Reviews (5)

Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner
When I read Mr. Bains earlier review, I was somewhat taken back by his English lesson and focus on wording of the title over content of the text. We are all smart enough to know that titles are a marketing tool. I received the impression that he might feel one should learn to draw simply by reading a book, which of course made me even more curious to read it. What I found is a very straight forward and encouraging approach to drawing that was much easier to follow than another highly esteemed book. In fact, I felt the text matched the title quite closely having read several drawing books and taken more than one day long workshop. I have continued to struggle because it takes practice drawing to learn to draw - time, discipline, desire. Discpline is perhaps the key ingredient over talent. You have to show up at the page.Ms. Garcia's words and assignments build one on the other. They are supportive both of the student (reader) and the subject matter. I teach in another field and find this method highly productive with my own students. The quotes from and examples of student's work make drawing something - anything - very approachable. So approachable I picked up a pencil and started practicing. Writing that motivates action is good writing.

Do not even bother.....
"Drawingfor the Absolute and Utter Beginner"
As the title suggests, it's very much for the beginner
I got a pile of drawing books out of the library, this one included, after realizing that the books I already owned weren't inspiring me.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Study & Teaching    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Art techniques & materials    8. Drawing & drawings   

Reviews (6)

Aptly named: intuitive
As most pastel artists know Habdell is a master of the medium.
wonderful
This book is a winner. Alfres Handell is a master painter. Intuitive Light is the most elusive and the Most Importantaspect of painting.Using his own work to illustrate his instruction gives the book strengh, clarity and depth.
We can do it!
A great book by a great pastelist. This book should be encouragement to all newcomers to pastel use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Study & Teaching    4. Techniques - General    5. Techniques - Painting    6. Techniques - Painting - Specific Subjects    7. Art techniques & principles    8. Painting & paintings   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art teachers    3. Child psychology    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Elementary School Creative And Manual Arts    7. Secondary School Creative And Manual Arts    8. Study & Teaching    9. Study and teaching (Elementary    10. Study and teaching (Elementary)    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    12. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    13. Training of    14. United States    15. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities    16. Primary / junior schools    17. Secondary schools    18. Teaching of a specific subject    19. Teaching skills & techniques    20. The Arts   

Reviews (8)

for the craft lover
not really meant for the true artist. More for those seeking a craft. Pretty pictures included without alot of substince.

A must have art book.
If you have ever had a creative block, lacked inspiration or wanted to try something different then purchase this book and let the juices flow.A wonderful book that you will refer to over and over again.You will want to try all the techniques and more. Buy it now and you won't regret it. A++++++++++++

inspirational
an incredibly inspiring book for artists of all levels and all media. gives visual effects as well as technical aspects. compares various products and media. a must have!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artists' materials    4. Painting    5. Reference    6. Study & Teaching    7. Technique    8. Techniques - General    9. Techniques - Painting    10. Art techniques & materials    11. Painting & paintings   

Reviews (3)

The absolute best book on drawing that there is.
Let me say first that I am highly predjudiced in favor of this book.Also, learning to draw is DIFFICULT for most of us!!
Superb manual on the craft of drawing
This is one of the finest book on the craft of drawing currently available, if not the finest. The book is an execellent presentation of the program developed by the late Frank J. Reilly at the Art Students League. I know this because I was one of Mr. Reilly's drawing class monitors for two years. This is a book for people who are truly serious about learning the craft of representational drawing. Short of having Mr.Reilly or Jack Faragasso pointing out the wat, this is as good as it gets in art instruction books.
Not quite what I expected
I purchased this book for the study of planes, however that section was so complex and seemed to have no reason to justify shadows and improving composition. However, the drawing exercies are very helpful and beneficial. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. Reference    5. Study & Teaching    6. Techniques - Drawing - Portraiture    7. Art / Techniques    8. Art techniques & principles    9. Drawing & drawings    10. Figure drawing    11. Human figure in art    12. Human figures depicted in art   

