Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters: 100 Great Drawings Analyzed, Figure Drawing Fundamentals Defined

Customer Reviews:

Analysis is great.......2007-10-03

I like that he has a full page to show the drawing and on the facing page he has a smaller version with commentary. He places capital letters on the drawing so you can see exactly which line or shape he is discussing.

Definative.......2007-07-13

Robert Beverly Hale was one of the masters in teaching figure drawing. A must for serious students of figure painting.

Not written by an artist..........2007-05-08

Although this is one of the best compilation books of old master drawings
available on the common market, I would not put too much stock in what
the author says. The author is correct in saying that many of these
great artists had to learn and understand anatomy in order to "make it up"
(e.g., a figure of a rearing horse drawn by Titian, impossible to be
taken from life), but he goes overboard in trying to get the student to
learn about anatomy. For example, he says "Please buy some bones". That's right--the way to paint like Rubens is to...buy some bones. I don't think so. Even if you learned how to draw the figure well, after perhaps 10 years, you'd still have to tackle drapery and then learn how to compose your figures in a painting and, well, be an artist. I have learned after much figure drawing study that after a while, "studies are
useless" (Rubens said that also). It is better for the true artist to simply plan painting after painting, and ignore all this wasteful "study effort" as if art is a science. This is not to say any knowledge of anatomy is bad. But you need to know only as much as it takes to know that
a head looks too big, or a shoulder "doesn't look right", esp. if you are already working from life. I have studied anatomy and tried to draw from my memory, and although my drawings have all the attendant parts, you cannot "guess" at how the aspect of a vastus medialis changes when it is in 10 different positions. It's much easier and quicker simply to draw a model from life--it will look more correct, even WITHOUT a knowledge of anatomy. And if you are a figurative artist, you may even want to "clothe" your figures at some point (Watteau made a name for himself for knowing how to do just that) so knowledge of anatomy, although not to be entirely discounted, should run second to drawing from life, having artistic vision, and working on a plan to make a nice painting instead of engaging in hours of fruitless "studies." After you die, do you want to have a bunch of academic drawings with correct anatomy laying around?
Only the art matters. This book, although much better than those awful books which use hack artists as models of excellence, still falls short
of what you really need to do to become a strong figurative painter. And that is, "draw from life". Pose your friends and family and draw them.
That's what the masters did.

This is one of the best books ever!.......2007-01-25

This is a must have book. No matter what your subject matter you can benefit from reading and doing the exercises in this book. I read it with a highlighter and a pen. I don't usually write in my drawing books, but this one was too good to simply read I had to study it. I will be using this in my current class to help me draw people better. Lots of excellent examples. It doesn't matter what you are trying to learn to draw this book helps you think in terms of mass and shape, not legs, arms, faces, etc.

Must have book for all fine art students!.......2007-01-05

Robert Beverly Hale is the undisputed master of not only artistic anatomy, methods of drawing and the masters' techniques; but he is also a master at conveying ideas in clear concise language. He was the best lecturer on artistic anatomy. I attended his 10 session lectures twice before he died. The book reflects much of what he taught in his lectures, so it's the next best thing to having him in the room.

Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters (Kohl, Mary Ann F. Bright Ideas for Learning.)

Average customer rating:

Art History for Young people
Nice little book
Excellent
Disappointing
Good intro for kids to the world of fine art.

Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters (Kohl, Mary Ann F. Bright Ideas for Learning.)
Maryann F. Kohl , and Kim Solga
Manufacturer: Bright Ring Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Careers | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Complete Art Curriculum Activities: 150 Easy-To-Use Art Lessons in 8 Exciting Creative Media for Grades 1-8

ASIN: 0935607099

Customer Reviews:

Art History for Young people.......2007-08-13

I think this will be great for exposing young people to the masters. Hands on really works well for this age group (12-15.

Nice little book.......2007-07-30

This book is an excellent resource for art history lessons and projects that students can really get into. Each lesson is easily adaptable to other grade levels and can be changed to fit the supplies that you have in your classroom. Recommended.

Excellent.......2007-06-25

I love the different ideas in this book and that it goes from very simple ideas to more complex.

Disappointing.......2007-05-17

I was very disappointed with this book. I purchased it based on the reviews, but I have to agree with the comment that having black and white pictures totally detracts from the beauty of these famous works of art. I actually ended up returning the book.

Good intro for kids to the world of fine art........2007-04-13

I was an art history major in college and am always looking for new ways to bring artists into my children's lives. While there aren't any phenominal projects in the book, there are some great ideas, and some projects that will jog your mind into making your own projects.

