Product Description
Beautifully designed and wonderfully printed catalog of colored pencil paintings by Veronica Winters with over 100 full-color / full-page reproductions. A must have for art collectors and art enthusiasts alike!Table of Contents1. Still Life2. Flowers3. Imagination4. Landscape5. Cityscape6. People7. Animals ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An explosion of color!
This is a really neat collection of colored pencil drawings, some surreal, some painstakingly realistic... Wonderful coffe-table material and a must-have for thos who appreciate art.

vivid, realistic & imaginative contemporary paintings
This catalog consists of many drawings I've created over the past decade and represents my ideas of life and beauty existing in our world. It features colorful, sharp pictures on each page that would inspire you to pick the colored pencils up and start drawing! The book has several categories like still life, landscape, and fantasy, making it a perfect gift for anyone interested in the arts or just a person who wants to unwind and relax.
It is a rare book of beautiful, contemporary art that can be bought at such a low price as most published catalogs are sold through galleries only at much higher prices, targeting high-end collectors only.
I believe that my catalog exists for everyone to enjoy art and thus, is affordable and nice to hold in your hands.
You can see many images from this book on my official website [...].
The catalog has soft, glossy cover with the images on both front and back. ... Read more

Product Description
Pocket-size Art Handbooks make good reference guides for art teachers and students. They are heavily illustrated in color and filled with descriptions, technical details, and instructional information. Titles are color-coded in four categories, according to the general topics they treat. Colored Pencils is the newest title in the Green Series, which illustrate art tools and theory. Students learn to use pencils to sketch, blend colors, and include in mixed-media artworks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great to Get You Started with Colored Pencils
Small but packed with how-to for the colored pencil artist.I particularly liked the Technique and Practice section where I learned about using hatching, ringed shading, and using the direction of the stroke.
The advice is practical, compact and to-the-point, and the illustrations show what can be accomplished with this medium.I'm trying to do nature journaling and was pleased with the help it gave me for drawing flowers and animals using tones and surface textures. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is a step-by-step guide to drawing a variety of subjects using colored pencils. It features the artwork of Anne deMille Flood, Janie Gildow, Barbara Benedetti Newton, Lee Hammond, and Cathy Johnson. This easy-to-use guide lists the basic supplies and explains techniques involving shading, burnishing, layering, strokes (vertical, circular, stipple, loose scribble, linear, and crosshatch), lifting, and watercolor pencils. Sample drawings show how to shade a basic sphere, develop lights and darks, add color, and finishing details. The sample drawings are of bell peppers, shiny plums, a fuzzy peach, a daylily, a hibiscus, a flower on suedeboard, a flowering bush with watercolor, a bunny, a cockatiel, a golden retriever, a colored glass jar, glass on a colored surface, a woven basket, a copper pitcher, a woman's portrait, and a baby's portrait. The book also teaches how to draw facial features, a country road, a forest scene, and the woods in autumn. Stapled; 32 pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

very easy
I got this for my teen daughter and it's perfect for someone starting in colored pencils or wanting to try them out. It makes the projects simple enough to give the beginner the confidence to keep learning.

Good for beginner
This is a good step by step for the artist who already draws and wants to try colored pencil. Easy to follow. Lists the colors used for the drawings, which is quite helpful for the colored pencil beginner. ... Read more

Product Description
You will learn step by step how to create angelic bodies, heads, limbs, wings and details, including flowing clothing and background elements, with extremely rich, inspirational final projects that will inspire you to push the limits of your imagination. Step-by-step processes are the focus of the book from simple poses and views to more complex. Sidebars feature tips, frequently asked questions, solutions to common mistakes, information about angels, and more. ... Read more

Product Description
One collectible card with explanation of how the artist was inspired by I, MONTY by Marcus Bach on back of card. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (69)

A well organized book full of helpful information.
I have been painting with colored pencils for two years and have taken classes and read other colored pencil instruction books.This book is by far the best I have read!It is nicely organized with many tips on techniques and many exercises to practice those techniques.Many of the exercises have step-by-step instructions for better demonstration.The author provides a good foundation particularly for burnishing techniques.I will use this books as a reference for years to come.

Colored Pencil Painting Bible by Alyona Nickelsen
I have bought many colored pencil books and they all have something to offer but this one is the best of them all in my opinion. I'll buy any book she writes in the future and recommend them to anyone.

And You Thought Colored Pencils were Just for School Children...

This review is for newcomers to colored pencil art, of which there are two kinds: one of these has little experience in art and just happened upon this page because he or she was looking around for a medium that was somehow "less troublesome or messy" than, say, oils, pastels or acrylics. The second is the otherwise experienced painter who didn't know that the use of colored pencils had developed well beyond the schoolchild level and become a sophisticated medium, and is now interested in learning new techniques.

The COLORED PENCIL PAINTING BIBLE is perfect for both the trained artist and the complete novice. For a beginner, the explanations of design theory, and use of color as it applies to pencil technique is both fascinating and helpful. Should the experienced artist wish to skip ahead to technical chapters, it is easy to do so. As someone who ranks somewhere in between the two kinds of newcomers to colored pencil art, I found myself skipping around in the book, as my style of learning requires, without any difficulty in eventually "getting" it all. It was, for example, important to me to learn the technique of blending color layers and then going back to pick up Nickelsen's advice about the particular colors that produce variations on shadows at different times of day. Someone else, with a preference for a different style of learning, might find it more to their liking to proceed methodically through the book one page at atime. The book is so lucid and well-written that using it for self-instruction works either way.

