Perspective! For Comic Book Artists: How to Achieve a Professional Look in Your Artwork

Perspective! For Comic Book Artists: How to Achieve a Professional Look in Your Artwork
Average customer rating:

Good teaching tool, but not boring like a text book

A great introduction to perspective

Very Thorough and Technical

An Awful Waste!

Excellent!... It's *easily* in my Top 5 perspective books...

Perspective! For Comic Book Artists: How to Achieve a Professional Look in Your Artwork
David Chelsea
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Cartooning | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The DC Comics Guide to Pencilling Comics

Comics & Sequential Art

The DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics

Graphic Storytelling

Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels

ASIN: 0823005674

Customer Reviews:

Good teaching tool, but not boring like a text book.......2007-09-19

I've always had trouble with using perspective in my drawings, especially with the image's setting fitting with the perspective shot of the subject of the image. This book is really good at explaining and giving key points to know about how to clean up your perspective techniques without becoming a dry lecture on art technique.

A great introduction to perspective.......2007-09-11

I got this book because it was recommended by Scott McCloud in Making Comics, and I found it to be very fun and helpful. The fact that it's written as a dialogue between two people and illustrated as a comic makes it easy and fun to read, and the tips and instruction it gives are great for someone who doesn't know a whole lot about the subject. Someone who wants to really get into perspective would probably want to look elsewhere, but for me this was a great book.

Very Thorough and Technical.......2007-06-02

This is an excellent book. It is also very technical. If you are looking for shortcuts to drawing perspective, this isn't the book for you. But if you are looking for a detail and instructive book on drawing very accurate perspectives, then this book is great. It has excellent instruction regarding complex perspective setups. The format is good for the instruction, and the prose is a little bit stiff, but not distracting. Overall a very instructive book, but not the best I've read.

An Awful Waste!.......2007-03-10

Awful.
Perspective is 3 wonderful things:
- It is very easy to learn, when taught clearly.
- It is great fun.
- It is the best tool a graphic artist can dream of.
Well, you'd never guess by reading this book. It is badly explained, confusely written, poorly drawn and doesn't have anything to do with creativity or art. It is written for dead robots by a cold-blooded accountant.
It is so ugly and boring, it made me almost afraid and disgusted of perspective... And I've used perspective professionally and enjoyed it everyday for the last 35 years.
A shame, Mr. Chelsea.
If you want to learn perspective and have fun, try to get for probably less than 2 dollars "Perspective Drawing" by Ernest Norling, published in the 40s or the 50s by Walter Foster, in a second-hand bookshop.
Amazon sells also "Perspective Made Easy" by Ernest R. Norling, but I've never seen it. Anyway being by Ernest Norling, it can only be, at the least, 36 times more useful, informative, and motivating than the awful book by the poor Mr. David Chelsea.

Excellent!... It's *easily* in my Top 5 perspective books..........2006-11-09

Some people will *love* that this is a 176 page comic book on perspective. Others may find this not to their taste. Either way, it's obvious that this is a truly unique & original take on a subject that's often exceedingly difficult to learn. I highly recommend this book to everyone, along with 2 others: Perspective Drawing Handbook by Joseph D'Amelio, and Perspective Made Easy by Ernest Norling. These 3 perspective books are currently my favorites, with Basic Perspective Drawing: A Visual Guide, 4th edition; and Creative Perspective for Artists and Illustrators, rounding out my Top 5. David Chelsea's book is *easily* the most entertaining to read. If anyone thinks learning can't be fun- think again! I can actually read this book as entertainment 1st and learning 2nd, although it's intended to be the other way around. It's not *just* for comic book artists either: it's purely done in this format for the sake of clear communication. Perspective is both explained & demonstrated with sincerity & proficiency. There's a reason this book is getting so many positive reviews, and it's not just due to effective marketing: Watson-Guptill publications truly has a unique hit on their hands. It's highly recommended!

American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s: An Illustrated Survey With Artists' Statements, Artwork, and Biographies

Average customer rating:

2005 Writers Notes Book Award Notable
American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s/
Illuminating View Through a Very Special Window

American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s: An Illustrated Survey With Artists' Statements, Artwork, and Biographies

Manufacturer: New York School Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Abstract Expressionism | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

New York School Abstract Expressionists: Artists Choice by Artists: A Complete Documentation of the New York Painting and Sculpture Annuals; 1951-1957
The San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionism
Abstract Expressionism: Other Politics
Abstract Expressionism: A Critical Record
Abstract Expressionism: The International Context

ASIN: 0967799414

Customer Reviews:

2005 Writers Notes Book Award Notable.......2005-04-20

Herskovic overviews American ab-stract expressionism with this hefty volume of plates. Beyond the names you'll immediately recognize (Pollack, DeKooning, Gorky, etc.) this alphabetically arranged set takes a fair and complete look, including commentary from the artists that helps to illuminate an often moody and pensive style. We like Kline's ideas on size and space and also when DeKooning says, "spiritually I am wherever my spirit allows me to be." American Abstract should be a fixture in libraries and the homes of the lovers of the form.

