Book Description
Elizabeth Kincaid invites readers to follow her proven techniques for painting dazzling scenes drenched in color. Her beautiful flowers, foliage and landscapes will have readers eager to create their own--and they will, using:
* Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions that take the mystery out of composition, color, light and shadow
* A practical guide to masking and glazing
* Newly trained eyes to visualize before painting and to better perceive abstract form, value, line and color
All levels of watercolorists, as well as color enthusiasts of all mediums, will enjoy using Kincaid's tips to create vivid paintings infused with light!
Customer Reviews:
Alaskan artist.......2007-03-15
The paintings capture light and shadows with incredible beauty and are inspiring to my own watercolor endeavors. The book is a worthwhile addition to any watercolorist's library.
PAINT WATERCOLORS THAT DANCE WITH THE LIGHT.......2007-02-17
HER WRITING DEFINITELY SHOWS HER LOVE FOR WATERCOLOR. IT SPEAKS TO YOUR SOUL.
Review of Paint Watercolors That Dance With Light, by Elizabeth Kincaid.......2007-01-11
I had long been attracted to the image of the cover of this book with the glowing flower and the butterfly. When it came I couldn't wait to read it and look at it. There are so many wonderful tips in this book, one especially is about how to use analogous colors to change colors from light to dark without using complements. This book is beautiful and very helpful.
Cecilia Price
excellent resource for watercolorists.......2006-11-10
This is probably the best book on watercolor techniques that I have found. It does not have copy cat"do it like this" instructions but rather has real techniques that you can use to improve your personal style and subjects.
Inspiring light.......2006-09-15
The author-painter teaches step-by-step the way to make watercolor paintings sparkle. Her own examples are breathtaking. If one really wants to acheive the skill to fill one's paitings with heavenly light, this is the book to start with.
Customer Reviews:
Not very useful except as a source for ideas.......2007-05-31
This book will not significantly improve your understanding of how light affects and creates shadows on form. However, I don't believe any book can do that. You can learn to draw a realistic face from your imagination, but the variations of how light will affect forms are infinite. Most artists who get good at "faking" it rely on a good understanding of form and perspective, backed by countless hours spent observing and drawing things under various lighting situations. They basically are always relying on observation, be it direct, photographic, or remembered. Try to think of an artist who could create truly convincing, consistent lighting for a scene from their head. I can't think of any. I guess my point is, let's not be too hard on old Burney, he was just trying to make a buck:)
If this book has a practical application, it's probably as a collection of creative ways to light your subjects to achieve particular dramatic affects. Fun to flip through, but just not all that useful.
Light & Shade in Art.......2007-01-09
This book is good to illustrate the phenomena of light in a composition. It discusses the different kinds of light and their effect on the environment of the picture. Worth getting to use as reference material.
Highly detailed teaching- analytical light & shade..........2006-06-05
...An intermediate-to-advanced, in-depth, analytical treatment- I really wanted to like this... yet...
Flipping quickly through this work, it's pretty obvious this isn't one of Hogarth's best. I'm specifically referring to drawing quality- the teaching & concepts here are very detailed, analytical, and sometimes even helpful. Filled with Hogarth's own artwork, as well as work by other artists, it sure seems like someone dropped the ball on image quality & content. The images here *teach principles* well enough; it's just that I can pretty much count on one hand the number of images that I actually *like* to look at. And that's a pretty big problem(!). The entire book is in black & white mixed-media, which is fine by me as long as the artwork is *inspirational*...
Still, the actual teaching here on light & shade is really pretty detailed. Check out this listing of 'light-types' explained & depicted: silhouette; minimal; single-source; double-source; flat-diffused; moonlight; sculptural; spatial; environmental; textural; transparent; fragmentation; radiant; and expressive (whew!). Who knew there were this many kinds of light? But again- the pictures don't do the words any justice when the pictures fail to excite & inspire. This confirms to me something I had already assumed: besides a few good art instruction books to help with getting started, the best way to learn to draw anything is by copying photos & artwork by our own favorite artists. This seems *especially* true in the case of light & shade.
