Reviews (1)

An Amazing, Beautiful Book
I got this book as a Christmas gift and loved it instantly. It's hard to believe that pop up sculptures could portray this intricate jeweled eggs but this book does so in an amazing way. This is a very beautiful book. ... Read more

Book Description

This expansive look at the versatile, popular colored pencil medium is packed with creative, imaginative demonstrations sure to help artists develop--or enhance--their skill. They'll learn about every aspect of color pencil drawing, from studio space, drawing tools and surfaces to sketching and color use. Readers will also find unique colored pencil techniques and advanced tips for creating textured surfaces and landscapes. It's all the information a colored pencil artist needs! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Little Substance in This Book
I have a personal library of over twenty books on colored pencil and unfortunately, this is the weakest book I own on the topic. There is very little on technique and there is a general lack of substance. If you are looking for an overview on colored pencil, there are far better books available. One that comes to mind is Exploring Colored Pencil by Sandra Angelo. And if you are looking for technique or practical information this book simply doesn't cut it.

Overview of Colored Pencil
This is a good overview book showing colored pencil techniques. The author focuses primarily on various techniques and the various papers used that can contribute to different effects. It is not a book geared for drawing and painting newbies. So if you are someone new to drawing and painting and want to work in colored pencil use this book in connection with books such as Mona Brookes' excellent Drawing for Older Children and Teens: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too or Betty Edwards' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

There are a variety works shown beside the author's that display the beauty of this medium. However, all the artwork presented in the book is realistic. There is no experimental or more abstract styles shown even though colored pencil can make these styles just as well as more popular media like oils, acrylics and watercolor. If you are thinking of trying out colored pencils as a medium there are a lot of good tips and advice available here.

A comprehensive study, especially in Portraits
Bernard Poulin is a master in the medium of Colored Pencil. Whether you are beginning or advanced in the use of this new medium, you will find useful information. The work featured is breathtaking, and the information is straightforward and easy to follow. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Author of The Watercolor Handbook. A handy, portable manual for using pastels, charcoal, and sanguine, with many examples from the classics and easy-to-follow instructions. 150 full-color and 15 black-and-white illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Master the basic skills and special techniques of painting in pastel

Explore the colorful art of painting in pastel with this compelling how-to guide. Renowned artist Marla Baggetta demonstrates a variety of subject matter--from expressive portraits and beautiful landscapes to realistic animals and dynamic still lifes--with colorful illustrations and simple instructions. Follow the 12 step-by-step lessons, and along the way, you'll find helpful advice and practical tips that will enable you to create your own impressive works of art in pastel! ... Read more

Book Description

Renowned for her pastel landscapes of the Palouse in Eastern Washington and images inspired from extensive travel in Ireland, Italy, and elsewhere, Susan Bennerstrom has recently begun to focus on a vast new frontier-interiors rich with metaphor.

Bennerstrom's control of chalk pastel transcends common perceptions of the medium. By working the color directly into the paper with her hands, she achieves sharp edges and intense color in what is often a soft and dusty means of expression. Unafraid of juxtaposing strong colors and employing complex compositional strategies, Bennerstrom extends the boundaries of traditional pastel work.

Those fiercely loyal to Susan Bennerstrom and those seeing her work for the first time will be impressed by the thorough discussion of her work and the wealth of illustrations in this volume. Carefully selected plates show her full range of subjects cast in her particular language of light which have earned her an impressive following reaching far beyond the Northwest.

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Reviews (1)

A Painter with a View
Susan Bennerstrom's work is deceptively simple and pleasing, but as you peel away the gorgeous colors and ubiquitous lines, you'll find a rich, complex emotional life. Could it be that Ms.Bennerstrom has wrapped her glorious vision of the world in seductive shapes and colors so that we'll come inside and experience it with her?

This book is just as inviting as Bennerstrom's paintings and contains rare insight into her work. For example, I would not have guessed at Bennerstrom's influences--Italian painters of the 20's and 30's. The writers of this book have made me curious them, too.

It is rare to be given a perspective on a painter who is in the midst of producing her best work. Hopefully, there will be future editions of this book that will keep up updated on Ms. Bennerstrom's world view. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very useful book
Wonderful book on mixing colored pencil colors. This is difficult information to find in other books. It is layed out very nicely and any colored pencil artist would find this to be very useful. ... Read more

Book Description

Walter Foster's classic How to Draw and Paint series provides aspiring artists with an exceptional array of art instruction books featuring all subject areas and media. Each title includes easy step-by-step exercises as well as finished illustrations or paintings that will inspire artistic talent in anyone.