American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s/.......2003-12-23

American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s:
An Illustrated Survey.

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC TITLE ~CHOICE, 2003
"This excellent publication builds on the earlier publication. It has broadened the scope to include artists from throughout the US, rectified...omission of African American artists...and concentrated on 88 artists...Excellent layout and superb photographs. Highly recommended." ~CHOICE August, 2003.

"Researchers will seek out this well designed selection.
Recommended for American art museum, academic, art school and large public libraries." ~Library Journal August 2003.

Ed. by Marika Herskovic, ISBN: 0967799414 New York School Press, 2003. Hardcover, 9 x 12 inches. 372 pages, index. 176 full-page color illustrations.

Illuminating View Through a Very Special Window.......2003-09-15

The window is the eye of a devoted scholar who rips through the red-tape and pitfalls of dealing with artist's estates, galleries and the art world in general! It takes guts and grit to create a second book of the underknown Abstract Expressionists. This volume centers on the Abstract Expressionists of the 1950's, throughout the USA. It adds 80+ artists to the first tour d'force titled, New York School Abstract Expressionists: Artists Choice by Artists. Fortunately, many of the superb African American painters are represented. Ms. Herskovic mentions in her introduction that there were NO painters of African descent in the 9th Street show or any of the artist's annuals. This shocking revelation shows just how NEW integration really is. Norman Lewis, Hale Woodruff, Alma Thomas, Charles Alston, and Edward Clark are a fine quintet whose work shines through the pages of this fantastically researched volume of exceptional quality. As far as I am concerned, they are American Abstract Expressionists who just happen to be of color. Underknown Abstract Expressionist artists in the 1950's had a tough time getting known. After all, there were the meteors with names like Pollock, Rothko, Still, and de Kooning, to easily overshadow you. Not necessarily in quality, but in fame. Painters of African descent naturally had a very difficult time. America might have been avant-garde about this new art but was backward regarding equality of its people.

The West Coast is also represented by some fine painters. Elmer Bischoff, Budd Dixon, Hans Burkhardt, Richard Diebenkorn, Ernest Briggs, Hassel Smith, Richards Ruben, John Saccaro, and Robert McChesney are just a few from the West Coast!

Curators take note: This, the 2nd volume concerning the Abstract Expressionists in America, is a must have. Both volumes have to be included in your museum's library. These volumes are a researcher's dream! Plus, what great exhibitions are possible!

The size and quality of the reproductions are excellent. The book has the same 12 1/2 x 9 1/2" format as the first volume. This time, the dust jacket is gold, in nice contrast to the first volume's silver cover. There are 88 artists represented, and each has an artist's statement which is so important. The statements back-up their precious works. Listed opposite the artist's two large examples, are biographies, where the artist studied or taught, Solo Exhibitions as well as Group shows. A nice touch are the quasi-tributes to two important Fathers of Modern Art and Abstract Expressionism; There are writings by Kandinsky which are very "today", and there is an homage to Arshile Gorky, possibly the most revered American artist before Pollock(according to painters of the NY School).

This scientifically researched 372 page volume will surely be the barometer that all future studies will use.

The Practical Encyclopedia of Rocks & Minerals: How to Find, Identify, Collect and Maintain the World's best Specimens, with over 1000 Photographs and Artworks
Average customer rating:

Encyclopedia of Rocks and Minerals, a Review

The Practical Encyclopedia of Rocks & Minerals: How to Find, Identify, Collect and Maintain the World's best Specimens, with over 1000 Photographs and Artworks
John Farndon
Manufacturer: Lorenz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Antiques & Collectibles | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Rocks & Minerals | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Geology | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Rocks & Minerals | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Reference | Library & Information Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals (Smithsonian Handbooks)

Simon & Schuster's Guide to Rocks and Minerals (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones)

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals (Audubon Society Field Guide)

Geodes: Nature's Treasures

The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the Basics of Geology and to Collecting and Identifying Rocks

ASIN: 0754815412

Book Description

This is the ultimate photographic guide to the world of rocks and minerals, with a strong emphasis on how to build a diverse and colorful collection.

Customer Reviews:

Encyclopedia of Rocks and Minerals, a Review.......2007-03-21

I am the author of two books, "Collecting Fluorescent Minerals" and "The World of Fluorescent Minerals" and needed additional resources for non-fluorescent minerals. This book was nicely done - good illustrations, lots of variety, clearly written - but the information covering fluorescent minerals in this book was not very accurate. Every mineral collector needs several sources to get a good idea of what he or she has and this is one that I will continue to use. This should not be your only book, but it is worth having among your library.

