Book Description

Who hasn't, at one time or other, kept a journal? The impulse to record our daily lives on paper is nothing if not universal. Still, only a few of us have the discipline to make it past the first few entries, and fewer still manage to create diaries whose insight and visual beauty can inspire anyone but their authors. Drawing from Life: The Journal as Art is an exploration of these exceptions—books of obsessive wonder filled to their borders with drawings, sketches, watercolors, graphs, charts, lists, collages, portraits, and photographs.Jennifer New takes readers on a spirited tour into the private worlds of journal keepers—an architect, a traveler, a film director, an archeologist, a cancer patient, a songwriter, a quiltmaker, a gardener, an artist, a cyclist, and a scientist, to name just a few—illustrating a broad range of journaling styles and techniques that in the end show how each of us can go about documenting our everyday lives. Excerpts from journals by such artists as Maira Kalman, Steven Holl, David Byrne, and Mike Figgis give us a peek at how creative souls observe, reflect, and explore.For those who already keep a journal, Drawing from Life will be an inspiration. For those who have always wanted to—or tried and failed—it might just be the motivation needed to get past that first week. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive guide to the most influential furniture and lighting designs of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, updated and expanded.

Over 2,000 important pieces arranged by type of furniture or fixture make this book the go-to guide for students and historians of modern furniture, as well as an essential tool for interior designers. Each entry gives the details of the design: date, model name or number, manufacturer, materials, and dimensions. 1892 photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The best is about to get better
This book remains the definitive sourcebook for those interested in modern and modern classic furniture. I still give it out as gifts to my friends. I have known the authors for over 20 years-perhaps I am biased, but I am looking forward to their upcoming revision-the third edition which should be out in Fall, 2004. It will include over 600 new pieces to bring it up-to-date and will include website information for manufacturers.

Odd Criteria for "Modern"
I was disappointed with the book and returned it. Nothing by Robsjohn Gibbings. Nothing by Harvey Probber. Only a single piece by Wormley. Only two by Finn Juhl. Instead, the selection seems weighted heavily toward austere Italian designs of metal and glass, esp. those produced in the 1960s and later. I did not expect the editors to show such a lack of interest in wood. And given the book's definitive-sounding title, I did not expect them to adopt such an rigid and uninteresting definition of "modern."

Modern means...
When anything is modern, it means that it's from this era=this time=now. But also, "MODERN" things point to the design movement that grew from the 1920's Modernism movement. That is why many of the Modern pieces such as Charles and Ray Eames pieces are considered "classic", despite the tag("Modern Furniture") that follows them. So I think this book shows great examples of furniture designs from Modernism era and its following influences. I disagree with Ping Lim about not having shown all the recent great works, because I think Karim Rashid and Aeron chair are considered either post post modern or futurism, not modernism.

time for an upgrade
Undoubtedly, this is one of the best reference book re modern furniture on the market place. Having said that, the readers should be aware that this edition is 4 years old. Some of the modern furnitures listed have since become modern classics & many important pieces after 1996 are not listed in here. For example, the working chair produced by Steelcase that is comparable with Aeron chair without its high price tag, Solo sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, Vitra & Kartell ranges by Philippe Starck, more lightings by Ingo Maurer & the list could go on & on. Moreover, the authors could include pertinent website & e-mail address for suppliers & manufacturers on top of the snail mail addresses that were provided. It also would be more attractive if the book is printed in colour. Overall, it remains a substantial book. PS: Has the author ever considered updating the book online?

A must for anyone interested in classic furniture
This was this single most important thing that we had when we began decorating our house. An absolute must for the classics! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lots of etchings
A comprehensive look at S. Dali's etchings, very nice.

