Customer Reviews:
Great for a beginner painter.......2007-06-02
I found this book to be very easy to read and helpful with basic concepts needed for a strong foundation in painting with oils. I especially like the info about shading, color for impact and components to make your work more polished.
a bit disappointed.......2007-04-09
I should have listened to the other reviews. The images are yellow toned and it makes it very difficult for a beginner to learn how to mix paint and get the right colors. The book also doesn't guide you on this matter which makes all the difference. I haven't used this book once.
so so book.......2007-01-06
I read this and found only some info helpful. For a beginner this wasn't what I was looking for.
many good tips.......2007-01-06
This book is written by an artist that has a lot of obvious talent and ability which is always a good start for how-to-paint books! His approach to colour particularly sticks in the mind. There are no complete step-by-step demonstations (beginning to end mapped out)- but many snapshots of some of the processes and some of the stages he arrived at before the finished product. Particularly useful for artists interested in landscapes and alla prima. I would recommend this as a book which complements an artist's personal tuition program - but not a book for complete beginners I wouldn't think.
Good beginner instructions.......2007-01-06
I used this book when I first started oil painting, and have referred back to it since. It has good basic instructions - my only critisism is that every painting shown seems to be in the same colors! Everything isn't yellow, after all. I thought maybe there was something wrong with the photos - or else the artist just likes sticking to one color scheme. It did make me look at my own palette more critically. Now I consciously try different color schemes on paintings, just for variety - so maybe it was a good thing...
Customer Reviews:
expanding the knowlege of watercolor technique.......2007-05-13
This is a good book to learn a variety of techniques in watercolor painting. This was for my teenage daughter who enjoys watercolor painting, so she can expand her level of techniques. She sat for hours going through the book to learn and study what it had to teach her.
Basic Lessons in Becomming a Good Painter.......2007-05-07
Was a welcomed Book in my collection and is extremely helpful in applying new techniques in a new student of watercolor.
LEARNING ABOUT WATERCOLOR PAINTING.......2007-02-25
This makes me want to take my supplies and park myself somewhere beautiful to sketch and paint.
very usefull book.......2006-07-24
I am an adult beginner exploring watercolor painting. This book has really good information about getting started. I especially liked the information on paint characteristics, perspective, color value, and focal point. I have purchased booklets from my local hobbie shop chain that are much more expensive and give less comprehensive explanations. I found this book very helpful.
watercolor.......2005-09-23
I purchased this book based on previous reviews. The book is good, however it's a lot of information for a "beginner." The book is compact, could be a little bigger for better illustration.
Book Description
The paintings of Robert Johnson evoke a newfound appreciation for the elegance and power of works done in the classical tradition. The principles underlying this approach to art have been passed along for the last five centuries from master to apprentice, from teacher to student, and from painter to painter.
In "On Becoming a Painter" Robert Johnson answers some of the most persistant questions in the minds of aspiring artists, including "What in fact is color harmony, and how can I achieve it?" and "How can I capture the 'Old Master' brushwork quality I admire in museums in my own paintings?"
"On Becomong a Painter" includes an extensive exploration of drawing as the foundation of good painting, with numerous illustrations that show how good draftsmanship can make paintings come alive.
Robert Johnson writes with human understanding and acute awareness of the attitudes which can propel an artists' work forward or hold it back. It includes the chapter "Changing Your Life," which is directed at painters who wish to seriously consider becoming full-time artists.
Lavishly illustrated with over 100 full-color plates, "On Becoming a Painter" is an essential book not only for the up-and-coming artist, but also for the collector, the connoisseur,and the art lover-in short, for anyone who cares about good painting.
Customer Reviews:
Good book for painters.......2007-07-27
I paint in oil for many years so I didn't "discover" anything new in this book. I think, the book is an excellent choice for the intermediate level oil painter. One of the best chapters is about the brush strokes which show big magnification of artist's strokes on the canvas and then the same brush strokes without any magnification in the context of the whole picture. This is very educative material and I highly recommend this book.
very good book.......2007-05-12
This is a wonderful book. The photograpy is beautiful. It is not a howto book, but is very very helpful. I am very happy I have it!