Making Antique Furniture Reproductions: Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects

Average customer rating:

Classic topic, dated presentation
Earyl Roddy
High quality work
Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects
Gottshall will be a good companion.

Making Antique Furniture Reproductions: Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects
Franklin H. Gottshall
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Furniture | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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

Making Furniture Masterpieces: 30 Projects with Measured Drawings
In the 18th Century Style: Building Furniture Inspired by the 18th Century Tradition
Glen Huey's Illustrated Guide to Building Period Furniture: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide (Popular Woodworking)
Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Period Furniture Details
Measured Drawings of Eighteenth-Century American Furniture

ASIN: 0486279766

Book Description

Superb, step-by-step guide enables even beginners to build masterpieces by Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite, Phyfe, other celebrated craftsmen. Fundamentals, tools, woods, hardware, joinery, dovetailing, finishing, much more. Remarkably detailed and precise construction drawings with exact measurements and full explanation of all procedures. Over 500 illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Classic topic, dated presentation.......2007-05-07

Some of the designs in this book are projects that I definitely intend to build. However, using this book to produce the designs in it requires a good set of woodworking skills and ability to come up with the project based on a minimal presentation. The drawings are adequate, but the photos are very poor quality. Frankly I could produce a better quality presentation on an office copier. Very dated to the 70's and not a book to read just for enjoyment or to look at the pictures.

Earyl Roddy.......2006-11-10

The book gives essential information to anyone interested in the design or construction classic American furniture.

High quality work.......2006-01-15

I took the initiative to build the carved corner china from the plans in this book and they are excellent. When I was done with my project I wrote Mr. Gottshall with photos of my project and he wrote back immediately, as I am perhaps the only other person he knew who built this particular project.
I telephoned him to thank him for the education I got building from his plans but alas, he had had a stroke. This was in 1978. I can be reasonably certain Frank has passed away by now, but his legacy is in his books which got better as he got older. A must for any cabintmaker.

Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects.......2005-09-30

I gave this book "Making Antique Furniture Reproductions" as a present to a person who is learning how to make furniture. This book was very well received and appreciated for all of its detailed information and illustrations.

Gottshall will be a good companion........2003-01-09

Franklin Gottshall has written a number of great woodworking project/reproduction books and periodically reshuffles and reassembles his popular plans. This book one is similar to an earlier red cover version on Reproducing Antique Furniture. I built a variation of the blockfront chest. Gottshall's construction explanations are very clear and his drawings are thorough, and accurate. I wanted a four drawer instead of a three drawer chest. I used a Kittinger catalog to rescale the piece, but basically followed Gottshall's construction. His piece did call for full 7/8in sides which required a little research to find. A source supply would have been nice. I accomplished the carving of the shells from his layout, though I modified the center design somewhat, and thought his shell looked a little thick, but simply thinning it down did the trick. Because when I built the piece in 1974, I didn't have the variety of router bits available today, I found I had to design some templates and jigs to ensure success on the complex cuts. But all that is doable. Recommend that you draw up full scale plans from Gottshall's plans for complex pieces. It will help you learn the construction. Even if you do not like or build all the pieces, it is a valuable reference on fine furniture construction that you'll reference often. It's a great book.

Home Book of Picture Framing: Professional Secrets of Mounting Matting, Framing and Displaying Artworks, Photographs, Posters, Fabrics, Collectibles, Carvings and More

Average customer rating:

Big Mistake
Eener 3000
Very, very outdated
Very Complete from start to finish
Be cautious about this book!

Home Book of Picture Framing: Professional Secrets of Mounting Matting, Framing and Displaying Artworks, Photographs, Posters, Fabrics, Collectibles, Carvings and More
Kenn Oberrecht
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Furniture Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Furniture | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Mat, Mount, and Frame It Yourself (Crafts Highlights)
Matting and Framing Made Easy
Basic Picture Framing: All The Skills And Tools You Need To Get Started (Stackpole Basics)
How to Make Your Own Picture Frames
Picture Framing, Vol. 1 (Library of Professional Picture Framing, Vol 1)