Reviews (3)

painting for all levels
This is a very complete reference for what seems like all you need to know (and then some) about painting.I am not an experienced painter so I was almost a little intimidated at first with all the information presented here.The issue with me though was not the book (which is well organized) but putting the brush to the canvas... fabulous compendium for beginning and intermediate artists
This is a remarkable resource -- comprehensive, well-organized and understandable. Art Class: A COMPLETE guide for any ability
I recently bouth this book on the advice of a friend and long time painter. AS a beginner I didn't even kow what to buy, much less where to begin. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artists' materials    4. Painting    5. Study & Teaching    6. Technique    7. Techniques - General    8. Techniques - Painting    9. Art / Painting   

Reviews (8)

Highly detailed teaching- complicated illustrations; analytical light & shade...
...An intermediate-to-advanced, *in-depth*, analytical treatment of light & shade- I really wanted to like this... yet...
these other reviewers must be crazy...
This book is precise, and it's comprehensive. It may not take you by the hand and say "step 1, draw a circle..." but I don't think this is really a HOW-TO type of book. It's more of a WHY book. It explains to artists the fundamental reasons to use a wide range of specific lighting theories, and it describes these theories very well (Hogarth's explanations work for me, and probably for other people in the worlds of comics, animation, etc.).
Excellent book of examples
If you're looking for explicit or step-by-step instruction on applying lighting and shadow to your drawing, this probably isn't the book for you. If, on the other hand, you're looking for real-world illustration examples of just about every type of lighting situation (even through fog and rain), be sure to pick this one up!
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Shades and shadows    5. Study & Teaching    6. Technique    7. Techniques - Drawing    8. Techniques - Painting    9. Art techniques & materials   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (9)

Practice practice practice
I took an art class at the junior college and the instructor suggested copying the masters to improve drawing skills.I bought this book and copied every picture.Not only did it familiarize me with many artists I had not heard of but, over time my drawing skills improved dramatically.I am now buying collections of drawings of other artists and copying.I highly recommend the book not only as a reference but also to be used to improve skills.I have an engineering background, not art and this helped immensely.

Good book, but lacks in the following.
Pick up this book if you are looking for a great artistic anatomy reference book. If you are looking for more than reference, however, you might want to look elsewhere. While this book is definitely good, it doesn't give the artist direction in how to draw or depict the illustrations. The text is pretty much straight-forward, usually only noting the parts of the bodies in the images. Second, this book lacks the poetic and great writing of Robert Beverly Hale. Excellent content
An excellent book on artistic anatomy. Reading this one book has taught me more than some figure drawing classes. A systematic deconstruction of how the masters of artistic anatomy have integrated their knowledge into some of the greatest drawings of all time. The book goes through the drawings of famous artists, categorized by the region of the body on which the drawings are focused, and attempts to explain how extensive knowledge of anatomy has been effectively applied. It touches on how these artists could create drawings which are more powerful than merely a photographic rendering of the model through their use of anatomy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anatomy, Artistic    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Drawing, European    5. Figure Drawing    6. Study & Teaching    7. Techniques - Drawing    8. Techniques - General    9. Techniques - Life Drawing    10. Themes, motives    11. Art techniques & principles    12. Drawing & drawings    13. Human figures depicted in art    14. Art, Architecture & Photography    15. Painting    16. Anatomy    17. Techniques   

Reviews (6)

Lazzari's book is a vital tool, for serious studio artists.
It is a long road from Art School graduation to solo shows in major galleries. Lazzari's book is a vital tool to help navigate that road. The book is filled with practical information, on the business of being an artist, and opportunities in the arts.Much of the information is information you don't, normally, get in Art Schools. Not for a serious visual artist
Sorry to disagree with Ms Lazarri's friends but this book should be accurately titled "artist-lite".It is strictly for an amateur - a Sunday painter - and not for an artist serious in pursuing a career in the visual arts. Been looking for a second copy...
I gave my old copy to a friend that was starting out as a sculptor. This book is a comprehensive handbook for anyone wanting to become an artist, or one that has already started. I love that it has a section that shows how to take proper photographs of your artwork to send slides for shows. It is also nice that there are parts where established artists tell a little on how they do it and give helpful advice. It is very helpful. A must for the emerging artist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Careers - Arts    4. Reference    5. Study & Teaching    6. Art / General    7. Art Forms, Treatments & Subjects    8. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    9. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    10. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (4)