Will some people love this book? Sure! It's nice to see the several Tarzan pictures here- at least for curiosity's sake. But I think most people, including Hogarth fans like myself, will pretty readily admit this book is about average at best- and not really helpful at all for beginners (not recommended!). It's certainly the weakest link in his 6-book Dynamic Drawing series. If it *continues* to stay in print, it'll likely be based mainly on the strength of Hogarth's famous name.
P.S. A better book for beginners? Walt Reed's The Figure! It contains somewhat brief but *excellent* tips on basic light & shade.
these other reviewers must be crazy..........2006-05-23
This book is precise, and it's comprehensive. It may not take you by the hand and say "step 1, draw a circle..." but I don't think this is really a HOW-TO type of book. It's more of a WHY book. It explains to artists the fundamental reasons to use a wide range of specific lighting theories, and it describes these theories very well (Hogarth's explanations work for me, and probably for other people in the worlds of comics, animation, etc.).
This book doesn't aim to be your one-and-only reference on the subject of lighting (an extremely technical subject to be sure). It's primary focus is not on color, but on form, and it may not talk about lighting the way that 3D artists do. But I've learned a ton from this book, and I refer to it often.
Excellent book of examples.......2006-05-04
If you're looking for explicit or step-by-step instruction on applying lighting and shadow to your drawing, this probably isn't the book for you. If, on the other hand, you're looking for real-world illustration examples of just about every type of lighting situation (even through fog and rain), be sure to pick this one up!
Burne Hogarth, with his immaculate drawing style, presents examples of everything from multi-point lighting to backlighting. I particularly enjoyed his examples of lighting the foreground, middle ground, and background differently. As always, the author's books are a joy just to look through.
Customer Reviews:
OUTSTANDING INFORMATION!!.......2004-04-08
This book contains so much valuable information for artists!! No matter what medium you paint in, you will find the step by step help you need to paint with great techniques!!
A book crammed with helpful guidance.......2002-02-22
Wonderful book!!! I collect watercolors and have one of Skip's. His is clearly my favorite of all of my many watercolors, aside from one by my son. I was especially excited to find and to read Skip's book. What a great teacher he is! The book is clear and easy to follow and apply. Incidentally, I have it as one of my coffee-table books, and find myself regularly re-thumbing through it. Many of its illustrations are very pleasing to the eye, and capture the essence of points he makes so well in the text. Oh, to have just a small fraction of his watercolor talent!!!!
Inspiring, essential!.......2001-08-28
Whether you're a painter who has worked for years, or a 'newbie' you will appreciate and be inspired by Skip Lawrence's fresh and candid approach to more powerful painting via the tools of light and shadow. This is not a 'paint-like-I-do" guide, it's an intelligent conversation with examples of his and other terrific artists, to show how color and light and design all work together to create compelling and meaningful art that truly expresses your vision as an artist. This is a most essential and useful addition to any painter's resources, and it's valuable for both watercolorists and painters of other media as well.
Recommended.......1999-10-12
This book is much different than the usual technique books because it clearly stays with one goal - light. Everything in the book is organised around achieving the perception of light and shadow in your paintings. It is a wonderfully elegant and logical approach.
Great Teacher.......1999-09-30
Concise use of Paintings to convey clear thought
Book Description
Features unique "dark-to-light" painting technique!
*Second only to flowers, crystal and glass are the most popular subjects for watercolor painters *10 step-by-step demonstrations cover requested items, including cut crystal, jewel-toned vases, Italian beveled glass, Depression-era pieces, canning jars, copper tea kettles, and more *Author's unique method will attract a wide range of readers, from oil painters to watercolorists looking for a fresh approach
In Stunning Crystal and Glass, dramatic light-filled paintings become possible no matter what your skill level. Where most watercolorists paint from light to dark, expert Joyce Faulknor's teaches how to go from dark to light--a technique she says is easier to learn and ultimately adds more depth and texture to any work. Composition examples show ways to add flowers, colorful cloths, and reflective surfaces to backgrounds to create spectacular effects.
Customer Reviews:
Enjoyable!.......2007-09-05
This is the first book I've been able to follow easily and actually enjoy the whole process. Joyce has a very colorful way of describing the steps and making you feel like you are getting a one-on-one lesson from her. I was so pleased with my own painting results and look forward to my next painting following Joyce Faulknor's descriptive and fabulous book.
