5 comments about Dynamic Figure Drawing (Practical Art Books).

1. This is the best one for action figures and How To draw them of all his other books. Recommended highly ONLY if you are willing to actually take the TIME to do the exercises in drawing he outlines in detail. You can copy his stuff and never learn HOW he thinks to see things in motion as he does. His 'effortless' drawings took dicipline to learn and I am still going thru it AGAIN now. I ordered these books in the 80's and admired them, but NEVER did the exercises. I just never made the TIME. Now I re-ordered the paperbacks (the hardbacks are in storage!) and actually am going step by tedious step and it is changing the way I SEE and draw. Worth it if you will actually DO what he says!!! Recommended highly! As a physician who is rehabbing a Iraq brain injury and probably headed back into Art-my 1st career- I cannot recommend this enough if you are SERIOUS about putting in the time/work to learn his techniques.



2. I have been learning anatomy for my drawing for a long time. I own quite a few anatomy books but I have been having trouble converting my knowledge of anatomy into drawing people. After buying this book it all changed.
   
   You will not learn everything from this book, which I think is fair enough. I do not understand the attitude of people who think a book should include every detail of subject. It shouldn't. A book should set out to achieve a purpose and supply everything needed to achieve this purpose. Which is what this book does.
   
   This book will teach you how to draw your figures in different, dynamic poses. It goes into foreshortening and overlapping of body parts and it breaks down each body part into shapes and outlines how the body parts flow into one another. There a wealth of examples that you can copy and experiment with.
   There are two main problems with this book.
   
   Firstly, there is not a lot of structure to it. It really could have used an editor or somebody to go through it and organize it a bit.
   
   Secondly, the text is very academic and can be hard to understand. If you look at the accompanying pictures though you should be able to work it out.
   
   You will still need to learn anatomy. Anatomy is a fundamental that all aspiring artist needs to learn and this book isn't a shortcut, but I found that this book was able to bridge a huge gap for me in my drawing. It is something I think I will use for the rest of my life. I only wish I had found it earlier.



3. Dynamic Figure Drawing by Burne Hogarth is an explosion of human motion. The text, like the drawings, is crisp and forthright. There are no unnecessary lines in Hogarth's sketches or his dialogue on how to create them. This is the book to give anyone, of any age, with, or without talent. The beauty of the illustrations almost eclipses their value as examples. The figures curl, cringe and almost seem to launch from their empty backgrounds. There are no distractions of composition, just the human body in motion, caught on paper. The static, frozen, two dimensional renderings of anatomy previously available to artists don't give a clue as to how the bones, muscles and tendons will flex with movement. Hogarth's work clearly and beautifully shows how to capture the human body in motion. If you love art, of any form, you will find endless enjoyment in this book. If you are an artist you will find it an invaluable anatomical reference. This is the book to give anyone interested in art, but in the hands of the very young, that person just forming their talent, it would be invaluable.



4. I bought this book about 16 years ago when I was a dopey kid trying to draw people because some artist recommended it. Lord knows I looked through this book a thousand times and didn't really "get" any of it.
   Flash forward to the present where the dopey youngster now has some anatomy and perspective knowledge. I picked up the book to take a look at it as a completely different person. Well it still sucks. I'm not going to give it 1 star because the information is good, its just not presented in a way I can assimilate it.
   I wouldn't buy this for a kid, or someone just starting out. But it could be a good addition if you've been having a hard time drawing dynamic poses from imagination. If your already drawing dynamic poses this might help correct mistakes you've been making or augment the process of learning anatomy in perspective. P.S. Who tagged this beautiful illustration?



5. I have learned more from this book than any other art book. A true wealth of information for anyone who has apassion for the human figure from your own perspective without pictures or models. Truly Amazing Info!!!

5 comments about Launching the Imagination Comprehensive with Core Concepts CD-ROM v3.0.