OMS, Odorless Mineral Spirits, a variation on the solvent turpentine, but without its toxic volatility, is key to Alyona's technique but to explain it in detail would be to give away her secrets. Suffice it to say that it is the basis of her ability to "paint" with colored pencil and it is, it seems to me, truly revolutionary. Certainly, none of the other three manuals I purchased at the same time as I bought Nickelsen's terrific book mentioned anything like it. Therefore I tend to believe the OMS technique is her invention and hers alone. The effects it produces are amazing and like nothing else I have ever seen. It clearly deserves to be called a painting technique rather than a kind of drawing.

As I said, I am partly a novice artist as I have only pursued art since 2008, though I have done so with a passion, which puts me smack dab in between the two categories of newcomers to the art of colored pencils. As such I found Alyona's book both eminently readable and lucid, full of information that never occurred to me as possible, starting with the basic materials all the way through how to add sparkle and high lights to the most realistic glass of water. Without ever talking down to the reader, she manages to convey information in the simplest terms so that every step is clear and as concisely expressed as possible.

To anyone who is interested in trying out this oldest of mediums and seeing the effect of a brand new technique in pushing colored pencils to a sophistication that hasn't been seen before, I recommend this book highly. Even if one has no intention of mastering this art, it is worthwhile to read through the book simply to learn how painting with colored pencil is done, as it surely was devised by someone who was thinking outside the box.Alyona Nickelsen has written a wonderful book, especially in what is apparently not her native language. She ought to be congratulated in these days of such concern for private intellectual property rights for so generously sharing her secret with the rest of the world.

Drawing
Firstly to the seller, a perfectly presented sale.
A book without imperfection or blemish.
To the Author,
Well done Alyona Nickelsen an amazing compilation of art.
As your acknowledgment states, " His grace has helped me to overcome................and to still accomplish this task"

Also a wonderful site, I have received this book in Australia and find the art work next to none.
As allies of America we rely on our economy and peace with an alliance to America, so I see no reason that this amazing book and art work should
not be also put into the same bond and category of protection.
A must for any artist, whatever field you may find yourself in, this is worth every cent and more preciously every second of time reading and learning.

James

Comprehensive and clear colored pencil reference
This book is the best of all the colored pencil books that I have purchased. There is enough information on products currently available to provide good consumer decisions for your artistic intents. There are many illustrations to aid you in your artistic goal. Buy it! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Beginning Steps
This book is actually a great book to have for getting started in Colored Pencil as it teaches a few different techniques and the projects are great for building self-confidence. ... Read more

Product Description
Colored pencils are convenient, neat, portable, economical, forgiving. Now they're even more ideal for beginning artists because they're available in amazing new water—soluble versions. Start with a drawing in colored pencil, then add water to create a painting. It's amazing—and amazingly easy. Drawing and Painting with Colored Pencil covers traditional colored pencil techniques as well as tips on mastering the new water—soluble colored pencils. From basic color layering, burnishing, and lifting, to using water—soluble pencils to create beautiful florals, still lifes, and landscapes, this book is full of great ideas and step—by—step inspiration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Drawing and Painting in Colored Pencil Book.
I recently borrowed this lovely book from the library,so that was a great preview,and I decided to buy it.It contains some great demonstrations in pencil and watercolor pencil.

Students Need a Better Basic Foundation
My copy of this book arrived badly water damaged and this prevented me from viewing the pages clearly. Not Amazon's fault though, nor the author's, but this did not impact my opinion of the book. I work in watercolor, and watercolor pencil and I draw realistically. My watercolor work is impressionistic so I balance this with realism. I expected better use of the mediums based on the book's title. This book gives simple lessons in just about every technique you might want BUT they are not complete. I feel it leaves out very important issues in several areas that I was able to read. This will trip up a student. The watercolor work was weak at best and the drawing not detailed. No matter what your style, contrast in values, variety of subject matter, subtley of transition and color saturation are important. Monochromatic paintings are beautiful due to their variety and placement of values. Often the paintings in this book contained numerous colors but still failed in subtlety and depth. When inspiring a newcomer it is important to present an attainable goal. But to underestimate their ability doesn't inspire the confidence to reach such a goal. Many of the demo's were boring. I felt that more realism was needed here. Perhaps it was the printing but everything seemed flat, although you can tell that the artist used strong color in many of her works. I would suggest that all students of pencil work get copy of "Colored Pencil Painting Bible" by Alyona Nickelsen, even if you want only to work in graphite or watercolor pencil. This book will help you to see realistically. Once you command drawing and color skills as she teaches them, you will have the ability to make choices as to your own style. It takes good training and skill before independent style can develop. Alyona gives both in depth.

Beautiful Book
Kristy is one of the best colored pencil artists around. She has the true soul of an artist and is a great instructor.This book has beautiful art and is a worthwhile addition to any colored pencil artist's library. I have enjoyed her workshops and DVDs too!