ASIN: 0811727939

Book Description

8 full-color pages, 450 b/w photos, 20 drawings 8 x 11.A new and updated edition of the highly popular first edition New sections on using power tools and framing fabric art Complete directory of suppliers Over 40,000 copies of the first edition sold Framing a favorite picture, whether a gallery piece or a childs drawing, can be easy and inexpensive thanks to this revised and updated edition of the classic bestseller. Home Book of Picture Framing is the most comprehensive guide to mounting, matting, and framing oil paintings, watercolors, posters, photographs, calendar pages, and greeting cards without spending a fortune. Complete with sections on safety, tools, materials, and techniques, the book contains all the information needed to prepare homeowners for their first project. For those wanting to turn this skill into profit, the author gives advice on starting a business. Guidelines for framing three-dimensional objects are included, and new sections on using power tools, framing needlework, and creating hinged and easel-style frames demonstrate the most recent trends in framing. Kenn Oberrecht is the author of several woodworking and photography books, including the popular first edition of Home Book of Picture Framing. He lives in North Bend, Oregon. Recently, my wife, Patty, and I were brousing in a gourmet shop in Florence, Oregon, when she noticed a large, framed poster and asked the woman behind the counter if it was for sale. The proprietor said she had unframed copies available and began to tell her about getting it professionally mounted and framed. When Patty told her that Im a framer, the woman turned to me and said, Maybe you can tell meI think I paid too much, but I didnt ask ahead of time. So I didnt complain when the framer charged me $250. I gulped and took a second look at the poster. . . . I made a quick assessment and told the woman that she could have framed it herself for about $50. from Chapter One, Home Book of Picture Framing 2nd Edition

Customer Reviews:

Big Mistake.......2007-09-28

These questions are misleading - I ordered one book, and received and paid for two - I have sent emails complaining, and all I get back (weeks later) is this stupid email asking me to rate the book - which book? - where were you when I asked how I got two books? And how do I correct this? - but NO, instead you send me this idiotic questionaire about "the book" I received - is anybody there? Are you people there, or am I talking to a computer? You pretend to care, but it appears you are just robots - HOW DID I GET TWO BOOKS, AFTER ORDERING ONE, PAY FOR TWO and GET ZERO RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS?!! Your computer generated concern is phony - the books were fine, Amazon is suspect!

Eener 3000.......2007-07-28

Treat this as an encyclopedia. There is a lot of good information in this book, but a lot more than you need to get going. I have only just finished wading through this thing (after six months) and would have been better off with a book 1/8 the size of this one. For a "How To" book, the author is way too verbose on his way to getting to the bottom line--if he ever does. Only because I am very good at puzzles was I able to pick out the things I really need and the best methods to complete anything - otherwise, you can get terribly confused. The author wastes a lot of time on "you could do this" and "some people do this" when the most helpful advice would be just to say, "Do this."

Don't take this as too harsh an indictment of the book. Afterall, I Learned Everything I Need to Know About Picture Framing from the book. There is A LOT of stuff in it. But I could have done, and you can do, without the exhaustive descriptions of differences between various manual, as well as, power tools. It's a hobby, I expect to spend some money...just tell me what do.

Very, very outdated.......2007-01-20

I bought this book as one of several to get started in framing. After lots of reading and research and actual framing, I realize how out-of-date this book is. The state of the framing art has advanced a lot since 1988. Much of the book is devoted to techniques, tools, and materials that have been superceded by far superior ones. A much better book is "Mat, Mount, and Frame It Yourself" by M David Logan.

Very Complete from start to finish.......2007-01-18

Book is in depth instruction & will be very helpful from start to finish for any project. The only negative is that it is in black & white. Color photos would make it much easier to look at.

Be cautious about this book!.......2006-12-14

This was the first book I bought when I became interested in picture framing. Since then I have read many other books on the subject, met many professional picture framers, taken courses in the subject, joined the Professional Picture Framers Association, and basically learnt much much more about the subject. I CANNOT recommend this book to any one who is new to picture framing. First, the information is scattered between many chapters, and is difficult to pull together. Second, many very important topics receive very little coverage. Third (the major problem for me): the author is first-and-foremost, a wood worker, and this is reflected in the book. Thus, there are many chapters discussing tools that most professional picture framers would never buy, methods that most professional picture framers would never use, inadequate discussion of conservation framing vs. non-conservation methods, mat cutting, etc. If you are interested in making your own wood picture frames, this is the book for you. If you are new to the subject or are interested in many of the other aspects of picture framing, you would be much better off with one or more books by David Logan, Vivian Kistler, or others.

2D Artwork and 3D Modeling for Game Artists (Premier Press Game Development (Software))

Average customer rating:

Not worth your time
Very cool, very detailed
Liked it - but wish it wasn't TrueSpace specific
Lots of info, requires lots of software though
liked it a lot

2D Artwork and 3D Modeling for Game Artists (Premier Press Game Development (Software))
David Franson
Manufacturer: Course Technology PTR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Video & Electronic Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Entertainment | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Focus On 3D Models (Game Development)
Focus On 3D Terrain Programming (Game Development)
Multiplayer Game Programming w/CD (Prima Tech's Game Development)
Focus On Curves and Surfaces (Focus on Game Development)
Real-Time Rendering Tricks and Techniques in DirectX (Premier Press Game Development (Software))

ASIN: 1931841330

Book Description

Take your games to the next level! 2D Artwork and 3D Modeling for Game Artists is the perfect stepping stone for beginning or intermediate game artists entering the gaming industry. This book will show you how to create models, arrange U-Vs, generate textures, then finalize your models for use with a video game engine. By the time you're finished, you'll have added your work to a live video game. Use this book to develop your skills as a game artist, then let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you!

