Book Description

The production and appreciation of art involves thought processes that have excluded from traditional measures of human intelligence. This book, written by a leading cognitive scientist, makes a compelling case for broadening these definitions and discusses the value other cultures place on artistic abilities.Gardner explores the function of art in human development as well as the strategies children employ in the process of constructing images. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Thinking & Expression
Being an artist and teaching art, I found that Gardner's paper put intowords so much of what an artist does naturally.Incorporating reflectionabout one's own artwork, about a classmate's, and about the"masters" is so very important in teaching art and in bringingchildren to think critically and creatively.By interweaving reflectionwith expression, Gardner has identified the cognitive science that can takeplace so naturally in the art classroom.Another book which also expoundson the importance of thinking skills and how naturally that can be achievedin art education is Perkin's Intelligent Eye. I highly recommend Gardner'sbook, especially to art educators in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the third volume in Jerry Yarnell's exciting new series, with ten beautiful painting projects to enjoy. Jerry Yarnell thrills beginning and intermediate artists with the tricks and techniques they need to perform "magic" on the canvas. He encourages readers to master the basic technical aspects of painting, such as composition, design, perspective, negative space, color mixing, values and color coordination. Each step-by-step project is designed to provide a unique set of new artistic challenges to overcome.With insightful advice and practical instruction, Jerry makes it easy for every artist to improve and expand their repertoire of skills and build true artistic confidence. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Painting Magic by Jerry Yarnell
Excellent book!Very detailed step by step instructions for each painting right down to colors to mix and brushes to use.Highly recommended.

Instruction, Inspiriation and Fun
This book is a welcome addition to the vast repository of teaching materials by Jerry Yarnell.The paintings are more intricate and challenging than in the previous two books. There are moody seas and skies, dramatic cliffs, serene settings, quaint buildings, and birds, elk and a variety of wildlife in the compositions.The step by step instructions are comprehensive, with excellent and detailed color photos of each step.Mr. Yarnell does a terrific job of reiterating and expanding on the fine art techniques that form the basis of all of his teaching material.If you are looking for an instructional painting book that is beyond the beginners level, then you should find this book inspirational, challenging and fun. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Oils are perhaps the most versatile of all paint mediums. Yet for many artists oil painting is either shrouded in mystique or considered very difficult. Filled with clear, step-by-step instructions and surefire strategies, The Complete Oil Painter is an essential, one-stop guide to becoming an expert in every aspect of this medium. Artists will discover everything they need to know about materials (pigments, supports, canvases); tools and equipment (palettes, brushes); paint application (wet-into-wet, alla-prima, glazing, impasto); form and color (light and dark, expression, color mixing); exploring themes (still life, portraiture, figure painting); and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rose Szarowicz
A wonderful book that shows incredable artistic talent. Perfect for anyone wanting to learn to paint with oil colours, or to imporove their technique. It also shares a huge amount of information on lighting techniques, best materials to use, equipment and how your studio should look! Uses examples of historical artists work and modern talent to make his point. A well designed and planned book, the best book I've seen on the subject- and a great resource.
Come and see us soon Brian, we miss you and Kim!

An Excellent Reference
This book shines among my collection of around 25 books on oil painting technique collected over the past few years during an intense period of self-teaching. I wish I had found Mr. Gorst's book sooner, because of the book's comparitively superior organization and its excellent and carefully chosen technical descriptions with many detailed photos. Included are concise but thorough descriptions and photos of diverse oil painting materials and techniques with insights into the whys and hows of various combinations depending on your desired final effect. Any admirer of the Masters will appreciate Mr Gorst's correlations between his descriptions of various painting techniques and his references to well-known artists who historically used such techniques masterfully. Rarely have I seen an almost side-by-side comparison of multiple, diverse painting processes, from delicate glazing through bold impasto, and the various and subtle combinations possible between. The writings are articulate, clear and concise, and I'm a tough editor. I think this book could be an excellent technical reference for an established artist (which I am not), and the book would be particularly useful to anyone who is still struggling to find his or her preferred technique through experimentation with the diverse materials and style options available. ... Read more

