Book Description
Offers down-to-earth advice on painting gorgeous outdoors scenes through 10 step-by-step demos Teaches painters how to master the art of observation Shows readers how to translate field notes and sketches into fully realized studio paintings The overwhelming beauty of the outdoors is one of the most inspiring - and elusive - subjects for painters. With Landscape Painting Inside and Out, Kevin Macphearson first shows readers how to see like an artist, then teaches them how to recreate their vision into stunningly realistic outdoors scenes. His insightful process encourages readers to focus on the small details to achieve big results.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent examples.......2007-09-19
This book gives practical, specific advice on improving your landscape painting technique. I especially like the illustrations. The paintings are beautiful and "fresh." Not your average landscapes. They inspired me.
shadows.......2007-09-10
Great book Good information but Kevin seems to lose his separation of the lights and shadows in some of his demos in the back of the book He talks about it but then shadows start getting to light in value and too much detail. This could be from the reproductions of his painting
Not as much "color and light" in this one........2007-08-11
Having read this author's previous book on putting color and light in your paintings, I was a little disappointed with this one---I expected more. The book was well organized, (had, once again, pages of stuff about selecting your brushes, etc.); the author set forth his view of a limited palette, and said that you needed to be excited about your painting---but I don't believe that he was excited when he wrote this. If he was, he didn't convey it well. Had a number of exercises, some reasonable, others only for the wealthy (use an entire tube of cadmium red light on your painting (That is, really thick!)
Anyway, having read through the book, I would not buy this book again --- that's the bottom line.
Wonderful instruction for the Plein-Air artist........2007-06-27
Kevin Macpherson gives thorough instructions in his book from colors used to composition. A beautiful book with many demonstrations. I would highly recommend to the beginning or advanced Plein-Air painter in oil.
A "Must Have" Resource.......2007-05-23
If you are an oil painter or even if you are a want-to-be painter, Kevin MacPherson's book is a terrific reference. Personally, I'm a Plein Air painter and Kevin is a master at painting on location. He covers what supplies you'll need and techniques in painting. I've had this book for some time and still refer to it often.
Book Description
An atelier program between the covers of a book
* Serious techniques for the serious art student
* Study the work of the Old Masters and today's top realist artists
* In the tradition of Watson-Guptill's classic Drawing Lessons from the Old Masters
Ateliers have produced the greatest artists of all time--and now that educational model is experiencing a renaissance. These studios, a return to classical art training, are based on the nineteenth-century model of teaching artists by pairing them with a master artist over a period of years. Students begin by copying masterworks, then gradually progress to painting as their skills develop. Classical Drawing Atelier is an atelier in a book--and the master is Juliette Aristides, a classically trained artist. On every page, Aristides uses the works of works of Old Masters and today's most respected realist artists to demonstrate and teach the principles of realist drawing and painting, taking students step by step through the learning curve yet allowing them to work at their own pace. Unique and inspiring, Classical Drawing Atelier is a serious art course for serious art students.
Customer Reviews:
Drawing in depth.......2007-10-03
This is a deep book, a kind of survey of essential drawing topics for the artist student, beginning or advanced. My impression is that Ms. Aristides covers the curriculum of her Atelier, explaining the theory behind the practices and learning accomplished there. At any rate, what she discusses she treats thoroughly and thoughtfully with valuable insights. For instance, I have read a number of excellent books on drawing, but hers is the first that defined for me the different meanings contained in straight lines verses curved lines. For me, a key insight. So I think the true value of this book, in addition to spelling out what her students do and learn, is the key artistic wisdom Ms. Aristides shares out of her experience and expert skills.
inspirational .......2007-09-29
This book explains how the skill of making classical art is tought from master to pupil(s) in the style the old masters did.
The photos of the drawings and exercises are very inspirational. In the end of the book there are several do it yourself exercises. But one who reads the book is aware of how to improve his or her artist skill in a thorough way simply by reading what miss Aristides has to say.
Excellent.......2007-08-16
A wealth of knowledge,experience and fortitude has gone into the development of this artists' essential guide to the attainment of high art.
The crucial need of the artist to configure the subject correctly is aspired to in this book, and the pictures are superb. The methods used to obtain high standard preliminary (and necessary) rendering of the subject is covered in this book and is really a valuable guide to anyone considering joining an atelier program prior to their commencement.
As well it is valuable for anyone wanting to appreciate how perfection is obtained- albeit the 'truth' of art.
