Product Description
This book an EXACT reproduction of the original book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
First Steps Painting Series Book on Watercolors makes even a beginners first strokes fun and rewarding.Instructions on specific mediums are clear simple and encouraging. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

This book "holds your hand" through the basics
basically this is the most helpful of the three beginner books I got about watercolor painting. The book makes no assumptions, so you get to start from the ground up. Author Cathy Johnson tells you what materials to buy, and how to experiment with them before moving on the "easy-to-learn ways to paint"; followed by exercises in painting specific things such as trees, flowers and a little about still life items and animals; and finally a chapter comprising about 12 step-by-step demonstrations of complete paintings. The last chapter, I might add, is not a slavish copying exercise, but includes much general advice for planning and executing you own creative work.

A couple of points about materials. Johnson recommends that you only buy professional artist grade paints and materials, and claims that, at the time of writing (1995) you could get set up for around $50.00. You could expect to easily double that figure for such supplies in today's world. In fact, professional paints alone could run you over a hundred dollars and pro brushes are very pricey, too. My opinion is that you can do these exercises and projects quite well with good student-grade paints and supplies. Right now I am using a set of Grumbacher Academy paints, and that is working just fine. I also have large sheets of Bienenfang watercolor paper, which is useful because you can cut them up into small rectangles to practice things like "pulling a wash", AND you can paint on both sides of it. You will need a few basic brushes such rounds and flats, something called a "rigger", as well as a fan brush you can chop up a bit, and other brushes if desired. There is a full page devoted to ideas of how to play with your brushes to see what they can do--like jabbing, swooping, using the edge, etc. My favorite was the rigger, a supple long-haired brush you can practically dance with!

A word about progress: you will be all this brush stuff and trying techniques like dry brush and wet on dry brush for a while before you even start on making anything that "looks like something". Then you'll get some simple tree shapes such as poplar, cedar, oak, etc before moving on to grasses and skies. That is where I am right now. But these basic picture elements are also satisfying to produce. Today I finished page 55, working a couple of hours in the afternoons for a week or so. That is about half of the book, but I expect the later sections to be more involved. Will revisit this review at that point.

I hope this helps!

Better than I expected!
This book arrived in like-new condition, and thumbing through I quickly found that this will be a book to keep me busy for HOURS. The book is fun and results-oriented as far as techniques. I will be going through all the exercises to practice all the advice offered. An awesome deal in my book! Top quality.

Painting Watercolours
I have already reviewed this to the supplier, and I understood that Amazon gets a copy of it.However, to recap, the item was shipped in very good time, and was in perfect condition.

Excellent For Beginners
Of all the books out there on Beginning watercolors, this one ought to stand among the top.

This is a no-nonsense, direct, practial and applicable book.

Cathy Johnson, has covered a wide range of topics in a concise and apt manner that makes the most sense for the beginning watercolorist.

Here is what is covered in the book.

MATERIALS
Papers, Brushes, Palettes etc. are covered enough to get started.

THEORY
Colors, Values, Composition are briefly discussed, again enough to get going.

EXERCISES
This is a beautiful part of the book, some of the exercises are : Round brush Exercise, Flat brush, fan brush etc.. Some of them introduces to different materials tools such as palette knife. And there are a few interesting ones, which she calls "fear conquering" exercises. these are beautiful and essential, particularly useful to learn and understand watercolor. In these exercises she explores 'happy accidents' which is the key to successful watercolor.

TECHNIQUE
Various techniques are covered next such as Flat wash, graded wash , wet-on-wet,dry, wet on dry, and the Glazes.

SPECIFIC SUBJECTS
After the essential techniques are introduced, and one is familiar with how to use the tools and paint, we next move to specifics. A variety of subjects are covered, and the color palette is discussed along as these are taken up one by one.
Trees, foliage, grass, skies, water, surfing, falling water, snow, mountain, cliff, rocks, buildings, flowers, fruits, animals, and common things are some of the subjects that are dealt with.

DEMONSTRATIONS
The book concludes with a series of demonstrations of landscape and still life, such as Farm scene, boat scene, etc. wich are step by step, and applies the material covered so far in the book. This is the point when the learner can slowly take to his/her own wings and start creating their own paintings. There is one particular demo where the same scenery is painted using different palettes to create different seasons.

Overall, this is a very crisp and effective introduction to watercolors.

Great Beginners Book!
I have never painted before and recently took some watercolor classes and really enjoyed the experience.I ordered this book for help to paint on my own and feel it is a great book for beginners.Techniques are explained in an easy format and it has some great examples for creating a nice finished painting.I would highly recommend this for someone like myself who is just beginning watercolors. ... 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
Create gorgeous paintings with this fun and easy guide to acrylics!

Always wanted to paint with acrylics? This easy-to-follow, full color guide gives you expert instruction and simple exercises in acrylic painting techniques and styles. The step-by-step projects let you practice your skill and stir your imagination — and give you the foundation to create similar projects with your own subjects and surfaces!

• Get your feet (and brushes) wet — assemble your materials, prepare your surfaces, and sort out additives and enhancers

• Try out basic acrylic techniques — work with brush strokes, control and thin your paint, experiment with textures, and use stencils

• Practice design and composition principles — mix and use color, balance elements, make changes, and pull your painting together

• Imitate several kinds of styles — use acrylic paint to mimic the effects of watercolor and oil paints

• Build your repertoire — explore texture and dimension, work with glass, rocks, bricks, metalwork, and more

Open the book and find:

• Clear step-by-step instructions with illustrations

• A variety of projects and styles to suit all tastes

• Quick tricks and techniques to get started painting right away

• Lots of colorful paintings to inspire creativity

• Helpful hints for improving your drawing skills

• Full-scale projects at the end of most chapters

• Exercises to jump-start your artistic passion

Customer Reviews (8)

painting
great book, easy to get into, does not need to be used in any order other than the intro. worth the price.

Can't recommend this book
I don't consider myself an amateur painter but wanted to get some extra techniques on painting with acrylics. This book has about only a handful of photo examples of painting techniques that go step by step in the process. And to have only a handful of examples in a 304 page book is a huge disappointment.

Most of the photo examples shown in the book give the beginning process without the much needed middle in-between steps much to my annoyance. Another gripe is that the pictures are too small and don't show the details necessary to get an idea of what the author is describing in the text.

