Book Description
Portraits from Life in 29 Steps presents an elegant, simple and direct procedure for painting a convincing portrait in 29 logical steps. John Howard Sanden has developed this method in more than three decades of painting, demonstrating and teaching.
At the heart of this book are two complete portrait-painting demonstrations; each of the 29 steps is descriptively titled, explained and illustrated to show the clear progression of the portrait. Sanden uses an exciting and appealing premier coup approach to painting, where the artist attempts to execute a finished painting from the very first stroke.
Customer Reviews:
misleading title.......2007-09-09
As a portrait artist, I was hoping to glean some new tips/tricks from this book. What Sanden illustrates in the "29 steps" is nothing more than a quick (completed in one hour) color study of his subjects. He admits in the text toward the end that the portraits featured in the book actually took many days to paint. Really, what a surprise! While it was interesting to see how he prepares his canvas and blocks in his subject, Sanden does not spend any time on the techniques he uses to give his portraits their "finish," which is what most portrait artists are seeking to improve upon. What he does focus on are his own brand of paints that he pushes throughout the pages.
Don't be fooled by the portrait on the cover. If you want to end up with a finished painting that looks like that, you will NOT learn how to do it in this book. If you are a beginning painter, and need to learn basic underpainting, or how to block in a subject, then this book might hold some interest.
What can I say..It Sanden!.......2007-06-13
This book is so good for portrait artist's. Even advanced artist's will find this book helpfull. It's a great way to start, and he is well established in the Art world. it is worth it.
Excellent Resource.......2007-03-16
I was already a portrait painter when I bought this book. I was not turned off by the offer to buy his products. As a matter of fact, I've thought of buying them to check out the quality of his oils. Since buying the book, it has gotten plenty of use. For those of you who gave it a low score, had you really delved into it, you would have seen that he does present a formula for mixing portrait colors. This is something that I found very valuable. The reality is that we can pull a little expertise from all art books and use it to paint like ourselves. This book has been well worth the money I spent. I did not buy it with the intention of painting like the author.
Blatant plug.......2006-12-19
I just glanced through this book at a local art store. Initially it looked to provide some useful information with 2 well laid out "how to paint a portrait" follow alongs. One was sufficiently interesting that I was thinking of buying the book.
Then, alas, it all went wrong. A closer study of the text etc. revealed that the book is nothing more than a shameless plug for the author's own line of paints. And indeed there is nothing wrong with helping the painter out and provide them with the various tones they need pre-mixed. But I don't understand why I have to buy the book. Wouldn't it be better if the book was free or included a coupon for a set of the paints with the cost being the price of the paints MINUS the cost of the book. I cannot think of any scenario where I have to buy one item to then buy the sellers main item. Very poor marketing by Sanden and definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. Isn't this like one step up from "Painting by Numbers"? I will not be buying the book nor his paints. If you want to paint in the style of Sanden then by all means go ahead and buy the book and the paints. But in the long run you are probably doing yourself a great dis-service as your portrait technique will be locked in to a very narrow system.
Get yourself a book on portrait painting that illustrates the tried and tested methods over the years, how to achieve the effects and learn how to mix colours in the process. Also buy your paints from an established manufacturer. You could be so locked in to Sanden's techniques and have a number of his paints. What happens if the company goes bust? - I don't know of any other manufacturer who sell paints labelled by tones. Work your way up the same learning curve that Rembrandt, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Ingres and all the other masters also had to climb. In the long run you'll be much better off for it.
Do you even know what is in Sanden's paints? And how they will endure the tests of time. Stick with a reputable manufacturer whose reputation is founded upon being 100% up front with the artist.
Avoid this book. 0 stars.
I just noticed that North Light are the publishers. For the most part I find their range of books to be uninspiring. Makes me wonder why NL even agreed to publish this book in the first place.
Portraits from life in 29 steps.......2006-08-29
I found it very practical. I felt almost like in a good live art class.
I already improve my tecnique after a got this very good book.