Customer Reviews:

Not worth your time.......2006-07-15

The main problem with this book is that the author isn't very good at what he does. He details lovingly how to make the artwork but he simply lacks the talent to create 3D art that's very good. The model he creates, Slogre is in the end, a lumbering snow man like mess of a creature poorly set up for animation.

The author spends a lot of time talking about concept art and why its important only to ditch it in production of the model, ditching all of its charisma to create an ugly mess that looks like it was created by someone completely inexperienced.

Most of the textures he creates end up looking very flat and ugly. The black and white printing causes a lot of his points to be lost. The best examples of this are on pages 225 and 226. He shows a demonstration of poorly tiling textures with noticeable seams. However, due to the cheap printing, the wall is just a solid block of grey making the visual aid wholly useless.

If you're completely new to 3D art, there are far worse places you could start. This book has some decent primers initiating readers with certain aspects of various art programs including Photoshop. There's a lot of information here and it's not all useless.

However, if you are planning on getting into 3D art, I would recommend you start out with Milkshape 3D and Psionic3D tutorials. (Google those. Amazon doesn't allow linking last time I checked.) For texturing, 3D Game Textures by Luke Ahearn is a much better resource than this.

If you have any experience in 3D art though, then you can probably skip this book without a second thought. There is likely nothing you couldn't have figured out on your own. The things that are worthwhile for the experienced here are already available in Internet tutorials.

The only thing that would make this book of any value to an experienced artist is the collection of nearly 500 royalty free photos intended for use in your own textures. To some, these are probably worth the price on their own, but they're photos that would be easy for someone to take on their own. Think twice about buying this book.

Very cool, very detailed.......2005-07-23

This book covers everything, from character creation, bones rigging, texturing of the character (and hundreds of general textures using Photoshop). The book uses 3DS Max 7 and Photoshop 7, expensive, but I've found that game companies use those avidly (or Maya, but not as much). Price is high for those but get a demo or hacked copy. The author covers character creation almost entirely, including export to the Torque game engine. The only down side is he doesn't include animation, but I guess that's a subject for another book. I hear he's writing a character book that will include this as well. Very cool book, A+.

Liked it - but wish it wasn't TrueSpace specific.......2005-04-20

I was really excited when I got this book and could tell it was exactly what I needed since all aspects of making art for games was a mystery to me. However, I was disappointed that to go along with the tutorials, you had to use a TrueSpace demo or lay out the hundreds of dollars for the full program. The demo doesn't let you save anything, so that makes it very difficult when you're a complete newbie.

Every time you make a mistake, especially in undoable operations like Boolean operations, you have to start ALL the way over. :(

I would've preferred that the author used one of the more prevalent programs like Max or Maya - it made the learning curve even tougher, having to first learn TrueSpace before being able to do the tutorials in this book.

As I say - I'm glad I bought it, but it would've been MUCH more helpful to have been able to use a program/demo where I could save what I'm working on.

Lots of info, requires lots of software though.......2003-09-10

I agree with the majority of other reviewers on the content of this book, especially the sections of texturing. Very in depth and covers a whole lot of topics on inorganic and organic textures and how to use them. He also takes you step by step through the modeling process of a gun and a big ugly monster.

But instead of spending too much time repeating what everyone else is saying good about the book, I am going to tell you what I think isn't so good about the book because there are a few not-so-good things about the book you should know before spending half-a-hundred dollars on it. Though, I still give the book 4 stars because it has many more good points than bad.

The most depressing thing is that you really need full versions of all the software programs used to be able to follow along with the book the way you need to in order to learn what your reading. Sure, you get some experience working with a bunch of programs like 3d studio max 5 (very heavily used in 3d game model production) but you don't even do 3d modeling it. Instead, you follow along with the modeling process in TrueSpace 4 or 6. What you'll find REALLY frustrating about that is, unless you have $595.00 to spend on the full, legal copy of version 6.6, you won't be able to save any of your work using the DEMO version that comes with the book! So, you may spend an hour or more modeling your gun, and then have to close the program down and load the model that the author made on the book's CD in order to continue to the UV mapping, texture painting, optimizing and triangulating which is done in 3ds max 5 (of which the demo version is also included on the book's cd-rom). The modeling process could have been done just as easily in 3ds max 5 which is much more powerful than TrueSpace anyways. Why switch between the two programs when one can do both tasks? 3ds max 5 costs an arm and a leg (around $3,105.00), but can do EVERYTHING that TrueSpace & DeepUV combined can do. The full, retail (useable) version of DeepUV costs $795.00.