1. I have recommended Launching the Imagination to all of my students. LTI points out the commonalities between disciplines in clear and concise language with a wide range of visuals. It truly is a comprehensive text with an eye toward the future of the creative process. Sections on critical thinking, time management and ways to "turn up the heat" on your projects are just a few of the unusual resources in LTI. If you are looking for assignment examples there is an instructor's manual that you can purchase with over 50 assignments from a number of faculty contributors from around the country. Be sure you get the latest version since it has a number of improvements over the previous editions.



2. This book is filled with good pictures and works of art. The text is a little bit dry. I did not particularly enjoy it, but it does convey many basic art principles especially in the area of sculpture. It is a good introductory book to art fundamentals.



3. I have been the Core Coordinator at a major public university for nearly 20 years. We have used many Foundation Art books over the years--books by David Lauer, Zelanski and Fisher, Ockvirk et al, Steven Bleicher, Betsy Keonig, and many others. The foundation books by each of these authors have much to recommend, but Mary Stewart's Launching the Imagination is by far the best comprehensive overview on the market. We use it for our classes in 2D, 3D, and 4D. While it would not be appropriate for a course focusing exclusively on Color Theory (for our Color course we currently use Betsy Koenig's "Color Workbook"), it is an excellent foundational reference for beginning art and design students. I am particularly impressed with the sections on 4D (time arts) and Critical Thinking. I have started recommending the section on 4D to upper division students in animation as it provides a broader understanding of time arts via film theory, narrative sequences of all kinds, and book arts. Along with the excellent CD designed by Bonnie Mitchell (a major force in her own right in contemporary computer graphics and animation and a professor at Bowling Green University), this is a great resource for students and faculty alike.



4. I refer my students to Launching The Imagination as the text I feel gives the broadest, most comprehensive and comprehensible descriptions and definitions of three- dimensional design. From composition to concepts, architecture, sculpture, and a variety of design applications, this text points out major differences and commonalities by means of example and explanations in common sense terms. I absolutely recommend it.



5. I don't assign a textbook in my Two-Dimensional Design class. Instead I have students compile their own reference guide or text in the form of a sketchbook over the course of the semster. That said, I do use Launching the Imagination as my primary supplemental text and draw many examples and definitions from it for the work we do in class. LTI has laid the foundation upon which many of my projects are structured. If students choose to purchase a book to compliment the course material we cover, I recommend LTI. It's an invaluable resource and I'm grateful for it.

5 comments about The Polaroid Book: Selections from the Polaroid Collections of Photography (Taschen's 25th Anniversary Special Editions).

1. I recently purchased this book and must say that this is a beautifully created masterpiece. Give it up to Taschen for yet another exquisite piece of documentation; this time showing the love and art of the polaroid instant medium. This book provides a visual history of art created through the polaroid lens by some of the great photographers. If you love polaroid you will love this book. Simply a must-have for any enthusiast.



2. This is a classic which sold out its first printing. BUY THIS NOW! You will have, preserved on your bookshelf the essence of what Edwin Land envisioned over 65 years ago distilled in one BEAUTIFUL volume. How can the Petters Group (who now owns Polaroid) dare to banish such a beautiful art form from humanity? That's right, Polaroid has stopped making instant film and the supply may barely run through the end of this year, and all expire by the end of next year. THIS IS A CRIME AGAINST ART AND HUMANITY!! Buy the book, then go to savepolaroid.com and join us all to save this incredible art form. JUST LOOK AT THE PAGES OF THIS INCREDIBLE VOLUME!!! You will be amazed!



3. WOW... words can't even begin to describe how much I love this book! It's about time they released a book like this! And the wrapper of this book is genius! It looks like a gigantic box of Polaroid film... I didn't even want to remove the cover at first... I fondled it for awhile and then I slowly peeled it off and curled up on the couch for an hour or two and looked at all the pretty pictures.
   This book is highly recommended for any Polaroid enthusiast! And if you want to see some great 'roids on the net- check out Polanoid.net!



4. My dad bought a Polaroid Land Camera (of the peel-apart type) before I was born... to take pictures of his chubby firstborn (that would be me, BTW).
   