Complete book, covering light, set up, palettes and techniques.......2007-07-04
The art of painting glass or crystal is a challenge to most watercolorists. The shadow glancing through the crystal is suffused with the colors of the diffracted light and reflected light, making a play of not only dark and light, but of various colors in the shadow tones. Rendering this is not easy. Equally difficult--getting the reflections on facets and surfaces of glass objects and vessels.
Author and painter Faulknor paints with an ultra-realistic style--the shapes and lighting are almost surreal. She shows you how to set up your painting area, choose a palette of colors, photograph your still life or use reference photos and then paint your picture. There is another similar book by another author Painting Crystal and Flowers by Susanna Spann but it is more about flowing color and limited palettes. This book is great if you desire that super-real look with high-key lighting and very dramatic dark-and-light shadow and highlight. It is not easy, but the author makes a heroic effort to take you along with her and the amazing talent she possesses. Not for the faint of heart, but can really make you think about how you are painting still life.
Good book!.......2007-05-15
Book is well made and each lesson is done step by step, with plenty of details to discuss the process. Compared to other painting books out there, important details aren't just glossed over and I didn't feel lost going from one step to the other. Book does what it says and I would recommend it.
Not what I expected.......2007-01-11
As I went through the book and its tutorials. I couldn't get the same effects the author demonstrated. There is info missing. The ideas are good though.
Stunning Crystal and Glass.......2006-12-04
This author gives very clear instructions on how to paint these complex looking compositions into fun and beautiful images. She helps you to create a very "do able" puzzle piece that lights up your canvass.
Book Description
A painting is only as good as its composition. This dynamic book teaches artists the "golden rules" of successful composition in simple, but effective techniques they can apply right away.
Through glowing examples of his own work, author Robert Lovett illustrates "design principles in action," starting with the basics. He then helps artists advance their skills by showing them how to manipulate other key devices, including: light and shadows; tonal values; repetition and alternation; gradation and balance; centers of interest; points of perspective.
Artists will also enjoy following Lovett's demonstrations which feature seascapes, boats, mountains, rivers, still lifes, interiors, figures and animals. He also includes an engaging series of 10 hands-on painting exercises Woven throughout are effective tips for working in watercolor, such as wet-in-wet techniques, dry brush methods, color mixing and more.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent resource for learning how to plan a painting........2007-09-12
When buying online, its sometimes hard to know what is inside the book that makes it special. I have tried to outline parts of this books to give you a better idea of what it's about and how things are taught.
This book is an excellent tool for learning about planning a painting and factors that influence a strong vs weak design. The books stated goal is to help artists avoid common design errors and "learn the 15 things that comproise the 'how' and 'why' of design. Beginning with a subject and it's sketch, Lovett teaches the steps of designing the painting and "arranging the marks, shapes, colors and tones." The book is filled with vivid illustrations and step-by-step demonstrations.
After a brief chapter on materials, Chapter 2 teaches "the how and why of design--the 15 things you should know, explained and illustrated." Then, the 7 Tools of Design are explained--line, shape, tonal value, size, color, texture, and direction. The "why" encompasses 8 things--unity, contrast, dominance, repetition, alternation, harmony, gradation, balance.
Lovett takes several beautiful and varied paintings and explains the tools of design in each that give it strength, unity, and interest. The tools of design for each painting are explained, and then the "design plan" of each is explained---the marks on the paper, and how those marks will be arranged--example:--unity, contrast, dominance, repetition, alternation, harmony, gradation, balance. Lovett then goes on to explain how contrast can be the layout, but making one tone, value, shape, etc more dominant than the other can create unity.
HE then takes different paintings and explains the "main arrangement" of the design (ex: unity, contrast, etc.) He shows such examples as using a dominantly wet-wet method in a painting, but then saving the center of interest to be painted with sharper, dry, crisp edges to contrast. Also, the harmony of color, gradation of colors from the top to bottom of painting and using contrast of light to make it a well-designed painting
PART 3 of the book is on "Training Yourself to Plan Your Painting". It begins with Chapter 3 on "Seizing the essence of your subject with sketches."---choosing subjects, choosing the best light, choosing to draw, choosing total recall. Next--Painting on Location---the factors the interfere with concentration and the need to "simplify the subject." Lovett states, "You must learn to see the subject as simple masses of tonal value.." Lovett encourages the reader to try to draw small subjects directly in watercolor without any preliminary pencil work as a training tool.