A book that delivers
I've looked at a lot of art instruction books, wondering if they'd perform
Illustrating Nature: Right-Brain Art in a Left-Brain World
Irene Brady is an expert, biologically accurate nature artist, but that doesn't stop her from creating (and teaching others to create) lively, interesting nature art. I am very impressed by her book, Illustrating Nature, Right-brain Art in a Left-brain World. From the construction of a leaf or a wing to the hairs in an ear and the fur on the body, Brady leads you to analyze the structure of plant or animal parts. Then she skillfully helps you understand techniques to illustrate these features. You learn how to pay attention to the details and illustrate the entire organism in a realistic and delightful manner. Brady wisely encourages the developing artist to use computer graphics as part of their toolkit. She also provides an appendix with many design ideas for book and magazine layout and design and promotional graphics, brochures and the like for museums and nature centers. This is a superb book for classroom use and the individual learner. I would have given my eyeteeth for this book as a child. Maybe there is hope for me yet!
Right Brain rediscovered
Rebeccasreads highly recommends ILLUSTRATING NATURE as an important tool for every budding artist (no matter their age) with an eye for a career in illustration, scientific or otherwise, as well as an extraordinary assistance for elders wanting to keep their brains in tip-top shape!
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Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Art / Drawing    3. Commercial - Illustration    4. Study & Teaching    5. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    6. Nature (Aesthetics)    7. Scientific illustration   

Reviews (1)

Excellent criteria to study contemporary art issues in school programs
This textbook addresses contemporary art issues outside the traditional formal aesthetics. It is a wonderful resource for lesson planning, and additional reading material. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art And Society    4. Education    5. Fine Arts (General)    6. Preschool & Kindergarten    7. Study & Teaching    8. Study and teaching (Higher)    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    10. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities    11. The Arts: General Issues   

Reviews (1)

From the Publisher: NAEA
"Sponsored by the National Art Education Association and assembled by an internationally known group of art educators, this thirty-six chapter handbook provides an overview of the remarkable progress that has characterized the field of Art Education in recent decades. Organized into six sections, it profiles and integrates the following elements of this relatively new and loosely coupled field: history, policy, learning, curriculum and instruction, assessment, and competing perspectives. Because the field of art education is relatively new and loosely coupled, this handbook provides those inside and more importantly outside the field an invaluable snapshot of both its boundaries and its current content." Like other research handbooks, the Handbook of Research and Policy in Art Education provides an indispensable reference volume for scholars, policy makers, and advanced students in the field.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. History    4. North America    5. Reference    6. Research    7. Study & Teaching    8. Study and teaching    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    10. Education    11. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities    12. The Arts   

Reviews (6)

Best Book No Matter What Your Level of Expertise
This book is full of outstanding examples of calligraphic artwork, some of them unusual. It's extremely complete regarding pens, such as how to sharpen them. And it even gives you an excellent overview of how to watercolor. I own many calligraphy books and thought I knew a great deal, but I learned much from this book. Worth buying.

Easy to Learn Calligraphy
I just sent out 200 elegant wedding invitations all done in Calligraphy that i learned from "Calligraphy School" in the last two months.i had never picked up a calligraphy pen and could not find any local classes so i bought this book to give it a try but was certain i would probably be hiring someone to do the calligraphy on my wedding invitations. Wonderful
"Calligraphy School" is everything I was hoping it would be when I ordered it.Beautifully written, informative, gorgeous lay-out, very inspiring.I brought it to my calligraphy class to show the instructor and the other students, and they were as impressed as I.The book takes the student from Roman Serifs to the Lindesfarne Gospels and carolingian minuscules through to the Renaissance and some of the modern italic hands-- very comprehensive.Besides just the letterforms of virtually all the important alphabets throughout history, the authors also address the basics (and beyond) of applying a watercolor wash, interpreting text though color and design, even working with metallic leaf and illuminated letterforms!Pages and pages featuring the work of the most talented calligraphers.An absolutely beautiful book and very inspiring, as I said before, but it bears repeating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Calligraphy    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Study & Teaching    7. Techniques - Calligraphy    8. Techniques - General    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Reference   

Reviews (8)

Great book
This book gives a really good intro into acrylics for beginners.I've dabbled in acrylics, but the info in this book gave me the why as well as the how to different techniques.It's absolutely a beginner's book, but very thorough on the basics.