Book Description

For budding printmakers everywhere, here is the classic primer for dozens of simple, practical printmaking techniques, using everyday tools and materials available at hardware stores or supermarkets.In Printmaking for Beginners, readers explore, step by step, such exciting printmaking processes as monotype, relief, intaglio, collograph, screen, and lithography. They learn the basic approaches for each process and the tools, types of paper, equipment, and materials necessary. Also included are tips for safe and sensible working practices as well as information on nontoxic printmaking alternatives. What's more, over 80 fabulous full-color examples from both beginners and accomplished artists illustrate all the diverse, exciting effects possible with the techniques outlined in this inspiring guide. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

...but NOT for collagraphy beginners
Was looking for updated info re collagraphy techniques for newbies and water-based and acrylic inks for same. Gleaned enough from older books to know that collagraphy is relatively easy for beginners because no expensive printmaking press was required to apply pressure, only simple household utensils were quite adequate (and often preferable).

This book devotes seven pages to collagraphy and only mentions an oil-based ink/mechanical press method of producing collagraphic prints. Very disappointing, especially since many professional quality collagraphs today are printed using the manual, "pressless" technique.

If you'd like to begin a more simple printmaking experience by making monoprints, or either wood or linoleum block prints, or perhaps screenprints, then you're in luck. The book is full of clear illustrations, instructions and color repros of finished prints. The other "press-dependent" printmaking methods are well covered here as well. Not heavy on details, but rock-solid on the basics that a beginner needs.

Thus, my rating is: 1 star for collagraphy beginners, and 5 stars for everyone else. 3 stars splits the difference. ... Read more

Book Description

The biggest roadblock to any artist's success is the intellectual brain. In this easy-to-follow guide, readers will learn to silence their enemy within so they can listen more clearly to their visual brain.

It's the visual brain that allows an artist's spirit to shine through--the key to paintings that grab both the eye and the heart. With a variety of step-by-step demonstrations and thoughtful sidebars, readers will learn how to truly see as artists. They'll find sections on: -Negative space -Developing good technique -Center of interest -Value patterns

These in-depth lessons will help artists of all levels improve their work and add more joy to the painting process. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A book on how to see.
This book is very effective in teaching the artist or beginner to see in the language of art, which is shape, color and edge. The medium used in the book is watercolor. The approach to technique is simplified to the essentials to get going in water color, but any medium would apply. I enjoyed the simple approach. The author was a teacher and I'm sure a good one at that. The book wasn't bogged down with unnecessary "how to" stuff. Each chapter covers another aespect of seeing with very understandable text and examples. I found this book to be a good example of how to transulate all that stuff out there into the language of art. If that is what you want to do I recommend it. If on the other hand you wish to spend you time at the art supply store trying all the hundreds of supplies and techniques and not seeing and painting than this book is not for you.
For me the only week part of the book was the last two chapters, but then I've been painting for 25 years.

Now What I Thought It Would Be.....
I was hoping this book would be similar to the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". Although it is attempting to show you basically the same principle, in my opinion, it failed miserably. The first 30 pages of the book are devoted to watercolor techniques. The samples and exercises were few. At one point he asks you to draw the dark shapes and "when you do so, you should notice one very big problem with it", but never refers back to that to tell me if I was seeing it correctly. The book was an interesting read (hence the 3 stars), but as a learning tool I found it profoundly lacking and definately not worth the money. ... Read more

Book Description

    This manual, based on lectures of Frank J Reilly and art teaching experience of the author at County College of Morris. It covers the fundamental concepts of form, planes, and light-and shade that are also applied to the structural understanding of the human figure and head. Analysis of the Munsell Color Theory, color mixes and their application to figure, portrait, and landscape painting is given in the second part of this manual. The stress on craftsmanship and practice, based on knowledge of principles, structural concepts, and color orientation related to painting techniques will lead to development of creativity in the style of an artist. It is the purpose of this manual to serve as a reference guide for art students, art teachers and art professionals. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The quintessential book on how to paint and draw
The Artist's Atelier is very well-organized and detail-oriented, not to mention visually appealing. At first I questioned the highly technical nature of the materials as it seemed at first overly complicated yet the information worked out to be invaluable. After looking at my finished drawings, and paintings I was amazed, thinking to myself "this is the best work I have ever produced so good, I can't believe that I did it", it certainly gives me faith in my abilities and inspires me to try more art. I think the techniques I learned from this book will help me in whatever medium I choose, and I wouldn't be surprised if they helped me draw realistic portraits from life as well.

