving disputes. The revised edition contains a new chapter on state consignment legislation, and includes a sample of the Standard Art Consignment Agreement, an inventory sheet/receipt for artworks on consignment, and the texts of the art consignment laws enacted in more than thirty states. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best Book of Its Kind!!!
I own a small gallery because I love art and artists, but I was not prepared for the variety of business and legal headaches that this field could produce. During yet another frantic call to my attorney, she recommended this book to me and life has been considerably calmer ever since.

Let's face it: art is a business and if you are an artist or a gallery owner, you can't afford to be without this information. I use this book to maintain records; I check paperwork against it before visiting my accountant; I use its sample forms and agreements every time I get the place ready for a new exhibit; and I follow this book's advice with every sale and display we make. This book should be required reading for everyone who has anything to do with art consignment...

Ted Crawford normally writes pretty good books, but...
Tad Crawford has written many useful books for working artists. This book primarily focuses on the state laws for all 50 states. It has some info on the nuts and bolts of gallery/artist interactions and good examples of sample contracts, but overall I was disappointed.

Most of the book focuses on reciting the state statutes. I would have liked more "juice" on navigating the minefield that can occur in artist/dealer relations. Of course, a contract should allow an artist to avoid such messes, but more examples of things going wrong even with contracts would have been useful. It is a good reference book if you are past the point of no return and need to know the legalities of your particular state so you can proceed accordingly. I found Tad Crawfords other books more useful. ... Read more

Book Description

From the best artists working in the world today comes an instructive and inspirational new series-How Did You Paint That? Covering a spectrum of popular topics, this series provides beginning and advanced artist of all mediums with detailed examples of the myriad ways in which to portray the featured subject.

Each title includes 100 different interpretations of the topic, and each interpretation is accompanied by valuable firsthand feedback from the artist, including the colors and brushes used, along with the artist's methodology, challenges, and motivation. Readers will also find suggestions and exercises from the painters, allowing them to apply the lessons of masters to their own masterpieces. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Best
I have always wanted to attend a seminar given by Mr.Handell, however due to allergys, it has not been possible. I am so pleased that his book is available and it is all that I had hoped for and a treasure to review again and again.

Teaches how to "see" and "feel" light.
Not a workshop-type paint-by-numbers book, the book is more a photo-gallery packed with colorful, clearly rendered paintings. The text illustrates how the artist "sees" light under different conditions, for "light" itself is the subject matter Mr. Handell's paintings. The artist/author is very cognizant of the emotional effect that light conditions create in a viewer, and extremely gifted at translating this response through pigment. The paintings in this book show the success of Mr. Handell's emotional approach. Gives insight into "seeing" and "frame of mind".

exhaustive coverage of one artist's work
I bought "Intuitive Light" to learn more about techniques in pastel media. I thought the book is useful in this regard. The book could have been much better if other work was also displayed and discussed. The entire book shows nothing but Albert Handell's paintings. In my own opinion I like to see painting instruction show lots of different artist's work. ... Read more

Book Description

Readers of this book learn graphic rendering skills quickly with the proven how-to approach that has made Lin the most successful teacher in the field. His method emphasizes speed, confidence, and relaxation, while incorporating many time-saving tricks of the trade. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

It's OK but only great if you take his course
Mike Lin's graphic course filled a big hole in my professional development. If you're willing to buy into his methods I can't recommend it highly enough. Both his books are good intros to his drawing method but they can only go so far by themselves.

If you're serious about transforming your sketching and rendering skills, take his course.

AWSOME!!
well, this book is one of the 1st books i bought when i 1st started studying architecture and i just can't say enough about it. it's helped me through my projects inspiring me with new ideas and developing my rendering skills...all i can say that it is just AWSOME!

An integral part of the design library
This book is a must for the design professional in the disciplines of landscape architecture, architecture, planning, interi