I feel like returning this book to Amazon but the hassle of the process is not worth it. I will probably end up just giving the book to my local library.

Acrtlic Painting For Dummies
I probably have at least a dozen books on how to paint with acrylics but this one is more helpful and informative than all of the others put together.The instructions are simple to understand and easy to do but the effects are truly creative and varied. The organization is excellent, making it very easy to use. Everything is shown step by step, unlike so many books where you are given a couple of instructions followed by a completed picture...the kind that leave you clueless about the steps it took to get there. The techniques are broken down so that they are very easy to understand but that doesn't mean the effects look simple when finished.There's a multitude of techniques to try as well as demonstrations of brush techniques, kinds of paint mediums and various additives. There are art supplies I never even knew existed that can make very interesting effects. This book differs from others in the "Dummies" series in that there are many colored pictures and illustrations. This book is a pleasure to use.

Painting made easy
Great book for novice painters like me. Really gave me a lot of great short cuts and also the basics with a sense of humour and fun.

Acrylic painting for dummies
Fantastic book - not for dummies though. It has very in-depth instructions and it teaches you a lot of good techniques.I gave this book to my sister who is a novice and she loved it.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Artists constantly tell us that they need guidance for rendering skin tones in their portraiture. This book helps them overcome this elusive challenge by providing a clear set of easy-to-follow principles for painting a variety of skin tones in three major mediums--oil, pastel and watercolor. The first chapter is rooted in the basics, showing artists how to recognize and use the five major elements of painting: drawing, value, color, composition and edges. From there, artists learn how to work with light, shadow and color to effectively capture the beautiful skin tones of various ethnic groups, including Caucasian, Asian, African-American and Hispanic. Next, artists discover how to execute the principles learned, using detailed instruction for color selection, mixing and application. Four mini-demos, three long demos and many examples illustrate the lessons.Artists will benefit from advice on shooting and choosing photographs to paint, how to edit their compositions and work past their limitations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

A MUST HAVE FOR THE PORTRAIT PAINTER
This book was my number one resource when learning to paint portraits in color. Although the demonstration paintings are done in either pastel or oils, it doesn't matter what medium you are using - you will still gain an in-depth understanding of color theory that will aid in creating beautiful skin tones. Step-by-step photos, clear explanations of the progress of the painting, and sample palettes give a complete guide to the creation of each portrait. In addition, the author provides one of the most comprehensive and comprehensible explanations of color theory that I have found anywhere. It's a real must have for any artist, but especially the portrait artist looking to either begin or improve the use of color in their work.

WOW for those who need to shape up their color mixing skills!
I was attempting a portrait of my stepdaughter when I first encountered this problem. I am an artist and pride myself in portraits but I have a hard time seeing color, like, I see it ofcourse but it doesn't translate to my canvas very well as I've seen some of my friends able to do. I see shapes and figure more in their light and shaddow and shadding and before this book, I pretty much ignored color all together and made up my own, which worked out ok until...

I'm doing this portrait of Aly, my step daughter, and in the picture I was using most of her face was in shaddow. So my brain automatically says, make it darker, right? No, deffinantly not. Her pretty little face turned every color from red to greet to black and still, I couldn't get this shaddowed skin tone right. It looked like she had some sort of nausty, skin destroying disease. I couldn't just "make up" a color this time cos it just wasnt working and I had no idea what so ever on how to darken colors without changing them all together or turning them poopy grey. So I'm about to shoot myself, I hid the painting, and throw a huge temper tantrum to my husband who laughes at my. Basically, I was extreemly frusterated.

Long story short, I had to pick up a new tub of white paint because I had literally used all of mine trying to mix this damn color, was walking through an art store I go to when I don't have time to order my stuff, and I passed this book. "..beautiful shintones in color and light." A few minutes too late but

I rushed home and ordered this book and it basically saved my life and the lives of those around me, haha. It was great to learn from a technical stand point how light interacts with color and how to make your colors lighter or darker with out just using white and black. The author really knew what they were doing and did a fantastic job explaining it to the some of us who it isnt already obvious. I've noticed I'm able to give much more life to my portraits and knowing more about color, it takes a lot of strees off so I can focus on capturing the personality of my subjects, rather than just a pretty copy/past image.

You will NOT waste your money on this book. There was a lot more info in here on composition and what not but I took most from her color advice. Thank you, Chris Saper, THANKYOU.

Stunning Portraits
Cris Saper rises to a new level in portrait painting by clearly describing easily-learned techniques based upon light
temperature. The effects are bright and moving. The reader is first instructed on the basics of painting, then how to
properly photograph a subject to produce pleasing warm and cool planes of the face. Seven toning demonstrations detail
the steps required to render the color of light for the major ethnic groups. Studies of color harmony, center of interest,
and the importance of edges are repeatedly stressed. The author employs the physics of light in a revealing way and I
found the book fulfilling in its concepts.

I keep going back to it!
This was one of the first books I bought specifically on the topic of color in portraits. It's wonderful!! I keep it in my studio and refer to it again and again. The color charts in the appendix are well worth the price of the book, just in themselves. As an artist on a budget, I would tell anyone that this book is a must!

Painting Beautiful Skin Tones with Color & Light
Great book.I had taken it of the library twice and then decided I must own my own. ... Read more

Product Description
The equivalent of a foundation course in traditional oil painting for beginning to intermediate level artists, this in-depth book uses the still life as a practical way to master oil techniques. The still life is a practical, forgiving genre as it does not require the likeness of a portrait or the accurate proportions of the figure and, unlike the landscape, it doesn’t change with the weather. Instead, it gives aspiring artists ample time to study and the opportunity to look closer. It can be used as a purely formal subject for drawing and painting techniques, or a platform for emotional expression using personal symbolism and imagery.
 
