Book Description

First published in 1899, Arthur Wesley Dow's Compositionhasprobably influenced more Americans than any other text to think ofvisual formand composition in relation to artistic modernity. While Dow is known asthementor of Georgia O'Keeffe and Max Weber, his legacy as a proponent ofmodernart has suffered undeserved neglect by recent artists and arthistorians. In Composition Dow develops a system for teaching students to createfreelyconstructed images on the basis of harmonic relations between lines,colors, anddark and light patterns. Greatly influenced by Japanese art, he expoundsatheory of "flat" formal equilibrium as an essential component of tellingpictorial creation. Generations of teachers and their public schoolpupilslearned from Dow's orientalism and adopted basic postimpressionistprincipleswithout even knowing the term. The reappearance of Dow's practical,well- illustrated guide, enhanced by Joseph Masheck's discussion of itshistoricalramifications, is an important event for all concerned with the visualarts andthe intellectual antecedents of American modernism. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Don't waste your money
I want composition that I can understand and deal with in my painting everday. I don't care at all to read the long intorduction offered. Thanks but no thanks

Composition Masterpiece
Dow's book is a classic of pictoral composition. Yes, there is a long forward, but so what? Dow didn't write the forward. The book is a workbook format, and many may not find the exercises useful, but the information sandwiched inbetween is priceless. Not an easy book to read, but well worth the effort. If you're looking for a quick fix with pretty pictures and easy formulas, don't buy this.

The definitive book on the subject
Having read the earlier review, I felt it necessary to chime in. The introduction, which I skipped, was lengthy, but there's a lot of information in the main text of the book- enough to warrant the price. It's as much a workbook as a text since there are suggested exercises to follow. There are also lots of pictures of examples which I found very helpful. Dow "wrote the book" on composition, and this is it!

Arthur Wesley Dow "Composition"
I've never chucked a book out before in my life, but this one I did. The basic writings by Arthur Wesley Dow are very good, however the introduction written by Joseph Masheck occupied most of the books pages in a stilted language that was obviously written to put a check in one of this person's achedemic requirements boxes. It got me so riled that I had paid considerably for Dows comments and got Mashecks voluminous dribble, that I cut out the introduction with a razor blade and kept the small informative portion by Dow. If you're impressed with disjointed, convoluted, achedemic banter, buy it, you'll love it. ... Read more

Book Description

This updated and revised guide to various drawing styles offers easy-to-follow instructions for creating still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and cartoons-plus tips on how to use basic drawing paraphernalia such as pencils, charcoal, pen, and ink. It also covers how illustrators enhance their work through shading and lighting techniques, adding depth and beauty to even the simplest sketch ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Useful as a general reference
This book is bargain-priced, but there are better "how to's" out there for beginners. It is a good reference book for the money, and full of useful general information. As an additional resource for your study, it has something to offer; but it's more of an "extra".

A good resource, but not the best starting point
I bought /The Complete Idiot's Guide to Drawing/ on a whim, because it had lots of illustrations and a wide variety of topics contained within. I'm not at all disappointed with the book, but I feel I should warn potential buyers that this is not necessarily the best book to start with.

The authors start out with basic drawing theory, left brain vs. right brain, etc. and a few exercises to help you understand how best to approach drawing in general. They move on to talk about different types of paper, pencils, the picture plane, viewfinder, and other tools for drawing - very useful and well thought out information. Then the book jumps into various ideas for what to draw, what perspectives to try, etc.

If you're thinking it sounds like something has been left out, you're right. While /Idiot's Guide to Drawing/ covers a lot of tools and drawing ideas, it doesn't offer much in the way of exercises or practical advice for actually _drawing_. So while you may be inspired by, say, the section on still life drawings, you will find very little in the way to help you practice.

So what it comes down to is this: if you've dabbled a bit in drawing and aren't afraid of experimentation, this is an excellent book. Lots of good stuff in here, and great ideas for where you might want to point your creativity. But as I said, there aren't very many guided exercises in the book to help you explore the concepts you see and get any decent amount of feedback. Some would argue that lots of little exercises are silly or pointless, but I think they can be great confidence builders for those of us who tend to be overly critical of our own artwork... Or those of us who expect far too much from ourselves early on.