Average customer rating:
- a must have for the floral painter
- For those who want to paint, but cannot draw
|
The Oil Painter's Ultimate Flower & Portrait Companion
Patricia Moran
Manufacturer: International Artist Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Painting
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1929834039 |
Customer Reviews:
a must have for the floral painter.......2004-06-27
I love this book- Patricia Moran is an incredibly talented painter. The paintings are sumptuous and detailed, with lots of useful instruction. I also recommend Joyce Pike's books on floral painting along with this one, as the most useful ones I've found.
For those who want to paint, but cannot draw.......2001-04-18
Pat Moran takes a very painterly approach to her art. As she explains and illustrates, painting is about presenting to the viewer ranges of hues and contrasts. Our eyes and brain will make the picture if presented with the right information, it is not necessary to (or even preferable) to spell it out with a detailed drawing. Nevertheless, she also provides the standard proportions for the face or torso so the portrait you're doing will look "correct." I found this book helpful in developing the art of seeing and translating that onto the canvas. Her flower paintings are quite evocative, and provide an excellent model. Although not covered in this book, her approach will work with landscapes. In fact, the upside down exercise should convince you that if you get the tonal range, contrast, and proportions correct, the painting will emerge in the eye of the beholder.
Customer Reviews:
A reader from Laredo, Texas.......2003-04-26
I really enjoyed the book, especially the portrait on page 132, since it is me in the painting. It brought me a lot of happiness to see my portrait in this magnificent book. Special thanks to the artist, my very good friend Tom Joyce. I hope you read this message so you will know that you are very special and talented person...love, Cristina
After a more careful review, I now rate it 3+ stars!.......1999-03-31
My other review was too harsh. I'm afraid I initially expected a book geared to painters of portraits rather than viewers of portraits. I've since had an opportunity to spend some time with the book and it wears well. Sorry painters and editor.
A better title would be "Mediocre Portrait Painting".......1999-03-13
The book is a disappointment. The paintings are well reproduced, but for the most part they are undistinguished, pedestrian pictures by new and [one hopes] developing artists. Not master of the genre is represented. No Kinstler, no Sanden, no David Green, no Gordon Wetmore, no Jack Beal, nobody. Sorry, there are better coffee tables books available. No John Singer Sargeants here.
Customer Reviews:
Ok, but better for the more advanced.......2006-06-16
If you're seeking guidance on painting portraits, Sanden's method, or using his portrait oils this is NOT the book for you. You'll want his newer "Portraits from life in 29 steps."
Unlike the newer book, there are no full portrait demonstrations in this book, only segments on the nose, mouth, etc. and these are in black and white like the majority of instructional illustrations in this book. This book does however list the basic colors and the relative proportions used to create Sanden's Pro Mix set.
90 black and white plus 42 color illustrations. Brief discussions on many aspects of the portrait painting process but very little advice on color or painting itself. In short it's more of a guide for the artist who knows how to paint but can't seem to produce a good portrait than it is for less experienced painters.
A dated book but one offering as much or similar advice to newer books - it would earn 4 stars if it weren't for the lack of color plates in the instructional segments.
Painting the Head in Oil.......2005-09-30
A wonderful and informative book by John Howard Sanden describing his techniques used in painting the Head (portrait) in oil. I thank amazon for such a quick and fast way in acquiring the kind of books that take so much of my time searching by car.
Highly Recommend!.......2002-05-11
This is one of the best, most thorough books on Portrait Painting. I especially benefited from the information on color mixing for the various skin tones, which I have seen in other books, but his is more in-depth. I won't let my book go!
most instructional oil painting portrait book i have read.......1999-04-03
this book gives you step by step instruction and teaches the basics as well as advanced ways to get portraits the way they should be. it includes the artist's palette and pictures of demostrations. he explains the colors of his palette as well as showing you how to make it with a chart for future reference. The darks, shadows , and light, the way in which he uses it to get the true illusion of 3 dimensional picture. i recommend this book to all artist alike.