An excellent resource and Julitte Aristides lengthy career has gone into its' making.
I can wait for her Classical Painting book also to be published reportedly some time later in 2007.
Poor photorealist deception.......2007-08-07
Yet another opportunist example of the terribly rampant photorealism today which has nothing to do with classical art. The authors work and premise is a joke in its attempt to connect later 19th C. methods with Classical ones. Photo realism began in the 2nd half of the 19th C. with gimick methods such as the Barge, mentioned in the book. (ther's a reason why they look like black & white photo negatives). Its all a scam and while artists like Bouguereau, who sometimes painted from photos, actually had some legitimate classical training (eroding quickly in his time), the fact is no one today does because it doesn't exist. The cast drawing section in particular is totaly incorrect because proper, classical drawing prior to the mid 19th C., has to do with delineating and emphasizing form not throwing a light on something and copying the shadows with pretty, airbrush-like, rendering techniques - this in turn produces paintings that look like poster illustration. Artists following these methods while claiming their relattionship to classical training are ignorant quacks - they all follow this system because its easy to do and teach but they have unfortuanely decieved themselves as well as their students. Most all academy collections of casts today are of terrible, diluted quality anyways. Students would do much better by studying museum sculptures and the "form drawings" displayed in "Michelangelo Drawings" by Hugo chapman, I believe found here on Amazon. You'll clearly see that's he's focusing on 3-D design and structure - drawing "through" forms, not merely doing external renderings. I'm a painter tryng to study the LOST art of classical drawing/painting and want to help set the record straight.
Beautiful book.......2007-07-23
I've been taking classes at an Atelier type school and found this book very interesting and helpful.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect book.......2007-07-17
This book is everything I hoped it would be. I am a novice painter, working in acrylics, and wanted some basic info on color theory. This is it. The information is comprehensive yet easy to understand with exercises for the reader to do in any medium. I was so impressed that I bought her Exploring Color Workbook to go with it. This is highly recommended for the artist wanting to expand her color theory expertise.
Wonderful exercises .......2007-05-14
I bought this based on other reviews about it. I don't know doodley about color and have always gone on gut instinct...and I've painted over a lot of ruined canvas and wasted a lot of paint.
This is an excellent little book with a lot of exercises to make it all quite clear. Every page teaches me something - I have so far had quite a few "AHA" moments. I am beginning to understand why sometimes a color works and sometimes it is just a little off...
I recommend this for everyone. Thank you Nita Leland.
Exploring Color Book.......2007-01-26
This is one of the best books available to artists who want to learn to mix colors without creating mud, to maintain transparency of colors, and to mix grays. The workbood that goes with this book is great for any beginning watercolor artist. I recommend this book with all of my beginning students.
Color up a notch.......2007-01-23
When I read this book I considered myself and intermediate painter. This book cranked me up a notch. It is full of useful, well stated information that inspired me to try new things, and refine what I already knew. It would be useful to new and intermediate painters.
Awsome art technique book, widely applicable.......2006-07-14
Wow! "Exploring Color" lived up to all of the 5-star reviews, and surpassed them all. I've never been able to say that about a book before. This book focuses mainly on the use of color in artwork -- why some color schemes work, and why others fail. Many other topics are covered and related to back to the use of color, such as composition, presentation, design and types of contrast. Example pictures are taken from a wide range of artwork in different mediums by various artists -- simply wonderful! After each description, the author inserts an exercise for the reader, to help you understand and apply the principle presented. These exercises can be done in any medium (watercolor, oil, pastel, cloth, etc.), and far surpass the "paint by number/follow me" exercises in books aimed at nervous beginners.
"Exploring Color " targets intermediate to advanced artists. Beginers should give it a chance, also. Try it, you'll be wowed.
Customer Reviews:
Great information........2006-12-09
For someone totally new to encaustic, this book is great! I am interested in encaustic painting and this book gave me tons of technical information regarding materials--wax, pigments, brushes, heat guns, etc. Additionally, it shows many different expressions in encaustic art: abstract paintings, representational paintings, sculptures....This book does not teach one HOW to paint, rather it highlights the materials and examples of encaustic works. This is a very informative, enjoyable book.
Great place to start exploring.......2006-06-15
This is a great introduction to the medium. I've painted with acrylics for a few years and wanted to experiment with encaustic. Mattera gives a simple but thorough overview of encaustic. After reading this book I felt I had the basic knowledge I needed to start and it has continued to guide and inspire my exploration. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in painting with wax.