Henry Doren instructs the reader to use the technics and approached of the old world master to get an exceptional image. He describes in detail how to draw each feature of a face, hand, foot, figure and gives many examples and technique. Finally the reader is encouraged to put it all the technics together and do a full portrait or painting. ... Read more

Book Description

Leaping, somersaulting, stretching, dancing figures animate this gallery of marvelous action poses, photographed for artists of all levels to use as reference when portraying human figures in motion.

Expertly composed and lit pictures of male and female models in suspended action show the body from numerous vantage points. Students practice figure drawing by copying the photos, while advanced artists use them as points of departure, altering body positions to suit specific compositional needs. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

More artists should use this
Do it yourself: just jump. You're almost certain to feel different body masses shifting with the motion. Moving figures really are different.

That's why this book is so valuable. Every image is dynamic and unstable, impossible as static poses. But that's true even of someone walking - it's a sequence of unstable positions.

The poses are all vivid and dynamic. The models are chosen to show not only the movement, but the shifts of body masses, tension of muscles, and play of hair, all things that contribute to the dynamics. The large majority of photos are of women - several different ones, and the variety is worthwhile. In this case, the male minority makes some sense. Most men have more lean mass than women do, so women tend to display more shifts of mass when in motion. There are a few male figures, though, and a few images with infants or more than one model.

This book really does show possibilities that other pose books don't, and that even live models can't. If you ever draw figure, this book will be very useful.

figure in motion
this book was amazing for me to work with. the pictures are kinda grainy, but the shadows and light show the body structure really well. Over 40 pages were devoted to the male figure, although a few of the male photos were hard to decifer where there was shadow or just a really hairy man. Again these are thin models, and i was disappointed that there weren't more curvy girls in this book. A few baby pictures at the end of the book. this is a black and white refrence book so beware if you are looking for colour. But overall this is a good refrence for frolicking drawings and paintings ect. good luck! and happy buying

I Like This Book!
This book has helped my drawing tremendously. Where else can you find photos of figures in these kinds of positions?
I am now far more able to depict dynamic tension, flow, balance and proportion.
Sure the photos are a little grainy and the lighting and printing sometimes don't show every muscle, but this is not an anatomy book. No single book will give you everything. I have taken what I've learned in anatomy books and applied it to the figures in this book.
As a result, I am creating images that are more creative and satisfying then ever before.
This book has helped me go from static posed drawings to characters in action and situations.
I take one star off only because with all the use I give it, the binding hasn't held up well and the pages are starting to come out of the book. I guess sprial binding would be the only way to avoid this problem.
Other than that, I like this book!

Grainy, hard to see, silly, unrealistic poses
I loathe this book, and will sell it. All of the pictures are poorly lit and grainy, which don't show you anything in terms of structure. All of the models are super thin almost to a nauseating point. Its sad when you have to search through the book hoping to find the LEAST ugly person to draw. Also, the poses are in motion. I will give him that. However some of the poses are so funny and unrealistic, that I nearly fell off my chair laughing. We have the "I have an object stuck in my rear" pose and...Some of them are so out there I cannot describe them. I totally do not recommend this book.

