5 comments about Realistic Pet Portraits in Colored Pencil.

1. I bought this book with several others, and I just can't put it down. While it is true that some of the pictures are not photo-realistic, they are truly amazing. The author helps you with technique, and breaks down several aspects about animals that make drawing them difficult. I would have liked to know more about the whole body of the animal, but this isnt a drawing book, rather it is a technique book that covers the eyes, fur, feathers and to a lesser extent the expressions. She gives excellent advice on cat eyes to make them look liquid and translucent, and she breaks down some common mistakes. Overall an excellent book to own.



2. I got some use from the book but it wasn't as helpful as others I've seen.



3. I'm 41 and am renewing the love of drawing and sketching that I lost when I graduated from high school. I just didn't have time for art in my life, but when I finally picked up a pencil and paper a few months ago, I immediately fell in love with drawing again. A friend gave me a beautiful set of coloured pencils as a gift, which is one reason I purchased this book, and I'd be thrilled if I could ever produce a picture as nice as anything done by this author. Her drawings are just gorgeous, and the book is worth buying just to look at the pictures.
   
   One thing I noticed is that the artist doesn't solely work with coloured pencils. In some images she uses gouache paints to draw whiskers, for example. It's a small thing, but worth noting if you hope to produce these images.



4. This book would be less misleading if the "realistic" were left off of the title. The drawings are good illustrations, say for a children's book or the like. There's actually a couple included drawings that I had to wonder why they were included because they looked like good drawing for someone in highschool. Anyway, it may help if you really are just beginning to draw, but it was not what I had hoped for at all. If you want to see amazing colored pencil drawings and some interesting techniques, I would recommend the "Colored Pencil Solution Book" by Janie Gildow and Barbara Benedetti Newton.Colored Pencil Solution Book



5. Lots of details about producing the appearance of details in animals. It is amazing what you can produce. I refer to this book a lot.

1 comments about Art and Architecture in Italy 1600-1750, Vol. 2: High Baroque (Yale University Press Pelican History of Art).

1. This is one of the most intelligent book I've ever read about art. It's simple, complete, full of original point-of-views. In asingle word: you can't miss it if you like the Art History!

5 comments about 365 TV-Free Activities You Can Do With Your Child: Plus 50 All-New Bonus Activities (365).

1. I was wondering what my wife and kids could do this summer that wouldn't break the budget. Boy am I glad I found this book. Great customer service too. Thanks for the ideas!



2. My granddaughter is with me during part of the summer. When the books arrived, she was almost six.
   We found some interesting things to do. I monitor her tv and computer viewing. So when she got bored and it was not tv time, she would say: get the book! And we always found some fun things to do.



3. This book is great for days when your board. You need almost nothing to to all the activities. We use it much more than our other craft books! You must by it!



4. I tripped across this book at my local library and I am here looking for my own copy, as we are limited on how long we keep it. I brutally removed the kids from their TV addiction, and the transition has been difficult on the older ones especially. This book has been my salvation. The prereader like to pick out things by picture, my beginner read has no problem understanding the direction and my toddler and teen get involved too. We have used this to fill the huge void of television and to stave of the "mom I am bored..." routine. This is a small book it fits in my purse and we take it with us everywhere. Breaking the index down by activity type means I can have a Doctor's waiting room idea or a park idea up in running in 2 minutes. The materials list is in the margin for easy access and all the material are everyday every house items, half of which are in my purse any way... This book is a keeper!



5. This book was recommended in the book Living the Simple Life. I'm so glad I took the time to get it. It's a wonderful resource for busy families looking to spend some quality time together. So turn that TV off and buy this book. Encourages you and your child's imagination and they learn through playing with simple things around the house and the bonus is that by not watching that TV, you've spent memorable time with each other...what could be better?

2 comments about Medical and Dental Space Planning: A Comprehensive Guide to Design, Equipment, and Clinical Procedures.

1. This book is Excellent in every regard! A MUST HAVE for anyone thinking of planning a medical or dental office space. It is very detailed with great photos! The author provides great resources as well through her company's website. It is definitely worth the investment!



2. this book is excenlent describes the medicasl procedures and what spaces to design for them, covers radiology, surgical suites, nuclear medicne and medical spaces for dentist it was a big help , an it even comes with plant layouts that you can really see how the facilities work!

4 comments about Simplified Irrigation Design, 2nd Edition (Landscape Architecture).

1. I have some basic knowledge of irrigation and right off the bat I was irritated with the way the chapters where laid out. He starts right in with sprinkler head performance and layout before going into the explanation of irrigation, and the basic principles of hydraulics that I believe should be the foundation what you learn first before anything else. The other thing that was that for the money I don't believe it was worth it maybe more like $20-25. Most of the information you can find on the internet searches. But, all in all it was a very easy reading book that did help me fill some holes in my irrigation knowledge.



2. This resource is excellent. Extreme detail, great illustrations, and information that is not provided by other typical irrigation books you'll find at Home Depot. I'm a landscape designer and highly recommend this resource.



3. I read this book to get ready to take my Texas Irrigation License exam. It explained how to properly install a professional quality sprinkler system in an easy to read and understand format. This book goes into detail about how to layout the sprinkler heads, how to pipe it all together, and how all the parts work together. I have read many irrigation books...This was the best book to get a good understanding of sprinkler systems without becoming an expert in the field of irrigation. Perfect for the do it yourself homeowner or individual wanting to get into the irrigation industry. I now have my license and highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn to install a good sprinkler system without having to read an irrigation reference manual.



4. I was very disappointed with this book. The author places emphasis on the use of one brand of irrigation equipment, seldom mentioning other options that may better fit the application. I also found several errors in the enclosed calculations... not simply a typo, but in the methodology of the formulas. I would not recommend this book...

