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 (5)

Invaluable
This was the first book I came across where the author is speaking from his heart, his style is right up my alley, and he keeps it simple. I paint on-site and his approach is an inspiration. I come back to this book regularly to get an energy boost and remind myself of the concepts. Another similar book I enjoy is "Trevor Chamberlain: Light and Atmosphere in Watercolour: A Personal View" (Atelier Series.)

Best of it's style out there
I keep coming back to this book and it is becoming my main mentor and guide on my watercolor path. Stabin is of the one stroke, no glazes, on location in an hour school of painting, and if that is what appeals to you, he is the master. I have collected several books on this approach but both his actual paintings and his tips are far superior to the others. Under his tutleage I have grown as a painter far more than with any other book or teacher. Highly recommended.

Attractive and inspiring -- good philosophy for watercolor
(4.5*) I thought I had given up buying watercolor books but this inspired me enough to purchase again. Probably not a beginners book -- but good for somebody that already has the basics nailed and is looking for inspiration to move to the next level or perhaps looking to develop a looser style (although Mel's work is hardly loose for the most part, it is refreshing clean and relatively simple yet effective). The images rather than the text was my mean reason for buying (although I like the concepts presented) -- I am beyond the beginner books now, so it is important for me that the images are inspiring.

The images presented cover a nice range, including tropical and local scenes, water scenes, figure drawing and portraits.

Highlights:
- I love the pictures, Mel's style, subject and composition appeal greatly to me. Personal taste I guess.

- love the philosophy: simple, fast, focused -- that is what watercolor is all about to me and what I strive for.

-- Mel provides some useful insights that help get the right mindset for this approach

Low points:
None really. If pushed:

- Mel's attractive and distinctive figure drawing style could easily be mistaken for that of Charles Reid, very similar -- but it is a great style that I want to see more of, so I can't complain.

-- the fairly sparse text is less inspiring that the images. The images are great though, so they are tough act to follow --
and this is an art book!

It very attractive and inspiring watercolor book. Recommended!

This is a beautiful book!
I find the concepts easy to grasp and the demonstrations clearly laid out. A few more demonstrations would be useful but not necessary. I've been struggling to move to a looser, more emotional painting style and this "simple, fast and focused" concept seems to be just what I need to point me in the right direction.

Mel Stabin captures the essence of watercolor
Using Stabin's formula of the "big three", simplify, think and focus, will lead to beautiful, clear and appealing paintings. Very helpful for beginning to experienced painters. Color illustrations of Stabin's own work provide an excellant example of capturing the essence of watercolor. ... Read more

Book Description

This valuable resource explores professional degree programs in studio art, dance, music, and theater. Every important facet—from admissions criteria to contact information—of more than 1,000 programs at over 600 institutions is included, so anyone interested in studying the visual or performing arts can make the right choice. ... Read more

Book Description

This reference and instructional manual contains a detailed, thoroughly analyzed, well-supported comparison of the four Pacific Northwest First Nations art styles. There are 800 clear, detailed illustrations accompanied by straightforward copy.

Topics include design formline, ovoids, U shapes, S shapes, heads, body parts, and design formation, as well as a step-by-step How to Draw section. 8 1/2" by 11", black and white, durable soft cover, 224 pages. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

If "doing" without understanding is enough...
37 pages of curriculum instruction, 3 pages of history/meanings, 11 pages to teach you how to draw two ovoids one within the other...

Nice instructors manual and handout source for a kids workshop, but the lack of _meaning_ and information density is very low.

I felt like more than half of the book is missing, perhaps volume 2 has more meaningful discusion.