This is the oil portrait painting bible........1999-02-19
Whether a beginner or experienced oil painter, this is a must-have book for your art techniques library. Sanden begins with general oil painting information about materials and equipment. He reviews his color palette in detail, discussing warms and cools, earth colors, and mixing your own flesh tints. He covers the basics of drawing the head and then talks about value, light, halftone, and shadow. Sanden's in depth color review includes hue, value and intensity, color mixing recipes and charts which you can make on canvas paper to keep for future reference. He shows you how to set up your palette, and gives clear and concise step-by-step painting instructions. After a review of general painting procedures, he paints (with examples) the head, including the mouth, teeth, chin, ears, forehead, hair, eyes, eyeglasses, and nose. Explanations are very clear and easy to follow. Lastly, he tells you how to capture the essence of your sitter. There are several color examples of his work throughout the book, as well as, black and white ones. He also discusses dark flesh tones, sitters attire, and the background. He encourages the painter to reduce the portrait into five parts: the light side of the face, the dark side of the face, the hair, the costume, and the background; to simplify. I use this book with my oil painting classes.
Book Description
Award-winning artist Roberta Carter Clark has created a loyal following among painters with her timeless instruction. Her popular workshops have brought the joys of creating vivid portraits in oil and watercolor to countless artists. This is a classic compendium of her in-depth approach to portraiture.
Clark takes artists through a series of 24 step-by-step exercises in drawing the face. She demonstrates how her detailed drawing exercises--accurately indicating features, highlights and shadows--offer the most practical approach to creating a lively, successful portrait. Dozens of additional techniques and exercises show how to work in different mediums, avoid common errors and capture a subject's unique likeness.
Customer Reviews:
Incredible techniques.......2007-03-16
I work for an artist who owns a gallery in Lahaina, Maui for over 12 years & has a 30 year reputation as a respected International artist. As a budding artist, myself, I requested Jim Kingwell to critique' a painting of mine that was in progress - he handed me Roberta's book and told me that she was his teacher and great influencer in painting. After a few days I re-emerged from the book with a painting that captured not only the subject, my mother, but also captured the emotions I wanted to communicate. Jim could proceed to help me with small refinements...then he asked for the book back. He jokingly referred to it as his "bible". I since have ordered my own and Roberta's book on capturing children's portraits! A must have! Incredible guidance and techniques. Mahalo.
"...a standout, user-friendly instructional book..".......2000-02-12
A workshop guided by a master painter of portraits. Robert Carter Clark sets out here to teach you thoroughly from her professional experience, without cutting corners or resorting to caricature. Fully one-half of this fine book is given to draftsmanship. She begins with proportions of the head (male, female & infant) in Chapter One, then moves on to drawing features -- with special attention given to the windows of the soul, the eyes. Chapter Three is dedicated to drawing the body. In Chapter Four, Ms. Clark presents the difficult skill of capturing fabric folds. Chapter Five covers lighting for four different views. Charcoal portraiture comes next, then using color, stepping through hue, value, intensity, & flesh & hair tones.
Finally, she devotes chapters to painting portraits from life in oils & in watercolors. Oil techniques include wet-into-wet, monotone, & glazing.
"How to Paint Living Portraits" is a standout, user-friendly instructional book within a genre glutted with volumes that can be too light or too dense, or promise too much, too quickly. Roberta Carter Clark cooked this one right. She's an excellent teacher.
Bob Rixon, Pearl Art & Crafts
Very Informative........1999-07-13
Great for anyone that has some experience in painting but is just beginning portraits. Detailed step-by-step instructions work you through the process. Lots of illistrations and color pictures.