However, though the still life is used throughout as a teaching tool, this is first and foremost a book about  oil painting. It begins with simple compositions that build to more complex arrangements. Starting with essential information on how to best set up your studio—including lighting, equipment, materials (paints, solvents, brushes, mediums), and preparing your canvas and paper for oil painting—Still Life Painting Atelier then offers concrete lessons in a logical progressive sequence, with step-by-step illustrations, finished paintings, diagrams and tips. Chapters cover:
 


   • How to address composition through thumbnail sketches and line drawings
   • Using underpainting to study the characteristics of light and shade
   • The basics of color theory and color mixing
   • How to use a variety of brushes to create sharp and soft edges
   • Techniques that are helpful when painting metal and glass
   • How to apply glazing and scumbling to bring luminosity and texture ... Read more

Product Description
From Ancient Egyptian frescoes to the Renaissance masters, from French Impressionists to American Abstract Expressionists, this highly browsable guide embraces all cultures and every style of painting from 4,000 BC to the present.A visually arresting reference for art lovers and students, it provides a truly comprehensive worldwide gazeteer of paintings organized chronologically by date of completion.Each entry includes the history of the painting, information about the artist or artistic movement, the current location of the painting (all are on view to the public), as well as other details.The works are also indexed by artist and by title, making for easy cross-referencing. Included are popular paintings, key works that are the most breathtaking for their extraordinary power and beauty, paintings that were turning points in the history of art, and rediscovered masterpieces, making 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die an art museum in its own right. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Another List
The title says it all - very few women included, but more than in the old art history books. I like the fact that a number of opinions from varied art world people were included and helped go into the choosing of paintings.
Not many surprises here.

Average reference
There are few things I don't like about the book:

1.Many paintings in the book belong to private collection.Since the title of the book is "You MUST See", there is a very good chance you will not see them before you die.

2.The book lacks index for location of the paintings.An index of Museum and paintings in the book at that museum will be nice.I would have like to know which paintings are at which museum.It is unlikely that I will be able to visit every museum multiple times.

3.Some of the paintings in the book are small and/or are poor quality.

Excellent Interesting Art Book
I love this book for the way it orders the art examples and for the variety of art you will see in it.The art is in chronological order starting with sparse examples from antiquity and building in concentration until more than one example is represented from each year so you will see the evolution and changing of art through out the ages.You will also get a glimpse of the way a particular artist's style may change over the years.Information for each work is provided and is quite enlightening, often explaining theinside story for mysterious pieces of art.The pictures are small, but high quality.I believe that in order to appreciate art, you have to see lots of it and reading through many books like this with thousands of examples of works is a good way to get an exposure to the sweeping variety of the art that you are interested in.My only wish is that this book was published in a much larger format so that the pictures could have been larger.Even with the reduced format, this book is very thick and not the most portable anyway so they should have just made it large.

wanted to love it
After reading the product description, all the reviews and reviewing several other books here at Amazon, I settled on this. I bought it primarily to introduce my daughters to fine art and for that purpose I guess it's okay. There are tons of lovely paintings and the descriptions indeed helpful, but I feel like the book could have been made a wee bit bigger so that we could see them a little better -- on the plus side, hoisting this 78lb book up to your eyes every couple of minutes is probably good exercise!

Also, there are several sexually explicit paintings -- I don't mean nudes, I could live with those -- that I do wish they had been put into their own little section (101 Pornographic Paintings-Thinly-Disguised-as-Art You Must See Before You Die) so that I could censor or not as I chose without losing perfectly wonderful stuff on the flip side. As it is, we ran across the most graphic -- "L'Origine du Monde"/Gustave Courbet, which is a fully nude close-up of female genitalia, one breast and her disarrayed gown(done by a truly loving hand!) -- sitting around the dining room table during Sunday dinner at my parents...ouch!

All in all, and without having another of similar type to compare it to, I say this book lives up to it purpose with flaws of varying degrees depending upon your intent. Cheers!

Pleasant shopping experience
Vendor provided very quick delivery and product arrived as advertised.Would do business with this vendor again. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a comprehensive oil book for beginners and intermediate oil painters with nine full landscape demos covering value, equipment, work habits, seeing, drawing, colour and composition. It advocates a light-on-the-feet approach that gives artists flexibility to improvise according to the needs of the subject and conditions of the moment. The book encourages readers to paint from the heart rather than straining for product. Its visual appeal will attract and hold the attention of the bookstore browsers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Useful Information For All Artists Of Every Level
This is well written by a very talented Artist. It is loaded with bits of useful information but without the usual fluff i.e, he gets right to the point. This not a boring rambling treatise by some elite academic but rather down to earth information by an artist who learned while actually doing. He provides step by step illustrations of landscapes you will be proud to emulate. He has put some real thought into the effort and it shows.

GREAT, TEACHING WHAT IS HARD TO TEACH
I HAVE ENJOYED DURKEES PAINTINGS FOR YEARS. I WAS VERY HAPPY TO FIND THIS BOOK. DURKEE TEACHES PRINCIPLES THAT I HAVE NOT FOUND IN OTHER BOOKS. HOW TO APPLY VALUES AND COLOR IS CHALLENGING ME TO GREATER ENDEAVORS. THANKS GEORGE DURKEE! I AM HAVING MORE FUN.
CAROLE LEE DOBERNECK, MOUNTAIN RANCH, CA

Better than taking private lessons
The learning starts the moment you open the book. Everything is explained for a person like me: the complete beginner. I am slow, and that is okay because the book lets you pace yourself. There is no hurrying. You get what you need to know and also have the time to acquire the exact equipment you need in order to begin the process. I have had wonderful success in performing the first example. This one is the most important to me because it is the stage where I am getting to learn the basics. Painting is compared to sketching and sketching is emphasized as important to the painting process. All of this was done at great thought and care by the author.

Thank You Mr. Durkee for a fine book which explains the entire process for the beginner. This book alone, plus some basic tools and materials will have you well on your way to painting and expressing not just what nature says it is, but how you feel about what you see in nature. Be ready to learn creative freedom as well as how to use the canvas and oil paints to bring your paintings alive.

Espressive Oil Painting
I was very fortunate to have taken a workshop in Pasadena with George.I am remiss in writing this review sooner; however, life is so very busy.Well, to anyone wanting an absolutely beautiful book, this is it.The step by step instructions will assist not only the newest artist, but will also challenge a seasoned artist as well.I would without hesitation recommend this book to anyone.I can only pray that George will write another one soon so that I can be the first to purchase it!As another reviewer noted, the pictures in the book are worth the price alone, but the instruction accompanying them are also worth their weight in gold...and then some.I believe that all artists should have this book in their personal libraries.It is a true artistic inspiration. Happy Painting! and Thanks Again George for your kind and giving nature during the Pasadena workshop.Take care, Sam in California.