Average customer rating:

Good for Antamoy References
Good book
Practice practice practice
Good book, but lacks in the following.
Excellent content

Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters
Robert Hale , Terence Coyle , and Robert Beverly Hale
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters: 100 Great Drawings Analyzed, Figure Drawing Fundamentals Defined
Master Class in Figure Drawing
Artistic Anatomy (Practical Art Books)
Michelangelo Life Drawings (Dover Art Library)
The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing: A Contemporary Perspective on the Classical Tradition

ASIN: 0823002810
Release Date: 2000-10-01

Amazon.com

Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters provides an anatomical counterpart to Robert Beverly Hale's classic reference book, Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. Terence Coyle, who for several years assisted Hale at the Art Students League of New York, kept detailed notes of Hale's lectures and teaching methods. He combined these notes with 100 drawings to illustrate how the great masters portrayed specific parts of the human physique. As Hale points out, master artists such as Rembrandt, Leonardo, and Raphael "absorbed the technical details of anatomy so well that these details could be set down instinctively.... If an artist has to occupy his mind with the task of clumsily grouping the elemental facts of anatomy as he draws, there can be little room left for really important matters--such as the spirit of the drawing and the artist's expressive intent." Coyle provides several examples within the study of each anatomical area to illustrate the variety of styles and methods employed by the masters. The book treats, in order, the rib cage, the pelvis and thigh, the knee and lower leg, the foot, the shoulder girdle, the arm, the hand, and the neck and head. A complete series of anatomical reference plates by Dr. Paul Richer is included. By applying the timeless anatomical principles the great masters have handed down to us, any artist can begin to acquire the means by which to express the "really important matters." --Mary Ribesky

Book Description

This classic book, whose foremost author was one of the great artistic anatomy teachers of the twentieth century, is an invaluable instructor and reference guide for any professional, amateur, or student artist who depicts the human form. Revealing the drawing principles behind one hundred inspiring masterpieces, the book presents work by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rubens, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, and other greats. These superb portrayers of figures knew that the secret of drawing them was seeing how underlying bone and muscle structures mold the body's surface forms. Readers are shown how to learn from these great examples as the authors guide them through all the steps they would take in a life class or studio working with live models.

Customer Reviews:

Good for Antamoy References.......2007-05-13

I will just say that this is very helpful for reference to specific part of the human anatomy. Especially the skeletal and muscular diagrams at the back of the book.

Good book.......2006-11-23

for us amateaur artists who want inspiration to create great works of art. This book shows the details of the human body and how great artists drew from live and dead bodies as they create the greatest masterpieces in art history.

Practice practice practice.......2006-01-20

I took an art class at the junior college and the instructor suggested copying the masters to improve drawing skills. I bought this book and copied every picture. Not only did it familiarize me with many artists I had not heard of but, over time my drawing skills improved dramatically. I am now buying collections of drawings of other artists and copying. I highly recommend the book not only as a reference but also to be used to improve skills. I have an engineering background, not art and this helped immensely.

Good book, but lacks in the following........2004-01-07

Pick up this book if you are looking for a great artistic anatomy reference book. If you are looking for more than reference, however, you might want to look elsewhere. While this book is definitely good, it doesn't give the artist direction in how to draw or depict the illustrations. The text is pretty much straight-forward, usually only noting the parts of the bodies in the images. Second, this book lacks the poetic and great writing of Robert Beverly Hale.

Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters is more of an extra reference book or a supplement to Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. In that book, Hale really teaches to the reader whats needed to depict anatomy, what steps the artist must take, gives tips on how to become a great or accomplished artist, why the artists of the past were so good, what mistakes beginners of figure drawing usually make, and sooooo much more. It's pretty much an incredible book to have even if you're not into figure drawing.

I think Anatomy Lessons would probably be more highly regarded in my eyes had Drawing Lessons been nonexistent. Anatomy Lessons is great for further reference, if thats what you're looking for though. I probably wouldn't recommend anyone to buy this book unless you already own or have thoroughly read and studied Drawing Lessons by the Great Masters.

Excellent content.......2002-09-29

An excellent book on artistic anatomy. Reading this one book has taught me more than some figure drawing classes. A systematic deconstruction of how the masters of artistic anatomy have integrated their knowledge into some of the greatest drawings of all time. The book goes through the drawings of famous artists, categorized by the region of the body on which the drawings are focused, and attempts to explain how extensive knowledge of anatomy has been effectively applied. It touches on how these artists could create drawings which are more powerful than merely a photographic rendering of the model through their use of anatomy.