Robert Johnson's first book is beautiful and well written .......2005-09-07
Mr. Johnson has very interesting philisophical views about painting, and the book has many close up color pictures of his color and brushstroke technique. There are no step by step demonstrations, and technical application goes the classical painting approach with emphasis on drawing skills. Many good tips and insight, but more of a theory book than application in my opinion. I have one of his videos, and find this much more helpful in application. He is a very pleasant man and talented painter.
Concise description.......2004-11-05
This well written and beautifully illustrated volume is both practical and inspiring, without being pretentious like many books professing to reveal the mysteries of painting. If an aspect of painting remains a mystery Johnson doesn't gloss over the fact, but encourages working with paint to understand the ineffable. Plenty of large color reproductions, including full bleed spreads of Johnson's opulent brush strokes (which is an education in itself).
Wonderful! A great addition to your working library........2003-10-05
I was curious about this book for quite a while before purchasing a copy. I finally decided to just go ahead and buy it, thinking if I didn't like it I would send it back. I was surprised how much I liked it; in fact, this book is fabulous!
As previously stated in another review, this book is not for beginners. It isn't a "how to" with step-by-step demonstrations, nor does it tell you which brand of paint to use (though some are listed) or which brush manufacturer is best. What this book does do is elucidate the finer points of painting, and by doing so, helps us understand why some paintings rise to the level of fine art, while others just seem to remain `paintings". I am all too familiar with producing "paintings".
Visually, this book is beautiful. The illustrations are exquisite with some covering two pages, and details of other paintings that show the paint application in a way most books never do. These illustrations are highly instructive themselves, even if you didn't read the text (which would be a shame).
Robert Johnson has his own style, yet you can clearly see the influences of others. He has learned from some of the best and that foundation has allowed him to incorporate their teachings while still growing as an artist to produce his own work. I believe this is as it should be. The skill of an artist is making it look easy and not labored. Johnson's work has a fluidity and ease that only comes from years of painting and an increasing understanding of what makes a painting great.
You can see more of his work at his web site http://robertjohnsonart.com. You don't have to want to paint exactly like him to benefit from this book, you just have to read what he has to say and understand it as well as you can within the context of your current artistic development - that's what I'm doing. I know this is a book that you can and should read over and over; each time you do, you will gain more insight to what Johnson has to say. Highly recommended! The table of contents follows:
Foreword by Senator John W. Warner
Chapter 1: On Becoming A Painter
Chapter 2: Color and Composition
Chapter 3: Value
Chapter 4: Edges
Chapter 5: Drawing
Chapter 6: Brushwork
Chapter 7: Materials
Chapter 8: A Painters Life
Chapter 9: On Seeing
Chapter 10: Changing Your Life
Book Description
The latest entry in the successful Serious Beginner Series. Now the world's leading authority on oil pastel demonstrates, step by step, how you can become a master of this increasingly popular medium! Oil pastels are easy and flexible to work with, offering artists a virtually unlimited treasury of creative potential. They're also considered a safe alternative to soft pastels. Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner shows both new and veteran artists how to make the most of this fabulous medium. Lessons progress simply and clearly from easy subjects and techniques to the more difficult and complex. First, artists learn how to use oil pastels to create traditional paintings in still life, landscape, and portraiture. Then, they'll discover 12 special, experimental techniques that push the medium of oil pastel to its limits-including impasto, etching, washes, and monoprint; stencil and screen techniques; and even methods for combining oil pastel with soft pastel and mixed media. Whether one is an an amateur artist or experienced veteran, Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner is the ideal one-stop source for mastering of this popular medium.