I highly recommend this book - but with a strong suggestion that you start with one or two more basic drawing books (like /Drawing for Dummies/), unless you want to do a great deal of experimentation on your own.

Great for adult beginners
Most drawing books either get too advanced early or are written for young kids. This one contains useful exercises in every chapter at a pace that isn't boring but can be followed. This is the fourth drawing book I've started and the only one I've stuck with. By chapter 8 (or 12 at the latest) your drawings will no longer belong on the refrigerator door. Good luck to all the other adult beginners out there!!

I went from stick people to...
Well...stick people with depth! But seriously, I always though I had a drawing impairment gene but even after spending a few minutes with this book and the excellent ideas and advice on how to "see" objects I could actually sit down and do a drawing of my hand that looked dimensional. I am really amazed by the results so far and can certainly recommend it to those who want to have some fun and try a little drawing beyond stick people.

Truly a Complete Guide for Complete Idiot's
What a great book! Thoroughly addresses every aspect of drawing for the complete beginner with plenty of room to grow for all levels. It is excellent in the way it addresses the issue of training oneself to see skillfully in order to draw skillfully. In the absence of that information most "complete idiot's" won't even begin, but once convinced most have the confidence to try...with exciting results. This book presents a very convincing case. The book addresses almost every imaginable area of interest to an aspiring artist. Great for classroom teachers, homeschoolers and others who would like to pass on their love of drawing in an organized fashion. Top notch! ... Read more

Book Description

A garden of gorgeous flowers captured on film--to paint, study or simply admire.

In this easy-to-reference book, artists will find:

-575 outstanding photos of 49 different types of flowers-Five step-by-step demonstrations that illustrate how to use these reference photos to create beautiful floral compositions in a variety of mediums -Brief information on color variations, scale and other facts to help artists achieve great results

From amaryllis to zinnia, each flower is featured in a large, primary photo along with side views and close-ups of petals, leaves and other details to help artists find just the right image they are looking for. ... Read more

Book Description

This Handbook provides a practical, straightforward guide to the theory and practice of discipline-based art education. This comprehensive approach to art education has transformed the way students create and understand art; it also offers opportunities for relating art to other subjects as well as to the personal interests and abilities of young learners. This completely revised edition explains how DBAE draws content from the disciplines of art-making, art criticism, art history and aesthetics, and shows how the practice of DBAE in schools over the past several years has influenced how art is taught today. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent resource for any teacher
Focuses on the layers of art education, from the actual art activity to the aesthetic qualities. Full of excellent examples that solidify concepts, making the transition to the classroom seamless. ... Read more

Book Description

This book teaches the basic principles of graphic design as they are currently taught and learned. It uses real examples of student's work, so that the reader can see how a piece of design evolves, and can thereby become aware of both his or her creative potential and the techniques necessary to put good design into practice. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A must!? I don't think so.
Yes the book is visual. Yes it has examples of other student's work. Yes there is helpful information in it.

HOWEVER, having worked in the field for more than 10 years, I find this book simplistic, and frankly the samples of work included are not very good.

Why would I want to emulate design I don't like?

I found the examples to be dated, and I found the book lacking in teaching skills that designers really need to know.

If this is a fair representation of what is being taught in design school, we are in a very sad place.

There are so many other GOOD books out there. Buy one of those.

A Must for Web Designers
I have met many web designers who have never learned the basic skills of graphic design. "Graphic design School" is the best book out there today on learning the techniques and tools for basic graphic design practices. Swann covers the 'Language of Design,' 'Principles and Techniques' and 'Commercial Practice.' Short, concise and beautifully illustrated to relay the importance of knowing this craft for a solid design foundation.

Web colors are not mentioned, nor do you see anything about browser selection nor any debate over screen size. What you do see are the brief introductions to corporate design, logos, editorial design and packaging. All basics to build on for a graphic design career, including web design.

Graphic Design School
This book teaches the basic principles of graphic design as they are currently taught and learned. Graphic Design School is a must for any new designer or design student who is a visual learner, which of course most designers are. There are many examples of student's work. The next best thing to being in the classroom, because you can compare your progress with other students, and thus determine your viability in what can be a very competitive field.