i love this book
this book was filled with photos - and that's it. unlike the ones that are filled with instructions and then maybe 2 or 3 photos. this gave me plenty of references to look at while drawing. it has many different positions that - it's really quite hard to get a person to pose like that for you. i highly reccommend it!! ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive resource for teaching art to children combines the latest thinking about the teaching of art with focus on providing a balanced art program. The authors provide all of the information necessary to plan, execute, and evaluate a successful program for both classroom and art teachers. The material is presented in a clear and understandable manner and is appropriate for undergraduates. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Teacher Resource -- for the arts
This is a great book to use in a pre-service teacher education program. However, I am a long-time art educator and I still refer to it because it has a wide range of information on issues we encounter every day. This year I am teaching the art class for undergraduate elementary teachers and it is proving a very valuable resource. It is written in a readable, highly practical way with lots of examples that make adding art into an elementary curriculum not seem so foreign or so daunting. I do feel that there is a need for other supplemental reading and resources to accompany this text, but it is a great overall art education text, especially for the generalist teacher. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive guide for the student sculptor who wants to learn about clay and wax modeling, wood carving, stone carving, ceramics, moist clay products, and mold making, casting, and enlarging.Addresses all aspects of the use and function of sculpting tools and materials used in traditional sculpture.Each chapter concludes with a troubleshooting section which answers questions most frequently asked by the student and those troublesome areas experienced by the sculptor. Also explains how tools are made.Charts on proportional requirements of materials, weights and measures, plus an extensive glossary of terms are provided.A key word technique can be used to easily explore a topic. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

No fluff, just the facts!
I took up sculpting several months ago, and I've found my "niche" with polymer clay doll-making. I've dabbled in ceramic and terra-cotta medium, but I'm also willing to try different methods of creations in the 3D World. I bought this book to give me some insight into different techniques, and that's just what it contains. Unlike so many books that try to be everything to everyone, this book gets down to the facts quickly, giving the reader a good idea of what a venture into a new sculpting medium will mean in terms of equipment and expertise. There are plenty of books that will walk a reader through every little step to create a clone of what the writer or artist has created. This book guides the reader towards the tools and different methods, without incringing on the reader's own creativity. I hope to find other books like this one on subjects like painting and photography, although sculpting is quickly becoming a passion and consuming most of my "art time". Bravo to the writer(s) and publishers of this book, and thank you!! ... Read more

Book Description

It's Bob Ross. The man with the gentle voice who can paint a landscape in thirty minutes right before your very eyes in your own living room.

Reaching millions of homes every day, Bob Ross is unquestionably America's favorite art instructor. Now avaiable in paperback, The Best of the Joy of Painting -- Bob Ross's first book -- contains sixty of his favorite paintings, all of them originally created during the Joy of Painting show.

Each painting comes complete with a full-color photo and a series of black-and-white instructional photos, accompanied by step-by-step instructions that guide you through the painting process. With this book in hand, you will be amazed at the ease and skill with which you can create your own Bob Ross original. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Did Van Gogh have a 'fro?
It is ironic that the best recommendation for this book comes from someone who gave it one star! Study this book and you will be able to do what Bob does... Serious growing dynamic artists will surely look beyond this book but maybe they should at least take a peek. If Van Gogh had been as loved and/or recognizable in his time as Bob Ross was, he probably wouldn't have cut his own ear off. As a nearly elderly weekend painter I heartily recommend this book. I think my only visual handicap so far is that it's time for new bifocals though the visually verbose would certainly disagree.

great for new artists
I have never personally been a big fan of Bob Ross, but as an art teacher who only spends 2 hrs a week with my students, I can say that this book is perfect for them. My students love his style because they can can complete a very simple, yet beautiful painting in a very short amount of time. I wouldn't recomend it for more advanced artists, but if you are not trying to win any awards, and just want to complete a quick and beautiful painting, this has a lot of great examples.

A Wonderful Keepsake......
Professional and (accomplished)would-be professional artists may find this compilation excerpted from Bob Ross TV shows "less than meets the eye". But an interested amateur or non-painter who enjoyed Bob's fascinating half-hour PAINTING TRIPS (no sketches; few "pre-mixed" palettes; (apparently) no "guiding-light" background photos) will find this an equally fascinating, enjoyable coffee-table selection. Not being a painter, I was astonished to watch Mr. Ross "ex nihilo" (from NADA) consistently create beautiful visions of NATURE...realistically proportioned; totally avoiding "expressionistic" (or worse: PM) pretense... without recourse to jargon or excuses. His brush theory and techniques in perspective MUST be helpful to all but the most capable. So what's to complain about? Annette Kowalski presents a labor of love capturing Mr. Ross' thoroughly engaging spirt: JOY IN PAINTING! is a fun book and wonderful keepsake...