All in all, not a bad book, but not what I was hoping for, if you want an intense course on the mechanics of drawing NWNA, then this is it. If you are teaching children, this is a good resource too.

good beginnings.
This book is an excellent opening into NW Coastal art. It does not address the meanings or legends but mainly how designs are created and build up of elements. Lots of illustrations. Its an excellent reference for the carver or artist wanting to work with the designs (note: no carving techniques etc are discussed; just design but that is enough)

Full of information = full of courage
I bought this book during an Alaskan cruise. By the time we reached our 3rd stop, Ketchikan, we were comfortably literate in North Coast Indian art. (Not experts!) I impressed a carver by being able to identify the animals in the totem pole he was carving. Being able to identify the animals gave our trip a richness we would not have had.
But even better, this wonderful volume, full of instructions, gave me the courage to try to draw something and I am NOT an artist. However, we now have a family totem: a North Coast Indian art version of our Norwich terrier. This book was worth every penny. I can't wait until the volume 2 comes out.

One of the best books on the topic
I've purchased EVERY book I can find on the topic of Pacific Northwest Coast Native Indian artwork (currently I have over 40), and this is one of the best, especially if you want to try your hand at this type of artwork.

This book contains tons of examples, explanations, and a nice amount of info about the tribes and styles. This is the only book I've found with a section that actually takes you step-by-step through the process of creating some Northwest Coast art! (Note that the recently-published volume 2 also does.)

If you want to try your hand at drawing this kind of art, I recommend that you buy "Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast" by Hilary Stewart as an excellent book for giving you an overview and feel for the art form, buy this book and volume 2 by the same authors for the extensive examples and how-to information, and I also recommend "An Analysis of Form" by Bill Holm, which is the single most in-depth study of the elements that are used in PNWC artwork.

Cultivate a Satisfying New Hobby
Talented teacher/author Karin Clark and gifted multi-faceted artist Jim Gilbert have produced a truly remarkable new gem of a book about Pacific Northwest Native Indian art. Called Learning by Designing, this comphrehensive ,innovative and lavishly illustrated book offers not only an interesting and thorough history of the various native art forms indigenous to the Pacific Northwest but includes easy to understand step-by-step instructions suitable for both novice and experienced artists. As a neophyte student of this art form , I was surprised at the quality of my own work. In addition, I found the process to be pleasantly relaxing as well. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete practical course for beginners-a step-by-step guide to the fine art of lettering. Throughout the book, structured exercises and practical step-by-step demonstra-tions help you put your new skills into action. 8 projects. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Easy to Learn Calligraphy
I just sent out 200 elegant wedding invitations all done in Calligraphy that i learned from "Calligraphy School" in the last two months. i had never picked up a calligraphy pen and could not find any local classes so i bought this book to give it a try but was certain i would probably be hiring someone to do the calligraphy on my wedding invitations.

The book is interesting, easy to follow, has great instructions, modern colored pages, and a great font selection but not too overwhelming. i have the worst handwriting in the world and this book was able to teach me the basics in calligraphy. Worth every Penny and more.

suggestion to beginners - start with the thicker felt tip calligraphy pens till you master the letter flows and than change to the calligraphy cartridge pens (Scheaffer has been the best).

Wonderful
"Calligraphy School" is everything I was hoping it would be when I ordered it. Beautifully written, informative, gorgeous lay-out, very inspiring. I brought it to my calligraphy class to show the instructor and the other students, and they were as impressed as I. The book takes the student from Roman Serifs to the Lindesfarne Gospels and carolingian minuscules through to the Renaissance and some of the modern italic hands-- very comprehensive. Besides just the letterforms of virtually all the important alphabets throughout history, the authors also address the basics (and beyond) of applying a watercolor wash, interpreting text though color and design, even working with metallic leaf and illuminated letterforms! Pages and pages featuring the work of the most talented calligraphers. An absolutely beautiful book and very inspiring, as I said before, but it bears repeating.