Etchings abound
Comprehensive showing of Dali's etchings. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every biology student knows Ernst Haeckel as the originator of the "Biogenetic Law": ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny. Haeckel was a passionate student of the evolutionary shaping of biological forms, and Art Forms in Nature captures both his artistic sensibility and the scientific rigor he applied to all his studies. First published in 1904, Art Forms in Nature is a glorification of function and form, a demonstration of organic symmetry that has nothing--and everything--to do with nature as it actually exists. Each plate exhibits organisms carefully arranged and exquisitely detailed, "a symbiosis between decorative sketches and descriptive observations of nature," as Olaf Breidbach states in his fascinating introductory text. The radiolarians, medusae, rotifers, bryozoans, and even frogs and turtles lovingly recreated here are gorgeous and self-explanatory, rendered in delicate, filigreed lines, and colored gently with muted green, delicate pink, and sepia. Art students will appreciate the designs found in nature--scientists will love the evolutionary statement of form inherent in the beauty. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Haeckel Starter
This a a lovely book, though a bit on the lean side. It's a good sampler of Haeckel's work, the printing is well done with thick pages and a non gloss finish. Great for the coffee table or reference.

stunning
I'm not kidding when I say this book has changed my life. Visually stunning, unimaginably beautiful.

A most excellent book
The illustrations are awesome, there's a universe of beautiful complex lifeforms that are too small for us to see. The illustrations are all in color, unlike other versions of Ernst Haeckel's prints, and it also has lots of text in the front about Ernst Haeckel's work, an autobiographic timeline in the back etc... Unbelievable art ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Drawing for Dummies
Lee Hammond must be a remarkable teacher. Her book " Draw Real People " creates joy, confidence and insight into our own natural ability to to be creative. I would love to attend her class but I am a little further than a 'cut lunch' away. Best Regards...... Garth Crabb.

Excellent for beginners dedicated to improving
"Draw Real People" is one of the best art instruction books out there. Many art instruction books that teach you how to draw are too boring and difficult to follow, and the drawings aren't really all that interesting either. In Hammond's book she breaks down everything into simple steps. Hammond's techniques, gridding and shading, are so obvious that I wondered why I'd never thought of them before.

Throughout the book you'll find step-by-step instructions, exercises, examples of Hammond's own work and before and after drawings of her students. After implementing Hammond's technique, my drawing skills improved greatly. Instead of looking cartoonish and sketchy, they looked realistic and smooth. I was so thrilled with my progress that I went and got the rest of the "Discover Drawing" Series. I was bit disappointed, however, when I saw that half of each book was devoted to gridding and shading. They were the same exact things Hammond taught in "Draw Real People."

I recommend to beginners to only get two of Hammond's books: Draw Real People (good for portraits) and Draw Fashion Models (good for people, clothing, hair, etc.). Once you get a hang of gridding and shading you can basically draw anything, so there is no need, in my opinion, to get the rest of the "Discover Drawing" Series. All you'll need to do after that is practice.

Draw Real People
I am just getting back into my artwork after many years. Although I have always drawn many things I never thought I possessed the talent or ability to draw a realistic portrait. Whenever I would attempt it, the portrait would be a beautiful picture of someone, but NOT the person I was attempting to draw. I just could not seem to make it look life the person. When I followed Lee Hammond's method using the grid, my portrait came out not only realistic, but it looked exactly like my daughter. My friends and family were amazed by the exact likeness of the portrait. This was on my very first attempt. I would highly reccomend her book. I plan on getting seriously into portraits now. I cannot believe what I was able to accomplish through her instruction. I am definitely going to be purchasing more of her books.

Draw Real People
I am half way finished with the book. Gridding photograohs makes you break down the parts and shapes of the nose, mouth, eyes, and ears. It changes how you veiw subjects you see shapes and not the whole face. I found trying to draw the whole face very over whelming as a person getting back into drawing. The gridding process teaching you symetry and helps you draw individual features better on the face.