Not Recommended
I have always enjoyed Bob Ross' style of painting and am a devoted fan of his television show, but I found this book lacking. Not only are the step-by-step instructions in black and white, but I found that very few of these particular paintings were ones I cared to paint. I believe I'll stick to the television show where I can see and hear the nuances of his painting live.

Bob was a wonderful guy but don't listen to a word he said
I love bob, you love bob many people grew up listening and watching Bob Ross every saturday (or whenever it was broadcasted where you live). He made numerous paintings and with his afro hair and warm demeanor he made for wonderful television, but honestly not good art. If you are at all serious about creating growing, dynamic, personal artworks of any style then reading and taking to heart the writtings of Bob Ross is a mistake. I love Bob and have nothing against him only that his sugestions lead to ruts and visual handicaps that will take a lifetime to forget. His theorys on mark making are so simplistic that if his visual language was translated into a written one it would take all of one page to list the verbs. It is a bad idea to take to heart his style, love him, talk about him, keep him in your heat but remeber that he was making a show that was the same format every time and was catering to a elderly/weekend painter audience. Study this book and you will be able to do what Bob does, pump out a simple landscape painting in one hour or less, and nothing more........ Love him but don't follow him. ... Read more

Book Description

Reflecting Ruskin's belief that art is not an isolated pursuit, but one intimately connected with all aspects of human life, Lectures on Art explores the relation of art to religion, morality, and practicality as well as the significance of line, light, and color. Presented at Oxford, in 1870, Ruskin's lectures were so popular that they had to be moved to a larger hall to accommodate the hundreds who flocked to them. A pioneer environmentalist, an important influence on Oscar Wilde and Marcel Proust, and a passionate and wide-ranging thinker, Ruskin's ideas continue to be of vital interest to art, literature, and cultural studies.

This edition includes a new introduction by Bill Beckley, a biography of Ruskin, and is the first to reproduce many of the artworks mentioned by Ruskin in the lectures. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

ruskin rocks
A great book, full of Ruskin's own special insights on art. Esp art in relation to the world, how it impacts our lives, re life, religion, morals, functionality, even. There are sections on aspects of rendering too... line, color, light. All in all, useful to artists and artwriters alike. It is no less applicable now than when these lectures were delivered, I think, only the phrasing, not the content, is nineteenth century. These were very important thoughts, that set the tenor of art criticism for the entire 20th century. A few really clear b/w illustrations attend the text beautifully. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is perfect for beginning watercolorists and artists in othermediums interested in trying something new-particularly decorative painters. It assumesthey have absolutely no prior knowledge of watercolor and proceeds from there. Thebasic questions all beginners ask will be explained and illustrated in simple, step-by-step,fail-proof presentations-questions like:"How wet should my paper be?" "What brush should I use?" "How full of paint should my brush be?" "At what point do I stop and what should my painting look like?"

Claudia illustrates not only the terms and techniques associated with watercolor painting,but also shows many examples of common problems beginners have, whey things can gowrong, and how to fix them. She also includes step-by-step exercises to help readers learnand practice each new watercolor technique.Most of all, this book makes learning about watercolor fun by eliminating frustration andgiving beginners a solid foundation on which they can build.

Claudia Nice is a multi-media artist, but prefers pen, ink and watercolor when working inthe field. She has been an art consultant and instructor, has authored fifteen art instructionbook and travels across North America conducting workshops, seminars anddemonstrations at schools, clubs, shops and trade shows. She has recently opened herown teaching studio near Mt. Hood, Oregon. ... Read more

Book Description

EXPLORING ART offers the perfect blend between Western and non-Western art tradition.Its content-rich , thematic approach allows professors to select significant and important themes without sacrificing imporant time periods or marginalizing non-Western art due to time constraints.EXPLORING ART combines both traditions and presents them in a relevant and understandable way.Truly global, EXPLORING ART provides students with a richer and more culturally relevant understanding of art than any other comparable art appreciation text. ... Read more

Book Description

Believing that strong feelings make for strong art, this insightful book shows painters how to scratch the surface of their unconscious to generate powerful emotions that unleash more meaningful work.