The Best Book Ever!
This is the best book that I have ever purchased on the subject of color pencils, and I now own 31 books on the subject, and this one I rank #1.Mainly because the author goes in extensive detail, on every aspect of color pencils (see the back cover for a list).And if you didn't understand some of the more complicated information, she rewords it and relates it in another way, along with pictures and demonstrations to make sure you get it.The author gives step by step instructions to demonstrate each technique that she explains, along with informing you of all colors and paper used for each demonstration.And she gives this same information for all the artwork throughout the book.So if you want to try and attempt to create any of the art on your own, you can. Another thing I like is the fact that she only uses one brand of each type of pencil.Some authors use more than one brand in there demonstrations, like you have an extensive amount of money to invest attempting to do there lessons.She uses Prismacolor for colored pencils, and Faber Castell watercolor pencils.
Then she gives you this same quality information on watercolor pencils, along with the techniques for them.One review stated it the book was more about watercolor pencils, this is not true.There were just more techniques for them, and this author gives you practice and the full step-by-step demonstrations for each technique, which I appreciated.This format is very effective in helping you to have success understanding and learning how to do the techniques.
Then she moves on to teach you techniques where you combine colored and watercolor pencils, and follows the same format as stated above.I was pleasantly surprised to see both types of pencils in one book, with so much information on both.This makes this book worth a lot more than the price Amazon is asking for.And this is a book that you will go to time and time again.

Great for beginners
This is a good book and it does show you a lot of information for beginners and includes water-soluble colored pencils (watercolor pencils). It's one of the "old-school" CP books and it's quite useful. The only think I don't like is that you can see the paper on some of the demos, I personally prefer lay down several layers very light and with a sharp point in order to make sure my transparent layering is good coverage but that's a personal thing. If you aren't a stickler for that, you'll love the book. ... Read more

Product Description
Now in paperback--the perennial bestseller that is the acknowledged "bible" of the medium. Borgesen provides the latest, most authoritative information on materials, offers clearcut lessons on color mixing and specific techniques, and demonstrates various methods for creating works. Her beautifully rendered artwork complements the text. 150 color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Complete Colored Pencil
This book covers all the aspects of Colored Pencil.She is an experienced painter that you will find is a great help to your paintings. This is a revised edition so it is up to date on the new techniques and Pencils you will use.

My favorite colored pencil book
This book is very well written with clear explanations and great information. Its my favorite.

excellent for beginners....
I'd been a sketcher all my life, but had been afraid to add color to my projects. What little experimenting I did do with colored pencils made me feel very awkward, and anxious. I felt I would mess my work up trying to master colored pencils. I didn't know all the techniques that existed in their use, or what one could accomplish with them.

Just recently, I found this book in our local library, and started reading it. I'm only half way through it at this moment, but it has already given me the courage to begin learning the basic techniques of working with colored pencils. I think it's an excellent book for beginners.

Although this book doesn't have alot of suggested exercises in each chapter, it doesn't take much imagination to know that one should try out the different techniques Borgeson writes about. In fact, her clear writing of the subject matter makes one WANT to try the techniques presented to them. She starts out with the basic materials, explaining what you will need to draw, and then she goes into different drawing techniques. Each chapter easily builds onto the last one giving a newbie a good foundation to start with, and then to expand.
My colored drawings, and confidence in using this medium have already gotten much better, and I'm having fun doing it!

I've already ordered my own copy of this book from the bookstore, and I've bought another one of her books that concentrates just on techniques. I'm looking forward to reading, and working with it as well.

Some things to remember....no drawing book is going to do the work for you. You must practice the techniques within them on your own whether the writer tells you to, or not. Practice and experimentation are the only ways to learn. This book, and working with colored pencils has certainly taught me this.

Thanks for reading!

A New Way to Paint
The original was good, the revised edition better.But don't turn down the first if you see it in the second-hand store!This book transformed my painting.Though I used pastels or acrylics for twenty-five years, I have not touched them since.It is the perfect media for a small apartment (zero mess) and an irregular schedule (the media doesn't dry out before you can get back to work, and the colors stay the same).Especially valuable because the artist shows how the paintings develop in layers, and how she judges and corrects them to fit her evolving ideas.

Just starting out?This is for you!
I am very new to art on paper and am exploring all the different media available to me.I borrowed this book from the library to see if it was something I needed on my shelves and my considered opinion after reading it is I MUST HAVE A COPY OF MY OWN!The exercises are clear, instructions basic, explanations are concise and make sense and the book flows from one chapter to another.This is an excellent book for the person seeking to get an overall exposure to this medium. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is a wonderful introduction to the art of drawing with colored pencil. The book begins with important information about selection and use of colored pencil tools and materials, as well as basic pencil strokes and special techniques. Then it presents five inspiring, full-color, step-by-step lessons, with easy-to-follow instructions and personal tips from the artist.

• Create vibrant, beautiful works of art in colored pencil

• Explore a number of special techniques, from drawing on colored paper and textured grounds to building opaque color and using a colorless blender

• Learn the basics of color theory and value

• Follow simple instructions to render a variety of subjects--from flowers and still lifes to animals and people ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Colored Pencil:Project Book for Beginners
This book is very basic and great for learning how to draw with colored pencils.Arrived in good conditon and quickly.

Caution: reprint of part of the book Colored Pencil Step by Step
While Yaun's book is okay for someone to learn a little bit about colored pencil, please be aware that it is merely a reprint of part of the book entitled Colored Pencil Stey by Step (Walter Foster, 2003; ISBN 1-56010-719-7). I did not realize this and ordered Colored Pencil: Project Book for Beginners when I already had Colored Pencil Stey by Step. I am now contacting Amazon to see if I can return the book and get a refund.

Color my world!
Ms. Angelo's book is a beautifully illustrated and easy to understand how-to on colored pencil techniques. I can hardly wait to get her other book "Exploring Colored Pencils" and the companion DVDs.
The exercises are layed out step by step and she includes a color chart so even a beginner, like me, can do it. Her sections on supplies and papers were very helpful. I especially enjoyed the various examples of art pictured in the book - amazingly all done with colored pencil!