Unfortunately, the book is very cheaply bound. Entire leaves have detached themselves from the spine, though I have treated the book very well. My copy has turned into a stack of paper and scotch tape, wrapped loosely in its former cover. Despite that fact, I still consider it worth the purchase.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding, enlightening, and very worthwhile!.......2006-10-06

Shoshin Nagamine (1907 - 1997) was the founder of Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do. He wrote The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do, another valuable tome, in addition to this book. Practicing his art for more than 70 years, he achieved the rank of Hanshi (10th dan black belt) in karate and also earned black belts in judo, kendo, and sumo. He was president of the Okinawan Police Station, served as police chief of Naha City, and as an instructor of police judo teams in Okinawa, Japan. The guy not only knew his stuff, but was one heck of a good researcher. His insight into the titans of Okinawan martial arts is fascinating, a "must read" for any serious martial artist. Patrick McCarthy's translations are extraordinary. The book is a quick, easy read, coming across as if it had been written by a native English speaker. McCarthy even translates haiku into poetic, user-friendly English.

Nagamine Sensei spent a lifetime researching the budoka covered in his book. He trained and/or talked with some of them personally, interviewing the relatives and students of those who have passed on. He artfully portrays the exploits of Tode Sakugawa, Sokon Matsumura, Kosaku Matsumora, Anko Itosu, Gichin Funakoshi, Chotoku Kyan, Choki Motobu, Kanryo Higaonna and Ankichi Arakaki, to name a few, cutting through the fables and exaggerated legends to get to the truth.

The only drawback is that it does not include a glossary or index, so you will probably want to take notes as you peruse it. My copy is battered, dog-eared, and covered with sticky notes. An extraordinary tome, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

Fantastic and original!.......2006-09-25

Books with serious data on old Karate-do Masters' biography are not common, unfortunately. This one comes right to hit this spot. Learning Karate-do is far from being only punching and kicking. We need to learn and exercise other aspects, as already said by the Masters Nagamine presents in this book: philosophical, moral and historical aspects. Knowing the history, you know better your Karate-do. In addition, this book presents some peculiar aspects of Okinawan history and tradition (dance, Tegumi wrestling, etc.) and Nagamine's view of "Karate and Zen as one", presenting Zazen theory and exercises to complete the book in great style.

Hard to put this book down!.......2005-07-02

This book is a great read.

Valuable information on the early pioneers of karate, and important insights into their lives. This book is well written and exciting to read. I would say it is like reading fiction, but that belittles the historical accuracy of many of the accounts.

Great Account Of Karate.......2003-10-25

This book written by one of Okinawas legendary Masters and translated by one of Karate's leading authors is simply a masterpiece of writing. It gives detailed accounts of Okinawas early Te-Tode-Tuite Masters many of whom have never been written about before. It's a much more indepth account than Richard Kims Weaponless Warriors, not to knock Kim, and well worth the price. Lots of pictures and lots of info.

Extremely informative work........2003-06-07

I highly recommend this book to all practioners of the Martial Art of Karate. Exploring not only his personal lineage but that of all the original styles of karate founded and developed on Okinawa, Shoshin Nagamine provides a great work and a first hand account of many of the mentioned Masters.
It is nice to know that historically correct information is starting to come out about the true origins of karate and of its' founders. It is also nice that a little bit of myth also surrounds those same founders. Shoshin Nagamine does well to dispell those myths.
By knowing and understanding truth from the past we grow today and prepare for the future. This reviewer is glad that Patrick McCarthy translated this work for the world to read.
Buy the book.

Master Class in Fiction Writing: Techniques from Austen, Hemingway, and Other Greats

Average customer rating:

one of the better ones out there but not the best
Pragmatic, accesible and entertaining writing guide
few techniques many examples
Required Reading!
Excellent

Master Class in Fiction Writing: Techniques from Austen, Hemingway, and Other Greats
Adam Sexton
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction)
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Write Great Fiction: Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint : (Techniques and exercises for crafting dynamic characters and effective viewpoints) (Write Great Fiction)
Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School
Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters

ASIN: 0071448772

Customer Reviews:

one of the better ones out there but not the best.......2007-01-12

This was a good value for the amount of advice offered. However it didnt improve my fiction writing significantly --- maybe because I like completely different styles and novels than what Mr. Sexton chose as examples. I dont regret buying, but will probably donate to charity after rereading.

Pragmatic, accesible and entertaining writing guide.......2006-11-02

I stumbled on this book browsing in B&N and couldn't put it down...so I bought it, read it and later even enrolled in a course. Most useful writing book I've encountered including those by Eudora Welty, Natalie Goldberg, Anne LaMott, Steven King, Orson Scott Card, Lawrence Block, Sue Grafton, Noah Lukeman, Lou Stanek, Marcia Golub, Robert Olen Butler and Francine Prose. All those folks had interesting and helpful things to impart, it's Sexton's book I turn to when I get stuck...which is why I was perusing the writing section of B&N that day to begin with.

Sexton's unique approach is the reason "Master Class in Fiction Writing" stands out. In each chapter he "workshops" a different book or short story written by a GREAT writer (instead of just anybody who can afford to pay tuition.) What originally drew me in, for example, was his discussion of the descriptions in John Updike's "Rabbit, Run." I admire Updike almost as much as Nicholson Baker (see "U and I") but Sexton showed me that his descriptions add up to more than the sum of their respective parts. He showed (by way of Updike) how good description is an integral themetic element, not poetic diversion. (BTW, he'd never inflict you with a phrase like "integral themetic element" which just shows you why I needed this book.) Anyway, when I revise now I know exactly what to keep and cut because I better understand how to measure its contribution to the overall work.

Didn't some of those other writing books make a similar point? Well sure, but Sexton got it to penetrate my brain. Both his own prose and prose examples resemble good description: concrete, specific, precise and original. I also valued the chapter on literary style because he brought out how Hemingway's voice is NOT merely a matter of short staccato sentences, but based on long compound sentences and a distinct diction too. That may sound abstract but when he breaks "A Farewell to Arms" for you, you'll be able to gauge where your work falls on a stylistic spectrum (giving appropriate credit to John Gardner, btw) and whether that suits your purpose.

The greatest strength of this book however is the immensely useful discussion of point of view. Nearly every "how to write" book touches on this topic, but the explanation in this book is where "Master Class" pulls away from the figurative pack. In two chapters Sexton not only gives a taste of the many flavors of 1st, 2nd, 3rd person (did you know there is more than one way to do 2nd person?) and omniscent but he helps you match them to the type of work you are writing. Again, I've read many, many discussions of POV that use cameras etc...but Sexton's gave me new insights into whether the strategy I'd chosen was appropriate for the interior life of my characters as well as the timescale of my novel.

"Master Class" is also a good read despite it's somewhat forbidding title. As writing books go there's relatively little jargon, but lots of humor. Perhaps because Sexton doesn't seem to have any particular axe to grind its inordinately accessible. Well, that's not quite true. He does insist that if people can be taught brain surgery they can probably learn (by reading great writers) how to write better fiction too. So if you find yourself getting frustrated with writing workshops save yourself a few hundred dollars next semester and read this instead. It's -- forgive the cliche -- like having your cake and eating it too.

few techniques many examples.......2006-10-13

I am not writing in English and try to learn some fiction writing skills. This book has cited many literay fiction and is a good source for you to find fictions good at dialogue, etc. But it provides very few techniques and you have to read the referred literature to know how to write a dialogue. I jumped many paragraphs. I also can not agree with the author on what attract the readers. Sometimes I feel the opposite about certain classics. Other books I am reading provide me with many techniques such as Techniques of Selling Writer and Immediate Fiction.

Required Reading!.......2006-08-09

I read MASTER CLASS IN FICTION WRITING and wanted to go back and reread every work of literature I ever loved. I would get twice as much out of my old favorites reading them from the perspective of a writer, the authors themselves. Sexton uses the works of Austen, Hemingway, Joyce, and Morrison, among many others, to demonstrate how to write like a genius of the craft - even if, as he states, you aren't one, but merely sensitive, intelligent, and hard-working. The premise of MASTER CLASS - that writing can be learned - is heartening.

Sexton's passion for and knowledge of literature, his humor in it all and his ability to laugh at himself (he's a writer, too, after all) make MASTER CLASS both constructive and entertaining; think being in a class taught by a teacher everybody loves and respects. I learned and I laughed reading MASTER CLASS. And since Sexton seems to have memorized every classic ought to be read, it is a great save on time for those of us who have forgotten what A farewell to Arms is about or don't feel like getting into Faulkner. In this `class' the instructor does the work for you, giving the answers on how to structure a sound story, create `round' characters, keep plot in motion, and make the most of description, dialogue, point of view, voice and style - until, of course, the real work of writing your story begins. But Sexton makes sure you're prepared for that.

MASTER CLASS IN FICTION WRITING is a must read, and not just once. I will return to it each time I sit down to write a new story, the way I reference yearly my mother's unfailing instructions on how to cook a turkey before tackling the almighty bird. A fiction writer's gift to give is a good story; one would like to see it in print. With discipline and years of work, there's a chance it can happen. Sign up for Sexton's book, MASTER CLASS IN FICTION WRITING, and it's a near guarantee.

Excellent.......2006-07-27

Sexton's book, Master Class in Fiction Writing, is well-organized, clear and concise while being very entertaining. This isn't your college lit class but you'd wish it were. Each chapter takes you through a different work (reprinted) with Sexton using the example to demonstrate different aspects of fiction writing. A 'class' like this could run to the purely academic but Sexton is a very entertaining writer and it's difficult to stop reading at the end of each chapter. If you are interested in learning more about writing in general and/or improving your own writing, you will get a lot out of this book and enjoy yourself while doing so.

Methods and Materials of Painting of the Great Schools and Masters

Average customer rating:

Why me?
Unless you're an art scholar, don't bother.
An important source for painters
Excellent but might not be the whole story
For true artists

Methods and Materials of Painting of the Great Schools and Masters
Sir Charles Lock Eastlake
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Materials of the Artist and Their Use in Painting: With Notes on the Techniques of the Old Masters, Revised Edition
How to Paint Like the Old Masters: Watson-Guptill 25th Anniversary Edition
The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques: Fifth Edition, Revised and Updated (Artists' Handbook of Materials and Techniques)
Rembrandt: The Painter at Work
Formulas for Painters

ASIN: 0486417263

Book Description

Greek and Roman art methods, medieval techniques, tempera painting, van Eyck's revolutionary use of oil paints, Flemish methods of preparing colors, methods of 18th-century British artists, technical secrets of Italian schools, including such masters as Leonardo, Raphael, Correggio, Andrea del Sarto, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Why me?.......2007-09-27

It took me several days to bull through the first 50 pages. I found out that must cultures used some sort of "drying oil" -- linseed or other for oil painting. This discovery astounded me so much, that Ii have been unable to continue reading. Perhaps the people who gave it a high rating could tell me something to encourage further reading.

By the way this system won't let me give this book a zero star rating.

Unless you're an art scholar, don't bother........2007-09-04

Out of the thousands of dollars I've spent on art books over the years to understand and improve my knowledge as a realist artist, this has to be the only one I've ever bought so far that I found completly useless.
If you want to impress another artist, sure, hit them over the head with it. But apart from that I can't really see the point of it being marketed to modern day artists. Written in 1847 with language to match, it just simply describes what most realist artists can usually figure out for themselves by looking at the pictures. And come to much clearer conclusions. Something that your average artist without a generous income and the time to travel round europe during that time period probably couldn't do. Hence the reason I imagine, this book was written.

As a teaching aid for your modern day realist artist, in my opinion forget it. If you want a book this thick and scholastic that will actually help you, get Ralph Mayers 'The Artist's Handbook of Materials & Techniques' instead.

Beware of impressive, studious sounding reviews - I'm sorry I wasted my money on it.

An important source for painters.......2007-05-14

A seminal work - referred to by authorities (Ralph mayer, etc) on painting technique. A must have if you're interested in painting technique throught the centuries.

Excellent but might not be the whole story.......2006-12-06

My initial reaction on receiving this book was "Bloody hell is it big enough!?" At 1024 pages you're certainly getting a lot of information for your buck.

Eastlake (1793-1865) was a former president of the British Royal Academy, director of the National Gallery, and in his day an major expert on painting techniques. Do note the book was first published in 1847, hence the writing style can be somewhat turbid. Perseverance pays with there being more information in here than you can shake a stick at.

My comment about caution is based upon recent studies of old master paintings. The old masters would typically have a team of apprentices working alongside them, mixing paint, painting parts of the painting that the master was probably too bored to bother with (as well as good training for the apprentice) etc. The Master/Apprentice setup allowed for a continuous stream of knowledge being passed along the generations. However as oil paint technology advanced, in particular the ability to buy premixed paints off the shelf, the painter no longer needed a team of apprentices. He could pretty much get by on his own. Hence there was no longer anyone for the painter to pass on his knowledge to. This resulted in a considerable amount of technical knowledge being lost. (A good example is the recent theory promulgated by David Hockney that the old masters were able to paint such realistic paintings as they used rudimentary projection techniques to place a guide image on the canvas, overwhich they painted. No one knows if he is right or wrong).

From the 1800's on, technical experts such as Eastlake and Max Doerner ("The Materials of the Artist") began to impart their wisdom on how the old master paintings were created. But the techniques thay had available were very rudimentary, more often than not being a case of the expert trying to reproduce a certain style and looking at the painting surface close up. The experts proferred their theories and techniques, often with much aplomb leaving no room for doubt. Unfortunately they were often quite off the mark - they could emulate a style somewhat but never 100%. There are too many variables involved even for a discerning eye. It has only been with recent advances in scientific analysis, chemical and visual, that a truer understanding of the old master technique is finally being determined. Van Wettering's excellent "Rembrandt - the painter at work" book details the findings of extensive research carried out on a number of paintings considered to have been painted by Rembrandt. The book is 340 pages, and they still haven't got all the answers. But what they have done is to throw in to doubt the theories and techniques of the 19th/20th C experts.

There is a welter of information in this book, but if you are trying to perfectly replicate a certain old master painterly technique, and failing to do so, then be warned the experts might not be such experts afterall.

All said and done, I do recommend this book for the wealth of information it contains. Numerous recipes for mediums, varnishes etc. along with many techniques that it lends itself to study in its own right. Dover books have once again provided an excellent product at an excellent price.

For true artists.......2006-02-03

Okay...the title is a little bit misleading but truth be said....its not a difficult book for the Artist who knows what he or she is at and its certainly not for the hobbiest who would be lost with this book.This for me is a great book as it has enrichened me....information is always good.

Great Women Masters of Art (Great Masters of Art)

Average customer rating:

Worth Its Weight in Gold!

Great Women Masters of Art (Great Masters of Art)
Jordi Vigue
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0823021149

Book Description

An entertaining, informative, and inspirational look at the greatest women artists of all time! The latest entry in the new Great Masters of Art series, Great Women Masters of Art is an affordable, easy-to-use guide featuring the life and work of the greatest women painters of Western art-from the 15th century to the present day. Legendary women painters of each key historical movement are included, such as Sofonisba Anguissola, Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Leyster, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Gwen John, Frida Kahlo, and dozens more. Each artist is represented by several impressive reproductions of her most significant works, alongside a biographical timeline and brief history of her life and career. Every dazzling, full-color reproduction includes cultural and aesthetic discussions about the individual painting. Plus, entertaining anecdotes and stories bring each woman's inspirations, circumstances, and creative genius to life. This one-stop guide is appealing, compact, lavishly illustrated, and conveniently organized for fast and easy use. Great Women Masters of Art is an enjoyable trip for all.

Customer Reviews:

Worth Its Weight in Gold!.......2006-10-25

This book is one in a finely done current art series, and every volume is a beauty! This one, "Great Women Masters" may be the best, since a large number of the artists here are not well known. Sure, there are Cassett, O'Keefe, and a few other very famous names, but perhaps the best descriptions and paintings are by pre-20th Century Artists,some from the 1500's,and especially some English Pre-Raphaelites. There are many,many color reproductions, descriptions of the lives of the artists, even very small color pictures at the book page corners, all which makes this a very special series, this being my favorite. Also, the size is rectangular and portable, not too heavy..All in all, just about perfect!

How to Build a Great Screenplay: A Master Class in Storytelling for Film

Average customer rating:

For SERIOUS Aspiring Screenwriters ONLY
Could've been a 1 page pamphlet instead of a book!
Good book.
This is THE Screenwriting Book, bar none.

How to Build a Great Screenplay: A Master Class in Storytelling for Film
David Howard
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Direction & Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Screenplays | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Screenwriting | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Tools of Screenwriting: A Writer's Guide to the Craft and Elements of a Screenplay
Screenwriting: The Sequence Approach
Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
Writing a Great Movie: Four Advanced Tools for the Dramatist
Psychology for Screenwriters: Building Conflict in Your Script

ASIN: 0312252110
Release Date: 2004-10-21

Book Description

As founding director of the graduate screenwriting program at the University of Southern California, David Howard has mentored the authors of some of the most successful movies of our time. His new book painstakingly deconstructs the craft of writing for film, and reveals how to build a solid storyline and convincing characters from the ground up. Chapters focus on: -Story arc -Plotting and subplotting -Classical vs. revolutionary screenplay structure -Tone, style, and atmosphere -The use of time -The creation of drama and tension. How to Build a Great Screenplay concludes with examples from some of Hollywood's most successful script-oriented films, including Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, and American Beauty. For beginning and experienced writers alike, this is primed to become the classic text on screenwriting.

Customer Reviews:

For SERIOUS Aspiring Screenwriters ONLY.......2006-04-06

If you think of screenwriting as the latest get rich quick scheme, then forget this book and go buy yourself a lotto ticket, at least the odds are better...However, if you are serious about cementing a screenwriting career, then you can't go wrong with this book. True, it's over 400 pages, and at points he does seem to repeat himself BUT the information on structure, character arc, and dramatic conflict in general is priceless. The reason this book seems to turn people off is because it doesn't dumb screenwriting down. Contrary to popular opinion, screenwriting is hard work and the only way to get good is to put the time in to learn it. If you really want to make it, try this book.

Could've been a 1 page pamphlet instead of a book!.......2005-07-26

After reading this long book filled with filler words, nonsense rhetoric and uninspiring stories...I was so ANGRY, I felt there should be a law forcing How-to-book authors to include a chapter that actually synopsis and list what you will actually learn from their books... You can probably sum up what you will learn from this book in 1 to 2 pages.

Over 400 pages to say so little... I learned more about screenplay writing from "First Time Director..." by Gil Bettman than in this book.

Mr. Howard's book reminds me of those horrible college text books written by your college professors that you are forced to read. If Mr. Howard was to tell you how to input a book title on top to search for a book here in Amazon... he would probably take 3 chapters to do it.

By the time I got to page 401, I just had to laugh... He says, "You know you can't be boring for too long, and, ideally, you want to be far from boring; you want your stories to be exciting, riveting, can't-take-your-eyes-away thrilling." - Even that sentence shows how wordy he is. How these books get publish...? I have no idea! Reminds me of people who surround themselves around people who never tell them the truth... cause if he had, I'm sure at least one true friend would've tell him the book has major flaws!

You don't learn much about the author, you learn less about the business. It's almost like he assumes his readers are total idiots. This is sad; because I'm sure Mr. Howard is a great man, with a lot to teach... and his book did not come across that way... could be the editor.

Here's a suggestion, why not try to write the book again... and this time get a psychologist to assist you to stay focus and REALLY speak from the heart? (Not an insult but an actual honest suggestion)

I would buy it, since I believe he might have something great to say, if he only stop talking long enough to get to the heart of things.

About me: Fulltime successful Creative Director and copy writer for some of the top brands in America, trying to get into film.

Good book........2005-07-17

This book covers a lot of info; however, it seems as if some of it could be wittled away and the core of the book would still be intact. Also it seems to reference his other book way to much.

This is THE Screenwriting Book, bar none........2004-11-01

This book is a 2 semester, graduate course in screenplay writing. It is the best in print. To cover so much material in a single book is amazing, and a first. Supplement it with "Advanced Writing" by Wells Draughon, "Writing a Great Movie," by Jeff Kitchen, and "Screenwriting" by Paul Gulino, and you have everything you need to write a superb screenplay. "How to Build a Great Screenplay" can stand on its own. The others will help you control your story to get every bit of energy into making a taut story. But the breadth of Howard's book stands head-and-shoulders above everything else in print. An amazing book. Thank you, David Howard. A superb book!

Techniques of the Great Masters of Art (A QED Book)

Average customer rating:

Brushstrokes: close-up and personal
Buy it
Good companion to Gardner
Why aren't there more books like this!?
A MUST-HAVE book

Techniques of the Great Masters of Art (A QED Book)
Waldemar Januszczak
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Techniques of the World's Great Painters (A QED Book)
Methods and Materials of Painting of the Great Schools and Masters
Oil Painting Secrets from a Master
The Complete Oil Painter: The Essential Reference for Beginners to Professionals
Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right

ASIN: 0890098794

Customer Reviews:

Brushstrokes: close-up and personal.......2006-09-07

Other reviewers have given this book five stars and rightly so but I thought they didn't quite reveal how good it is.

Don't be put of by the words Great Masters in the title, it actually covers artists from the Old Masters (1300-1860) Impressionists (1860-1905) and Modern Masters (1905-1980). A hundred paintings, in color, from seventy-seven artists are considered and each work gets the same treatment, for instance Roy Lichtenstein's 'Whaam!' gets two spreads. The first page has a small photo of the artist and about three hundred words regarding his painting technique, this text relates to seven small line drawings and captions revealing how he worked. The right-hand page has a picture of Whaam! and a preparatory black and white drawing, both have long captions. The next spread has four life size details of the painting (each with a simple thumbnail of the work to show where the detail comes from) and again long captions explaining techniques and the materials used.