Also and excellent teaching tool for more advanced designers, a back-to-basic guide for solving graphic problems and blocks.

Text includes many color photos and illustrations. Easy to follow along and genuinely interesting. ... Read more

Book Description

Photographers, designers, animators, and digital artists of all levels of experience can make the female form come to life with help from Femme Digitale: Perfecting the Female Form on Your Computer. This indispensable reference details all the skills needed to bring every nuance of the female figure into digital existence. Readers will learn how to retouch and restore digital photographs; how to create lifelike skin tones, textures, facial expressions, and body types; and even how to render figures in 3-D, with step-by-step tutorials accompanying most every technique. Included with these easy-to-follow lessons are critical details on required hardware and software, and a compendium of some of the best examples of this electrifying art form-a collection that can't be found anywhere else. Practical, comprehensive, and well-written, Femme Digitale demystifies the female form as represented on a computer screen while keeping it enchanting in the eyes of the beholder. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Eh, it's okay....
First of all, I seem to be the odd one out when I say this book was a bit of a disappointment, so I guess you should take this review with a grain of salt. I perused the book quickly in a bookstore, but didn't have time to really examine the book. The section on Primal caught my fancy, so when I got home, I went ahead and ordered the book.

When I got it, the first thing I did was flip through it quickly and drool over the pictures. All of the artists in the book are truly gifted, some more so than others. When I came back to it later, ready to dive into the tutorials, you can imagine my dismay when I realized the longest one was only six pages, and even then, stuffed with pictures, and not much text. The book, as a whole, is a glorified Poser sales book.
I'll be more specific, if you're still with me.

There are 24 tutorials in the book, spanning over about 100 pages. That's not much space for any one topic. Granted, each topic is pretty specific, much more time could be spent on any and all of them. For instance, the Maya figure modeling tutorial is 3 pages (4 with a full-page finished render). Modeling a full character in 3 pages? You can bet they left a lot of important information out, because they sure as heck did. On top of all this, of those 24 tutorials, only five do not use Poser. As someone who watched Renderosity degenerate into a heap of canned art over the last five years, I can say I'm not too fond of Poser, although I do own and use it occasionally. I do recognize its use, although I would like to see less of the sultry woman playing kissy with the camera from artists.

What it comes down to is this: if you're into the Renderosity-type of work, or if you like digital painting/illustration, this book may or may not have something that interests you. I would be willing to bet just about anyone can find at least one or two little tricks inside that can shave a considerable time and frustration from a project. The Photoshop/Poser duo used almost exclusively throughout the book is great for digital prints and illustration, but anyone looking for something else would be advised to look elsewhere. I'm a student game designer and 3D modeler, and I don't think I found a single thing in here that was new. That's not to say that I could paint the images that are presented here; I definitely couldn't. But anyone interested in 3D art for purposes other than rendering still images should check out other sources, probably starting with software-specific references for Maya, Max, or whatnot.

All in all, this book is a truly beautiful gallery of artist talent. It may not be a great coffee-table book with the topless woman on the front, but it will attract your attention. I know it got mine. Good luck with your artistic puruits, and I hope this review helps you.

Femme Finale...
I have been modeling for some time now and this book has definately helped me with the details of both modeling and texturing a female character. The texture refrences also transfer well when creating other characters. There are great techniquws that cover a wide array of major software used today. There are also great refrences for creating props, clothing, and hair which are three of the hardest details to finish on a model. I recommend this book to both beginners and masters as a great guide to creating great female 3D models.

Easy to follow tutorials
I was amazed when I picked up this book and saw the easy to follow tut's for a number of software programs. The author did a wonderful job in introducing the lower end to the higher end softwares. The art is truely exceptional!

Excellence to Amateur
Upside: If you're looking for the Rosetta stone of digital imaging for the female form, Femm Digitale is your pick. Excellent tutorials cover everything from clothing and character creation to hair and complete scenes. Step by step, you're walked through the process, elusive secrets are demystified. The gallery works contain images from now familiar digital artists. Beautiful pinups by Steven Stalhberg and Will Kramer, Alluring women by Rene Morel and great comic characters by Daniel Scott Gabriel Murray. Other talented artists fill the work. Downside: It still amazes me that books like this who show off wonderful artists above still manage to waste pages on amateurs. But all in all, I'd give it a strong 4 stars. An excellent addition for artists and fans of the form.