Excels in step-by-step instructions
A very detailed introduction to calligraphy aimed at people who have NO prior experience. Pens, paper, ink are all covered in an unintimidating fashion. In tutorial fashion, the authors move from basic letter forms all the way to illuminating with gold leaf. Thorougly illustrated.

good beginners' reference
Quite a good reference guide for beginners. Plenty of examples and step by step guide. Projects are excellent ways for anyone to put their skills to practice. Get your money's worth.

excellent
This book was used in the cyberstudy in 1998 to study the Foundational hand. There is both an overseas version and an American version. This caused a little confusion in the participants. It was an excellent text. However, I also had to use live instruction in some cases to fully understand the given lesson on the web. It will remain a good reference book for this beginner. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good book for an absolute beginner
I just started with watercolor and am an absolute beginner, full of expectations and fears. I bought several books "for beginners" at the same time. All of them give you a list of supplies and helpful advises on what kind of paper, brushes, paints you need etc. That helps if you are a beginner. Most of those books then give a short review of different techniques. Than, many of them leave you alone in front of beautiful paintings with short comments. It obviously addressed to people with some experience in painting who may learn from it.
The book of Jack Reid is exactly what it says on it's cover: it helps you to get started. After usual introductions it gives you many projects to develop and practice your skills starting form easiest exercises. (You just play with your brushes and get use to watercolor paints first). That's encouraging and valuable if you can 't attend a workshop. I would recommend it for a beginner as myself.

Excellent book and great paintings
I was completely captured by the reprints of Jack Raid's paintings included in this book. This book includes detailed examples and clear instruction steps, is the best Watercolor beginner's book I ever seen. Jack made the art of watercolor painting looks so simple yet elegant. I hope Jack continues to publish more advanced books for students who can't attend his workshops.

Fantastic way to get started.
This is a really fantastic beginner book that will have you painting very nice watercolors very soon. The instructions are easy to follow. You will be surprised at how easy it is to get started painting in this very demanding medium. Highly recommended for all beginners.

Best Book For Beginners
I had assembled nearly a dozen books on watercolor painting instruction and techniques. I wish I had bought this book first. While the other books do contain useful instruction, the demonstrations--beautiful, inspiring--are often too difficult for the beginning painter. Not so with this book.

The book begins at the beginning, with no assuptions of a certain level of skill. The book then takes you through a series of exercises, based on certain basic skill such as a flat or gradated wash, proceeding to still more difficult techniques. Yet the exercises are sufficiently simple, with easy to reproduce sketches, that you end up with a small work of art: simple, but solidly founded in an essential technique and its mastery.

There are also sections which focus on monochromatic studies to help the student think about and approach the concept of values. The exercises in these sections enable the beginning painter to produce lovely, sophisticated-looking pictures with just a few newly mastered concepts and techniques. I have never before been so pleased with the results of my exercise paintings than those introduced in this book.

I think this book would be an excellent, even essential, item for the beginning painter looking for a solid foundation in this often capriciously difficult medium. I cannot recommend this book more highly. Thank you to Jack Reid for this marvelous book.

Excellent introduction of techniques for the beginner
Jack Reid does an excellent job of introducing the basic watercolor techniques to the novice. These include wash, graded wash, dry-brush, and wet into wet. He also provides insight on materials that will be valuable to those entering those intimidating art supply stores. The techniques are presented in the form of several exercises with limited palettes. This helps the beginner not only in learning the techniques, but having a direction in which to go for practicing them. The book also introduces painters to value, color, and composition. In the last portion of the book, there are more in depth projects that will challenge the reader who has begun to master the techniques presented earlier. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great art book to get ideas from!
This book was given to me as a gift and I have enjoyed using it as a jumping off point for my kids in elementary art lessons. It is well organized and even helps teachers out by categorizing the chapters by type of art and then from simple to more complex projects. My only complaint (and this is small) is that it would include better examples and descriptions of the steps to get to the finished product. All of the projects are shown in one page with a simple black-and-white picture on the opposite side. I would have liked to have seen the more step-by-step examples. most teachers will not have any problems using or adapting this book to their needs! Overall, it was well worth it and evne better that I got it as a gift! ... Read more

Book Description

The art of monotype has experienced a surge of popularity in recent years, and artists working in other mediums will enjoy exploring the creative potential this process offers them. A brief history of monotype is followed by a comprehensive chapter on materials. The step-by-step instructions are accompanied by some of the finest examples of monotype being done today. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great demonstation of incredible effects using monotype
There seems to be very limited information available on the technique of monotype. This book fills that void by demonstrating the incredible variety of effects possible using the monotype method. There are no projects, per se, rather it teaches techniques that help you create your own masterpieces. Many pieces of example artwork are found throughout the book.