   Ever since, the sharp, colorful and amazingly stable little prints became part of our family's memory. My love for pictures was definitely boosted by the instant gratification offered by an SX-70 camera, which I still own and use after 25+ years, as well as a brand new Jobpro 600.
   
   "The Polaroid Book" is a must for any hardcore Polaroid fan. Lotsa pictures, beautifully printed, with absolute respect for the authors' vision (Ansel Adams, Joyce Tenneson and Bill Allard, to mention only three of them). Nevertheless, the book's greatest virtue is to prove, without any doubt, that beautiful and creative work can be achieved with the simplest tools and the sheer power of imagination.
   
   Polaroid is still alive and well, and this book is the best supporting evidence. Now, I'll just lay back and wait for that new new-old stock Polaroid Nightcam that I bought on the company's website. Let's see what that 600 film-munching baby can do.



5. I recently bought this book. It shows great polaroid pictures and their simplicity attraction and much more! It's worth to have one!

4 comments about Area_2.

1. A very thorough book for those looking for a wide variety of branding and design solutions.



2. Excellent overview of current state of design. Although the book is a bit too heavy, don't try reading this in bed or on a plane, it is worth every penny. Compared to Area (the non-numbered first issue) this book focuses not only on paper based graphic design and I really don't know how one can assess or put a value on such a broad field of possibilities. It is still brilliant. For anyone assuming an investment in graphic design be it a box, a shop, a book, stationery or whatever needs an outside with colours or patterns, this book is a must-have, must read.



3. Makes a good companion to the first area book. Each ones shows off the best of the best in current design.



4. This is most certainly one of the best books Phaidon has published yet. Completely blows Area out of the water. Worth every penny.

5 comments about Delirious New York: A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan.

1. While "Delirious" has its fair share of archispeak, Mr. Koolhaas pulls off an intelligent, fun and thought-provoking take on the early 20th century building culture of New York.
   
   One of the quirkier aspects of "Delirious" is Mr. Koolhaas's analysis of Coney Island: an "incubator for Manhattan's incipient themes." As a reader, one initially questions the inclusion of such a trashy place in such a lofty manifesto. However, as the chapter progresses, you start to see Mr. Koolhaas's iconoclastic brilliance. He pays an amazing homage to "the laboratory" that was Coney Island, illuminating the vital role it played in the building philosophies that would emerge later in Manhattan.
   
   Scattered throughout "Delirious," also, are compelling supporting images that Mr. Koolhaas clearly spent a lot of time digging up. In fact, flipping through the book for the images alone makes for a near-equivalent, and fun, learning experience.
   
   However, unlike his tasteful use of images, Mr. Koolhaaas's flamboyant use of scholarly English makes his writing difficult to digest at times:
   
   "It is probably inevitable that a doctrine based on the continual simulation of pragmatism, on a self-imposed amnesia that allows the continuous reenactment of the same subconscious themes in ever new reincarnations and on inarticulateness systematically cultivated in order to operate more effectively..."
   
   Given Mr. Koolhaas's journalism background (and assumed mastery of writing), I suspect he made the conscious decision to remain somewhat inaccessible to preserve his "lofty" image. While such a decision may be understandable, his brilliance as a writer often gets overshadowed by the sheer irritation of trying to understand him.
   
   Ultimately, "Delirious" proves itself to be a very intelligent synopsis---just as delirious and congested the themes Mr. Koolhaas puts forth. For the most part, it's a pleasure to read, and it also reflects the exhaustive research on Mr. Koolhaas's end. Much like Mr. Koolhaas's buildings, "Delirious" is on the cusp of being as grand as it intends to be.



2. through the exhaustive historiography of the phases of congestion coney island brought to manhattan, koolhaas provides a rather cynical view of the Grid as being an ulimatley neutral zoning system of constraining ideas that represent the continual decline of a phantastically realistic civilization, represented as mutated symbols of architecture in the "void" of repeated "pregnancies."
   
   it's really well written. funny. uses, like above, a somewhat inefficient vocabulary but remains in the same vein throughout. it is also a graphic design hubris consuming every page, even the left-justified text, showing off koolhaas's interpretation of the importance to combine scholarship and marketing.
   
   buy it. it's a very good book.