The Art of Encaustic Painting.......2006-02-06
I think the book is really great. It's not one of those books that takes you steep by steep through the proces of Encaustic painting but gigves you just a enought to venture out on your own. It's a book that I go back to quite offen to get my creative juices going.
Outstanding Book for Fascinating Art Medium.......2006-01-16
Joanne Mattera has written a comprehensive volume about my favorite medium, encaustic painting. She details the history of the art, as well as current artists using the medium. Perfect for beginners in encaustic, as complete instructions on melting, mixing, fusing, tools, safety issues, as well as how to build substrates, are given.
The Art of Encaustic Painting.......2005-09-04
Very informative and inspirational.
As a novice artist it really put me into the perspective of
experimenting with encaustic in the near future.
Book Description
The whys and hows of the various aspects of landscape painting: angles and consequent values, aerial and linear perspective, painting of trees, emotional properties of line and mass in composition, light, unity of tone, plus information on canvas, palette, brushes, more. 34 black-and-white reproductions of paintings by Carlson. 58 explanatory diagrams.
Customer Reviews:
No color in a painting book?.......2007-09-23
It is a good book from an excellent artist. The book would have been more useful if it had colored pictures and lessons in color mixture and schemes.
Text good but all in black and white - no color!.......2007-07-23
the text is good, but it's hard to visualize a painting when it's all in dark and lite tones. Would not recommend this book even tho an artist recommened it to us.I suppose it's good for composition of your painting!
Fantastic review for any artist.......2007-06-29
This is one of my favorite books. In one of our moves - I lost it! How delighted I was to find it on Amazon. Thank you.
great information.......2007-04-05
I got this book from the library first to make sure it was helpful and now I understand why it is reccomended by every art teacher. It was dense with information and if the pictures were in color it would have gotten 5 stars.
Very Informative book on landscape.......2007-01-25
I really liked the information presented in this book. I finally found some of his color examples online. A good reference to have in your library.
Book Description
"In this book, you don't work from life exactly as it looks, but as you see and experience it. You are always developing your inner eye." --Cristina Acosta
Many adults who decide to "study art" become too serious and frustrated, thinking they will never learn what it takes to be really good.
Paint Happy! encourages readers to relax and enjoy their work by combining expressive painting techniques with their own unique style.
This book couples fine art with elements of craft and decorative painting that will appeal to both a traditional audience and young artists seeking self-expression and fun.
Cristina accomplishes this while keeping in mind the basic tools of composition and color. She also includes a number of creative and inspiring ideas geared toward decorative painters and greeting card artists.
Customer Reviews:
book with a difference.......2005-06-21
I just bought this book a week ago and I have already framed two pictures that I have painted with its help. I enjoyed painting them, they were simple and not challenging, just how I like painting. You can use the author's ideas with your own style thrown in. I'm happy that I bought this book.
Nice book, great exercises.......2005-04-16
This is a great place for finding new ways to look at things around you. The author uses acrylic paints and pastels on paper, so you might want to keep that in mind so you have the materials on hand when you order it.
It changed my art.......2004-08-21
I am a hobbyist, not a great artist. I found myself irresistibly drawn to do art, but I didn't enjoy it much. Other people liked my realistic work, but I didn't: it had been a ton of work and I didn't feel there was much of myself in it; it certainly didn't express how I wanted to feel when I did art. Cristina Acosta's book helped so much. It began with some really helpful two-handed exercises. There's a good balance between text and pictures. Now when I find myself bogged down in a drawing with too much realism and that's too much work, I say to myself, "Now draw it again in the Paint Happy way." Then I re-draw the picture and have a fun time. I like my paintings now. They're bright and they're MINE. Thanks to Cristina Acosta for a really revolutionary approach to art. It isn't "art-work" anymore, it's "art-fun."
Book Description
Knowing how to use a brush properly is essential for effective oil painting. Brushwork Essentials shows artists everything they need to know to render a variety of elegant strokes, along with other exciting techniques like paint mixing and brush shaping.
Weber makes mastering each technique easy. He provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions, step-by-step demonstrations and complementary artwork that highlight each brushstroke as it appears on the canvas. Readers will also learn how to use different strokes to achieve specific effects, such as lighting, shadowing and more.