An incredibly easy way to produce impressive colored pencil drawings!
I could not believe how incredible my colored pencil drawings turned out after going through this book. Sandra presents the steps in easy to follow language and simple examples. She presents several techinques and then gives lessons to practice each technique. The method she uses in this book instills the confidence to continue with the process. I produced drawings that I was proud of almost immediately. (I had gone through Sandra Angelo's So You Thought You Couldn't Draw first, so I felt confident with my drawing skills, but this book does not require that.)What I like most about this book is the overall philosophy that comes across: drawing is a process that can take you to a different place where stress disappears and relaxation enters in.

unbelievable
I must agree with another reviewer that this book is impossibly
difficult for a beginner. I am trying to find a book that starts
from the simplest with step-by step instructions working up to
more advanced. Which book is it? Not this one! ... Read more

Product Description
This dynamic book reveals the limitless creative possibilities of colored pencils when blended with mixed media. It features the work of today's most innovative colored pencil artists, highlighting a range of new and exciting effects in step-by-step detail.

Designed to be instantly gratifying and wholly achievable, these techniques incorporate pastel, solvents, airbrush, watercolor, acrylic, ink and more. Each chapter clearly demonstrates how readers can re-create techniques in their own work.

They'll find plenty of information on tools, materials and each medium's basic characteristics.A final section includes line drawings of the demonstrations so that readers can concentrate on their new skills without worrying about getting the drawing right. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Does not disappoint!
I had been a fan of Janie Gildow for some time. Being an avid colored pencil artist (sic) :-) she is the ultimate artist. I got an Amazon gift cert and immediately bought this book. In it, Janie explores various different effects that can be achieved using colored pencil with other media, step by step, clearly and concisely. I am very happy with this book!!

A beautiful book!
It has a nice mix of small projects that aren't so intimidating and a gallery of stunning works that will inspire your creativity. I've always limited myself to colored pencils because of the "no mess" factor, but if you're ready to start making messes with watercolor, pastel, and even wood burning, this book is full of beautiful examples. The down side is that you probably won't have all the materials needed for all the projects, so you'll have do your own alterations or make some supply purchases.

Not just useful...
but FUN!
This book is full of creativity and good instruction...in fact, I have had an airbrush for awhile and couldn't quite get the hang of it. A simple step was being missed that I didn't realize...but I found that simple step in the general description of how to use the airbrush.
There are many other exciting techniques in here, and I am soooo glad I went ahead and ordered it.
Lots of beautiful and unique work too...not just the same ol bunch of flowers, cherries, limes, oranges, and grapes. Some of that is there...but so is an abstract tapestry!

Inspiring ideas off the beaten path
This book is chock-full of ideas for colored pencil that depart from the standard blending and sketching methods. If you are an ultra-realist, there is a demonstration (or at least an example) of a cat sitting in sunlight that will knock your socks off.

If you are not an ultra realism fan, however, there are other demonstrations that depart from this genre. For example, there is a demonstration of a crumpled paper abstract technique that would suit a collage artist, especially one who makes or collects handmade papers. There is a section on masking and using airbrush; not something I'm likely to deal with but still, interesting to read. There are also demonstrations of colored pencil with watercolor underlay, grissage and other techniques.

This book does what it is titled; explorations. If you are looking for a how-to in colored pencil standard technique, this book won't be the one you want to start with. But if you want to explore the medium and spread your wings, this book is a beautiful inspiriation.

Great Inspirations for Colored Pencil Use
Expands the repertoire of colored pencils by including their use with other media. The result is mixed media at its best. This is not a book for people who need a paint by numbers approach, but it should not be shunned by beginners. There are many demonstrations in the book which take the artist (or would-be artist) by the hand and show how the subject was created, down to a precise list of what materials were use, including brand names of pencils and other media. The book utilized the works of several artists and explained their techniques in very clear language. Yes, some of the techniques are advanced, but this should provide inspiration for a beginner, not discouragement.
For the more advanced artist, the book explodes with ideas for combining a wide variety of media in ways that most of us have not considered previously. I was particularly intrigued with the example of using Mylar in a reverse painting technique. I recommend this book for anyone with artist's block; it will certainly help to "jump-start" your creative engine again.

... Read more

Product Description
Readers will see near-instant results from the only book available that combines instruction on colored pencil and watercolor pencil, two increasingly popular mediums. It's ideal for novices, who can look forward to:

-More than 25 step-by-step demonstrations illustrating simple techniques to create realistic paintings

-Guidance on combining the mediums for great, unique results

-A lighthearted, unintimidating approach to drawing and painting fruit, flowers, water and textures

-The Glossary and Words to Know and Quick Tips sidebars that get readers started immediately

Colored & Watercolor Pencil is a valuable addition to the fast-growing No Experience Required! series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Takes a formal approach
The author states he prefers tight, detailed, formal work, and that is not what interests me.I like looser, less representative approaches to water media.Once I set his approach aside, I could adapt his exercises to my needs, and the step by steps were useful.If you like a precise approach, this book may be right for you.I found it fussy.

No Experience Required - Colored & Watercolor Pencil
The information regarding color theory, materials required, and techniques that can be used in painting with these pencils, was very informative. I was hoping that there would be exercises in which the steps needed to complete a painting, would be supplied, with pictures illustrating each step. This was the case with this book, however, I felt the steps and illustrations could have been broken down into a few more of such, for a simpler understanding of what's involved.