A monotype is a one-of-a-kind print made by transferring a painted image to paper. The book starts out with an introduction to materials including plates, mediums, solvents, panting tools and paper as well as hand and press transfer equipment. It also covers studio safety and finding workshop facilities.

Techniques are next including working into a light or dark field and both hand and press transfer.
These include step-by-step instructions accompanied by demonstration photos. Working in specific mediums including watercolor, acrylics, water-soluble writing instruments, monoprint paints (Createx), oil paints, water-based oils and alkyds follows. A section discussing special oil-based printing inks for lithography, etching, printing and serigraphy is also here. There is even a chapter on special techniques including using masks & stencils, embossing and creating collages.

The final chapter gives an overview of monoprints, which combine monotype with other print making processes, and mixed-media monotypes. This includes intaglio, drypoint and engraving, as well as linocut and collagraphic monoprints.

There is a nice list of suppliers as well as interesting biographical notes on the artists featured in the back. This is a great book that displays the great diversity in mediums and results available with monotype.

Great Resource and Guide
This book is a valuable resource of methods used in making monotypes. Ms. Ayres reviews every aspect of making a monotype from the tools, the ink or paint, and the process of transferring the image. All the printmaking terms used when describing this art are expertly explained and illustrated. It is clearly not a medium restricted to artists familiar with printmaking. The work of many artists are presented along with the ingenuity they have used to transfer their work. A very valuable resource book both for the artist and those wishing to learn more about this art form. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A great resource
I really don't think that any artist can survive with just one book on the shelf. This book is a great resource with beautiful step by step photographs. I recommend it to someone with a little experience and foundation. This book is not too intensive but also does not hold your hand at every step. A resource to add to your library. It helped me relax my style a bit.

Technical rendering....
Ann Pember, author of PAINTING CLOSE-FOCUS FLOWERS IN WATERCOLOR has a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston in fashion design and illustration. Before she became a free-lance illustrator, she worked as a commercial artist for many years. Photos in her book show the professional studio where she works. Technically, her work is nearly perfect. I don't particularly care for her rendering of her subject matter as it stikes me as too "commercial" and not very painterly at all, but much can be learned from her book if you have had no other exposure.

Ms. Pember's background in fashion design and illustration are apparent in her work. She takes the reader from photographs of flowers to watercolors of those photographed flowers in several steps. She reveals how the eye is attracted by asymetry (offsetting of the center) and the placement of elements; how backlighting and focused lighting affect the appearance of the subject; how surfaces and background affect the paint and matter in the execution of a watercolor. She spends some time addressing color, but Ms. Pember is not a colorist. She is more concerned with line and the arrangement of elements in a design.

The end result from my perspective are flowers that are somewhat overcontrolled, although she gives the unpracticed eye the exact opposite impression. In the end, her flowers are contrived and not original. The watercolorist can acquire some interesting tips for creating pleasing paintings, but if producing art for commercial purposes is not your goal you may find Pember's book less rewarding.

Capturing Flowers "Up-Close and Personal"
I love looking at this book! For years I have been filing away myriads of floral photos with the hope that one day I might attempt to capture them in paint. I muse over these photos from time to time wondering just how a painter might do them justice. I need wonder no more. In Ann Pember's "Painting Close-Focus Flowers in Watercolor", she has been able to demonstrate a variety of step-by-fluid-step techniques to bring high drama to the world of simple blooms. Her close-ups of hollyhocks, gloxinias; and peonies float upon the pages which are jam-packed with carefully chosen, eye-pleasing colors. Thankfully, the vibrancy of Ms. Pember's palette has been well-reproduced in the printing process. There is so much valuable information packed into this book. One should read it from cover to cover initially to pick up all the helpful hints. What a wealth of knowledge Ms. Pember has shared with her readers including: preferences for specific papers, paints and brushes; how to avoid turning paints into "mud"; and my toughest assignment - how to see shapes and values as patterns; to mention a few. Ann Pember's close-up compositions are outstanding. Even if my attempts pale in comparison to this well-seasoned artist's, she is very encouraging. She reinforces the idea that given some degree of perseverence and practice, we too may develop our own means of capturing nature's beauties "up-close and personal". ... Read more