Great Book!
This book details everything you need to know to become an effective and successful oil painter. The author guides the reader with a logical sequence of painting techniques to create a painting that has all the essential elements like color, value,composition,and drawing. After have read many books on oil painting I found this particular book written by George Allen Durkee to be a thorough and effective guide to advance my own artistic goals. It will be a solid reference guide on oil painting for me for many years to come. ... Read more

Product Description
Few cinematographers have had as decisive an impact on the cinematic medium as John Alton. Best known for his highly stylized film noir classics T-Men, He Walked by Night, and The Big Combo, Alton earned a reputation during the 1940s and 1950s as one of Hollywood's consummate craftsmen through his visual signature of crisp shadows and sculpted beams of light. No less renowned for his virtuoso color cinematography and deft appropriation of widescreen and Technicolor, he earned an Academy Award in 1951 for his work on the musical An American in Paris. First published in 1949, and long out of print since then, Painting With Light remains one of the few truly canonical statements on the art of motion picture photography, an unrivalled historical document on the workings of the postwar, American cinema. In simple, non-technical language, Alton explains the job of the cinematographer and explores how lighting, camera techniques, and choice of locations determine the visual mood of film. Todd McCarthy's introduction, written especially for this edition, provides an overview of Alton's biography and career and explores the influence of his work on contemporary cinematography.Amazon.com Review
Painting With Light was the first book oncinematography written by a major Hollywood cameraman. Published in1949 and now put back into print, it is one of the best and mostunusual books in the field. Written with good humor and full ofhelpful diagrams and photographs, it is certainly the mostentertaining. Its technological discussions are dated, but PaintingWith Light remains relevant because its primary focus is on lightitself and the many complex ways the camera crew can manipulateit. This new edition contains a biographical introduction by ToddMcCarthy, who describes how the man who shot the strikingly colorfulballet sequence in AnAmerican in Paris also helped define the stark, haunting styleof the film noir. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

great book!!
This book is just an amazing reading, Mr Alton teaches all the ins and outs of cinematography while giving an inside to his own fascinating artistic personality and most important of all he directs the reader towards the use of real life's lighting as the bases for all film lighting. The best book !Disregard the equitment he lists because as you may know this book was written on the 50's anda lot has change since, when it comes to film lighting.

dale rodkin
The book is great but a dvd a bought in the same week is of terrible quality.
The movie is called 'The Deal'. Is there anything I can do about this>
best regards
dale rodkin

My husband is the filmmaker and enjoyed this book.
I bought it for him as a gift, he turns to it from time to time even after his first read through.

The Lighting Bible
This is the "Lighting Bible". The book has a lot of out dated facts but, is great for setting up shots on a black & white shoot. John Alton was a master of his craft and it really shows in this book. I gave the book a 4 out of 5 stars because it doesn't apply to most film making today but, ifyou ever need to make a period piece, black & white feature, or "noir" style film; this is a recommend reading.

book written in the 40's
If you are looking for Hollywood history this is the right book.. it was written in the 40's!!
but I wasn't interested in history, I would like to learn something about lighting, the book is about cinema lights.. of the 40's... you can always learn something but... I'd rather prefer something more near to me...

... Read more

Product Description
Priced to reach a broad market, this book offers an inviting introduction to the materials and techniques of oil painting. Allrich begins with an outline of the essential components of good painting, then describes the basic materials and tools of the oil medium. The fundamentals are strongly stressed and lessons on defining concept, toning the canvas, and understaning light sources are covered. 125 color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (40)

Wow! This was REALLY helpful! (details)
I have struggled for more than 30 years, on and off, with my hobby painting. I'm not especially skilled at it but I've always enjoyed various techniques and mediums of the art.

So after stumbling along for all that time and having perused volume after volume of "how to paint" books, I happened across this 144-page work at my local public library -- and I'm so glad that I did!

I have pretty much settled in on painting oil on canvas after many years of using acrylics. I love the aroma of oil paint and I find the finished oil painting textures much to my liking. And here, it's as if author Steve Allrich knew precisely what difficulties I was encountering and he has presented the answers to all my questions, absent the appurtenant confusion which typically accompanies larger editions of "how-to-paint" books.

Allrich discusses materials, tools, techniques... everything that a beginner like me wants to know. I have viewed both Bob Ross and Jerry Yarnell on their respective PBS programs for a long time -- their instruction has been incredibly helpful but Allrich's book really finalized everything for me. I can hardly award adequate Kudos for this remarkable book.

Large color photos of the art and of the techniques proliferate the book. Nothing is vague, everything is concisely explained.

What more can I say to convince you that this is a terrific art book for amateurs? If you are indeed a "serious beginner" to oil painting, I cannot guess where you could find a reference guide that is superior to this one. I returned the library's copy and quickly acquired my own.

Highly recommended!

A Decent Start
As an experienced painter I had hoped to learn more about painting with a limited palette and it's best use.First there must have been a printing problem as all the images had a warm yellow tone, which I don't believe is the case as viewed in person.Second, the author is an especially talented still life and interior painter.He presents some truly beautiful work. But, his landscape paintings and instruction leaves something to be desired.All in all, this book would be helpful for an artist who hasn't had the opportunity to study in a classical setting.The book is a clear presentation of the basics.He does cover all the bases. In his next book I would hope he writes in depth regarding the still life.

Great Book!
This artist is not only a great painter but also a great teacher. Even beyond that, his experience and knowledge of what works and what does not is invaluable for anyone from highly experienced to basic painters. Great painting really is about problem solving. What do you do with a painting that is not working? Why isn't it working? I've seen so many experienced artists suffer issues addressed in this book. The advice is basic and yet very few people seem to understand it and are able to do it. The author seems to understand Rembrandt quite well. The only issue I had with his advice was he believes you should do no blending. I do not understand how you get good transitions without some blending. So that's a bit of a puzzle. Otherwise, definitely a book worth reading.

over view of this book from the serious beginner.
This little book really surprised me in its depth of knowledge. Its not for the first time painter, its more geared towards the artist who has been painting a while and understands the art concepts.
All its tips, need to be put into practice, and refered to when needed.Its one of those books thatseasy to follow only if taken in bite size chunks.