Overall, I thought the book was well worth purchasing.

Excellent for beginners
I've spent a lot of money on books to teach myself painting.I believed many grand promises made by these books and have found myself more disappointed than successful.Not the case with this one.This book was so easy to understand, I was thrilled to find success at my early attempts.Techniques were explained clearly and the demonstrations were also easy to understand.Highly recommended.

Great for beginners
The way Gary Greene explains how to use colored and water color pencils makes it very easy to follow the steps. He clearly
shows what results to get in an easy to follow manner. Great for beginners as well as more advantaged users of these mediums.
I highly recommend this book.

Constance Hingert

My Review
This book does a very good job of showing how to use colored pencils and watersoluble pencils both indepently and together.I used it to use watersolubles for large areas and the colored pencils for detail and it helped quite a bit. ... Read more

Product Description
Colored pencil is a wonderfully usable medium--perfect for sketching or rendering, and it mixes easily with other art mediums. Here the author shares some of the techniques he has learned throughout his career, guiding the reader step by step through the entire process, from selecting the materials, sketching, refining, and blocking in the undercolors to the final application of color and details.

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

o Master the basic layering techniques for rich color

o Learn to depict perspective, values, details, and atmosphere

o Create glazed and textured effects with white and other opaque colors

o Mix media using colored pencils along with art stix, felt-tip pens, watercolor, and tinted papers ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good step-by-step guide and examples for practice
Has good examples for how to achieve different effects. Several use colored pencils along with other media (watercolor or felt pen). My main interest in the book was the four 6 to 10 step examples (including specificcolors)to learn techniques using grapes, stawberries, apples and cherries. ... Read more

Product Description
Offers detailed advice on working with colored pencils, describes shortcuts and techniques for handling backgrounds, and explains how to adapt other media. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Basic colored pencil techniques
I ordered this book online and I was excited and anxious to receive it. I was slightly dissapointed when I got it as it did not give as much detailed tutorials as I expected but she did give alot of written information and some examples of techniques that are helpful.The subject matters that were displayed was not of much interest to me. However, the Artist Bet Borgenson is very talanted and the details in her paintings are fantastic.

A standard work
This book, by a pioneer in Color pencil painting is the standard work on this subject for both beginners and advanced artists...a good reference book as well.....Most of the other books are repetitions of this work only.

Acceptable but have other books on hand...
I bought this book with several others, and if I didnt have a comparison I would probably rate it better.The images are washed out, cartoony, and poorly drawn.The author doesnt seem to like using colors at full value, rather he/she prefers to have all the pictures in soft colors.

Solid Techniques to Develop Impressive Colored Pencil Drawings
I was immediately struck that the author uses Prismacolor Professional Colored Pencils, my own brand of choice.This made it easy to practice her techniques using the same colors as stated by each image. I learned the best way to layer color - basic tonal layering, heavy pressure layering, two layer approach, spot layering (basic, bold, blended), plus doing the single layer approach.Other techniques covered are the lifting of color, covering large areas, using various colored paper for special effects and so much more that it would take another paragraph to fully describe the multitude of methods the author covers in this book. This book has steered me on the path to produce interesting works of art with colored pencils, where before I managed to use my college art classes to some degree, but not in the quality I really wanted to see my work develop.This is a good book for beginners and intermediates, maybe even good review/reference for the advanced artist.I am so pleased with this book over other colored pencil technique books that I am sure that the others will get dusty from lack of use, while this one will become a true tool to help me with my future artistic endeavors.

Lovely and informative: a very helpful resource book
I read the reviews on all the colored pencil technique books on Amazon and chose this one. I taught myself watercolor and had been doing some colored pencil illustrations, but needed some help! This book shows all the tricks and tips I could ever need and the steps are usually broken up into understandable stages of a drawing - but not always. I would have liked to see more of the tools at work in the instructional photos. Sometimes just "use an eraser for this effect" doesn't make sense without the eraser right there, doing it. I am actually creating my art using Corel Paint with the colored pencils and this book is a terrific help! ... Read more

Product Description
This book is designed for absolute BEGINNERS who have the patience to work with colored pencils, and can dedicate enough time to develop their artistic sensibilities. Students from age twelve to adulthood will benefit from its contents, strengthening their skills and discovering their creative possibilities. This book is packed with valuable information on tools and techniques for drawing still life, landscape, cityscape, texture, glass and flowers. In addition to informative illustrations and descriptions, each chapter features several step-by-step demonstrations.For experienced artists, the book offers explorations of a variety of more sophisticated subjects, complete with additional step-by-step demonstrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

This Is Nice, But Not Realism...
This is a nice book, but I don't think the title matches the contents. Though the Artist has rendered some nice pieces, and shows decent step-by-steps, the art work doesn't look real. There is an Artist Alyona Nickelson who does realism with colored pencils. Her work looks real, the work in this book in most cases is just alright,some really nice, but none realistic. I was looking for a book that would assist me in rendering lifelike colored pencil art. This book, isn't it. The price is also too much for what is given. If you want true realism, check this book out! Colored Pencil Painting Bible: Techniques for Achieving Luminous Color and Ultra-Realistic Effects