Customer Reviews:
Misleading ....Title Implies an Overview.......2006-11-23
I am primarily interested in landscape painting, this artist is an accomplished portrait/figure pastellist but his florals and landscapes as evidenced in this book are so poor,,flowers are bright blobs and his landscapes are uninspired heavily into muddy ugly earth colors and of a quality that if i were offered one of his pics I would not give it wall space, The advice in general is pretty good but in no way is this small tome a source of true inspiration,,,unless you are a figure specialist and even then the details as to what hues/actual colors were used are very scanty (if given at all ) To me a near worthless instruction book,,pass on this one as it promises much more than it delivers,,
good introduction to oil pastels.......2006-09-16
The author is a pioneer and talented artist in oil pastel.He gives very valuable info about this medium--a long forgotten and underrated, even though promoted by Pablo Picasso...The book ,however, is 'sketchy' in details and techniques.The illustrations and art work are excellent, but somewhat repetitive...A good introductory book for enthusiasts of oil pastels and beginners, till a better book is written by someone else---after this medium becomes better used and established in the fine art world.Soft pastels have been with us for many decades, thanks to Degas and Mary Cassatt...Oil pastels are still to be pushed by great masters....Fortunately oil pastels are available at various price ranges for students and professionals...One learns more by trying different brands rather that sticking to just a few brands---Holbein or Sennelier...
With increasing concern for toxic dust particles from Soft pastels, oil pastels would be more widely used and this book would serve the newcomers well.
Good if you are already an artist.......2006-05-23
If you are a painter or illustrator who is looking to move from another medium into oil pastels, then this is the book for you. Mr. Elliot is a really talented artist and knows his subject. You will gain a lot from this book.
However, if you have little-to-no drawing/painting experience or you are an absolute beginner (like me), you will find yourself very, very frustrated by this book. I have found a few helpful things here, but overall, I think that I would need a year's study *before* I could effectively utilize Mr. Elliot's book.
fussy but fair.......2006-05-06
This book is a very good book expressly devoted to oil pastels-but that said, in comparison with the only other book on the subject that I know of, it is a distant second. (There are a couple other obscure ones which I haven't seen) My favorite is "Oil Pastel: Materials & Techniques For Today's Artist", by Kenneth Leslie, 1990, Watson-Guptill Pub. Because it is out of print & only available second hand at inflated prices, unless Amazon can bring it back in print, or you are prepared to pay inflated prices (for something you cannot see & evaluate for yourself in advance), we are left with the book by Elliot.
Elliot covers a moderate (compared with Leslie!) amount of basic info & gives you a look at the oil pastel works of other artists as well--something I consider very important, especially if the author's work doesn't grab you, & also because you get to see how other sensibilities handle the medium. And he gives a taste of the history of oil pastels; he talks about various papers, etc; he mentions only two brands: Sennelier & Holbein (both premier brands) but there are others he does not mention which are evaluated in Kenneth Leslie's book. Leslie gives you a ton of facts & ideas: shows you how to make your own oil pastels if you desire, & how to prepare paper, etc., for receiving oil pastels (whose oil content can deteriorate paper) & lots of other info very useful for anyone wishing to know technical stuff about the medium.
Elliot's book is a good companion to the one by Kenneth Leslie, & I consider myself fortunate to have both. But if you could only choose one, & it were available, I would choose Kenneth Leslie's book!
Oil Pastel a medium worthy of more recognition.......2005-10-11
This book is a dream come true for the lovers of the long under-rated medium of oil pastel. Despite the fact that this worthy artists medium was first commissioned by none less than Pablo Picasso, it has remained at most despised by 'serious' artists, as a tool for students or the kindergarten or regarded as a means for sketching or preliminary working of ideas.
John Elliot demonstrates with unbridled enthusiasm that oil pastel is not only an exciting form of expression but perhaps the medium of the future standing along-side oil, soft pastel and the usurper, acrylic as a real option for artistic expression.
The book is a joy to own and J. Elliot leaves no doubt as to the power and flexibility of this medium.
Everything is covered clearly and the illustrations again demonstrate the full versitality of oil pastel, both wax and the new water-soluble media. Instructions are clear and concise drawing from years of experience.
This book is perhaps the 'Bible' of the oil pastel.
At last oil pastel gets the recognition it desesrves.
Customer Reviews:
not enough "how to".......2007-02-26
Good coverage of concepts, but not enough specifics on color applications, etc. No step by step instructions.