Excellent Drawing Guide
This book is the BEST drawing book I own. By following Lee's advice, which included her shading tecnique - it's easy, and makes your drawings look really good, and using circle stencils for the eyes so they look natural, I was able with some practice to draw some realistic looking faces and be told I am a good artist (and truly - I needed help!) Lee goes step by step with each part of the face, then teaches you how to draw an entire face with important facts to remember (like there is one eye width between the eyes). She included some drawings done by her students, and a couple of fun exersizes with scrambled bar graphs where you have to draw in each square how you see it in the right spot to see what the mystery picture is. If you are curious about drawing faces or wish you could draw better, get this book! ... Read more

Book Description

A lively account of the interaction between European and indigenous artists that took place during more than 300 years of Spanish and Portuguese colonial influence in Latin America (c.1492–1820). The book offers a fascinating insight into viceregal, missionary and civic architecture, as well as painting, sculpture and such ‘minor arts’ as furniture, textiles and ceramics. This is a long-awaited book on an increasingly popular subject and includes many previously unillustrated works. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Great Resource
I'm a BFA student at Virginia Tech heading to grad school and this is an excellent book to teach from, have as a reference, or just thumb through for fun. Simple and succinct while still thorough. It's really an invaluable thing to have for ready info at your fingertips. This book has been part of the curriculum here for Performance Art, Found Object Sculpture, and Installation classes, and everyone in the class universally approves and finds it helpful.

Great book for art history classes
Perfect for writing critiques and analyses from all art movements. Great glossary of terms for a beginning art student looking up hard-to-understand words in text books.

Great for art history students!
A glossary of art terms. This book is a definite must for those writing analyses of art. It's also good for looking up those tricky terms in your text books. It is filled with artsy terms and illustrations. I used it in all my art history classes. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

General help
I found this book a little too general, not specific enough, to cover the different approaches possible for a freelance designer in NYC. Didn't cover the world of placement agencies, for example.

Much of the info was for illustrators, it seemed.

Every aspiring freelance artist should read this book
As I am considering starting my own freelance illustration career, I found this book to be very informative. Every aspect of what you can expect to encounter in the freelance business is covered -- from dealing with people, to taxes, to how to market yourself. Lots of good tips.

Theo Stephan Williams writes in a style that is not only informative, but interesting and entertaining as well. And also encouraging, which I found to be uplifting, as the prospect of freelancing is a bit intimidating. She also includes other "real world" experiences besides her own, with interviews from several successful freelancers.

This book may not cover everything you want to know, but it is a great way to get started in your own business of freelance design or illustration.

There is nothing "streetwise"; just basic information
For a book on design and illustration, this book does not set a good example. The book design is bland and the information within is general. It seems that the author did not have enough information to write about and the book mainly consists of her personal history as a designer. This book is adequate for the novice who just wants the basics. But for those interested in a in-depth look at freelance illustration, well-designed with many highly-regarded illustrators portrayed inside, I suggest "The Business of Illustration" by Heller/Fernandes. ... Read more

Book Description

In the bestselling tradition of The Elements of Style, The Elements of Design is a comprehensive visual survey of the design styles that have had the greatest impact on the decorative arts in the Western world. With more than 3,000 prints, photographs, and line drawings, the book covers five centuries of the Western decorative arts tradition, including Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Regency, Gothic, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernism, and the Space Age.

The key elements of the Western decorative arts tradition are explored chronologically. Each chapter begins with a broad introduction to the era, summarizing its key style features. Within the chapter there follows close examination of individual objects, including ceramics, glass, silver and metalwork, furniture, and textiles. All the items illustrated form a visual vocabulary of each design movement. The book also includes biographies of innovative designers, information on conservation and maintenance, and a comprehensive glossary of design terms.