Great beginner book that doesn't hold your hand
This is a great book that doesn't insult the artist.
The author takes you through the thought process, the planning and the execution.
It's not for someone who never picked up a paint brush before- for those people I suggest taking a class.
It doesn't spoon feed you step-by-step of every brush stroke. Other wise it would be just a "here's how you can copy me exactly and not really learn anything" type of book.
I loved the book and I am inspired to paint "plein air".
The author's paintings are beautiful ( and yes some of the fall exterior paintings have a golden-yellow feel, but that's what the artist wanted to use).
It is worth every penny. ... Read more

Product Description
Fans get more of Wellford's creative artistry as she shows readers how to turn ordinary rocks into tulips, daisies, petunias, and many other flowers. Step-by-step instructions and a helpful, encouraging tone ensure that anyone can get results they'll be proud of. By using exterior grade paint and sealer, these colorful creations can bring color and beauty to any space, indoors or out. 323 color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

painting flowers on rocks
I bought this rock painting book for my mom.I thought the book was in very nice shape and she has painted a few rock already. I would come back to buy more painting books in the future. Debora Everett

Very easy to follow!
I was looking for something different and this fit the bill.You'll be amazed at how beautiful your paintings will be!I gave one to a friend for her birthday and it was the hit of the party.Now everyone wants one...so unique!I'll be busy this winter, huh?The only surprise was that I have to apply more coats of paint than I thought I would.The dark background is hard to cover with light colors.

Beautiful, inspiring book
I love this book.I also purchased the book on painting animals on rocks.These books are beautiful to look at with step by step instructions on how to create the same results.You don't have to be an artist.My daughter and I both painted rocks and we had a great time from start (going to the beach and finding rocks) to finish. Highly recommend it. Thank you Linn for sharing your extensive talent with the world.

it's pretty and easy
the ideas by this artist are easily done by the least talented.the materials needed for this craft are simple, available at any craft store or department stores, and reasonable in price.truly fun for all ages .can be shared with all ages over six,i've had fun painting with grandchildren.

Painting Flowers on Rocks
This book gives detailed instruction on how to paint beautiful flowers on rocks.It is detailed in instruction, has excellent illustrations and is useful to someone who would like to do this type of craft. ... Read more

Product Description
Beginning and advanced artists will benefit from the negative painting concepts presented in Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines. Author Linda Kemp shares her techniques for using the strength of negative space to create alluring paintings. Exercises featuring landscapes, florals, and motifs from nature give readers the skills and knowledge necessary to make their next watercolor a strinking piece of art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

advanced painting
Author covers subject well.Reader must have painting experience at advanced level. Not many books address this subject on this level. Fine addition to any collection.

great book
I am an intermediate water color painter and this book has helped me see, paint and draw negative space much better. I suggest following her directions (!) and doing the exercises in order.

A little negative in the positive.
Perhaps because the author is a self-proclaimed "self-taught" artist, she writes as if she invented using negative space in art. As anyone who has ever taken any basic foundation courses or had the instructor shout out in a life drawing class "pay attention to your negative space", we are well aware of negative space. That being said, I found the book to be an interesting if limited approach to the subject of watercolor painting and I'll probably try incorporating some of her techniques into some of my paintings. If you're looking for more of a general survey of watercolor painting then this probably isn't the best book for you. If you're looking to add new techniques to your repertoire, give it a look-see, but buy it at the Amazon price.

What a great book!
If you want to learn how to see painting through a different set of eyes and how to understand the term "negative painting" this is definitely the book for you.Ms. Kemp's instruction throughout the book is clear, concise and detailed.Chapters are wonderful and do not leave any dissatisfaction.This book is a wonderful hands on manual that I believe should be essential reading and practising in any intermediate painting class.And yes, the paintings do turn out the way they should when the instructions are understood.

Negative made simple
This is a great instructional book and I love the photos. Linda does a fantastic job teaching the concepts of negative painting and goes beyond, challenging the more experienced painter. ... Read more

Product Description
Painting Today is a comprehensive overview of the last 30 years of painting, presenting work by celebrated figures like Gerhard Richter and Neo Rauch alongside emerging artists like Jumaldi Alfi and Ingrid Calame. Photo-realism, landscape, still-life, portraiture, neo-expressionism, installation painting and the Leipzig school are just some of the areas of this thriving art medium explored by Tony Godfrey. Organized by themes, Painting Today showcases the broad range of styles, materials and methods that comprise contemporary painting. Insightful and accessible, Painting Today?s approach will appeal to scholars and newcomers to the subject alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

thank you
Considering that it came all the way from Sweden... this arrived several days earlier than initially stated. Thank you, Just in time for school to start.

Painting Today
The book arrived in superb condition, albeit it took a little longer than predicted.Painting Today[[ASIN:1861890745

interesting pictures, obscure text
An interesting collection of paintings, well printed, organized into useful categories. The text varies from being obscure to being useful, hopefully accurate. No great insights. I must confess that I am a beginner with little tolerance for art-speak. I gather that at this time it must be particularly difficult to look over the current painting scene and make much sense out of it much less write a history of the last twenty years. But the collection of paintings is definitely worth the effort to seek out this book. For me it was more interesting than "Vitamin P" ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (27)

Great book but could have left out the present part!
Great book with good info. It's called Traditional Oil Painting: Adv. Techniques and concepts from the Renaissance to the Present, there is nothing traditional about the present... which he could have left those sections and parts out of the book and make the title be correct or just change the name to: Oil painting techniques and it might have been a less misleading title for us who like studying the real traditional style of painting.But nothing to stop you from checking this good book out. I like ol' Virgil's books!

nicee
it is very useful book for painters to understand well all about traditional painting,tells all the tecniques.i recommend to the all painters who is beginner till professional...

Excellent Review of Traditional Painting Methods
As an artist, I am always eager to extend my knowledge of traditional painting methods. This book is like an art education between two covers. Due to the limits of space, there are many details that could not be included, obviously, but the book does an admirable job in describing the various techniques of Rembrandt, Bougereau, etc., as well as supplies. Virgil uses his own work to illustrate some of the classic painting methods, which is very helpful. I have had the privilege of seeing some of his work up close (some included in the book) at one of Virgil's workshops. At an incredibly low price, this is a great reference book for any artist or individual who appreciates traditional art.