The Best!
This has got to be the one best 3D graphics Art and Tutorials book I have seen yet! Michael burns has layed out this book so nicely with some of the best 3D graphics and tutorials for multiple 3D applications such as Bryce, Poser, Terragen, Vue d'Esprit & Mojo World. As well as High End software packages such as Alias Maya, 3D Studio Max & Lightwave. These tutorials are beautifully presented and easy to follow with in depth explanations and many clear and precise illustrations.

I am not just writing this review because my work is in the book but, because I truly think this is a great book and priced way to low for the amount and quality of the content. The galley is filled with some of the best artists and their work. Artists such as Stephen Stahlberg, Ellie Morin, Daniel Scott Gabriel Murray, Will Kramer and myself... Ralph Manis. I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in or beginning a life in the 3D graphics art world. ... Read more

Book Description

With this surprisingly simple step-by-step guide, anyone can create beautiful pet portraits. Anne deMille Flood walks readers through her easy techniques for rendering cats, dogs, birds, horses and other cuddly friends.

Beginning and intermediate artists will appreciate the close-up demos for getting the texture of fur and feathers just right. There's also clear instruction on working from reference photos, choosing focal points and getting started.

This is an essential reference for anyone who wants to create animal portraits in colored pencil. Artists will quickly find themselves drawing better than they ever thought possible! ... Read more

Book Description

UNDERSTANDING ART is designed to stimulate students' interests in all aspects of the visual arts. This text has significantly impacted the way Art Appreciation courses are taught. One of the top sellers in the art appreciation marketplace, this textbook continues its long tradition of excellence in the area of art history survey. Comprehensive coverage/presentation of the visual elements, principles of design, and computer arts, provide a more balanced discussion of the relevance and beauty of art and the media and methods used to produce art. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great book!
Beautiful book! The art pictures are great! I am learning alot!

Lois Fichner-Rathus has hit the nail on the head
"It is especially designed to give non-art majors insights and access to art so that it may enrich them for a lifetime" - Lois Fichner-Rathus has hit the nail on the head.

Now when I say "dont like it !" I can say why ! Joking apart this book has answered questions that art teachers have failed to answer for me.

A great start for beginner art enthusiasts
I went to a multimedia school where I took a class on the fundamentals of art & design. Understanding Art was the required text book. Little would I know that I would still be talking about Understanding Art and recommending it for years after that class! (Just don't let my teacher know that!)

The book takes you throughout the history of art, starting from the earliest forms, throughout the middle ages, native traditional art, to the renaissance, to post modernism, to surrealism, to art deco, bauhaus, dada, and everything else. There isn't a form of art that isn't covered and illustrated, which is extremely beneficial, as you truly do learn how art forms evolved throughout the years. Another benefit to this book is that it covers the different medias in art - sculpture, paintings, print, masks, archetecture, and more.

The photographs of the artwork are present throughout the book, and the text gives you insight and background knowledge of each art era that you wouldn't otherwise see. One might usually associate art history text as boring and monotonous, but this is not the case. The text is informative and exciting to read all at the same time.

It's a great book for someone who's starting out in art history, but even long-time art fans will enjoy it too.

A Great Place to Start Understanding Art
As a college Art History instructor and an avid reader, I can honestly say Lois Fichner-Rathus has produced one of the finest Art Appreciation texts on the market. The sixth edition of Understanding Art is both visually and intellectually exciting. With expanded coverage of the "Language of Art" (the visual elements and principles of design) and computer generated imagery, and a great companion Web site, this version is truly an advance over previous editions. Addional illustrations (many in color) add to the enjoyment of spending time with this updated classic.