If you don't believe me about UV mapping for characters in video games using 3ds max, then check out the book "Mastering 3DS MAX 4" which has a section on modeling a character then UV mapping it just like it is done in DeepUV. DeepUV is a complete waist of money if you own a copy of 3ds max 4 or higher.

Now when texturing you use two different programs, Deep Paint 3D 2.0 and Adobe Photoshop 6. Both programs are equally good and equally powerful, though Photoshop is much more popular. I do not understand why he spreads tasks out across the two programs when he could have done just about everything in one program or another without using both programs. Deep Paint 3D 2.1 costs $995.00! Adobe Photoshop 7 costs you about $609.00!

See what I'm getting at? You gotta have a fortune to spend on graphics production software in order to fully and completely follow along with this book and to be able to do ANYTHING productive with the information you've learned after reading the book, especially if you are a game programmer like me who has to make 3d models, then texture them and plug them into a 3d rendering engine.

You can do anything and everything this book covers by having a full version of just two peices of software, Adobe Photoshop 7 and 3ds max 4 or higher. That's it...that's all you need. Buying two 3D modelers, a program for UV mapping, and two texture paint programs is a waist of a whole lotta money. I understand the good it can do because one program can essentially be better at one task than a similar program can, but how many of us hobbiests have over $6099.00 to spend on software to follow in the footsteps of the book author? Not me, certainly.

If the book was designed with the hobbiest or budding superstar in mind then it would have focused all it's attention on production software that doesn't require you to be a zillionare. In fact another software program out there, Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8 can also be used for making game quality textures and 2D sprite art very much like Photoshop 7 or Deep Paint 3D 2.1 but it only costs about $100.00 for the full retail version. And then there's 3D modeling software like Milkshape 3D which is also VERY cheap in comparison to 3ds max, Maya, Lightwave, TrueSpace, Cinema 4DL, etc. And the best thing about Milkshape 3D is that it was made specifically for making game-only 3D models (originally made for the game Half-Life).

Don't get me wrong, I do like a lot of things about this book. The book does a good job of showing you how to use an array of different programs and how to effectively use them for making game art such as 2D textures and 3D models and how to prepare those models for use in a game engine, and it even includes a demo game engine to plug your models into. But just be warned that owning those programs isn't necessary to make quality 2D and 3D artwork for games, but IS required to follow along with the book completely. You can "work around" with the book using the demos that comes with the CD, but don't get too excited because you can't even save your TrueSpace 3D models anyways, so how are you going to get the models into 3ds max 5 for further manipulation and game prep?

liked it a lot.......2003-07-10

totally cool book i got lots out of it. texturing was great too. got me totally into making models and using teh torque game engine. i think this book is killer so far

Historic Millwork: A Guide to Restoring and Re-creating Doors, Windows, and Moldings of the Late Nineteenth through Mid-Twentieth Centuries

Average customer rating:

The ideal book for the intended audience
Highly informative reference
A Little Disappointing
From the author
Over Priced & Better References

Historic Millwork: A Guide to Restoring and Re-creating Doors, Windows, and Moldings of the Late Nineteenth through Mid-Twentieth Centuries
Brent Hull
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Buildings & Construction | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Decoration & Ornament | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Preservation of Art | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Arts & Photography | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Engineering | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

History | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Professional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Science | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Arts & Photography | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Universal Millwork Catalog, 1927: Over 500 Designs for Doors, Windows, Stairways, Cabinets and Other Woodwork (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)
Old House Measured and Scaled Detail Drawings: for Builders and Carpenters
Turn-of-the-Century Doors, Windows and Decorative Millwork: The Mulliner Catalog of 1893
Roberts' Illustrated Millwork Catalog: A Sourcebook of Turn-of-the-Century Architectural Woodwork (Dover Books on Architecture)
Traditional Construction Patterns: Design and Detail Rules-of-Thumb

ASIN: 0471416223

Book Description

* Features hundreds of detailed illustrations from actual period millwork catalogs.
* Demonstrates how to properly specify millwork.
* Include a glossary of key terms.

Customer Reviews:

The ideal book for the intended audience.......2007-07-21

This books was exactly what I was looking for. I do work on Victorian houses and this book puts everything in perspective. I can now tell what woodwork belongs in what house and not guess anymore. I can explain to customers what they have or had in their house and give a brief history behind their mill work. After reading this book you will be able to act as an authority on restoration work. When giving bids or discussing potential jobs with a client I can speak confidently and sell my services much more effectively. If you work on old houses the knowledge you will gain in this book will set you apart from the average modern day carpenter. The price is small compared to the education you will get from this book. If you love Victorian woodwork as I do, this book is a must have. It would take 20 other carefully selected books and numerous hours of research to arrive at the same depth of understanding of historic mill work as this book gives you in one long afternoon of reading. This author saved me a lot of time and confusion by producing such a book; my personal thanks!