An outstanding guide through the major steps in realistic colored pencil drawing
About a month ago, as an absolute beginner, I started reading the classic Betty Edward's "The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and working with the associated workbook - my goal was to eventually work with colored pencils and I was most intrigued by realistic colored pencil drawing. After a couple of weeks of drawing practice,I decided to not delay the colored pencil experience but to at least try the first demonstrations in Veronica Winter's "Master Realist Techniques in Colored Pencil Painting in 4 Weeks".From the first page I was hooked -- I was immediately engaged and knew I was being lead by a very talented artist and teacher.This book is very well written with clear demonstrations that I as a beginner found easy to follow.The subjects of the demonstrations are interesting and beautiful.The demonstrations are teaching me how to see with an artist's eye and how to handle the pencils with an artist's hand, laying a solid foundation upon which to evolve my drawing. I am having so much fun and my results are inspiring friends and family to explore art themselves.I look forward to each new demonstration and enjoy the time I spend drawing.I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other beginners and I would expect that more advanced artists would find it very valuable as well.

Lots of demos and info on 3D drawing with colored pencils
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2OPP6T9Z9826G Hello fellow artists!

This book will guide you through major steps in realistic colored pencil drawing. Draw to get beautiful results both from pictures and life. You can also visit my website [...] to see closeup pages of the book.
The video shows some of my colored pencil drawings that are available for purchase.
Thanks for peeping and happy drawing!

Wonderful & Easy Guide
Ever since childhood I always wanted to draw. This book is exactly what I was looking for: nice step-by-step guides into various subjects such as landscapes, fabric, glass, still-life. Prepare yourself for a ton of relaxing fun with colored pencils! ... Read more

Product Description
Artists will discover an exciting, mixed-media way of painting that takes full advantage of the vivid moods of watercolor, the punch and contrast of ink, and the rich textures of colored pencil.

Sueellen Ross teaches readers to layer one medium on top of another in easy-to-control stages. Step-by-step instructions teach how to use this technique to paint cozy interiors, beautiful flowers, cats, birds, and other delightful subjects in a brillant, realistic style. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Paint Radiant Realism in Watercolor, Ink & Colored Pencil
This book is just incredible.There are no other words for Suellen Ross' book.She is so talented and gifted.Her drawings are like photos they are so real.Arrived in great condition used, and very quickly.

Realism in watercolor
Sueellen Ross shows in great detail the steps she uses to create her wonderful and charming animal watercolor paintings.While the average painter will never come close to her mastery, using her techniques has added a whole new range of detail and color to the animals I have painted.I hope to continue using this book as a lesson plan to improve my own work.

Radiant indeed
Ms. Ross shows, through numerous step-by-step examples, how to achieve some very beautiful transitions from light to dark.Yes, her style is realistic, but it is really her sense of dramatic lighting that is the marvel here.

Even if your intent is not to be ultra-realistic, there is much that can be learned and later leveraged for mixed-media painting.How she incorporates black ink with watercolor glazes is especially informative.That she works from dark to light with watercolor (exactly the reverse of what most of us have been taught) and shows how to do it with great success is definitely worth a look.Her knowledge of colored pencils and how she uses them as a watercolor resist is something that I will be experimenting with for months.

All in all, it is a thought-provoking book even if you do not intend to work in such a realistic fashion.Ms. Ross' book could easily be used as a foundry for helping you develop your own unique style because it illustrates how to make mixed media work together by taking advantage of the strengths of pen & ink, watercolor painting, and color pencils.

Impressive, Fascinating, Instructional
I bought this book because the front cover captured my attention, and because I have an interest in this type of mixed media process. Sueelen Ross gives detailed instructions and includes examples of her process for many of her paintings. She also reveals her choice of specific pencils, inks, colored pencils and watercolors, including brand names and precise color names. I enjoyed the amazing pictures as well as the information, and I am quite pleased to have purchased the book. It is obvious that Ross loves cats, but she also paints other subjects. I usually buy this type of book, flip through the pages and put it on the shelf to use sometime in the future. When I received this book, I read practically the entire book, studying and enjoying every page. Get the book for the pictures alone, but you will also enjoy and appreciate the author's personality and generosity. Her book is a gift of herself. Thank you Suellen Ross.

Want to learn about watercolor pencils.
This book is very good and is directed toward the more professional person.I found the information very helpful and would recommend it to people learning to use watercolor pencils. ... Read more

Product Description
A successfully executed work of botanical art is an exacting blend of scientific accuracy and aesthetic beauty. This lavishly illustrated volume offers practical, step-by-step instruction for creating professional quality colored pencil illustrations of flowers, foliage, fruits, and other botanical subjects. Colored pencils serve as an excellent alternative to the traditional practice of rendering botanical art in watercolors because pencils are far easier to use and control, yet can produce equally outstanding results. The author instructs in the use of both water-soluble and oil-based colored pencils, and presents progressive illustrations that demonstrate the rendering of an artwork from start to completion. She advises on choosing materials and offers guidelines for getting to know each flower or plant before starting an illustration. All aspects of working with colored pencils are covered, including underpainting, layering and burnishing, mixing and building up color, and adding those finishing touches that bring a botanical subject fully to life. She also presents works by other botanical artists to show students a wide range of styles. The book features approximately 200 beautiful and instructive color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great book for art reference
I got this book to use as an art reference books and it's loaded with color pencil drawings of many different plants, fruits and vegetables and they are really nice.It's inspired me to get out my colored pencils, dust them off, and do some botanical drawings of my own!

Ann Swan Botanical Portriats
This is the best color pencil technique book I've encountered, and I have many.Super ideas for fine detail.