Customer Reviews:
Ok ... I Guess.......2007-04-27
This is a tough book to review. I give this book 3 stars (the above is inaccurate) I like the idea of learning how to apply paint to the canvas (or whatever) but somehow looking at photos and reading the text leaves something to be desired. In my opinion this would have been better as a DVD where a person could actually see the process taking place.
The review of materials (in every Northlight book) gets tedious. The author seems to assume the reader hasn't painted before; however, I doubt a beginner in painting would purchase a book on brush technique.
Brushwork Essentials does cover a lot of territory and it does demenstrate the importance of knowing what your combo of brush and paint can achieve. A lot of learning is included in the book. The problem is visualizing what the author is talking about. A couple of photos with text doesn't carry the ideas forward very well. Many people will benefit from this book, but it isn't something that is all that easy to grasp.
After buying and reading numerous art books I have become disappointed with Northlight books. They publish a ton of books on every conceiveable subject; however, they are very repetitious and often do not manage to put the ideas forward very well. Northlight should switch to DVD or other types of presentations because their books are not cutting it as far as I am concerned.
If you want to buy this book I suggest getting it used because I do not think it is worth the full price (which I paid). Cheated again by good advertising and poor execution.
AD2
Rare information about brush work........2007-04-11
There are few, if any, books describing brush work for painters so it was helpful to get some instruction. It seems so simple but the use of different brushes as well as brush strokes is essential.
As helpful as a class.......2007-02-19
I am a new oil-painter and have found that this book is an invaluable source to have as a reference. The easy to read instructions and beauful photo's of paintings make this pretty goof proof and encourages one to try new techniques and brushes.
A must have for your library.......2007-01-25
I have a huge library of art books. This is one I particularlly appreciated because it is a topic that is not covered in art classes. The only class that might come close would be calligraphy or Sumi-e.
Don't Brush This Off.......2007-01-02
Mark Christopher Weber, artist and author, in his "Brushwork Essentials" provides the beginner with generous amount of information and examples related to the use of the brush. He covers:
Types of brushes and what they were designed to do
Choosing and purchasing a brush
Choosing and shaping a brush for use
Mixing paint with a brush
What consistency of paint to use with a brush to get the desired effect
The mechanics of using a brush and results
Wet on wet painting and blending
Caring for the brush
And, putting it all of the essentials together for landscapes, figures, and still life.
This is a great step-by-step book for the beginner or for those who need a refresher on the use and care of the brush.
Book Description
Through clear, illuminating exercises, this best-selling book stimulates new ways to think about color, generating responses that unlock personal creativity and allow artists to express themselves with paint as never before. Readers are shown how the interplay of complementary hues can trigger vibrations; how the push and pull of warm and cool colors can create a feeling of space; how to disguise one color in a scene to accent another; and many more tidbits of colorful advice.
Customer Reviews:
Covers so much.......2007-09-04
This book covers so many types of paintings from traditional to some abstracts. The examples are well done and very helpful. Might be a bit too involved for a new artist to understand. Lots of information.
Making Color Sing by Jeanne Dobie.......2007-08-08
This is a terrific book. Not only is it beautiful and inspiring, it contains alot of information about how to use color in watercolor painting. The material is presented in a very clear and understandable way. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested is learning about how to use color in watercolor painting.
Making Color Sing by Jeanne Dobie.......2007-07-13
This book is a jewel. After spending a lot of time with the David Dewey book The Watercolor Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artists, and doing a lot of watercolor "experiments", I was ready for more advanced concepts. Jeanne Dobie does not waste your time with the review of the basic skills. Instead, she refines and perfects your understanding of watercolors. A world opened up for me as I studied the chapter titled, "Mouse Power". Other gems include explanations of how to mix luminous darks and maintain sparkling whites. Jeanne Dobie inspires you towards higher levels learning. This is not a book for beginners, but for those looking to advance their basic skills. I highly recommend this book!!
Okay book, but..........2007-06-13
The book cover is misleading. It gives the impression that this book is geared towards painting wet on wet. But its really a mixture of wet on wet and painting positive/negative. Which is okay if that's your style of painting. I think the artist is very talented, however, the biggest flaw for anyone is to make assumptions. I agree with Nigel (Austin)...What's with the 5 stars !!!
Making Watercolors Sing, Dobie.......2007-03-15
Receiving this book promptly in the mail made it seem like Christmas Day. I am absorbing the materials in great gulps and already my painting has improved. Thank you Jeane Dobie.