Book Description
Artists constantly tell us that they need guidance for rendering skin tones in their portraiture. This book helps them overcome this elusive challenge by providing a clear set of easy-to-follow principles for painting a variety of skin tones in three major mediums--oil, pastel and watercolor. The first chapter is rooted in the basics, showing artists how to recognize and use the five major elements of painting: drawing, value, color, composition and edges. From there, artists learn how to work with light, shadow and color to effectively capture the beautiful skin tones of various ethnic groups, including Caucasian, Asian, African-American and Hispanic. Next, artists discover how to execute the principles learned, using detailed instruction for color selection, mixing and application. Four mini-demos, three long demos and many examples illustrate the lessons. Artists will benefit from advice on shooting and choosing photographs to paint, how to edit their compositions and work past their limitations.
Customer Reviews:
Found the way.......2007-02-04
Great work for painters...
The book was ordered to find out what I did wrong in painting portraits in oil. Clearly instructed by the book I now improved my skills dramatically, especially painting eyes... with the look of love.
Not as useful as I had hoped.......2007-01-21
I happen to think the pictures in this book are beautiful. I wish I could achieve the same level of competence with color. By buying the book, I hoped to improve my ability to quickly make sound color choices, but try as I have, I just can't get the needed information from this book. I have purchased quite a few books on painting, and some have really helped me. The really frustrating thing is that it's obvious she knows what she's doing, but equally obvious she has a hard time communicating it.
If you already understood the topic, I'm sure you would get some comforting reassurance from seeing that which you have grasped reaffirmed. If you are not already a good artist, it's pure misery to try and figure out what she is saying. I have read every word and studied every picture in some cases 3 to 5 times, and I have taken little away.
I'm sure that if she were watching me paint, I would eventually understand what she is teaching, but I was not able to get much from the book. I did enjoy looking at the pictures, but the text is pure torture.
A need for an oil painter........2006-11-13
A very excellent reference book. A must for a novice painter.
Painting Beautiful Skin Tones: One of the Most Misleading Titles Ever.......2006-10-23
I agree with several of the previous reviewers. I believe that some of the writing on skin tones offers great insight. I also believe that most of the portraits in the book are garish at best. If there were Sears Portrait Studios around before the invention of photography there is no doubt that their portraits would look like these paintings. I would even be okay with that if it weren't for the fact that the book does not even begin to discuss skin tone until halfway through the book. I would say that 1/5 of the book is actually about skin tone. The rest of the book is just like any other beginners How-To. The basics of painting. Unfortunately there is little about skin tone.
Painting Beautiful Skin Tones a must for the portrait painter.......2006-08-18
This book is excellent. Well written, easy to follow. An abundance of information. Good color information and color wheels. I refer to this book in the planning stage of each portrait.
Book Description
Helen Van Wyk mastered the art of portraiture by using color, shadow and artistic expression to capture the personalities of her subjects. In her inspiring instructional style, she teaches artists of all abilities to paint portraits successfully.
She breaks down the challenge of portrait painting into simple elements anyone can achieve. Using beautiful, full-color illustrations of her own work, as well as her trademark techniques and formulas, she teaches:
* color mixes for the five basic tones of flesh
* techniques for painting wet-in-wet and in loose strokes
* keys to painting eyes, hair, glasses and full poses
* tips for painting family and self portraiture
* how to capture expression and likeness.
Customer Reviews:
Helen is always a winner.......2007-03-30
I am never disappointed by Helen VanWyk. Here books are always five star and full of great information. A winner with beautiful artwork.
Excellent reference book.......2006-06-30
Do you paint portraits in oil? Then you will find yourself referring to this book again and again. No other book breaks it down quite like Helen does. She covers any questions you may have about painting portraits in oil in a clear, detailed way.
Available copies not worth the Price.......2006-02-18
While I value Helen Van Wyk's teaching style this is not her best contribution. That being said, it was certainly worth the retail price when it was in print. The recent price escalation since it went out of print bumps it down at least two stars and perhaps four. My advice is to write Helen Van Wyk,s estate/publishing company ( most likely her husband ) and encourage a reprint. In the meantime go to the library, read it, return it, and let the price mongers keep their books.