Book Description

Following the best-selling Workbook format, each lesson in this introduction to pastel begins with a list of aims, together with clear instructions on how to achieve them. Step-by-step demonstrations, annotated artworks and finished paintings reveal the whole process in detail, while practical exercises allow beginners to build up their own invaluable workbook. A book to inspire all those new to this adaptable and lively medium. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

GREAT BOOK FOR BEGINNERS!!
I am an absolute beginner and have bought many pastel books and this is one of the 2 best i have.It assumes you know nothing, which for me, was true.It begins with basic marks and techniques and progresses into making pictures. I gained much confidence by going through this well organized book. If you are an absolute beginner, buy it!!!

Fine for novices
Being a painter most of my life, I decided to try my hand at pastels after a good friend of mine gave me a small set for Christmas. I soon found that pastels are very different than paints (I actually thought you could mix the colors like paint), so I started looking for some printed guidance. After reading the glowing reviews about this workbook, I decided to take the plunge and buy this book. After all, it was pretty cheap. What could I lose?
All I can say is if you are an experienced artist, this book is not for you. Over half of the lessons deal with the obvious design problems any first year art student is confronted with. If you know anything about composition and color, then you can skip the first half completely, except maybe the materials page. Most of the early exercises are pretty elementary, but I suppose that is necessary for anyone who is either new to painting or very dependent on guidance.
The second half gets better with applications and demonstrations. They are simple enough not to overpower someone new to the medium. Yet they convey enough information to carry a person through to more complex compositions. It was enough to show a painter like me at least a rudimentary approach to pastel solutions. Was it worth the money? Yeah, I suppose so, but I believe there are probably a lot better books out there for a little bit more money. So I will keep looking and buying.

WOW! What a PASTEL WORKBOOK!!
Simple,direct, easy to follow. It helps you become comfortable with the idea of what are pastels and how to use them!! One of the best pastel book for step by step practice.

Private tutor with half a price
I am new to this medium and therefore eager to find a good book which would not only teach me the basics of pastels, but also how to improve my skills even further. So when I came upon Jackie Simmonds' Pastel Workbook, it was exactly the kind of book I was looking for. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. Compared to the books on pastels out there in the market I think this is by far the best for beginners and even for those in the intermediate level. This book "baby sits" you. It goes through every step in great detail. You really cannot go wrong, but if you do she teaches you how to make corrections. The book has full color illustrations and the pictures are taken at a close shot so you do not have to wonder if it's a sidestroke or a thin line. The book has ten lessons and every lesson in this book begins with an aim and ends with a tip. Lesson one introduces you to the materials and equipment while lesson two shows you how to use your pastel to create the different strokes, followed by how to form shapes, the use of colors to create the different effects and so forth. Once you are comfortable with the terms and use of pastels she gradually teaches you to compose pictures, paint beautiful landscapes, paint skies and winter scenes. This book does not frustrate you is all I can say as you get to see instant results in your artwork. Having this book is truly like having my good old art instructor Mr. Albert beside me but even better because I can use the book as a reference whenever I need to. I have noticed great improvement in my pastel skills in just a few days of acquiring this book. My friends could hardly believe that I did not take a class in pastel drawing. I give five stars to Jackie Simmond's book. It's worth every cent I paid for. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Awful... this deserves NO stars...
Luckily I only borrowed this book and didd't waste any money on it...
I bet your an artist who'd love to have a better understanding of light, right? Of how it reacts in different situations and fun stuff like that? Just because this seems to be the only book out there, it does not make it any good.
It's a selfish excuse for a gallery ofhis work. If you like galleries, buy it.

However I was looking for something that would allow me to understand how light worked in different situations. I reccomend, instead of this, "Light and Shade (Barron's Art Handbooks: Green Series)"
Much better.... it actually explains rather then expecting you to know already.