4 comments about Islamic Arts A&I (Art & Ideas).

1. This is a basic introduction on a very large and complex history. Broken up chronologically and further by dynasty, the structure of this book lends a coherence that is very easy to understand. It is a wonderful way to gain a greater understanding of Islamic art and how its influences have shaped art history.



2. Blair and Bloom do a great job explaining classic Islamic arts. They give equal attention to architecture, calligraphy, weaving and decorative arts, and suplement their accessible yet intelligent text with attractive photographs. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to begin learning about Islamic art, as well as to those who already know the basics.



3. The second book I read on Islamic Art. Was very impressed. It's very comprehensive and well organized. Starts coverage in chronological order (from the start of the Islamic empire) and covers Architecture, Calligraphy/Book art, Paintings, Ceramics and Textiles for every major Muslim Empire(Spain to India inclusive) from 560AD to the fall of the last great Muslim empire-the Ottomans in modern times. The pictures are great and complement the subject matter well.



4. Blair and Bloom do a great job explaining classic Islamic arts. They give equal attention to architecture, calligraphy, weaving and decorative arts, and suplement their accessible yet intelligent text with attractive photographs. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to begin learning about Islamic art, as well as to those who already know the basics.

5 comments about Hudson Valley Ruins: Forgotten Landmarks of an American Landscape.

1. For Westchester County history buffs, this is a well documented book that is easy to read and informative. If you've attended Kings College in the early years as I have, you will appreciate the section on the now non-existant Briarcliff Lodge.



2. Those who value the Hudson Valley's unique history and beauty must use this book to fight for restoration, preservation and conservation of the human landscape of our precious River!



3. If you have a love of the Hudson River Valley and you wonder what happened to structures you've heard about, but can't find, then you'll enjoy this book. I was also fascinated to learn of buildings I never knew existed and what is being done to save some derelict buildings still standing that are near collapse. This is a very well researched book too. I'd call this a savory read if old structures or the Hudson River shoreline is of interest to you.



4. Ruins (mainly abandoned buildings): eyesores or "romantic embodiments of a historical past"? The authors, in this superbly written and magnificently illustrated book, argue passionately for the latter, and have chosen 85 sites found in the Hudson Valley between Albany and Yonkers to prove their point. Old mansions, mills, manufacturing plants, railroad stations, even Sing Sing prison are described in historical detail and lovingly photographed; scores of black and white photos and a center section of nearly 20 color prints accompany the text. And it's the text that really makes this a stand-out book in the field of local history: the historical sketches for most of the sites are thorough and elaborate in scope. In tracing these ruins of the Hudson Valley, which are many and varied, the authors also trace the history of "ruin appreciation" itself, from early artistic projections to modern debates over urban renewal vs. preservation. This is local history at its best.



5. This book is chock full of information about abandonded places(obviously within the Hudson Valley Region). I honestly wish there were some more detailed photographs of some of these places, but i imagine i might be able to find them on the internet somewhere.Dont get me wrtong There are alot of photographs of the locations and places, and a color plate section in the center but they are like brief narriations of places that could be shown in so much more detail. I can honestly recommend this book to anyone interested in urban decay, preservation of old places, or interested in those abandonded places from times past. Urban Explorers might also find this book of some use as well.

2 comments about Drawing: A Creative Process.

1. Drawing: A Creative Process is my favorite guide and textbook for basic drawing. It covers, in an accessible way, basic concepts behind visually expressing ideas through drawing. Ching's section on perspective is especially good and is, like the rest of the book, clearly illustrated with Ching's own pencil drawings. The book does not contain examples of master drawings or lessons in art history, but it does provide an access point for someone wanting to learn how to visualize their observations and ideas.



2. Like the rest of Ching's books, this one is great as well. I use it as a resource for Drawing and illustration classes in college. It covers all the basics of sketching and drawing that are important to build a foundation for free-hand drawing. It covers everything from basic shapes and textures to gesture drawing and proportion. I also recomend the book "Design Drawing" by F. Ching.

No comments about Sustainable Healthcare Architecture.

5 comments about Antonio Gaudi: Master Architect (Tiny Fellows).

1. I ordered this book because I loved the copy I got from my public library. BUT it was not clear in the "ad" that the words (Tiny Fellow) in the title meant that the book WAS REALLY TINY!! It is just 4 1/2" square! This means that the images, which are really beautiful in the full-sized version, are way too small to be meaningful or useful to me.
   I will be returning the book for a refund and ordering the full sized version, if it is available.



2. If you don't know, "Tiny Folio" or "Tiny Fellows" really does mean TINY. The description says that it's a hardback book and in a review it is described as being an unusual size and shape. After receiving the book, I went back to the description to see if I overlooked the fact that it is a teensy weensy book. I can't find the 4.5 X 4.75 INCH dimensions anywhere in the description. I ordered it as a gift for someone else, but I will see if I can exchange it for an Antonio Gaudi book that's not quite so tiny.



3. Pictures are good, with well written history, but 4" by 4" book was so tiny.



4. The set of photos is comprehensive, however I felt that the lighting of the exterior photos was too flat to convey the visual impact of the buildings.

   I admit that I have not seen the buildings in person, however I felt that Teshigahara's documentary gave me a much better feel for the buildings -- making their noteriety understandable.




5. Essentially this is a picture book, but what pictures! The photography has used the extraordinary architecture and added a new dimension to it in vision and lighting. If you would know Gaudi, look at his work: and this is one of the best ways to do it if you cannot readily get to Catalunya. In addition, the production and design of the book, in a relatively small format, has been very carefully thought out, resulting in one of those rare volumes which is delightful to handle and admire in its own right, quite apart from its content. An absolute little gem.