Compiled by a team of experts under the guidance of design specialists Noël Riley and Patricia Bayer, The Elements of Design is an indispensable reference work for collectors, design historians, interior decorators, set designers, and all those interested in our decorative arts heritage. ... Read more

Book Description

Throughout the Middle Ages, sacred Christian art had two objectives: to express veneration for God and to provide illustrative lessons on the Christian faith to a largely illiterate population. Continuing in the spirit of the other books in this series, Old Testament Figures in Art compiles entries on key figures and events in the Old Testament, beginning with the Pentateuch, then drawing from the historical books, the books of wisdom and poetry, and, finally, the prophetic books. The vivid illustrations depict Old Testament scenes that occur most frequently as iconographic prototypes in Western art. Among the masterpieces featured are The Entry of the Animals into Noah's Ark by Jan Brueghel the Elder, The Sacrifice of Isaacby Rembrandt, Samson and Delilah by Peter Paul Rubens, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel by Paul Gauguin, and Isaac Receiving Rebekah as His Wife by Marc Chagall. The accompanying texts illuminate the unique ways in which Old Testament subjects have been portrayed in Western art throughout the ages. To complement the many scriptural references, this handy volume also offers comparisons with other cultures whose stories or myths parallel those represented in the book. ... Read more

Book Description

The most influential furniture designers of the twentieth century are showcased in this tribute to their ingenuity in transforming functional chairs into objects of sculptural beauty. Although the forty chairs shown have museum status as classics, many have remained in continuous production since their initial introduction, making them available for home and office use, and all are photographed in stylish contemporary interior settings. As a shopping and reference source, the book provides a lengthy list of furniture manufacturers and retailers dealing in the best of twentieth-century seating pieces. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Living with Modern Classics The Chair
Origins of many of the syles we see today can be found in, "The Chair." Elizabeth Wilhide takes the reader into an era of design where form was expressive, as well as functional. Renowned designers are highlighted, including information about their lives, & structural information about their works without over loading the reader. The chairs are displayed and photographed in settings that are visually intriguing to a designer or a casual reader. A fun, interesting, and informative book. ... Read more

Book Description

Thorough, exhaustive coverage of materials, media, tools of painting through ages; based on historical and laboratory studies. A standard reference for painters, students, curators, and conservators. 34 illustrations.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

even in china
For my research on Chinese painters and painting techniques I am in China. Taking a copy of this book with me as a reference work, now I end up buying it again for some of my Chinese friends. They are all very interested in this still very accurate and usefull book for restorers and other people working with Art. The coverage of materials is very complete. ... Read more

Book Description

How do creative people create?Where do they get their ideas? For many, "brainstorm" sessions are a starting point. But huge numbers of creative people go through creative annuals or other books showing large amounts of work by top creative people. (Author David Carter calls this process "solitary brainstorming.") The Big Book of New Design Ideas was created for this specific purpose. Each piece was selected based on its potential to trigger an idea in the mind of the reader. Look at the logo section: you'll see a lot of different techniques there. Suddenly, you see a logo that "triggers" an idea. And that idea may have nothing at all to do with the one you just saw. That's pretty much how this book works. For everybody who uses the works of others to inspire their own ideas, this book is the one that should be on the shelf.

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Folklore Galore! (for flowers, plants & trees)
Obviously much time and effort went into researching this book, Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees. Excellent line drawings and b/w illustrations used appropriately. Includes European and Asian sources of information and illustrations. Quotes and all illustrations are excerpted from early printed sources - some dating back to 13th century.

Great layout design of text and illustrations. Text is concise yet informative on specific topics. An easy-to-use book!