Though I've referred to this as an Art Appreciation "text," it is by no means dry.The author's viewpoint and writing style are never boring and she continually exhibits great perceptiveness, and wit, in her commentary. The progression of the book's sections from a well-done "Introduction" to the "Language of Art," a look at the varying media of art, and finally a series of chapters on historical style, is well done and logical. Accolades to Fichner-Rathus! ... Read more

Book Description

The Visionary Artist Alex Grey

Like x-rays of eternity, the paintings of Alex Grey portray a multidimensional reality where matter and spirit collide and interpenetrate. How is this controversial artist able to see beyond our ordinary world and into the infinite mystery of existence? On The Visionary Artist, Alex Grey personally teaches you the mind-expanding practices he uses himself to tap the "secret power of vision" that inspires his remarkable work. A longtime student of meditation, shamanism, and transpersonal psychology, Grey shares a four-step process to lead you up and down the ladder of consciousness, where you willretrieve the transcendental visions your soul is constantly painting. Artists in virtually any discipline will appreciate Grey’s approach for using art as a revelatory and healing force. Here for the first time, in Alex Grey’s own words, are the visualizations and creative techniques you need to explore the hidden realities of The Visionary Artist. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely revised and up-to-date, this in-depth guide is ideal for anyone aspiring to work in the field of art. More than 80 jobs are profiled, in fields including: Art and Design, Museums, Art Galleries, Education, Funding Agencies for the Arts, Art Journalism, and Auction Galleries. Jobs profiled include: Advertising Art Director, Archivist, Art History Teacher, Book Designer, Curator, Exhibit Designer, Framing Technician, Gallery Director, Interior Designer, Jewelry Designer, and Photographer. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

wonderful wonderful reference
This book helped me define my career opportunities and goals as an art student, and provided helpful insight into the training and preparation for each job listed.I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the arts or any students who are unsure about what they can do with a degree in art.

good reference
This is a great reference book for deciding what art position you would like to have and what position you are currently eligible for.This book isn't just for artists, there are jobs for people interested to work in the art field but aren't artists (for example, people who have a business degree).This bookhelped me find what jobs I could get and would like with my BFA and ultimately helped my decide to go back to school for a graphics degree.

A great starting place for jobs in ART!
I just finished my undergrad degree in art and I am looking for something to do.This book describes a gazillion jobs I didn't even know existed.It tells you how to go about finding a certain job and how competativecertain markets are.The apendicies are a fabulous resource.I wasclueless in my job search and now I feel like I have several excitingdirections to look in.I think this book is great for someone juststarting out in art and invaluable for college career centers. ... Read more

Book Description

Manhwa—Korean for comics—is fast becoming the next big craze in Asian comics. Many fans of manga don't realize that their favorite comics, like Priest, Ragnarock, and Island, are actually manhwa, not Japanese manga. This tutorial helps artists master the differences between manga and manhwa, including less focus on big eyes and more on expressions and personality, replacing spiky hair with a more natural look, and drawing characters that don't typically possess magical powers but are instead fierce fighters made of flesh and blood. Artists learn through a step-by-step process how to draw the entire range of manhwa characters-from the extreme fighting-machine heroes and giant beasts to the sexy women, anti-heroes, and evil warlords.

For aspiring comic book artists and manga artists looking for the latest craze in Asian comicsAuthor's Manga Mania series has sold more than 350,000 copies in less than three yearsManhwa is the Korean name for comicsIncludes artwork from the very best Korean manhwa artists working today ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Well Done!!
Well written and incredible drawings. Anybody who likes to move around in something with a motor will love this book. Of course most kids who love cars grow up into adults who love cars. I enjoyed this book as much as my 13 year old son.

Excellent!
This is a great little book. Like a lot of guys, I love fast cars and this book was a pleasure to read and study with. Lots of practice and my techniques have improved greatly. This book is well worth the modest cover price.

i wish i could give it zero stars!!
Just with all of Hart's books this book cover is misleading.You look at the cover and think I'm really going to learn something and you read the book and get disappointed.He only shows the finnished step.He doesn't show the steps on how to get to the finnished step.Instead of describing how he draws it he gives you a history on each car.I'm sorry but telling a person the car history doesn't show them how to draw the car.I'm starting to think that Hart's books aren't very good.