Not Just Another Paint-By-Number
If your looking for a step-by-step how to book, this is not for you. But if you want to increase your technical knowledge and build a strong understanding of art theory than this book is a must have. I would recommend this book to anyone seriously interested in pursuing the visual arts, not just oil painters.

Mr. Elliot does a good job covering the all the basics you would expect to find in a serious technical reference book without being overly verbose or pedantic. I particularly appreciated his chapter on color theory and reflected light. He covers the information in depth with easy to understand explanations and well chosen examples.

If the book is lacking anything I would have to say I wish Mr. Elliot had included a side by side comparison of pigments within the same color family and how to choose and exploit them to their best advantage. Still all in all this is the best book I have found to date on this topic.

Extremely well-written and excellent content
What I liked most about this book is the author's ability to inspire the reader to strive for a higher level in their quality of painting.As I read the book, I felt like the author was encouraging me to increase my own abilities and put forth the effort required to produce the best work I can do.

For a long time I have deceived myself into believing that I would be best served to stick with what comes easiest for me (landscape painting) instead of challenging myself to become good at other styles of painting such as portraiture and figure painting.The author advocates against falling into this trap, arguing that the best artist should become as good at painting the human form as he is at painting the environment that surrounds the human subject.Conversely, that painting people only, without learning to paint their surroundings is a mistaken practice and will not allow the artist to develop the full range of possibilities.

Not only does the author encourage us to learn techniques that have been developed over centuries by the true masters, he then teaches us how.I found his explanations of the different techniques to be very well-researched and informative, especially the sections on Rembrandt and Bouguereau and the explanations of correct glazing and scumbling.From composition to pigments, to brushes, to mediums, to canvases, there are detailed explanations of what to use and what to avoid - of how to apply the pigments correctly, and in what order.Different methods and options are also compared giving pros and cons of each.

I also felt like the author's usage of his own art work was very helpful.Along withexplanations of technique are very helpful step-by-step photographs showing the complete process.Some of the author's works shown in the book are quick studies, sketches and demonstrations, while others are finished, high-quality, beautiful paintings.

This book is not for the artist who is satisfied with mediocre technique or the artist looking for lazy shortcuts.It is not a book for the artist who is hoping to hide their lack of technical ability by pursuing a lower quality of work.The author is very clear in his assertion that great artwork can only be achieved over time through sacrifice, dedication, and intense mental effort.

In summary, there is a paragraph at the end of the 8th Chapter that I feel describes the tone of this book:

"Art is intimately tied to culture.Its special standing depends on its association with the concept of quality.Let every artist strive to uphold that standard forever, with no compromises, out of an overriding and abiding love of art."

This book is full of helpful information and I plan on using it as a resource I will go back to again and again for inspiration, motivation, and problem solving in my paintings.
... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the rapidly expanding area of digital painting features beautifully displayed finished works of art alongside practical demonstrations. Artists will learn to create a wide range of subject matter from futuristic spacescapes and revolutionary vehicles to medieval landscapes and beautiful maidens. An in-depth materials section introduces all the equipment you are likely to need, from computer hardware and software to more traditional art media. A detailed basic techniques section caters to both newcomers to the digital medium and those who wish to brush up on their skills. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Digital Painting
Very enlightening reading. If you like a very diverse gallery of digital art to broaden your horizon, or perhaps just for inspiration, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the landscapes and fantasy concepts displayed in this book.

Best Book to start Digital Painting
I have found digital painting as a new hobby. After looking through all the books I could find on the subject this one is by far the best.

There are others that have more step by step instructions. But this book has a great foundation that allows you to grasp the idea of digital painting and how it works.

Plus it has wonderful art within its pages that can be used for inspiration on how to do your own work.

Really looking forward to more books by the author on digital painting or maybe on specific topics in digital painting like speed painting or matte painting.

Awesome and inspiring
I bought this book hoping it would have some far out imagery to inspire me.I was not disappointed.Gary Tonge is a talented digital artist and his creative streak really shows through.This is not, however, much of a how to book.The examples are brief step by steps.If you're looking for a PhotoShop how too book, this is not the book for you.But if you love SciFi art and like to have desk top references handy of some fascinating art, this is a great book.

Good book for beginners
Great book for beginners/intermediate artists and enthusiasts. What I like about this book is that it goes straight to the point, with the artist showing examples and explaining his process. It's not a how-to book, so basic painting knowledge is advised.

Not a "bible"
While the book and art are gorgeous, I wouldn't call it a "bible".There are simply no details in how he does his work.The back of the book even states "step by step demonstrations show you how to work with color, light, texture, and special effects in Photoshop and awe inspiring..." but his "step by step" consists of "step 1: do a sketch, step 2: refine it, step 3: refine it more", etc., until the image is done.There are no technical details such as "Here is how I draw straight lines" or "these are my brush settings" or "here is how I achieve this effect".

If you are wanting to see snapshots of how he works, this book is for you.If you are wanting to learn HOW to digitally paint, then I would look elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description
Publisher: New York : Dodge Pub. Co.Subjects: Painting -- HistoryNotes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

Product Description
The overwhelming beauty of the outdoors is one of the most inspiring, and elusive, subjects for painters. With "Landscape Painting Inside & Out", Kevin D. Macpherson first shows readers how to see like an artist, then teaches them how to recreate their vision into stunning outdoor scenes. His insightful process and inspiring commentary about the painting life encourages and empowers artists to take their art to the next level. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Inside and Out
A very nice presentation of perspective, and also easy to understand.The paintings are well done and are good examples of perspective principles.

A great reference
This is a fabulous book. I've been trying to teach myself landscape painting and this book has been a constant reference and extremely helpful. Buy it if you like his work and style you won't be disappointed.

Landscape Painting Inside & Out
This is an outstanding book--full of information, helpful tips, and instruction.It is also very motivational, written by an individual who has devoted his life to art.I own over 100 instructional books on painting, and I would rate this book among a handful of my favorites.