Excellent
I found this book just as I was beginning to paint.It helped me confirm that it was acrylics, rather than some other medium, that I wanted to use; and it gave me great instruction to get me going.I have subsequently read other painting-technique books (some excellent, others not) and I still think that, as a general discussion of acrylics, this book is perhaps the best I've seen.It has beautiful paintings as examples of what can be accomplished in acrylics.
Great for the Beginning Acrylic Painter
Very informative with regard to brands of paints, brushes, mediums, and surfaces.Has recommendations for your beginning palate, brush set, etc. Expands on technique with demonstrations.REALLY like this book and glad I bought it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Study & Teaching    4. Techniques - Acrylic Painting    5. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    6. Acrylics    7. Art techniques & materials   

Reviews (19)

The Figure in Motion
This is the best book on anatomy (for sculptors), that I have found so far!
figure in motion
i am pleased with this book. i can't imagine another pose that is not in this book on motion

Pictures Quality
The quality of the pictures need significant improvement. As an artist you need all possible details for the best results. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. Photography Of Specific Subjects    5. Study & Teaching    6. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    7. Techniques - Life Drawing    8. Art techniques & materials    9. Drawing & drawings    10. Human figures depicted in art   

Reviews (3)

For young art lovers
On library day at school my daughter usually brings home an art book of some kind.Most of the time it was a book by Lee J. Ames.Marissa really wants to draw well but at 8 doesn't understand that you have to work hard at it.I suggested to her that she get a piece of white paper and trace over the drawings and then color them in.She has really made some beautiful drawings using this book.

Not a good book
I am a horrible but determined artist. I have enjoyed the "How to Draw 50..." series since I was very young. However, this particular book is not helpful: majority of the drawings are far too intricate to follow, most of them are unknown plants and flowers, and it fails to teach something.
Draw 50 Flowers, Trees and Other Plants
This is a great instructional book. It takes you step by step thru the process. I would reccommend it to anyone starting out in drawing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art - Drawing    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Flower painting and illustration    5. Flowers in art    6. Juvenile literature    7. Nature - General    8. Plants in art    9. Study & Teaching    10. Technique    11. Techniques - Drawing    12. Art / Drawing    13. Drawing & drawings    14. Trees & wildflowers   

Reviews (4)

Important for beginners.
I am a novice artist and need all the tips and help I can get.This book is a big help and I refer to it frequently.

Don'tlet the title fool you
This book provides a tremendous amount of information on sketching in nature but don't let the title fool you- this is a terrific general sketching and drawing book. Johnson covers topics that are rarely covered in other books. The use of pens, watercolors, pencils and colored pencils (both water soluble and not) are covered. This is an invaluable book and is an asset to both the beginner and more advanced student. I'm on Amazon right now trying to find other books by Cathy Johnson- I'm that impressed.

Cathy keeps it simple...and affordable.
This is a very refreshing book. Cathy Johnson not only makes it look easy to draw and paint loose, yet accurate, watercolor sketches outdoors, but she tells you everything you need to know. This book will actually teach you how to draw and paint what you see, without making things overly complicated. Best of all, her supply list is well within the means of most people. I really enjoyed this book, and learned a great deal from it. This summer, I caught Lyme disease. It's nasty. For months, I could hardly walk, let alone hike and garden and do stuff I used to love. But Cathy's book has helped draw me back outside, and I'm learning to love nature all over again, one leaf, flower, and bug at a time. This book would make a great gift. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artists' tools    4. Landscape drawing    5. Study & Teaching    6. Technique    7. Techniques - Drawing    8. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    9. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (5)