Cool
This book makes a great gift. Both young and old artists can learn from and enjoy it. ... Read more

Book Description

The so-called Hudson River School has a place of special importance in the history of American painting.Although there were many 'professional' artists working in the early and developing American society from the 17th to the 19th centuries, most of them, apart from the many charming naive practitioners, were itinerant portrait painters or those who looked to Europe for their style and subject matter.It was not until the early 19th century that artists began to consider the landscape which surrounded them as an interesting subject in itself; when they did, they perceived a grandeur, spaciousness and quality of natural beauty which filled them with awe and wonderment.
It was this opening of the eyes of their compatriots to their natural heritage that these painters, who have come to be known as the Hudson River School, initiated.Although, in the first instance, it was the area of the Hudson River stretching northwards from New York that first entranced them, as the American continent towards the Rockies unfolded, the artists followed and produced work that revealed a magnificence of scale—the great lakes, the towering mountains. deep valleys and gorges of the land in which they found themselves. In this way, although the Hudson River was the first area to exert its influence on these landscapists and gave its name to them, their work spread widely to encompass the whole land.
There was also another, transcendental, aspect to their work.they recognized the hand of God in their new environment and accordingly introduced a sense of divine mission into their painting which appealed to the adventurous religious spirit of the early settlers.Through this, their art acquired a new significance which had previously been absent.
The story of the artists and their pictorial crusade is included in this selective survey which, of its nature, can only include a small number of the very many who have been identified with the Hudson River School. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An average introduction to the style
This slim and inexpensive book from England serves as a first introduction to the Hudson River School of landscape painting in America. Copplestone traces the history and origins of the technique, then follows with brief biographies of some of the best-known River School artists. Featured are:

Thomas Doughty (1793-1856)
Thomas Cole (1801-1848)
Asher Brown Durand (1796-1886)
John Frederick Kensett (1816-1872)
Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902)
Jasper Francis Cropsey (1823-1900)
Robert Scott Duncanson (1821-1872)
Thomas Worthington Whittredge (1820-1910)
Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900)
Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823-1880)
Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904)
Thomas Moran (1827-1926)
Charles Codman (1800-1842)

The book is illustrated with 45 plates of original paintings. Each artist listed above has from one to seven plates of his work included. "Extras" are single examples from James Hamilton and George Peter Alexander Healy without biographical information.

Unfortunately, the placement of the plates doesn't seem to follow any order. Appropriate plates are not necessarily adjacent to artist biographies. Alfred Bierstadt's "Niagara Falls" is included *twice*, while Frederic Edwin Church's depiction of the Falls is much better known and is even mentioned in his bio, but there's no visual. The lack of an index also makes it tricky to match the artists with their work.

If you like the Hudson River School style and want just a brief sampling for your reference library, you'll find this volume to be a reasonably-priced option. If you really want to dive into the genre, look elsewhere. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A loving meditation on art
Ten stars. This beautifully-written, handsomely-illustrated book is a must-read for all lovers of art, of any period. Not only does Varnedoe illuminate the works of specific artists, traditions and eras, he proposes fresh ways of looking at and thinking about art. Writing about Degas, he says, "This Realism doesn't describe a world, it proposes one." Modern art makes the familiar look strange so that we may come to know it more fully - from a variety of perspectives. Key to Varnedoe's argument is the contribution of the individual artist, whose innovations should not be reduced to a "cultural context" by later historians. My favorite quote in the book comes not from Varnedoe but from the Russian Formalist Viktor Shklovski: "And ... so that stones may be stony, there exists what we call art." A provocative and inspiring read.

Inspiring!
Varndoe's book is the perfect antidote to the complaints of all the reactionary modern art bashers out there who accuse the moderns of lack of talent, pretentiosness or even a nihilistic hatred of reality. *A Fine Disregard* proves the opposite case. The moderns were motivated by the highest artistic impuses, were very talented and (best of all) were free spirits not beholden to static tradition and not afraid to experiment. Yes, some of the experiments failed, but is that not the case in science as well? What is important is that the moderns were imaginative, vigourous and playful in ways that no one had been before them. Rather than acting as passive human cameras, they willfuly exaggerated the colors and shapes of their subject matter in order to express their emotions and tell us which attributes they saw as most important. An artist who saw color as most important might reduce a meadow to a swirling field of unnaturally vivid color. An artist who was fascinated with the shape of things might reduce complex objects to simple geometry for the sake of emphasis. Some modern paintings are not insipred by objects in the everyday world at all, but are an attempt to paint states of mind or reflect on color and shape as ends in themselves. And what is wrong with any of this? Nothing at all. In fact it is a great tribute to human creativity.