Worthless Picture Book
This is not a how to book. This is a picture book. The author is a consumate artist, no doubt about that, but the publishers have marketed it in such a way as to suggest that you...the reader...will learn how it can be done. Not true. The author merely shows countless numbers of his own work. This leaves you to guess how it can be done. If you are a fan of the authors work then add this to your collection. If you want a book on how to render lighting effects in your own work then pass this book bye.

Disappointing
I bought this book because i thought i could learn something .... actually i didn't ... this book just a gallery for the author ... it just contain drawings in black and white and you are suppose to see & take an idea ... if you are looking for a book for learning .... choose another book ... don't wast your money.

50/50
Honestly i was expecting more, this book doesnt have the drawing ( shading in this case ) process explained in such a good way as some other books. But its not so bad, I guess this book is worth getting after you got the others, Im not sure if I will stil buy Burne Hogarth books, maybe I will, but definetly AFTER I buy other art books im interested in buying. (...)

Good Book For Aspiring Comic Artists

As the father of the Tarzan character and art, and the co-founder of the School of Visual Arts with silas rhodes, Burne Hogarth is far qualified to teach the fundamentals of great figure drawing. His Drawing Series of Books should be on the shelves of any aspiring comic artist.

For more information on his books and a short collected listing of other useful books for aspiring comic artists and illustrators available in Amazon.com, visit der Mudgecko's Reading List for Comic Artists at: ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Outstanding book you'll refer to again & again...
This is a gem of a book that I find myself referring back to time and time again. The illustrations are lavish and the technique instructions and description of materials are clear and concise. I find new inspiration each time I refer to this book. I have found, however, it's not a good idea to read it at night before going to bed. Invariably it gets me so inspired, I am compelled to get up and start a new creative project in the middle of the night! There is truly a wealth of information and inspiration contained in this book. Many unusual techniques and materials are also covered. Highly recommended!

Absolutely Awesome!
This is by far my most favorite book.......It is inspiring and has loads of ideas and "how-to's" for different techniques!
This is a must-have!

arteffects
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO GET THE JUICES FLOWING. THERE IS NO WAY TO EVEN THUMB THROUGH THIS WORK WITHOUT FINDING SOMETHING TO INSPIRE YOU NO MATTER HOW DEEP OF A SLUMP YOU FIND YOURSELF IN. THIS BOOK IS EQUALY GOOD FOR THE NOVICE OR THE SEASONED PROFFESIONAL. EVEN KIDS LOVE IT!children must be superviced!!! I ONLY HAVE TWO REGRETS, 1 THERE IS NO SEQUEL& 2 I ONLY HAVE A SOFT COVER EDITION WHICH IS MESSY FROM USE. THE LAST THING I,D LIKE TO MENTION IS THAT NON ARTISTS CAN LOOSE THERE FEAR WITH A BOOK LIKE THIS.

Wonderful for paper artits, very creative, inspirational
As a rubber stamper & paper arts lover I found this book very useful. It is packed with tons of ideas and numerous color photos inspired me. I would recommend this book to anyone who ever runs out of creative ideas or needs some inspiration.

Included in this book are many techniques for creating stunning & unique backgrounds in almost every media type. Ideas include texturing with sand, freezing or microwaving ink, and using a non-stick spray as a resist.

However, this book is not just for backgrounds. Painting techniques for many mediums are also included. There are original and helpful ideas for using pastels, acrylics, oils, inks, gouache and watercolor.

Finally, to my surprise and delight, it also covered encaustic painting, carving on hardboard & then painting it, impasto effects and many original ideas for batik type work. Get this book and use it! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

What a goldmine!
This is one of the most practical and teacher-friendly books I have ever purchased. I teach art at an elementary school and my students have loved using the techniques and projects from this book!

Topal provides excellent examples throughout including lovely color reproductions of both children's and professional artwork. Her explanations are clear and the materials list is not extravagant for most of the projects.