Book Description
Artists and creatives of all kinds who are looking for new ways to liberate their artistic imagination will love this book. Readers are invited to playfully explore various aspects of visual art, such as light, color, texture and design through a series of imaginative art projects. Artists will experiment hands-on with dozens of techniques and mediums in new and unconventional ways including: * Capturing whites with crayon and wax resist * Glazing and floating colors * Portraying the patterns of nature with sedimentation and precipitation * Loosening up with gesso painting and printing with plastic * Constructing a new piece of art from old work * Experimenting with three-dimensional assemblage * Creating a street map In addition, artists are prompted to challenge their imaginations by building new painting surfaces, creating their own personal symbols and more. Further inspiration can be found in a gallery of work by more than 30 contributing artists. Celebrate Your Creative Self is a fun, no-fail guide every artist should have.
Customer Reviews:
An effective and innovative loosener for artists.......2007-09-11
This book presents simple exploratory exercises for acrylic paints that create novel and brilliant effects. The text is closely tied to the pictures, rather than stating generalities. The author is perhaps sponsored by Golden Paints, who I suspect of mounting a highly diverse and slightly annoying public relations effort through workshops and "how-to" books. Nevertheless, I have already learned a lot fom "25 Exercises".
Excellent!.......2007-07-09
Have enjoyed playing with all the ideas in this book. The exercises are very well presented and make great 'starts' in spurring your imagination.
Instant inspiration.......2007-03-28
The illustrations and suggestions in this beautiful book are an instant inspiration for any artist wanting to explore new methods and mediums, or make new uses of old ones. It made me want to run to my studio and try everything!
Creativity... For Those With More Experience.......2007-01-29
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate to Expert
I checked out this book from my local library to see if this was a book I would buy. Although I found Ms. Beam's book highly accessible to an art novice like myself, I found most of the projects more suitiable to those with more art experience. Also, I felt the title was a bit misleading. It should be titled, " Celebrate Your Creative Self: Over 25 Exercises to Unleash the Abstract Painter Within". The pictures are big enough to study each technique clearly and the instructions are thorough for determined beginners to complete the projects at the beginning of the book (the projects get progressively more challenging). In addition, the book lays flat, so it can propped on a book stand or lay on a table without damaging the spine. If you want to explore your abstract side it's a good find, but there are better books on creativity.
Celebrate Your Creative Self: Over 25 Exercises to Unleash the Artist Within.......2007-01-11
What a wonderful book to unleash your creativity. When I began reading it I couldn't wait to get out my brushes, canvas and get started. It teaches you to just be relaxed and let your innerself come out in your creations. It is a marvalous feeling. You can't go wrong. If you have been shy with acrylic paint you won't be for long when you get into this book.
Book Description
This is the only title on the market that gives readers a comprehensive look at negative painting. Linda Kemp shows beginning and advanced artists how to harness the power of these often overlooked areas around a painting's focal point.
The book is brimming with easy-to-follow, interactive elements, including:
*Step-by-step techniques, exercises and projects
*Do-it-yourself tests and worksheets
*Troubleshooting suggestions and secrets
*Straightforward diagrams for color and design
Whether they want to paint florals, landscapes or patterns in nature, readers will come away with the skills they need to make their next work more striking than ever!
Customer Reviews:
colorful approach to composition.......2007-07-20
some author/artists have a unique ability to provide the right image and word picture to illustrate a concept. This artist & this book demonstrate that particular talent. It is an inspiring book that will cause your palms to itch with anticipation for an opportunity to try the ideas for yourself.
Wonderful way to paint!.......2007-07-12
At first I was afraid of negative painting, but now, it is so relaxing and the outcoming is always delightfully surprising!
Really good information!.......2007-05-13
This book has helped me learn to use more paint, more water, loosen up my paintings, and go back in and paint around "found" interesting things.... I love it!
Great addition .......2007-01-15
I love Linda Kemp's concepts and have enjoyed trying new techniques. Good pictures and easy guidelines to follow to see your own styles emerge.
Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines: A Positive Approach to Negative Painting.......2007-01-03
Quite helpful. Am just starting to use this book.
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Books Index
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General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Fill Your Oil Paintings With Light & Color
Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting
Mastering Color: The Essentials Of Color Illustrated With Oils
Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right
Brushwork Essentials: How to Render Expressive Form and Texture With Every Stroke