A terrific crystal introduction to all art , not just modern
Very fine purgative for all of us confused by the corrective, pedantic style of much art criticism. Varnedoe writes clearly, directly and builds a rich, warm, complex image of modern art. The section on Degas, Hiroshige et al. is wonderful writing. His argument is delivered with a lovely sense of story. An enjoyable,yet provocative read.

modern history of a way of seeing in visual art
Varnedoe pulls together a sychronicity of visual perception between Degas, Hokusai, and other artists including photographers. The evolution of a way of seeing is brilliantly pulled together. ... Read more

Book Description

A new breed of contemporary artist engages science and technology--not just to adopt the vocabulary and gizmos, but to explore and comment on the content, agendas, and possibilities. Indeed, proposes Stephen Wilson, the role of the artist is not only to interpret and to spread scientific knowledge, but to be an active partner in determining the direction of research. Years ago, C. P. Snow wrote about the "two cultures" of science and the humanities; these developments may finally help to change the outlook of those who view science and technology as separate from the general culture.

In this rich compendium, Wilson offers the first comprehensive survey of international artists who incorporate concepts and research from mathematics, the physical sciences, biology, kinetics, telecommunications, and experimental digital systems such as artificial intelligence and ubiquitous computing. In addition to visual documentation and statements by the artists, Wilson examines relevant art-theoretical writings and explores emerging scientific and technological research likely to be culturally significant in the future. He also provides lists of resources including organizations, publications, conferences, museums, research centers, and Web sites. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

lotsa cool stuff
I really liked this book. I'm interested in computer art but Information Arts shows that is just the top of the iceberg -- artists dancing in zero gravity, learning how to change the patterns on butterfly wings, reclaiming toxic waste dumps, planting chips in their body, making radioactive sculptures, breeding artificial life.... You really begin to get a glimpse of what kind of art is coming down the road.

I appreciated the systematic way the book dealt with all these topics. There are chapters on art exploring biology, particle physics, space art, mathematical art, artificial life, etc. The author seemed to work hard to find artists from all over the world coming at it from different points of view. Also each section also offers a review of relevant theory, and seemed very fair in its attempt to offer a full range of opinions.

There are two kinds of artist sections in the book - multipage sections with an image and samples of the artists' writing, and shorter sections of a few lines. I wish there were more details on the less described artists but then the book would have been bigger than its already huge 1000 pages. Also, I wish the images were color. The author provides web links for all the artists. It's a great starting point, although it could have used tighter editing (still it's great exercise equipment!).

Good Reference - Fine line to Hubris....
This book is organized in two parts: theory and name-throwing. The theory parts are at times interesting, at times obscure and redundant. They precede chapters full of names, (supposedly big names) in the "information arts". To be fair, Wilson collected a huge database of names to be included in this volume and it serves a purpose. It is a good starting point for someone to look up people and their work. Not enough descriptions of what people do unfortunately. At least the names are highlighted and indexed so you can quickly go through it and pick up names. It is a name book...and a good stroke to many people's egos, including Wilson's who doesn't omit himself and the "I...once upon a time" reference to himself and his greatness. Being that there is nothing else like it out there, it is a good addition to one's reference shelf. But don't rely on it to measure greatness and don't hold your breath for super-exciting theory you haven't read before. Quite an undertaking, and with omissions which at least Wilson admits to. Give it a try. The pictures are not that great. If anything, they take away from the "mystique" of the who-is-who rather than add to it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An excellent Introduction
Frank Whitford's Bauhaus in the Thames & Hudson World of Art series provides a fine basic introduction to the 20th century's most important school of art. Whitford writes engagingly and informatively. He begins by sketching the prehistory of the school in the 19th century arts-and-crafts movement and then goes on to examine van der Velde and the Weimar Art School that served as the basis upon which Gropius established the school. Whitford deals with all the major figures in the fourteen-year history of the Bauhaus and he uses contemporary documents (journals, personal accounts, etc.) to tell the story. I rank this among the best books in the Thames & Hudson series. In fact, I assigned it as a required text in a course on the Bauhaus and the Weimar Republic. Incidentally, teachers might be interested to know that Whitford has also written and narrated a fine 60" film "Bauhaus: Face of the 20th Century" (available in the Films for the Humanities series.)