Beautiful book.
I haven't had a chance to attempt any of the portraits in the book, but I have really enjoyed reading the book and being awed by the excellent drawings and colored pencil work.

Really delivers
Botanical Portraits with Colored Pencils is a very generous volume of information . The practical information detailing the kinds of pencils, colors and paper is excellent and the number of color plates with excellent detail inform visually. Ann Swan breaks down the elements of botanical illustration with valuable tutorials on such things as tendril drawing and the rendering of spines and prickles. There is a chapter on techniques and various ways to employ them. Ann Swan seems to really want to foster her fellow botanical enthusiasts and I am grateful.I recommend this book without reservation.

Botanical Portraits with Colored Pencils
Thorough book with lots of information on how to get more out of colored pencil drawing. Very complete descriptions of the properties of differnet types of colored pencils and using them together, including using wax-based Prismacolor pencils with oil-based and water soluable pencils. Techniques are useful for all subjects, not just botanical drawings. ... Read more

Product Description
"*Provides more than 70 specialized answers for common colored pencil dilemmas*Step-by-step mini-demos illustrate techniques and help artists apply what they’ve learned

Few mediums can rival the range of effects achieved with colored pencils. This guide offers sound instruction from two highly respected artists. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience they provide answers to the most frequently asked questions. Chapters feature an easy-to-refence format covering crucial topics including setup, application, technique, color theory, texture and light." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

It's OK
Not quite what I wanted but I'm sure it will help me somewhere along the way.

Good book
This book takes the serious beginning color pencil artist through setting up a studio, to the basics of composition and technique and through every step of creating a good picture from start to finish.It offers tips and solutions for "painting" everything from glass and metal to fruit and flowers.I've gotten many good tips from this book and recommend it.

Great book for beginners or experts.
I was amazed at the tricks, tips, and techniques described in this book.I have been using colored pencils for more years than I'll admit to, and thought I knew all the tricks.I learned, from this book, tips and tricks that were new to me.It is plainly written so that the beginner will have no trouble understanding it, and even the expert will soon be using it as an indispensible reference.

My favorite
This is one of my favorite Colored Pencil Instruction Book.I keep coming back to it for artistic inspiration.I highly recommend trying out all of the exercises.Your skills will improve dramatically.

Clear and concise
This is my favorite book about colored pencils.
It's packed with valuable tips and techniques, using solvents,
gray and complementary color underpainting,
reverse grisaille,
working on colored surface and
different kinds of paper,
vertical line technique,
juxtaposing color,
crosshatch etc...
They show how to paint lace ( with using of solvents), drop of water, satin fabric, indian corn, peppers, plum, peaches, velvety rose (with pale geranium underpainting), day lily, silver, busket, reflection in water, fractured view in water and much more..

I love beautiful works of authors. Take a look at work pictured old hands, making ravioli on p.51, garlic on p.68,cabbage on p.74... Color layers are so even, all works are air fresh, not overworked, technique is fantastic.
Question and answers part is very helpful too.
Beautiful addition to my library of colored pencils books. ... Read more

Product Description
The Complete Colored Pencil Book is a comprehensive technique book that offers the full spectrum of colored pencil instruction. Artists of all skill levels will enjoy helpful tips on improving drawing skills and creating dozens of lifelike textures, and over ten demonstrations that focus on the results of specific tools and materials. You will also discover a chapter dedicated to painting portraits, including many samples of children, as well as portrait, still-life and landscape galleries of beautiful art by the author and other talented contributors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Great beginner instruction
I needed a quick review in the use of colored pencils. I borrowed several books on the subject from the library and this one was the most comprehensive so I bought it.

The VERY best
PERFECT! A very comprehensive cataloging of all you need to master colored pencils. Ideal for the beginner and intermediate, even advanced!

Colored Pencil
What I have read so far is very helpful with my own colored pencil drawings.I am trying to establish my own technique and with Poulin's steps of applying color and textures I am able to.

Great book
Excellent artwork in the book.Don't judge the artwork by the cover, or even the back.OPEN IT, the work gets better.

Don't let the title fool you either.The author/artist even says in his introduction that he is offering you a "...'GLIMPSE' into the versatile and vibrant medium..."He is basically wanting to show the reader that colored pencil can render high value artwork just as those created in oil.Just getting the recognition it deserves.So, that is where the artist/author is coming from.

It is not a step by step book or how to draw book.He explains some techniques and gives alot of verbal information about each work presented in the book.He gives you things to think about when you start to approach your own projects, as would a college art instructor.But gives you the freedom to create your own and be an individual and expressive.Instead of step-by-step how to do the exact artwork in the book, he shows you how to do your own artwork, and inspires you to do so.Much of the work in the book is his, but he does show other artists work as examples as well.There are many subjects covered which is great.The best way to like this book and learn from it, is to really READ it and study it.

He is guiding you, not holding your hand.So beginners, don't buy this book.

Sorry, but Just Not Worth It...
I've drawn casually for years, but when I finally got around to buying professional grade colored pencils, I wanted to learn specifically how to use them as a media. This was the first book I read on the subject, and it was a sore disappointment.

The author is a good artist, but the book does very little actual teaching. As someone else mentioned, it shows a lot of pictures of artwork and tells that they were made using certain techniques, but it never shows how to do it yourself.