Lovett teaches about what the painter needs to study about the subject he plans to paint---the direction of light, the viewpoint, the lack of detail, the different shapes, the scale, the color and tone. Each of these is explained with a small example painting
Chapter 4 is about Planning the picture--how you want it to look when it is finished--the arrangement of light and tonal values and how to make a tonal value plan, color plan--what will be the dominant color, where to place a small patch of complementary color, what color would harmonize the dominant color, etc.. He explains "a simple way to select a harmonious color scheme". Lovett shows a photo of a scene and then illustrates a tonal drawing of it, then how he uses different color sketches to change the mood.
Next--"Plan your attack"---choosing paper, wet-wet, dry brush, edges, tonal value arrangement, etc., each with examples of his work to make a point.
Next--Lovett demonstrates how he sets the tonal key with the first wash and follows with further steps of making contrast of tone and color
Chapter 5 is "Designing with Perspective" where he explains how to establish the vanishing point, basic principles of perspective. Lovett then shows a series of stepped demonstrations of paintings of buildings in Venice. Lovett explains how he uses perspctive and planning ahead to draw the eye to a certain part of the painting.
Lovett's book explains further on how different elements of a painting contributes to the whole, and demonstrates what happens when design elements are removed from a painting. Next 6 Step-by-Step demonstrations are given, each with a clearly stated objective of the the demonstration, the technique used (ex: wet on dry), the tools and arrangements in action, materials the artist used including pallette, brushes, paper. Each demonstration covers a different strategy (ex: " Placing Color in the Area of Most Interest"...."Designing with Color Temperature and Line"...etc. These beautiful paintings are done of scenes in Italy and Wales.
Chapter 7 is "Designing for Mountains and Rivers", where Lovett again gives Step-by-Step demonstrations with a clearly organized objective, techniques, tools (ex: repetition, shape, color contrast, balance, value) used, and materials used. In the mountain scene of New Zealand, Lovett explains how the repeating triangular shapes of the mountains is what caught his eye, aside from the overall breathtaking scene..
Next, a River painting demonstration.
Later in the book, Designing Seascapes, harbors, and boats.
Then, Designing still life and interiors--all with demonstrations and clear objectives, and tools and arrangements used to make it a strong design.
Chapter 10 is about Designing figures and animals, and step-by-step demonstrations are also given.
This is a wonderful book--one of the best I have seen on compostion. The artwork throughout is breathtaking. It is well-organized and easy to follow. It is a book that you will probably want to keep. Outstanding.
Excellent, Comprehensive.......2002-08-15
Robert Lovett's book is different from many watercolor books that simply show a picture and have a brief blurb on the picture.
Lovett has a very thorough and systematic way of teaching and explains each lesson in great depth. This book tackles the key elements of creating an effective painting and shows probably over 100 of Lovett's paintings. Lovett is a gifted teacher and painter and his book is highly effective. Lovett has a very colorful, yet traditional painting style, so if you are looking for experimental or california school loose, look elsewhere.
Book Description
This successful artist shares her time-tested secrets for capturing the awe-inspiring qualities of light on canvas. Whether readers paint in their kitchens or backyards, they'll learn how to use light to create depth, form, mood and atmosphere.
Artists of all levels will master light with:
*Exercises in watercolor and oils
*12 complete step-by-step demonstrations
*Close-up painting details
*Keys for "seeing" light and true color
The wide variety of innovative techniques and exercises makes it easy to understand this often confusing topic. Every reader will come away with the ability to harness the power of light!
Customer Reviews:
Good information.......2007-01-25
I liked her examples. It was nice to see the examples in watercolor as well as oil. Clear instructions and an easy read.
Seeing the Light: An Artist's Guide.......2007-01-07
Very pleasurable visually with bright colors and stunning use of white to indicate light. I can never seem to pull this off and look forward to trying to recreate some of the paintings to see if I can achieve success.
Janice Lawson - Montana
Average customer rating:
- Great addition to an art lover's collection
- A picturebook biography which includes many examples of his works.