Damn fine background.
Great background to an institution which was about as rock'n'roll as they come. The soul put into the establishment, its teachings, its beliefs (collective and individual) and the commitment of those involved is staggering - its a shame that it really doesn't have an equivalent today, but that's todays politic and media for you. Consice account that was almost written as a historical novel - Christ, I even read the bibliography at the end !! Off to find more books about it all now. Oh, and listen to Blumfeld, International Jetset & Earl Brutus whilst reading this too.

AJC 1999

An Excellent Book on the History of the Bauhaus!
Mister Whitford thoroughly chronicled the events that formed and shaped the Bauhaus - from the very beginning to the unfortunate end. A very good point of view - a must read for the Bauhaus enthusiast. ... Read more

Book Description

Artists constantly seek out new projects, plain and simple. With this new series, they'll find what they're looking for: books by well-known artists, each featuring 10 no-holds-barred, step-by-step, start-to finish projects--plain and simple. Every project includes:

* A list of challenges and learning points, so readers can identify the obstacles to mastering the skill, then master it

* Materials lists, with tips on the different materials available for optimal use

* A preliminary drawing to trace for easy reproduction, along with color mixing examples and pull outs

With a crystal-clear focus on the projects and only the projects, this series will speak to readers hungering for simple instruction to create works of their own. ... Read more

Book Description

This stunningly lavish volume is based on Pauline van Lynden's notebooks, photographs and other material gathered over fifteen years of wanderings in Rajasthan, India. The book begins with Pauline's first overwhelming impressions of color, people and places. In search of material, making friends on her way, she discovers the Rajasthani cities, is invited to a royal wedding and finds artisans devoted to their centuries-old crafts. After some time, a longing for quiet draws her to the countryside, and the second half of the book focuses on the villages and a rhythm of life which has not changed much over the centuries. The fourteen chapters of the book are each introduced by two pages of stories and descriptions by Pauline to explain, in a personal way, the following pages of photographs. The text is limited to her impressions, as the book is meant to be essentially a visual experience. With her artistic background, an upbringing in international surroundings, a curiousand eclectic mind, a keen photographer's eye and a great sensitivity for detail and atmosphere, Pauline is perfectly equipped to bring her own view of Rajasthan to the public in this informed and evocative manner. ... Read more

Book Description

More than 40 step-by-step sequences show how to master pastel painting and develop your own individual style. Eight projects show the whole process of picture making, from planning to completion. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great book for the novice Pastelist
I bought this book in order to teach me everything I needed to know to get started as a pastelist. I am very pleased with the content of this book. It offers the beginner a way of getting started, from choosing the right pastel colors to learning different pastel strokes and techniques. It also offers different styles (which I found very helpful). Other books seem to be written in a text-book format - but this book is written step-by-step, and makes you feel as if pastel is something you CAN LEARN!

An excellent book for someone who learns step-by-step
I started in pastels by just jumping in headfirst. The magazines and books that I read gave info for artists who already know basic terms and techniques. Ms. Harrison's book gave me a structured way to learn, all the way from the basics to more advanced topics, with presentation of alternative ways to experiment and develop MY interests. ... Read more

Book Description

Understanding art means understanding the way images shape our views of ourselves and of the world. Art for Beginners discusses artwork as a record of everyday life, historic events, and the imagination. It introduces readers to individual artists, various genres, specific uses of materials, and theories of composition. The closing pages address art's role as a commodity in consumer culture, and a glossary defines key movements, techniques, and styles. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beginning to understand
Even though some formulations are still somewhat abstract for the average beginner the concepts of fine art will become clearer after reading the book.It is especially useful to understand the modernist movements, withits complex theories and ideas.The inclusion of philosophies, by"name-brand" philosophers; furthermore, helps the reader to tiethe concepts together. ... Read more