What really bugged me was that there was a huge section just on the author's personal workshop--how he built it, what materials he used, even copies of the blueprints! How many casual art students are going to build their own studios, including tables and countertops and shelves and cupboards? It's obvious that the author is proud of what he did, and he has every right to be. But, he might have done well to write a separate book just on how to build and furnish your own studio, rather than wasting space he could have used to give instructions on how to draw with colored pencils.

Between that and all the examples of artwork with no instructions, it really seemed like the book was written more to show off the author's accomplishments, rather than teaching new artists. It might be better being read by someone who already has plenty of experience with colored pencils, but I wouldn't recommend it for beginners.

If you're looking for good instructional books, try Drawing and Painting with Colored Pencil: Basic Techniques for Mastering Traditional and Watersoluble Colored Pencils along with Colored Pencil Solution Book. ... Read more

Product Description
Portraits not only capture a likeness, but offer for generations to come a glimpse into the subject's life. Sounds like quite a challenge. But with Ann Kullberg's help, it's not as difficult as one might think to create lifelike colored pencil portraits.

Using her own beautiful portraiture for instruction and inspiration, Kullberg walks artists through the process step by step--from basic information about materials and techniques to two demonstrations that show how complete portraits come together from beginning to end.

Readers will also find Kullberg's secrets for making their portrait come alive, along with 17 mini-demos that make it easy to paint realistic features, hair and clothing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (65)

You Can Do This!
Hats off to Ann Kullberg as an artist and a teacher. I learned to paint colored pencil portraits using this book. I will not say I have NO experience with colored pencils. Many years ago, my mother, who is an artist mostly in water color, took a class in photorealistic pet portraits. She liked it and showed me how to do a project: cat's eyes. THAT'S ALL of my experience with colored pencil previous to Kullberg's book. After reading Kulberg's books, I am turning out colored pencil people that are impressing family and friends. In fact, I am surprising even myself. I look at a picture I've done and think, "Wow! I can't believe I did that!"

Chapter 1 is Getting Started, where Kullberg shows the materials the colored pencil artist needs. Kullberg uses 23 different colors to create skin tones, and roughly 80 colors altogether. At $1.50-$2.00 each (depending on where you buy them--my local art supply sells them less expensively than the national craft chain), pencils are the main expense. I'm using 19 colors for skin tones. She gives a great trick for using your pencils right down to the nubbins.

Chapter 2 is Composing a Portrait. Here, Kullberg gives general guidelines for good composition and cropping. She also gives several ways to capture images if you are not a good freehand drawer. Using reference photos, you can trace, draw with a grid, or use a slide projector and 35mm slide. (To become a better freehand drawer, and artist in general, who can beat Betty Edwards' "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain"?)

Chapter 3, Seeing the Light, is about using deep contrast to capture the play of light. Kullberg uses her older work as an example of "what not to do." Funny thing is, as a viewer, I totally disagree with her assessment. I much prefer her older work. I find it painterly, intimate, and quiet; less photographic than the style she settled on. My feeling is, if I want to see photorealism, I'll look at a photo! Still, my taste aside, the reader does learn how to render very strong light. Kullberg is a Pacific Northwesterner, and as a former Pacific Northwesterner, I can well understand her obsession with sunlight. She paints squintingly bright portraits, I moved to Albuquerque.

In Chapter 4, the reader learns about Creating Believable Skin Tones. This is a very detailed chapter with excellent advice for accurate rendering. It includes sections on Black and Asian skin tones, but you are on your own for Mediterranean skin tones. Still, the general principles apply. I don't follow her same technique exactly, but used it as a springboard for a--what shall I say?--more seat-of-the-pants process. She is very affirming as a teacher, and would encourage any student to discover what works best for them.

Chapter 5 is Painting Features and the Face. There are sections for the mouth, the ear, the nose and the eyes. She shows two step-by-step examples of how and in what order one might paint a face.

Cahpter 6 is Painting Hair. She says, "It's really not as difficult as you might think." How right she is! There are sections on dark hair, light brown hair, blond hair, red hair, curly hair, kinky hair, and the crew cut (which also works for stuffed animal fur).

Chapter 7 gives directions for Painting Fabric, from solid cotton, patterns and plaids, to denim, polished fabrics and knits.

Chapter 8 is Putting It All Together. She gives two examples of a painting sequences for complete portraits. She also gives advice for those who would like to develop a business of commissioned portraits, as she has done, including advice on pricing.

If you want to learn to paint people in corored pencil, you will not be disappointed in this book. How do you know if colored pencil would be an enjoyable medium for you? You will like colored pencil of you are obsessive about detail, and don't mind projects that move very slowly. A well-sharpened pencil point will not have many brushes that can rival it in fineness.

book
Book was better condition than described. We received it very fast. Very happy with purchase

An Excellent Book!
This book was recommended to me by two artist friends of mine, so I decided to give it a try.I have no regrets!The day this book arrived, I started reading it.I read it, cover-to-cover, in one evening.It was easy reading, simple to understand, and the advice and techniques given are invalueable.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to achieve realistic skin tones in their colored pencil drawings.

The book arrived quickly and was in good condition.

Colored Pencil Portraits
Excellent book...ordered it as a gift for my wife.Professionally packaged and received on time,Thanks!

Colored Pencil Portraits step by step
If you want to teach yourself the art of painting portraits with colored pencils, Ann Kullberg's Colored Pencil Portraits is a must for your art library. Her realistic portraits are dazzling. Ann takes you through the process of painting portraits step by step allowing even a beginning artist to learn her method. ... Read more