Informative Book.......2001-12-15
I am new to oil painting and found this book very helpful in many areas. It covers working with live models , when and how to do this. How to begin your painting, color and many other areas in your painting. I think it will be of great help for my success in oil painting. It does not cover types of paint to use but it clearly tells you that is not the books purpose. I have only had it for a few weeks but have already gone thru it completely and feel like I have learned quite a lot.
Master Oil Portraits.......2000-10-05
As always, Helen Van Wyk style of masterfully illustrating the techniques from the start to the finish of portrait painting is well presented in this book. I found the book very useful in solving some of the problems that I could not seem to overcome. I now keep the book handy and refer to her whenever I find a challenging face to paint.
I would recommend this book not only for the techniques that she provides but also for the variety of illustrations that will help any level of oil painter improve their skills. From cover to cover, this book is a bargin to both the beginning painter and the master.
Book Description
Beautifully illustrated guide offers portrait painters a wealth of detailed, practical advice and valuable insights on how to handle oil paint. Discusses drying time and basic techniques; planning, composing and lighting the portrait; oil sketching and drawing with pencil, charcoal, and chalk. Generously enhanced with over 120 illustrations, including 57 in full color.
Customer Reviews:
Oil Portraits Step by Step.......2006-08-18
Easy to follow, showing the same steps for different types of people ie redhead, blond male and female, different lighting. I found the book useful for basics.
Oil Portraits Step by Step.......2005-10-20
This book is a good beginners book for learning the basics of portrait painting.
Book Description
Turn the page of Oil Painting Portraits -- and discover an exciting art course that teaches you how to work in this challenging medium. Oil Painting Portraits is a practical guide to a wide range of oil painting techniques. More than 300 photographs guide the beginner through a series of exercises designed to teach all the essentials of painting portraits in oil. revealing projects focus on professional portraits, shown in the making so novices can follow the creative process step-by-step. Unique gallery pages display works of oil masters -- paintings that will instruct and inspire every student of the medium. Packed with specially commissioned artworks, clear instruction, and easy-to-follow exercises, the DK Art School offers ideal courses for "armchair" art students. The DK Art School series is a new way to learn, improve, or master drawing and painting skills. Carefully constructed courses ensure that you gain both the confidence and the know-how to create imaginative, beautiful pictures. With individual volumes on subjects like still life, portraiture, or landscape, in specific media such as oil, watercolor, or acrylic, The DK Art school series offers something for everyone, and builds into a unique collection of practical art books.
Customer Reviews:
Handy Helper.......2000-03-30
This book focuses in well on different aspects and teaches you new techniques in easy to follow instructions.
Books:
- Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome
- Remembering Mr. Shawn's New Yorker: The Invisible Art of Editing (Mehta, Ved, Continents of Exile.)
- Rescuing Da Vinci: Hitler and the Nazis Stole Europe's Great Art - America and Her Allies Recovered It
- Roll Forming Handbook (Manufacturing Engineering and Materials Processing)
- Schaum's Outline of Introductory Surveying (Schaum's)
- Shell Chic: The Ultimate Guide to Decorating Your Home With Seashells
- Somewhere Apart: "My Favorite Place in Arkansas" : Arkansas Residents Past and Present
- Spirit of Animals
- Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater: Centennial Edition (Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater)
- The Art of Polymer Clay Creative Surface Effects: Techniques and Projects Featuring Transfers, Stamps, Stencils, Inks, Paints, Mediums, and More
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Italy: The Best Travel Writing from the New York Times
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
- Appointment in Samarra: A Novel
- "B" is for Burglar
- Birth of the Cool
- Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America
- Dalai Lama, My Son: A Mother's Story
- History: Fiction or Science
- Apes, Angels, & Victorians :the Story of Darwin, Huxley and Evolution
- Med-checklist: A critical inventory of vascular plants of the circum-Mediterranean countries
Painting Beautiful Skin Tones With Color & Light in Oil, Pastel and Watercolor
Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right
Oil Portraits Step by Step
How to Paint Like the Old Masters: Watson-Guptill 25th Anniversary Edition
Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist