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Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow
Susan Goldman Rubin
Manufacturer: Abrams Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Art
| Biographies
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Art
| Arts & Music
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
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The Essential: Edward Hopper (Essentials)
ASIN: 0810993473 |
Book Description
This captivating biography of the celebrated American painter Edward Hopper follows his youth, includes information on his education, and chronicles his journeys to Paris and his settling down in Greenwich Village to pursue his artwork. The book documents his career as a commercial artist (how he first earned a living) as well as his eventual success as a great American painter. Among the artwork included are NIGHTHAWKS, CAPE COD EVENING, and HOUSE BY THE RAILROAD. A comparison is made to other artists of the period such as O'Keeffe, Pollock, and Marin to round out this unique offering.
Customer Reviews:
Great addition to an art lover's collection.......2007-09-18
When an art discussion turns to great American artists, Edward Hopper's name is one that invariably comes up. One of the most influential American artists, his personal story is interesting and inspiring. His story is one that should be shared with any young aspiring artist, and Rubin's book is a great introduction to the story and work of Edward Hopper.
Edward Hopper showed his potential and talent at a very young age. He set the goal of becoming an artist when he was just a boy, and his mother encouraged his art projects and gave him art supplies and how to books. The book gives a concise history of Edward Hopper's early life, including his first drawings and early wanderings that inspired much of his work-and continues through his teenage and then grown-up life.
Edward Hopper struggled to garner the attention and respect of the art world. He worked by doing advertisements and illustrations for corporate ad campaigns while continuing to paint what he loved to paint. The story of Edward Hopper is a story of determination, hard work, and success. It is an inspiration to anyone looking to be a success at their chosen task.
This book takes this information and puts it in a highly readable and visually engaging story that can be easily read by young budding artists. It intersperses beautiful examples of Hopper's work throughout the story that can serve as a good read or an informative piece of research.
A book that balances readability, education, and beautiful visuals, Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow, is a great addition to any art lover's book collection, especially the beginning collection of a young art lover.
Armchair Interviews says: This would be a wonderful gift book.
A picturebook biography which includes many examples of his works........2007-09-07
Susan Goldman Rubin's EDWARD HOPPER: PAINTER OF LIGHT AND SHADOW provides kids with insights into artist Hopper's life and achievements, tracing his success as a painter and following the evolution of his career and life. Kids with good reading skills and an appreciation for art will welcome the detailed survey of his life and finest paintings, while teachers will relish a picturebook biography which includes many examples of his works.
Book Description
Explore the possibilities! Painting Light and Shadow presents an unlimited range of creative watercolor art. Selected from over four thousand entries, the featured artists were chosen for their outstanding talent in portraying light and shadow in their work. This collection includes:
--More than 130 paintings in a multitude of styles and techniques by artists from many different countries
--All subjects matter: portraits, landscapes, abstracts, and more
--Inspirations and techniques explained in the artists' own words
It is an important volume for art collectors, art connoisseurs, and artists themselves, beginning, amateur, and professional.
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful reference of ways to achieve light an shadow........1999-01-28
Shadows, when done properly, show off any subject matter. The artists whose works are in this book were chosen from over 4,000 entries, and represent some of the best watercolor artists in the country. The authors have done a superb job of gather and displaying them in a wonderful venue.
Book Description
This book explains theory and instructs on techniques for creating shadows and the illusion of depth in charcoal and other monochrome media, as well as in color. Among the main subjects explored are light and shade in artworks throughout history, methods of creating the effect of brightness, highlighting, contrasting light and shade in chiaroscuro, and reproducing visual textures created by light. Barron's Art Handbooks are pocket-size reference volumes for students, artists, and art hobbyists. All have full-color illustrations throughout.
Books:
- Painting the Impressionist Landscape: Lessons in Interpreting Light and Color
- Paintings of Paul Cezanne : A Catalogue Raisonne
- Paper in Three Dimensions: Origami, Pop-ups, Sculpture, Baskets, Boxes, and More
- Perspectives on Argument (5th Edition)
- Pierre et Gilles (Pierre & Gilles)
- Portraits from Life in 29 Steps
- PROBABILITY GUIDE TO GAMBLING: The Mathematics of Dice, Slots, Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker, Lottery and Sport Bets
- Robert Rauschenberg: Combines
- Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces
- Skies & Clouds: The Watercolor Techniques Of 23 International Artists
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