3. A very inventive concept of New York's "culture of congestion" and how people are affected by the architecture they create. It is heavily researched and exhaustive, and after pretty much the third page I agreed with his concept of NY being "totally fabricated by man". What could of been a fascinating article becomes a spastic, heavy-handed read with a sledgehammer effect to your brain. (However,for those of us reading it for school, there are plenty of pictures that fill up the almost devastatingly vast 300+pages quickly.) It will scramble your brain with its thousands of nearly bumper-stickerish statements ("It hides life." "The Mountain MUST become architecture.") written with pretentious glee. However, I believe an independent scientific study has concluded that when pretending to read this book on the train people around you will assume your IQ is 40% higher than truth.



4. koolhaas is a bit over-the-top for me, but this I think is is best work. it's worth checking out if only for the story of coney island. once you get past blisteringly pretentious phrases like "coney island is a fetal manhattan", you'll find it gloriously entertaining as both a narrative and theoretical work.



5. This is by far Koolhaas's most accessible work, as it is rooted so clearly in detail from the city's past. Further, the book is simply brilliant. His take on urban history is to Jane Jacobs what Socrates is to common sense. New York is a special case of modernism that sprang from a special constellation of poltiical and technological forces that collectively create a cultural "big-bang" at the turn of the century. Read it. Blow your mind.

5 comments about The Watercolorists Essential Notebook.

1. -I last painted with watercolors when they were in paintbox form -40 years ago in high school art.This book has been a valuable tool in getting me up to speed on present day brushes,paints and techniques.I
   am very pleased with the results I have been able to achieve in
   just a few months time.This book is a definite buy for newbies or as a
   refresher.



2. Let's just say calling me an amateur would be an understatement. I bought this book in high hopes of entering the world of watercolor. It hit the nail right on the head.
   
   The text is informative and precise without being overwhelming. Enough different information and very comprehensive. Although perhaps lacking in the texture/details department. Overall the best of the 3 other books I bought. This one may be the best beginner to intermediate book out there!
   
   The only drawback was the fact it doesn't say in the description that it is for tube watercolors, as I want to use pans...but still I think most techniques will work either way.



3. As a fairly new watercolorist, I have purchased many, many books on the subject in an attempt to gain skills, learn techniques, expand my thinking, etc., etc. Some of those books have been helpful, but usually only a page or two of a 60-page book was exactly what I was looking for. In other words, I was disappointed! Long introduction to say that THIS watercolor book exceeded all my expectations! I am oh so happy with it; I will probably use information on every page of this one. The techniques and skills introduced are interesting and fairly easy to execute; the author provides abundant details all along the way. The book has answered so many of my questions about producing sparkling water, distant trees, various types of skies, clouds, fog, using color schemes effectively, and the technique of "fading out" (which I love). And much, much, much more. It is well worth every penny and then some.



4. I like this book because it not only provides you with lots of knowledge but also encourages you to go away from conventional suggestions and create your own style. Its flow is very nice. Its material has been organized properly and I not only gained knowledge but also enjoyed reading it.



5. This is THE book that every beginning to intermediate watercolorist must have. I have been studying watercolor for several months, and I learned more from this book than I did in all of my classes combined. The author has a lovely sense of humor, making for a fun read while sharing so many of the tips and tricks he learned from decades of painting and teaching. There are detailed pictures demonstrating his techniques, as well as tips on how to choose paints, paper, and brushes. If you can only afford one book this month, it should be this one! And after you have read this one, check out his other book: "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook: Landscapes". Yet another fantastic book by this gifted artist and instructor!

5 comments about Paint Watercolors That Dance with Light.

1. This book was of great interest to me for her opinions on different techniques. I especially liked learning more about masking and glazes.