Good Start for Pastel Artists.......2006-08-31
Lots of good information and tips for using pastels. The illustrations and step by step activities were very helpful. The beginning information on supplies is very valuable.
Knowing what type of tools you need and the best types of paper make starting to work with pastels much more enjoyable.
useless.......2005-09-03
From reading the other rewievs it seems like the best book in the world, but somehow this book was of no help for me. I do not particularly like his artwork, neither is the text any help for me. I've had it for about half a year and tried many times to study it, but I keep finding it most frustrating. I am not able to pinpoint what is wrong. Maybe it is something to do with the style of painting and teaching.
One of the Best Books for Beginners on the Market.......2005-06-01
I have used this book now for 2 years and have found it a great help. My first really wonderful painting I did was from this book. I found this book great because it had beautiful paintings that I would want to copy and for the beginner copying others work is usually where you start. The fundamentals on how to use the pastels for different backgrounds is also very good. I hilly recommend this book.
Beautiful art but not any help..........2003-07-13
Mr Blovits is a great artist and his paintings are stunning. But I am a serious beginner and this book was of little help. I need a step by step book that tells me the color and techniques used...There is nowhere near enough step by step technique but the man can paint and shows what is possible in pastel.
Customer Reviews:
The artist's "bedtime stories" book.......1998-06-19
"Becoming a Successful Artist" is my favorite art book - based on the careers of 20 or so artists - it delves into their past triumphs and disappointments along the way to fame and fortune. This isn't the type of book that one needs to read only once; I've read it atleast 20 times. Some of the stories really touch my heart - especially about Harley Brown. Others are encouraging, and a few gave me a sense for the business side of art.
Because the book presents a personal viewpoint for each artist, it covers just about everything that an artist can experience as he or she goes through the hoops of becoming an artist. The advice is excellent. Anyone who is considering turning to full time art for their livelyhood should read this book. It presents the reality of becoming an artist.
Book Description
In the long tradition of biography-in-poetry collections, Annie Boutelle's first collection probes the layered life of one of nineteenth-century America's most popular poets, who is now almost forgotten. The Celia Thaxter who speaks these poems disturbs the placid myth created around her public persona, and focuses on the fierce mysteries and ironies that frame her. Boutelle carefully reveals Thaxter's childhood on the stark Isles of Shoals off the New Hampshire coast; the trap of a Victorian marriage; the struggle to invent herself as writer and painter; her celebrated circle of friends, including Nathaniel Hawthorne and Childe Hassam; and the hard-won serenity of her last decade.
Clear, airy, crystalline, these poems move us into an elemental world where "nothing is left but water, / air, and the uncertain space between." With restraint and lyric tenderness, Boutelle leads us toward a woman who shifts from pose to necessary pose, who survives in these pages with intelligence and grace: "The grave / flesh melts. What's left / is light as bone."
Customer Reviews:
A biography-in-poetry anthology that probes and reveals the life of one of 19th Century America's most popular poets.......2005-12-13
Annie Boutelle is a senior lecturer at Smith College and the founder of the Smith College Poetry Center. Becoming Bone: Poems On The Life Of Celia Thaxter (1836-1894) is a biography-in-poetry anthology that probes and reveals the life of one of 19th Century America's most popular poets, but who is now an almost forgotten name in American letters. An accomplished and award-winning poet, Annie Boutelle does her unusual subject full and complete literary justice framed as only a seasoned and gifted wordsmith can. Her verse is as hauntingly memorable as it is deftly structured. Land-Locked (Newtonville, 1861): Turning her back on brawling/boys, unemptied chamber pots,/the bolted bedroom door, she/dips her pen in gullible ink://Have patience; here are flowers and songs of birds,/Beauty and fragrance, wealth of sound and sight,/All summer's glory thine from morn till night,/And life too full of joy for uttered words.//She learns to lie, calls it her "little poem."/They pay ten dollars, and she recalls/how last summer Mrs. Bliven said no one/is paid for making a string of shells.
Professor Boutelle is absolutely fabulous.......2005-07-09
If you appreciate poetry, you should read her book.