Every regular classroom teacher would benefit from the beautifully layed out art elements and principles in this book. At the very least it would be worth having as a resource in a school library. This book is a keeper! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I feel like I can be a teacher of art after reading this!
Found this book in my local library and dind't want to return it. I don't really like Gloria Foss's paintings, but she is an amazing teacher. Very well structered, clear, very detailed, covers everything that seemed so confusing to me before. It gave me so much confidence, that I feel like I can be a teacher of art now. It's expensive, but it's the only book you need. It covers media, tools, drawing, perspective, color theory, 3-dimensional shadowing, composition, design and everything is easily understandable. The chapter on design gave me more information than a course in interior design that I took.

I'm buying it!
I got this book out of the library among many other techniques books in various mediums on painting, composition, drawing, color theory, and this one is the best and most clearly comprehensive one I've read. Pricey, but I am buying it as a reference book.

Excellent reference book for beginner or advanced.
It's not often one finds a book that is this usefull. Filled with good advice and examples, color and B&W, that would be usefull to beginning or experienced painters. This book refrains from trying to teach a particular style of painting. Rather it covers subjects of interest to all painters in oil. I am primarily an acrylic painter but that has never detracted from the usefullness of this book. There are chapters on structural drawing, perspective, modeling, basic and advanced color theory, composition and design, color in landscape, even "Practical concerns for the emerging artist." The color theory chapters are particularly good, with examples and exhaustive color tables to help one learn one of the most difficult parts of painting, the use of color. One may or may not like Foss's style of painting, but this book is designed to help you learn the techniques that will allow you to find your own style.

Teach yourself to paint
The writter has successfuly bring a live a classroom lesson as well as a complete guide to deal with oil painting. I've read a few other similiar book and this book had demostrate a true dedication to education than just oil painting for hobbies. I had a wonderful time reading it and learning to paint. I hope to own a copy of this book as my own. ... Read more

Book Description

THE ART OF WRITING ABOUT ART is designed for ease of use and can serve as a quick reference for students writing various types of essays, research papers, exhibition reviews, or even examinations. The premise of the book is that students in all disciplines, not just English, should be required to write well and that their instructors should hold these writing assignments to high standards. THE ART OF WRITING ABOUT ART not only emphasizes skills in college-level composition, but also in verbalizing the experience of art-the historical, social, economic, and political forces that shape art and artists; art theory; and the interplay between artist and viewer. ... Read more

Book Description

This important resource is essential to any artist who is interested in using the time-honored medium of egg tempera to achieve the luminous effects that can't be duplicated by any other medium. Complete with step-by-step photography, the book elucidates all stages of preparation, development, and completion of egg tempera paintings. Formal issues such as the depiction of light, color, form, and detail are discussed.

Altoon Sultan's paintings are in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other fine institutions. Represented by the Marlborough Gallery, she lives in Groton, Vermont. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good Introductory Text
This book is an excellent modern alternative to Daniel V. Thompson's useful, but dated book, which I find mired in 'thirties philosophy and art theory. Ms. Sultan lays out the materials and techniques well, not only her own preferences but also other possibilities. I was pleased to see a small but handy section in the back where a number of diverse egg tempera painters with widely varying styles spoke briefly about their own approaches. This is a very good introductory text.

The Only Current 'How-To' for Egg Tempera Painting
While I own and have read Daniel V. Thompson, Jr.'s book The Practice of Tempera Painting I'm glad I have Sultan's book as well. I don't know how hatching and cross-hatching can be construed as "uninspired" since this is the traditional method egg tempera artists employ to create paintings. Neither is Sultan's book a "dumbed-down" instruction manual of Thompson's book. The Luminous Brush is a complete book on egg tempera painting itself. The one main technique Thompson's book covers which The Luminous Brush doesn't is gilding.

The Luminous Brush will appeal to people who appreciate the many step-by-step photos showing how to prepare your own grounds, the amount of pigment paste to egg yolk to water ratios, etc. The author provides exercises for the reader using ink and/or gouache for practicing egg tempera painting techniques so the transition to egg tempera itself will be easy. There are chapters on painting landscapes, skies, rough and smooth textures as well as a chapter showing new experimental approaches to egg tempera painting by guest artists. There is a bibliography and sources selling pigments, grounds or other materials for use in egg tempera painting.