Packed with practical information, helpful tips, and fundamental techniques, the How to Draw and Paint series offers a complete library of resources to which artists of all skill levels can refer again and again.

What you'll learn from this book ...

• A step-by-step process for painting animals in pastel, from backgrounds to final details

• What materials you'll need, and how to set up a work area

• Skills for painting on a variety of textured surfaces, such as sanded paper, bark paper, and pastel cloth

• Detailed methods for painting eyes and whiskers

• Techniques for rendering animal skin, fur, and feathers

• How to use and blend soft, medium, and hard pastels, as well as pastel pencils

• Handy tips on framing, protecting, and storing your finished pastel works ... Read more

Book Description

It's no wonder soft pastel has been a popular medium for centuries--pastels are versatile and easy to work with, they produce an impressive arrray of rich, vibrant colors, and there are no painting mediums or drying times to worry about. And in this helpful book, you'll discover timeless tips and techniques for creating your own masterpieces in soft pastel! Follow along step by step with professional artists as they teach you to paint a dozen inspiring projects, as well as the fundamentals of working with soft pastels.

• Find out about the basic supplies and materials you need to get started painting right away

• Practice various strokes and special techniques

• Learn the simple solutions to common soft pastel dilemmas

• Discover how to paint a variety of subjects--including portraits, landscapes, and animals ... Read more

Book Description

Pastel is a fascinating and versatile medium. With pastel, you can paint boldly or delicately, and you can use intense, rich colors or pale, soft shades. Here you'll find easy, step-by-step lessons that show how to paint luminous fruit and flowers, atmospheric landscapes, and striking portraits that capture the essence of your subject--whether animal or human.

o Find out about the materials you'll need to get started right away

o Master the application technique of forming images with flat strokes rather than lines

o Understand how to blend and layer color on various texture surfaces

o Learn valuable lessons on reflections and shadows, soft and hard edges, and covering with light colors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not Recommended for Beginners
Although this book, like most other Walter Foster books, is geared towards beginnners, I would caution any beginner that is considering the purchase of this book. _Pastels_ was published in 1988 and sorely needs to be updated to include the better and more workable surfaces that are available to today's pastelist.

Mr. DeMille, although a very talented artist and pastelist, uses this book to tout his personal preference for velour surfaces. Out of the 26 "demonstrations" in the book, 19 of them are done on velour and 3 are done on regular sandpaper. Velour is not only a difficult surface for beginners to work on, but it is extremely difficult to frame and will constantly shed fiber particles and pastel all over the mat. If you want a velour look, try using suede mat board instead -- it costs a lot more, but it doesn't shed. As for the sandpaper, many pastelists use it but, again, be aware! Sandpaper is not archival, much less acid-free. Your best bet is to use special pastel paper that has a coated or sanded surface.

In summary, this book is sadly outdated and I would recommend that you purchase more updated books, such as the pastelist's "bible", "The Pastel Book : Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist" by Bill Creevy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good introduction to oil pastels
Ms. Hughes offers a nice concept of instruction book, selection of art paper, and 16 oil pastel crayons. The book is very informative with a useful cross section of techniques and examples. My only complaint: the oil pastels in the kit have their shortcomings. They are somewhat subdued in hue and tend toward the earth tones, so the student will quickly need to purchase more crayons in order to achieve meaningful results. Since the true maker of "Workstation" oil pastels is not identified, the crayons are difficult to match or replace. ... Read more

Book Description

A master of pastels, Selkowitz's gentle landscapes easily transport the viewer to the lush hills and valleys of the Catskill Mountains. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Painter's Path through the Catskill Mountains.
If you like first grade scribble pictures, you will like this book.A "Painter's" Path is not about creating art or a technique book.The pictures are flat, no shading, childlike, and the strokes or scribbles have no variety.The book has a few maps of the Catskill area.Mr Selkowitz claims to be a professional pastel artist. He does not list any professional designation from any Art Pastel Organizations.He does not list honorsfrom pastel art associations or gallery shows.Mr Selkowitz lists each statewhere he had a exhibition.What kind of exhibition?The critics that wrote reviews for the book are musicians, friends, and the Catskill Mountain citizens. No reviews by actual painter or pastel artists. The book appears written to be self serving.If the book was wriiten as a travel log, there are approximately 10 pages with limited text describing the Catskills.The rest of the book has pictures paintings.I must say the only thing good about the book was the Title, but it was misleading. ... Read more