to be read BEFORE entering Art School
this book is not for current art students, or graduates (it's simply too late for you to read this)
Ignores the field of "art education"
As a critique of how studio art has traditionally been taught at the university level, Elkins is dead on (pun intended). His portrayal of B.F.A./M.F.A. programs is vividly familiar to anyone who has gone that route. The book is also hilarious and a great read. But since we (studio folk) are the chief audience, we already know all of this, right?
QUESTION - Visual Arts "different" as an academic pursuit?!
The answer: I think so. The author changed my way of thinking about the subject of what is plausible in arts education in our time. The apprearance of total artistic freedom from judgement as formulated by postmodernists, yet the intrinsic nature of how the academy/school affects an artist, is seriously examined by Elkins.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Fine Arts    4. General    5. Reference    6. Study & Teaching    7. Study and teaching (Higher)    8. United States    9. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    10. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

A great resource
I really don't think that any artist can survive with just one book on the shelf.This book is a great resource with beautiful step by step photographs.I recommend it to someone with a little experience and foundation.This book is not too intensive but also does not hold your hand at every step.A resource to add to your library.It helped me relax my style a bit.

Technical rendering....
Ann Pember, author of PAINTING CLOSE-FOCUS FLOWERS IN WATERCOLOR has a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston in fashion design and illustration. Before she became a free-lance illustrator, she worked as a commercial artist for many years. Photos in her book show the professional studio where she works. Technically, her work is nearly perfect.I don't particularly care for her rendering of her subject matter as it stikes me as too "commercial" and not very painterly at all, but much can be learned from her book if you have had no other exposure. Capturing Flowers "Up-Close and Personal"
I love looking at this book!For years I have been filing away myriads offloral photos with the hope that one day I might attempt to capture them inpaint.I muse over these photos from time to time wondering just how apainter might do them justice. I need wonder no more.In Ann Pember's"Painting Close-Focus Flowers in Watercolor", she has been ableto demonstrate a variety of step-by-fluid-step techniques to bring highdrama to the world of simple blooms. Her close-ups of hollyhocks,gloxinias; and peonies float upon the pages which are jam-packed withcarefully chosen, eye-pleasing colors.Thankfully, the vibrancy of Ms.Pember's palette has been well-reproduced in the printing process. There is so much valuable information packed into this book.One shouldread it from cover to cover initially to pick up all the helpful hints. What a wealth of knowledge Ms. Pember has shared with her readersincluding: preferences for specific papers, paints and brushes; how toavoid turning paints into "mud"; and my toughest assignment - howto see shapes and values as patterns; to mention a few.Ann Pember'sclose-up compositions are outstanding.Even if my attempts pale incomparison to this well-seasoned artist's, she is very encouraging.Shereinforces the idea that given some degree of perseverence and practice, wetoo may develop our own means of capturing nature's beauties "up-closeand personal". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Flowers in art    4. Study & Teaching    5. Technique    6. Techniques - General    7. Techniques - Painting - Specific Subjects    8. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    9. Watercolor painting    10. Art techniques & principles    11. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    12. Watercolours   

Reviews (3)

Outstanding!
I just got back from one of Jerry's workshops and am amazed at how much I feel that I learned.I bought this book at the workshop and it is excellent.It follows Jerry's method of step by step instructions with a photo of what the canvas should look like at each stage.
Painting Magic by Jerry Yarnell
Excellent book!Very detailed step by step instructions for each painting right down to colors to mix and brushes to use.Highly recommended.

Instruction, Inspiriation and Fun
This book is a welcome addition to the vast repository of teaching materials by Jerry Yarnell.The paintings are more intricate and challenging than in the previous two books. There are moody seas and skies, dramatic cliffs, serene settings, quaint buildings, and birds, elk and a variety of wildlife in the compositions.The step by step instructions are comprehensive, with excellent and detailed color photos of each step.Mr. Yarnell does a terrific job of reiterating and expanding on the fine art techniques that form the basis of all of his teaching material.If you are looking for an instructional painting book that is beyond the beginners level, then you should find this book inspirational, challenging and fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Study & Teaching    4. Techniques - General    5. Techniques - Painting    6. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    7. Art techniques & materials    8. Painting & paintings