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.
Book Description
Paintings with light have a hidden energy--an energy that captures the attention of the viewer. Painting Light and Shade shows artists how to precisely control light and shade in their paintings to achieve masterful results.
Readers will learn how to observe light and shade, and will discover helpful techniques for painting light from the sky, capturing highlights, painting shadows, and capturing the changing nature through the day. Featured paintings from professional artists, each accompanied by a tonal sketch, are broken down into step-by-step demonstrations that focus on relevant techniques, allowing readers to learn while simultaneously creating paintings that shimmer with light.
Customer Reviews:
Painting Light and Shade.......2007-01-23
I love the book. I've found it in the library and checked it out many times. The book gives amazing feeling of light and shadows, shows many examples, consists of many helpful tips and schemes. Finally, I decided I want to have the book of my own...
For the Thinking Painter in You!.......2007-01-12
Precise descriptions of emotive compositions and ways to achieve luminosity. Reccommended reading for all artists and technicians dealing with illusions. A+
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
Few painters realize that in order to give their paintings a luminous glow they must also manipulate the darks. Ong Kim Seng is a master of this method and in this book se shows readers exactly how to do it. He does so with a stimulating, logical progression of lessons that begins with materials and finishes with the complete planning of a light-filled composition. Readers will learn to use color to intensify light, devise areas of color contrast and discover the best methods for using tonal values to capture light in a dramatic, evocative way.
Kim Seng also illustrates the important role that shadows play in creating luminosity. He shows how to mix the color of shadows and suggests alternate approaches for different paintings.
Multiple step-by-step demonstrations, examples, ideas, inspiring storytelling and a gallery of gorgeous paintings cap off this exceptional book.
Ong Kim Seng was the first Asian to become a member of the America Watercolor Society and, after winning six AWS awards, is now an elected Dolphin Fellow. He is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society of the U.S. and life president of the Singapore Watercolor Society. He lives in Singapore.
Customer Reviews:
very good book for expert ........2007-01-05
It is very good book for expert artist .But unfortunately ,basic thing for beginers in not there in book.Artist should touch basic thing & small object painting & then big size landscape.
AWESOME.......2006-08-30
This is my absolute favorite book on watercolor. Not only does it provide a lot of great advice on everyhitng from supplies to plein air painting, but the artwork is incredibly inspiring. Also, the artist explains his technique in a little blurb by every painting. I highly recommend this book.
Disappointed!!.......2004-06-23
I was disappointed with this book as an experienced watercolor artist. I am in this field for > 35 years. The author only focused on one form of light and shades. Light and shades are very exciting subjects as we can see in the impressionists' masterpieces. I only found very limited scope of discussions in his book.
Not for beginner.......2004-04-22
I'm a beginner in watercolour. I am not able to apply the techniques taught here.
This book can't work by itself. I need some artists to explain to me before I can understand the hiden secrets.
I think the writer should edit it and make it more comprehesive rather than showing it like Black Magic.
My personal opinion.......2004-03-16
I bought this book because of its good reviews. But it is just not right for me.
Probably it is only suitable for tropical watercolourists. Only one kind of light and shadow effect was mentioned. The scope was too narrow. No much I could gain as a watercolour painter. It didn't fit the word 'Mastering'. But I could understand because many 'so called' masters could not write proper concepts.
Book Description
Among the first books to provide art students with instructions for correctly drawing perspective outlines, this classic reference clearly demonstrates the principles of light and shade by revealing the effects of common daylight, sunshine, and candle or artificial light on geometrical solids. 13 plates of illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Shade & Light.......2007-07-27
I have had to re-read this little book over and over to fully grasp the nature of light explained in it. It is a good little reference book to have, however it is one that needs to be re-read several times to really understand what is being explained. I still need to re-read it some more! The language it is written in is a little out dated but still it is worth picking up if you are serious about your art.
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
Book Description
Giovanni Civardi shares his great expertise in drawing light and shade, beginning with the basics of drawing simple 3D shapes. There are sections on shadows and cast shadows, simplifying tone, methods of shading, form and relief, composition, the perspective of shadows and many more. We also learn a little bit about how light and shade have been used thoughout the history of art. Finally the artist shows through his own superb drawings how the techniques and principles learned can be put into practice.
Book Description
Incorporating the essentials of light and shadow in any drawing gives the artwork visual dimension and adds elements of drama and realism to the subject being portrayed. Light and shadow are the main subjects covered in this instructive book for beginning art students, with examples and exercises in still life, landscape drawing, and portraiture. All titles in the Drawing Academy series guide students step-by-step through the art of disciplined drawing on a professional level. The books are profusely illustrated in color and black and white, with examples of drawings-in-progress and finished works. Basic instruction is followed up with analyses of the various details that constitute a successfully executed drawing.
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.
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- Foundation Design: Principles and Practices (2nd Edition)
- From Manet to Manhattan: The Rise of the Modern Art Market
- Fruits Basket, Vol. 16
- Graffiti Women: Street Art from Five Continents
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
Books Home
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- Cacatuas
Study & Teaching
| Reference
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery: Solutions for Drawing the Clothed Figure (Practical Art Books)
Dynamic Figure Drawing (Practical Art Books)
Drawing the Human Head (Practical Art Books)
Dynamic Anatomy: Revised and Expanded Edition
Drawing Dynamic Hands (Practical Art Books)