2. "Paint Watercolors That Dance with Light" is a very well written, easy to understand book that can be applied to other media as well. Her explanations are clear and concise. This book would be a great addition to any painter's library. Defnitely would recommend to others.



3. Elizabeth shares with me the meditative and contemplative aspects of painting. Additionally she values pure colour glazes and this has provided me with a new way of glazing, a technique that I love. The book is suitable for someone who has been painting and is dedicated to impovement. It builds on the knowledge that you already have and doesn't treat you as a novice. Thankyou Elizabeth, it is a delight to own your book.



4. The paintings capture light and shadows with incredible beauty and are inspiring to my own watercolor endeavors. The book is a worthwhile addition to any watercolorist's library.



5. HER WRITING DEFINITELY SHOWS HER LOVE FOR WATERCOLOR. IT SPEAKS TO YOUR SOUL.

5 comments about The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook - Landscapes.

1. This is really a must-have. Very detailed in a clear and direct language. Excellent for every level of watercolor painters!



2. This has some great step-by-step lessons for creating different effects in a landscape watercolor. The only criticism I have of it is the drab coloring in many of the examples.



3. This is a really great book on watercolor. It is full of wonderful tips and explanations of how to achieve many simple to advanced effects. It also explains why certain colors are better to mix with others for the results you want. It is also amazingly readable. I set it by my reading chair and I am drawn to pick it up and read just for interest. I am learning so much. FYI- I have lots of knowledge about art, but am a beginning to intermediate watercolorist.



4. This book offers great advice on landscape painting so, If you've wanted to paint plein air with watercolors, this is the book for you.



5. This book contains valuable techniques for the creation of landscape features in watercolor. It is perhaps a bit overwhelming for the absolute beginner, but for anyone who has a little experience with watercolors and is motivated to improve, it's a great book!

5 comments about Color Design Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design.

1. I own dozens of graphic design books and the Color Design Workbook is one of the most useful books I own. I highly recommend it. It not only breaks down the theory of color and how it applies to design, it also gives examples of how color has hindered or helped in real world design projects. The page design is also fabulous...glossy pages with interesting design, yet readable information. Using color incorrectly is one of the most common blunders in graphic design so understanding it is crucial. Note: This book discusses color theory and relationships, not color management. A good color management book is: Practical Color Management: Eddie Tapp on Digital Photography (Eddie Tapp on Digital Photogra)
   
   This book is part of a TERRIFIC series of graphic design books by Rockport. (The series also visually looks great together since the publishers shrewdly designed all the bindings to match and line up together on the shelf.)
   So far there are only 5 (including the Color Design Workbook), but hopefully they will add more books to the very useful series:
   Logo Design Workbook: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Logos
   
   Typography Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Type in Graphic Design
   
   Publication Design Workbook
   
   Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design



2. I found this book to be extremely helpful in understanding colours and their relationship with design. It's easy to read and has some great examples.



3. Has lots of ideas for color use. Loved the section on the cultural meanings of color. So many interesting things to consider. Has some basic color theory, how to convey your message with color, etc. Very helpful for the graphic designer or visual artist.



4. This book was a good basic book on color. I feel that there are better books out there that go more into color theory and I'm in the process of looking for those. Overall this book is great for beginning graphic design professionals.



5. I bought this book expecting to find guidance on how colors work and how to use them. The book provides this, but not in the way I expected.
   
   If you are looking for:
   - A deep discussion of color theory with specific examples of what works and what does not or
   - Insights from industry about how the choice of colors can affect production costs, choice of material, etc or
   - Information about tools that can help with color selection, matching or proofing,
   DON'T buy this book.
   
   This book is about color palettes only and its approach is to give you lots of examples from the real world, from which *you* must build your own understanding of color. As a survey of the use of color by many well-known designers for clients of all kinds, this book excels. The most valuable parts are not the examples themselves, but the text accompanying them where the designers outline the reasons for their choices. All this is perhaps clear from the title, but I didn't think so.
   