Unless you are planning to employ gold gilding in your egg tempera paintings or want to read chapters on which paint pigments to buy that were current as of 1936 (some now known to present health risks and made obsolete by safer, lightfast alternatives) The Luminous Brush will be just fine for anyone wanting to get started.

Keep Looking!
This book by Altoon Sultan is basically a dumbed-down version of Daniel V. Thompson, Jr.'s excellent introduction to the medium in his book The Practice of Tempera Painting. While photographs abound, they are most useful in displaying Sultan's uninspired use of hatching and cross-hatching. If your looking at acquiring this book because you are a Sultan fan, it might be just the thing to help you understand how her images are made. If you want a good instructional book on egg tempera, keep looking!

A Luminous Book on Egg Tempera
In this luminous and exquisitely presented book Altoon Sultan vividly conveys a sense of the richness inherent in this ancient medium. Sultan eschews the pitfalls of most art instruction books that purvey pat formulas, which lead merely to a hobbyist's superficial and empty technique. Rather, while providing a rigorously detailed and clearly delineated process--each step accompanied by lush, illustrative photographs and a very directly written text--Sultan encourages and leaves room for individual adaptation; which is precisely one of this work's greatest strengths. The text is further amplified by a rich array of the author's own masterful works, as well as samples ranging from the first century A.D. to the present. She includes abstract work that is predicated on spontaneity and improvisation, properties not generally associated with this medium. This is in fact a large and generous work that conveys the author's articulately expressed sense of excitement at the possibilities she has discovered in tempera and eloquently invites us to explore.

A Long Neglected Topic, and a great medium
As a teacher and painter who works in different mediums including egg tempera, I implore others teaching to acquire this book for the classroom as well as private study. I have long been a fan of Tooker and Wyeth, and I'm pleased to see Altoon Sultan spreading the word via work and intelligent instruction.It is wonderfully economical as well! ... Read more

Book Description

With the significantly increased popularity of fantasy films, TV, and books in recent years, the work of fantasy artists is in demand as never before. This art instruction manual, written by a noted fantasy artist, coaches students in methods of portraying convincing fantasy figures in all media—pencil, watercolor, acrylics, oils, and computer-generated pixel points. Following a discussion of needed tools and equipment, the author instructs on techniques for drawing convincing fantasy characters and their worlds, with attention to their faces, bodies, action, and costume styles. He advises on the creation of heroes and heroines, villains and wizards, dragons and man-like beasts. Separate chapters deal with different art media, and a final section on computer art covers everything from the basic desktop setup to methods of creating special effects. This beautifully produced book features more than 250 instructive, vividly-colored illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent book (in a lonely field)
There aren't very many illustration books out there that deal with drawing from the imagination. Most are concerned only with drawing from nature, from a model, still life, etc. There's the Encyclopedia of Fantasy Art, of course, but that is more of a collection of examples, and not much of a learning resource. And there are a few well-known comic book titles, but they are mostly dated and directed at the pre-teen crowd.

Cowan's book, however, fills this gap nicely. It has a great look and is very informative. The only reason it doesn't get the full 5 stars is because it tries to cover too much material. Two books -- one on drawing and one on painting -- would have been much better, as it would have allowed more detailed coverage of both topics.

All in all, though, highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

Based upon the author's own successful workshops, Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner helps new artists create competent, often eloquent drawings. A series of progressive lessons demonstrates such essential skills as recording edges, creating dimension, adding accuracy, developing value, balancing compositional elements, and drawing the human face, both frontal and profile views. Step by step, readers learn how to create a reasonable likeness of an object and give it spatial depth using such simple black-and-white mediums as pens, pencils, charcoal, and graphite wash. Inspirational examples and tips for success from beginning students who have worked on the same material confirm readers' successes, and allow readers to consider the advice and impressions of others at the same level. ... Read more