Splendid Reference Work!
Marvelous aid for oil painters, both amateur and professional. I found tips in it that I had forgotten over the years, and illustrations that made everything crystal clear. Brava!!! ANNA MARIE FRITZ [...] ... Read more

Product Description
Composition is one of the most important elements to any painting, but it can also be one of the most intimidating. The long list of rules for designing and structuring a work is complicated, hard to remember and downright mystifying. In this simple resource, Greg Albert boils it all down to one golden rule: Never make any two intervals the same. He demonstrates this fool-proof technique with clear, concise diagrams, before-and-after student paintings and samples from today’s top painters. Readers will get to learn from the work of Frank Webb, Tony Couch, Zoltan Szabo, Tony Van Hasselt, Tom Lynch and many more! Artists of all levels with find this secret to great composition easy to remember and even easier to use.

Greg Albert is Editorial Director of North Light Books. He’s also an artist, author and teacher who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

The Simple Secret to Better Painting: How to Immediately Improve Your Work with the One Rule of Composition
This book is excellent!It made me take a whole new look at my paintings and helped me discover why they don't work.Just what I was looking for.

the most helpful
Like other reviewers have said, the book is more complex than one simple secret. The author takes the main idea and expands on it throughout the book, with copious illustrations to show what he means. What works best for me is to read it while I'm in the middle of a project because then I can apply the principles directly to that project rather than thinking about the principles in the abstract. Even though he says to read through it quickly and remember it forever, right now I need to go back and remind myself of some of the ideas. This may be because I am a part time artist and am not always thinking about or making art.
I would recommend this highly for beginners as it will save many trial and error mistakes and it wouldn't hurt the intermediate or advanced painter either. After all, isn't there always something in a painting that could be a little better?

Essential. classic
I recommend this to anyone wanting to improve their painting & drawing. Great training for beginners to start out on the right foot too.

Fair to Partly Cloudy
I had a few issues with this book. The basic premise is that people like variety above everything else. I found this a little difficult to swallow. If people like variety so much why do they like to buy the same things? Why do they like going to the same home everyday, listen to the same music, and watch the same shows? I think people are more complex than that. So having a single rule based on a faulty premise is not so convincing to me. The other thing is the author spends an inordinate amount of time talking about many different compositional devices. All he did with the one secret was claim a relationship to it and all the many other non-secrets. In other words, I didn't see the secret. What I saw was an attempt to simplify a fairly complex subject. So the secret thing was a bit deceptive. It helps sell books I guess. A proper title would be "A Simplified View of Composition", cause that's what you are getting here. Nothing particularly wrong with that if that's what you need. But I'm not convinced this one secret is going to do a lot for you without all the other things you need to consider when creating a composition. The non-secret stuff was pretty good so I give this book 3 stars. I'm a consumer and you are a consumer and we don't like to buy books with deceptive titles. It kind of makes fools of us.

Fabulous book for anyone serious about painting
My teacher suggested that I buy this book and it has invaluable information. I highly suggest getting it if you are serious about learning the foundations of oil painting. Great reference book to for color. ... Read more

Product Description
New revised and expanded edition!

"The story of painting is one that is immensely rich in meaning, yet its value is all too often hidden from us by the complexities of its historians.We must forget the densities of 'history' and simply surrender to the wonder of the story." -Sister Wendy BeckettInternationally renowned art historian Sister Wendy Beckett brings her knowledge, her deep love of art, and her luminous insights to The Story of Painting- making a difficult subject accessible and stimulating to all.The Story of Painting features more than 450 masterpieces- all faithfully reproduced in rich, full color- chronicling the developments and movements in the history of painting over the past 800 years, from Gothic to Renaissance, Romanticism to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism to Modernism.Each movement is introduced by visual timelines to provide an instant overview of the significant artists and paintings of the era.This enhanced and expanded edition of The Story of Painting has almost doubled in size.It expands the existing 400 pages to 736, focusing on the approximately 450 paintings with facing pages of details for almost 200 of them.This classic art book presents the masterpieces in two ways: as the original painting appeared and, on double spread pages, as enlarged close-ups of the paintings' most pertinent details.Now the reader can study a painting as though standing in front of it in a museum, seeing the powerful effect of the whole and then studying the minutest details of brushstrokes, textures, quality of lines, and overlays of color.Amazon.com Review
For those who've enjoyed the original, the good news is that the new edition of The Story of Painting has grown by more than 300 pages of photographs--magnified close-ups of details from nearly half the 450 paintings in the book. Fauvist paint strokes become mighty slabs; sparkling light on a Dutch still life is revealed as a series of tiny dots; the cheeks of a young man in an Italian Renaissance portrait betray a touch of five o'clock shadow. This kind of close looking is seductive, and it's an important part of Sister Wendy's direct, unpretentious approach to art.

As a history of painting, Sister Wendy's book has its strong points (works with religious or spiritual themes and those that lend themselves to psychological interpretation) as well as its lapses (a very skimpy discussion of Cubism and inadequate treatment of works from the late 20th century). Even the title is a bit of a misnomer. The painting in question is purely Western; there is nothing here about Indian or Persian miniatures, or the great tradition of Chinese landscapes.

But what Sister Wendy alone offers are vivid, personal interpretations that come from a deep well of emotional sympathy with works of art. Who else would notice the way the bagpiper in The Wedding Feast by Pieter Breughel "stares at the porridge with the longing of the truly hungry"? Who else would point out how Venus--the "older woman" pleading with "virile" Adonis not to go off to war in Titian's "Venus and Adonis"--shows us "her superb back and buttocks, beguilingly rounded, full of promise." Rather than portraying Western art as the dutiful production of "masterpieces," she revels in the physicality of paint and the variety of human experience these works represent. --Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Thank you for your service.
The shipping was a bit slow, other than that I'd like to add that the book came in a very good condition.

THIS BOOK IS BEAUTIFUL
I purchased this book for myself after finding Amazon's price to be the best deal out there. It is beautiful and thorough. Sister Wendy covers every major time period with overviews of the most significant artists while including comments and close up studies of specific works. This book could easily be an art course in itself- it is comprehensive and the illustrations are just what you would expect of a DK book- beautiful and with accurate, vivid color. Sister Wendy writes in a readable layperson's style; you need not be an art student to enjoy this book. It is easily my favorite buy of the year- you will LOVE this book!