   A severe shortcoming of this book is it provides no examples where a choice of colors failed--for whatever reason.
   
   Since readers have consistently criticized Rockport's use of the word "Workbook" for books in this series, let me suggest a way of looking at it that justifies it. The way I used this book was to go through an example, look at every line, fill, shading or photograph and use the color palette in several ways in some designs I cooked up-- constantly experimenting--until I felt I understood how those colors interacted and changed their overall feel. That's the workbook aspect that totally worked for me so I have no problems with this book being called a "Workbook".
   
   If you regularly read graphic design sites/blogs, you won't find anything new in this book. But if you are starting on the path to understanding color in graphic design, this is a great resource.

5 comments about The Artist's Complete Guide to Drawing the Head.

1. William Maughan's book "Drawing the Head" is worth buying just for the illustrations alone. But, it is also a fundamentally sound guide as to how to achieve likeness in a realistic albeit artistic fashion. It looks so easy but, that is, often the case with art instruction books. In fact, the steps that Maughan clearly sets out i.e. gesture, proportions,shadow shapes,edge control and detail, are each mountains that have to climbed until, that glorious day when we hope everything comes together. And even then we will still be starting out. This book is a truly informative guide as to what mountains have to be climbed. The student will, however, have to provide the effort and do the climbing. The didactic way in which the examples are coupled to the text is commendable and a joy to follow, the drawings inspiring. The student is educated on materials and how to use them. An unexpected but thrilling chapter on creating aliens out of yourself or friends is wonderful. If only the last chapter on colour could have been extended to show more clearly how some of those effects were rendered. But, I think, thats just me being greedy for more from this gifted and distinguished artist. Buy the book and if you can tear yourself away from wondering at the illustrations, get on and use it. That's what its for.Your bound to become better.



2. This is a beautiful book to look at but I found the title deceptive. No where in the book have I found drawing instruction for the head. The author/artist basically just does his own thing, but doesn't offer any direction for someone wanting instruction on the drawing of the head! I will keep it and possibly scan it again when I am more advanced.



3. I was so inspired by the particular technique in this drawing book that I purchased the materials specified and got to work doing a very successful portrait following the step by step directions. It was the easiest portrait drawing and my most sucessful ever.KF
   
   
   
   
   
   



4. This book taught me how to use light and shadow to make realistic portrait. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to draw as a hobbyist. Since I am not a professional painter, please take my advice with a grain of salt.



5. I took classes with William Maughan, several of them in fact and I need to set the record straight. This is the best drawing instruction book I have ever read. It will give you fundamental and instinctive understanding of techniques that can carry over to any medium (that includes oil and pastel and graphite). Your people will never look like aliens again, they will be shockingly realistic (if you want that) or effectively abstracted (if you want that). It's just a shame that Bills humor and approachability doesn't come through in the text, but all the info is there.
   
   In this book you will learn:
   
   An extraordinarily simple and instinctive understanding of how shadows really work. Chiurascuro is a fancy word for how shadow forms are shaped and he'll teach you how to see it and render it. This is the secret to realistic drawing.
   
   How value works. Value is really just how dark or light something is, but there is a logic to it that ties into painting and drawing. You will also draw MUCH faster with more convincing results. The curious color of paper and charcoal Bill uses in this book simplifies values to become easier to render, instead of ten shades of darkness he compresses it to five, thus making it easier for you to understand. From there you can apply it to white paper or canvas and any color medium you want. All tools he teaches you to use here are instinctive and excellent.
   
   The proper proportions for the head and face no matter the sex, age, or ethnicity of the subject.
   
   An incredibly fast, effective, and instinctive drawing technique that WILL translate into other media and other subjects.
   
   Sincerely, these are the core fundamentals. These are techniques rarely taught in school or presented in books. There is no perfect, all encompasing art book, but this one teaches fundamentals the self taught rarely understand. Bills techniques changed my life, the book has those techniques and teaches them in an extremely streamlined manner. I wish I had this book fifteen years ago....