Professor Boutelle if you're reading this: absolutely exquisite.
Average customer rating:
- A Doorway into Early O'Keeffe
- One writer who does not "get" O'Keeffe
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Becoming O'Keeffe: The Early Years
Sarah Whitaker Peters
Manufacturer: Abbeville Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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O'Keeffe, Georgia
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ASIN: 0896599078 |
Book Description
By examining the period from 1915 to 1930, with flashbacks to O'Keeffe's little-known studies in Chicago and New York, Becoming O'Keeffe casts a clear new light on how a fiercely independent art student became the artist Georgia O'Keeffe. The careful scholarship and persuasive arguments of Dr. Peters's text--supported with forceful clarity by her choice and juxtapositions of images--reveal not only unexpected complexity in O'Keeffe's own work but also previously unexplored connections with work by her colleagues, particularly her dealer and husband, Alfred Stieglitz, and the photographers Paul Strand, Charles Sheeler, and Edward Steichen.
Dr. Peters's interpretations of the aesthetic and personal interaction between O'Keeffe and Stieglitz show for the first time how strongly the painter's work influenced Stieglitz's own, and she suggests new ways of understanding their art and their relationship. That she does all this in exhilaratingly good prose makes this book a rare pleasure to read. Now revised to take into account the latest scholarship, Becoming O'Keeffe also provides an updated and expanded bibliography, as well as six new illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
A Doorway into Early O'Keeffe.......2006-12-19
Having viewed the recent Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit on "Colors and Conservation" in Rochester, NY (which Mississippi Museum of Art-originated exhibit has its own, fine catalogue), I found this volume most illuminative regarding O'Keeffe's relationships as they informed her development as an artist. As a example of the type of "close reading" undertaken by the author here, the background offered on O'Keeffe's "Lake George Farmhouse Door" (near the close of the book, though only halfway through O'Keeffe's life) suggests it may be taken as a response of sorts to her husband's earlier photograph of a smiling, younger woman posed in front of the same doorway.
The author thus raises questions on creative transformations involved in making art. Why, for example, is the door-glass opaque in the artist's painting instead of something we can see through in her husband's photograph? Does her rendering of their summer home's door suggest a way into or a blocking out from the artist's own life, as the photo itself is held to suggest of the woman depicted in it? One does not need this sort of background in order to appreciate the painting itself, held by MoMA, but those seeking autobiographical insights on O'Keeffe's early work should find "Becoming O'Keeffe" intriguing reading.
One writer who does not "get" O'Keeffe.......2006-09-10
I am irritated by writers who purport to know the inner thoughts of people who are no longer alive to defend themselves. Peters has collected plenty of information on what was going on in the American and European art worlds, and it's worth reading for that. There are also some works here I haven't seen in other books. But if Peters wants to understand O'Keeffe's state of mind and approach to her work, why take O'Keeffe's perfectly clear and straightforward writings and then negate them in favor of hyperbolic, overwrought analysis? Having to repeatedly reject an artist's own words and play the game of "What she really meant was..." is a good sign that you don't understand the subject. Why are O'Keeffe's simple words so hard for her to comprehend? Peters' analogies stretch far past the point of usefulness: a closed window equals a camera lens? Paintings of trees become "prototypes" for paintings of crosses made 5 years later? Does she mean O'Keeffe was really trying to paint crosses, and they just came out looking like trees? Or that the first time O'Keeffe saw a cross she thought "Oh, that looks like a tree"? This book isn't nearly as much about O'Keeffe as it is about what Peters would have been doing if she could magically take O'Keeffe's place. Maybe Peters gets really confused about simple actions, like putting a drawing on the floor, because she's never done much artwork. Sometimes you have to put things on the floor because in the facilities you have available, that's the easiest way to see and work on them. I think the lesson here is that if you have to change something to your own words to understand it, you're no longer perceiving that thing--you're only perceiving yourself. Peters spends a lot of time here reflecting her own thought process, and in doing so, misses not only O'Keeffe, but maybe visual art itself.
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