The author encourages readers to tap into childhood memories and other aspects of the inner self as revealed in animals, self-portraiture, and real or imagined landscapes. Using this approach, plus the fluid properties of the watercolor medium as it drips, forms puddles, and responds to every stroke of the brush, the reader develops paintings from the inside, with inner life as the model, and from the outside, with nature as the model. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

good book for beginners
To be a good artist, you need to be able to draw people. This book gets you started. Faces and undressed people, it gives you simple methods to try. Then move up to a figure drawing or portrait book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A wonderful outline of a developmental art program
Reading this book influenced my developing philosophy for my own elementary school art program. While it is not written specifically for the public school program, many of the ideas can be incorporated. My students, in grades K-8, all enjoyed mixing their colors, using only the three primary colors, white, and, later, black. I would suggest this book to anyone, whether parent or teacher, looking for new ways to teach artitistic creativity.

Excellent book for parents or teachers
I bought this book because I was looking for ways to explore art and art materials with my 4-year old son. This book has been a wonderful guide. For one thing, the author suggests ways to organize art materials which make the whole process at once more orderly and serious, lending a tone of respect and importance to art activities. . I also followed the author's suggestion of supplying my son with only the three primary colors, and have watched his surprise and joy as he's be learning on his own how to create different colors. ( In between colors, he has learned to carefully wash and dry his brush, and seems to take pride in his workmanship -- another technique I learned from the book). I've yet to use the suggestions on various types of collage and clay activities, but I look forward to doing so. Another feature of the book is the many reproductions of works of art by both famous artists and students in the author's workshops, as well as fascinating quotes about art by famous artists. There is much here to pore over. I have found this book very inspiring, both in helping my son "do" art and in "doing art" myself. It is a book I will treasure and use for a long time to come. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a treasury of lost teachings
This book is essential for those students who wish to study art seriously, and to make themselves capable enough draftmen in order to paint. It is a complete reproduction of the "fabled but rare" drawing course used in Gerome's studio in nineteenth century Paris, comprising multiple levels of cast drawings, master-copies and linear life-drawings designed specifically to train the student's eye for painting.

The plates are meant for study, to be copied by the student for several purposes; mainly serving as an introduction to the academic drawing process, but also as an artistic and anatomical reference for showing what is essential in form - Bargue, as a teacher, is unmatched in this respect.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the study and/or appreciation of fine drawing, and cannot thank the Dahesh museum enough for compiling it! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (8)

Articulate and beautifully written--a must read for artists
Articulate and beautifully written, Creative Authenticity is a must read for artists. This book provides the aspiring or accomplished artist with useful guidance for finding and expressing your artistic voice and defining your path in the art world.

This is not a "how-to" book. Ian offers thoughtful insight and practical advice for resolving many of the "problems" that plague artists, such as: overcoming procrastination, developing subject matter and style, when to seek an appreciative audience for your work, and finding your own truth.

Generously sprinkled with inspiring quotes and personal anecdotes, this book is a delight, an inspiration and one of my favorites.

The most important part of art and the least discussed
This book is about what happens after one becomes technically proficient. Then what? It is a difficult topic and rarely discussed in books. A great addition for those of us who struggle for authenticity in their art. I recommend it highly.

This book is a brilliant gift from a master teacher
A simple, direct commentary on the spirit you need to produce unique original work of art! The brief, easy to read chapters resonate with your creative nature, and give you a positive approach to producing art which will have lasting value to others. This book is a brilliant gift from a master teacher who generously shares his insights into how you can create authentic work from your heart. Review by John Eagle, Painter and Owner Studio 7 Gallery.

READ THIS
I am a painter. I know all this! Yet, I NEED to read this book over and over! Ian Roberts is RIGHT ON!.....CLEAR and BRIEF. His "painters soul" shines in this small jewel of a book!

Creative Authenticity a worthwhile read.
Ian Roberts is frank and direct in this book which is both comforting and inspiring. Clarity and organization enable quick and easy ingestion of the ideas. It is a gift to artists from an excellent mentor. Thank you, Ian. ... Read more