What awful reproductions!!!
The first purpose of an artbook is usually to showcase fine art with high quality reproductions. This book certainly packs in ample artwork, well supported by Sister Wendy's colourful commentary. However the image quality is horrendous, with a vast proportion of the reproductions being badly pixelated or blurred.If you like Sister Wendy, then buy her other books. This one is so sloppy that it is disrespectful to the artworks and is to be avoided.

Can't fail to please!
A 1¼ inch thick book with about 400 pages and more than 450 color illustrations of the most significant works of art in Western history can hardly fail to please anyone with an interest in art history.In Sister Wendy's Story of Painting, Sister Wendy provides an intellectual and somewhat passionate discussion on major art movements and sensitive analysis and interpretation of more than thirty paintings she showcases in the book.Enlargements of particular areas of these paintings are used to analyze techniques and identify symbolism.In the absence of ancient paintings that have survived, Sister Wendy uses other forms of art such as sculptures, friezes, tapestries and mosaics to illustrate the subject, composition, style and proportions used in paintings of that era.She treats all styles of art with equal reverence.Shortcomings in this book are few.Illustrated timelines that appear before each major section of the book could be improved by the addition of other historical milestones to help the reader achieve a better perspective.I would prefer less commentary about numerous paintings of a single artist and instead, more information on the cultural and political influences that shaped the development of painting.I would prefer less coverage of obscure artists such as the Nabis in favor of more on Victorian art and Art Nouveau.And I would wish for a more eloquent conclusion to the book.But the thing that was most lacking to me is a discussion on paint!Nowhere is the development of paint as a medium discussed with any depth.These aforementioned shortcomings, however, pale in comparison to what Sister Wendy has accomplished in her book -- the creation of a comprehensive and scholarly source of information on the history of painting that neither the newcomer nor the expert could fail to enjoy.

Nun of that, now...
How bizarre...
...and yet, how wonderful. Who would have ever thought that a nun going through the museum would have (a) been interesting, (b) been publishable, (c) been television-worthy, or (d) been within the realm of credible imaginings? And yet, here is the proof, on my coffee table. Sister Wendy's smiling face, next to a scowling Vincent, greets me each day with my morning cocoa.

This is a book to be savoured. It cannot, like the morning cocoa, be rushed and enjoyed. This must take time. Not because the text is dense or confusing--indeed, it is not. It is lively, witty, historical, accessible, all that one could want in a book on art.

But, mostly, it is exquisitely visual in layout. Everything is photographed and reproduced in stunning colour and low-gloss format to make the pages vibrant and durable yet easily seen. Care has gone into the production of this volume. None of the art is reduced to black and white, but rather presented in glorious colour. With over 800 images in under 400 pages, this is a feast for the eyes. Each page is dominated by art, not text. That makes for slow moving, like reading a museum.

Sister Wendy Beckett takes us on an historical tour of painting (in the European theatre of history), beginning with prehistoric cave-art and drawings, leading up to modern and post-modern artists.

She takes representative pieces, such as the Bosch painting of Death and the Miser to illustrate points of colour, detail, composition, and story. Some paintings have complex stories (such as this one), others have simple composition (such as the 'innocently disadvantaged' Mona Lisa) which give endless speculation as to the meaning.

Sister Wendy explores each era of artistic history, listed below in broad categories (there are several subcategories of each), giving history and philosophy as well as major and representative minor works, explaining in detail at least one or two works for each, concentrating on painting, but also bringing in as relevant sculpture, stained glass, architecture, and other artistic media.

+ Art of the Ancient World
+ Gothic Painting
+ Italian Renaissance
+ Northern Renaissance
+ Baroque and Rococo
+ Neoclassicism and Romanticism
+ The Age of Impressionism
+ Post-Impressionism
+ The Twentieth Century

Sister Wendy does an admirable job at not concentrating exclusively on religious and Christian art (for being a nun), however, given the history of art in Europe, this is a major theme in its own right.

The Epilogue, says Sister Wendy, 'is both an afterword and a foreword: hundreds and thousands of artists come after the disappearance of the 'story line' into the maze of contemporary artistic experience and these same artists may of course, be the forerunners of a new story.' In concluding her volume, she highlights the paintings of Robert Natkin, Joan Mitchell and Albert Herbert, the art of each she hopes will endure.

... Read more

Product Description
Transform ordinary rocks into amazing little houses and cottages. You don't have to be an artist to experience the fun of this simple yet exciting craft. Lin Wellford revitalized the art of painting on rocks, and her imaginative and innovative use of rocks and stones as art material continues to attract new fans.This book offers a range of projects, from basic cottages that any beginner can master, to A-frame chalets, farm houses, barns, churches, shops and storefronts, Tudor houses and even elaborate Victorian style mansions. Among the most popular projects are Wellford's 'gnome homes', which feature thatched roofs and can be further enhanced by the addition of wood filler to create dimensional eaves.A handful of acrylic paints, a few assorted brushes, and a pencil are all that is needed to get started with this intriguing craft. It's a perfect low-cost art activity for families, children's art classes, senior citizen groups, Scout troops and more. Paint one, or create an entire village to display. Add snow to the roofs and wreaths to the doors to transform your houses into a Christmas village.Because rocks are hard to break, these charming creations are likely to become treasured heirlooms, to be passed down through generations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

This book arrived in the condition as stated in the ad. It also arrived earlier than promised.
This book arrived in the condition as stated in the ad. It also arrived earlier than promised.

good book
I purchased this book because I wanted to teach myself how to paint houses on rocks.I found it very interesting and wanted a try.The book was very helpful and easy to follow.I have painted 3 houses from large rocks and am very proud of my work.I fully recommend the book.

Great book!
Great book for rock painting! Lots of ideas and tips on painting and on choosing your rocks. Great examples of unpainted then painted rocks.

???????????
Never recieved this product.Some kind of mix up in the shipping.When I contacted the seller they tracked it for me and could not explain the problem and refunded my money within 3 or 4 days my money was back in my account!

Painting, Houses, Cottages & Towns on Rocks used book
I am very happy with the condition of this used book!I couldn't even tell it was used since it was in such great shape.I'm very happy with the purchase and would buy used again.It's a great book, lots of great ideas. ... Read more