Highly informative reference.......2005-10-17

Reading other reviews, I'm not sure why we have the overall impression that highly specialized references such as this should be bargain basement priced - the costs of writing and producing a book such as this are not inconsiderable, so I feel compelled to defend the author and publisher in that respect.

That being said, I'm perhaps the ideal customer for this book in that my home - former military quarters - was built in 1910 and re-fitted by the military at least twice during its life. Trying to figure out what is original and what is retrofitted is very challenging and this book provides an excellent guide for my purposes.

If you want pure gratification from a text with lots of color pictures you should know this is not a coffee table book, likewise, it is not a catalog. Nevertheless, I think the serious restoration-minded reader will be very satisfied, as I am.

A Little Disappointing.......2005-06-28

Like several other reviewers, I found the book to be overpriced. The book provided neither extensive and in depth narrative history NOR extensive patterns. ...and I don't believe there was one color photograph to be found. Don't buy it until you've had it in your hands.

From the author.......2005-03-07

As you try and make a decision about this book I wanted to give an explanation as the author. I noticed the reviews above and wanted to clarify the purpose of the book. I don't want you to spend $70 dollars on a book that doesn't help.

First, if you are looking for an old millwork catalog, this may not be your book. I wrote this book for architects trying to specify the correct doors, windows and moldings for historic buildings. I wrote this book for homeowners trying to figure out the millwork in their home and the subtle differences that take place during each architectural period. I wrote this book for contractors trying to restore an historic building with the proper details.

1870-1940 is a unique 70 year period in which there are numerous architectural changes that effect the moldings and millwork details of a building.

This book was written to help clarify how historic millwork was produced, who the major players were, how architectual and stylistic differences revealed themselves in the moldings and millwork of the home. I have broken out chapters by topic like windows or doors and then traced the changes in these products from 1870 to 1940. Hopefully, by reading this book you will be able to easily distinguish; a Victorian 5 panel door from an Arts and Crafts 2 panel, understand when colonades were popular and how they change, identify a Queen Anne sash, and recognize Victorian millwork from others.

I hope this helps you get a clear picture of what you are buying.

Thanks

Brent Hull

PS. I had to rate the book in order to submit this review.

Over Priced & Better References.......2004-02-09

This book is quite overpriced relative to similar books. Better titles are available from Dover (Universal Millwork Catalog), Lee Valley (Home Interiors of the 1920s), Linden Publishing (Modern Practical Joinery), Fredionia (Modern Carpentry) that cover the information and provide more information at about 1/3 to 1/4 the price for each book. It looks like that many examples are out of these books commonly available. Furthermore, this book has relatively few examples for each catagory. Before you spend the money on this book, check it out from your library or have them get it through interlibrary loan along with the other books mentioned.

Average customer rating:

Restoration of Paintings
A thorough introduction
A very informative overview
An excellent and detailed text on painting conservation

The Restoration of Paintings
Knut Nicolaus , and Christine Westphal
Manufacturer: Konemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Preservation of Art | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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

Conservation of Paintings: National Gallery Pocket Guide (National Gallery London Publications)
Science for Conservators, Vol. 2: Cleaning (Conservation Science Teaching Series)
Seeing Through Paintings: Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies
Painting Materials: A Short Encyclopedia
Science for Conservators Series: An Introduction to Materials (Heritage : Care-Preservation-Management)

ASIN: 3895089222

Customer Reviews:

Restoration of Paintings.......2006-02-09

As a private restorer/conservator I view this book as a good ffee table format overview of easel painting . This book must not be used as a guide for would be restorers Please on't attempt to repair your antique painting using this book as your basis of knowledge.
The subject of painting conservation is very complicated as well as controversial. Methodology and materials are revised as we learn the effects of past treatments and current research. This is a good book to get a better idea as to the rather complicated set of factors involved in painting restoration and will give a greater appreciation to the general public of the craft . This is in no way a how to guide and will not take the place of more formalized training.

A thorough introduction.......2005-07-28

Rather technical, with many lovely color illustrations of the subject and techniques. This is a shwank reference for all manner of questions about restoration and reconstruction of paintings. You could learn much just from the pictures and captions.

The text itself is top-notch. Explanations are clear and complete. A wealth of footnotes and bibliography.