It is the life size illustrations that, to me, make this book special. There are plenty of visual art history books, my favorites are the Phaidon series: The Art Book, The 20TH Century Art Book and The American Art Book, all bursting with whole page works of art but it is only when you can see a lifesize close-up of the work (plus a detailed caption) that things somehow start to fall into place and a greater appreciation is acquired. There is something special in looking at part of Henri Rousseau's 'The Dream' or Frank Stella's 'Hyena Stomp' and knowing that you're seeing part of the painting the same size as these artists created it.

Apart from looking at art techniques (and history) in a rather unusual way another reason I love this book is because it is beautifully designed and printed. You can use it as a reference work or just browse through some stunning paintings and understand them and their creators more.

BTW It originally came out in 1985 and it seems there are various reprints so I think it's worth checking the page numbers to see that you buy the complete book. This edition has 541 pages plus another eighteen unnumbered pages at the back. There are three sections to the book (Old Masters, Impressionists and Modern Masters) and I believe each section has been published as a single book.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

Buy it.......2004-05-25

This is one of the most exciting books on the history of art in combination with the technique of great masters that you can come across. Richly illustrated and covering a wide range of artists, this book does not merely give a biography of the artist and an example of his works. Its attraction lies in the fact that one painting of each artist is analysed in detail including sequence of painting, materials and techniques used from the start to finish with some good close-ups and analysis. This is a rare book which brings actual clarity to the reader who may be eager to learn as to how certain effects were achieved by many masters, while at no time erasing the mystique associated with the masterpieces. It has the potential to greatly accelerate the learning curve of an intermediate painter while remaining of value even to the pro. Rich, stimulating, good value for money and a treat in all respects, this book will be near the top of the chart of your favorites in its category, if not numero uno.

Good companion to Gardner.......2003-09-21

This book looks at art history from the point of view of the practicing artist instead of the art historian. As such, it is an excellent companion to books such as Gardner's "Art Through the Ages". Very good read.

Why aren't there more books like this!?.......2002-08-13

This is a superb book, well laid-out, with many excellent reproductions and an informed text. In a perfect world, there would be many books like this, not just a few.

A MUST-HAVE book.......1999-12-05

Here is a book for the serious art student as well as the accomplished artist. Had this book been available when I was in art school, I know my development would have been much easier and faster. I gain much from it every time I study this book , which is quite often.

Painting the Great Masters by Number: Create Your Own Masterpiece with this Easy Paint-by-Number Program

Average customer rating:

Not what I expected/wanted
great do-it-yourself art
Not your mother's paint-by-number

Painting the Great Masters by Number: Create Your Own Masterpiece with this Easy Paint-by-Number Program
Ivan Hissey , and Curtis Tappenden
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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Real Art!: The Paint by Number Book & Kit
Complete Paint-By-Number Set
Paint By Number Kit: Everything You Need to Re-Create 8 Vintage Masterpieces
Paint by Number
Color Your Own Abstract Art Masterpieces (Coloring Books)

ASIN: 076210449X
Release Date: 2003-10-23

Book Description

This unique paint-by-number guide teaches you how to recreate beautiful masterpieces by artists from Botticelli to Whistler. This innovative course guides you from a template to the finished piece, providing techniques and tips along the way. Perfect for both beginners and experienced painters.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected/wanted.......2007-06-29

I don't know about others, but the "paint-by-numbers" that I grew up with involves an actual canvas & paint. Neither of those elements are in this book. The book...which is what it is, not a kit of any sort...is simply a book about painting. It includes the diagrams that you can copy onto a canvas, but that's it. It was not what I wanted when I ordered something involving paint-by-numbers & I promply sent it back.

great do-it-yourself art.......2006-07-09

It has always been my dream to paint a painting that people could actually look at with pleasure. I found this book, and now my walls are filling up with wonderful paintings I did myself! Not only are the instructions easy to follow, but the techniques can be applied to copy paintings other than the ones in the book. I just finished my own copy of THE STARRY NIGHT using these techniques, and it looks great! I recommend this book to anyone who always wanted to paint but never thought she could.

Not your mother's paint-by-number.......2004-04-13

I just got this book and I can't wait to get my brushes dipping into paint. There are 30 masterpiece paintings in this book. From Botticelli to Whistler, with Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Klimt, Modigliani, etc. in between. All with directions, step by step photos, supply and palette lists, glossery and basic information on techniques. It is written for the Acrylic painter with some gouache, watercolor and pastel information for converting. It is not your old fashioned paint-by-number. These paintings have much more blending so that they look like the originals. What a hoot to paint your own version of the masterpieces.

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