*Table of Contents:

1) Sacred plants (including trees of life & knowledge) and specific plants;

2) Flower lore and legend (alphabetized by common flower & tree names)

3) Strange and wondrous plants (ex: Apple of Sodom, Ice plant, and Tree of Sorrow)

4) Flower Calendar - seasons, flowers of the month, both Chinese & Japanese flower calendars

5) Language of Flowers - Sentiments and symbolism

A good general background source book for those interested in folklore or historical "roots" of common and less common plants meanings. A basic source book for all who enjoy nature hikes and telling stories about plants along the way. Not only do readers learn more about their ancestors' views and beliefs of specific plants but also a new way of seeing the natural world around us. ... Read more

Book Description

Offering an exploration of Western and World civilization's cultural heritage, this book is richly illustrated, beautifully designed and engaging. Readers move chronologically through major periods and styles—from the renaissance and mannerism in Italy to 20th Century America—to gain insight into the achievements and ideas in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, philosophy, religion, and music. For arts and cultural coordinators, professionals and enthusiasts. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Finest humanities textbook I've seen
We used this textbook for a humanities survey course at my high school. My teacher said it was the finest he'd seen out of dozens, and after using it for his class, I have to agree. The art, maps, pictures, and everythinghelp bring the past to life, and the text, while easy to read, sayseverything it needs to. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An excellent overview
Australian Aboriginal art is gaining international recognition, and rightly so. It is an art form driven by the culture of the artsists, and this book covers the traditional works of desert Australia, and also touches on more the more contemporary works of urban dwellers. These works are vibrant and alive, and the illustrations do justice to the richness of the work. The accompanying text is detailed and authoritative.

If you are interested in the art works of other cultures, or even art in its broadest sense, you will find many of the works presented in this volume to be quite different, even provocative. Others are as spectacular as any landscape known to the Western world.

This is an excellent introduction to a complex topic, and a worthy addition to any library.

Companion to Aboriginal Art and Culture
This book was recently reviewed on the Sunday Arts program on ABC television in Australia. The book presents an authoratitive overview of the origins and development of Aboriginal Art and Culture in Australia.

It presents information in an easy to read format with enough detail to satisify most readers. It even includes sections on contemporary Aboriginal artists including Lin Onus. There are many colour illustrations of artwork to illustrate the narrative text.

A must have book for those interested in the history and contemporary state of Aboriginal Art and Culture in Australia. ... Read more

Book Description

¿Qué misterio se oculta tras la sonrisa de la celebre Mona Lisa? .Durante siglos, la Iglesia ha conseguido mantener oculta la verdad… hasta ahora.

Uno de los libros con mas tiempo en el tope de la lista de los Best Sellers del New York Times!.... El Código Da Vinci,ahora en un audiolibro narrado en español del bestseller internacional de Dan Brown,producido exclusivamente por FONOLIBRO, el cual no podrá dejar de escuchar hasta que llegue al inesperado final.

Mientras se encontraba en un viaje de negocios en Paris, Robert Langdon, experto en simbologia de la universidad de Harvard, recibe una llamada urgente a media noche. Jacques Saunière, el último Gran Maestre de una sociedad secreta que se remonta a la fundación de los Templarios, ha sido asesinado en el museo del Louvre. Saunière antes de morir transmite a su nieta Sofía una misteriosa clave. Saunière y sus predecesores, entre los que se encontraban hombres como Isaac Newton o Leonardo Da Vinci, han conservado durante siglos un conocimiento que puede cambiar completamente la historia de la humanidad. Ahora Sofía, con la ayuda Robert Langdon, comienza la búsqueda de ese secreto, en una trepidante carrera que les lleva de una clave a otra, descifrando mensajes ocultos en los más famosos cuadros del genial pintor y en las paredes de antiguas catedrales. Un rompecabezas que deberán resolver pronto, ya que no están solos en el juego: una poderosa e influyente organización católica está dispuesta a emplear todos los medios para evitar que el secreto salga a la luz.

FonoLibro, lider en audiolibros en espanol,les trae una afamada historia sobre un apasionante juego de claves escondidas, sorprendentes revelaciones, acertijos ingeniosos, verdades, mentiras, realidades históricas, mitos, símbolos, ritos, misterios y suposiciones en una trama llena de giros inesperados narrada con un ritmo imparable que conduce al oyente hasta el secreto más celosamente guardado del inicio de nuestra era. ... Read more