A very informative overview.......2001-06-21

I read this book when I was applying for a graduate program in the restoration of easel paintings. I needed to get a broad--but also reasonably in-depth--overview of types of damage to paintings and restoration and preservation techniques, and this book was great for that. It thoroughly covers all types of damage to paintings on panel and fabric support, along with corrective and preventive techniques. As I mentioned before, it covers a whole range of areas while still giving them sufficiently in-depth attention. There are tons of color illustrations that are invaluable in helping you understand what they're talking about. I didn't rate it five stars for two reasons: (1) it frequently describes the use of specialized equipment used by restorers, and if you're not familiar with this equipment it can be kind of difficult to completely follow what they're describing, and (2) it also doesn't have the most up-to-date information. Not that the information that is there is out of date by any means, but if you're interested in cutting-edge restoration theory, this book is not going to have it. But from what I gather, this book is one of the most highly regarded in the restoration field (the faculty of the program I applied to keeps it on-hand as a reference book).

Also, be warned--if you're looking for information on wall paintings, this is not going to have it. It just covers panel paintings.

An excellent and detailed text on painting conservation.......2000-05-26

This is an excellent overall and very detailed view of the conservation of paintings. Actually it is one of the most thorough and up to date books on the subject I have ever seen. Very well written and documented with many photographs and an extensive bibliography and many notes for further research. This book clearly shows the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed and in use today by professional conservators around the world and it could easily be used as a complete reference book for those interested in the subject or even as a textbook for anyone studying art conservation.

Average customer rating:

Artworks for Kids
Lori Schue
Manufacturer: Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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

How to Teach Art to Children
Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters (Kohl, Mary Ann F. Bright Ideas for Learning.)
Teaching Art With Books Kids Love: Teaching Art Appreciation, Elements of Art, and Principles of Design With Award-Winning Children's Books
Art for All Seasons
Let's Meet Famous Artists

ASIN: 1557998124

Average customer rating:

Very good, gets a little technical towards the end

Venice Against the Sea: A City Besieged
John Keahey
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

International | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Regional Planning | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Urban Planning & Development | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Coastal Zone Planning | Urban Planning & Development | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Conservation | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Preservation of Art | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Venice, A Maritime Republic
Niccolo's Smile: A Biography of Machiavelli
The Travels of Marco Polo
Selected Letters of Alessandra Strozzi, Bilingual edition (Biblioteca Italiana, 9)
The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini (Penguin Classics)

ASIN: 0312265948

Amazon.com

"Venice is in trouble," writes John Keahey. The city is sinking into the sea. It has lost six feet over the last millennium and soon will lose more. The problem has become so bad that hotel concierges routinely distribute rubber boots to guests, and tourists cross historic squares on elevated boardwalks. Long-time residents flee not only the rising water, but also the rising cost-of- living and the rising industrial pollution. Venice, according to Keahey, "is evolving into a crumbling museum." Once, of course, it was an economic powerhouse with global reach; later it became the repository of some of the finest art and architecture in the world. Now it's sinking, largely due to the remorseless facts of geography, but also because the city's residents have abused their underground water resources. In Venice Against the Sea, Keahey offers a detailed description of what's gone wrong--and explores how the city might be saved, at least temporarily, through innovative engineering. This is a book anybody who has fallen in love with Venice will want to read, yet it issues a stark warning for people in coastal cities all over the world. If sea levels continue to rise, Venice's bleak fate may also be their own. --John Miller

Book Description

Venice is sinking - six feet over the past 1,000 years.The reasons for this are many.Although there is a natural geologic tendency for some sinking, humans have exacerbated the problem by exploiting on a massive scale underground water resources for industrial purposes.Coupled with these events - and perhaps most significant - are climatic changes all over the globe.The heating of the atmosphere after the last ice age, dramatically speeded up by humans, has led to a steady, continuing rise in sea level.This global warming is likely to persist beyond human control for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.Venetians, other Italians, and many in the world community are locked in debate over Venice's plight. Venice Against the Sea explains how the city and its 177 canals were built and what has led up to this long-foreseen crisis.It explores the various options currently being considered for "solving" this problem and chronicles the ongoing debate among scientists, engineers, and politicians about the pros and cons of each potential solution.Through extensive research and interviews, award-winning journalist John Keahey has written the definitive book on this fascinating problem. No matter what the experts decide to do, one thing is for certain - Venice's art, its buildings, and its history are too important to the planet's cultural identity to let it slip beneath the rising waters of the Adriatic.AUTHORBIO: John Keahey, a veteran newspaper journalist, is an Idaho native raised in Nampa, Idaho. He has degrees from the University of Utah, and lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, book designer Connie Disney.He is also the author of A Sweet and Glorious Land.

Customer Reviews:

Very good, gets a little technical towards the end.......2002-07-24

The first three-quarters+ of the book is excellent. It provides a good overview of Venetian history and explains how/why the city is essentially sinking. The author then gets into a TREMENDOUS amount of depth (no pun intended) concerning funding for a proposed gate project, various changes of Italian government, etc.-- probably more than you need to know, certainly more than I needed. Overall, though, the book was very good, even for someone who knows Venice as well as I do.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books