5 comments about The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

1. I decided that I wanted to try to learn how to draw again. Years ago I picked up a couple of "learn to draw books" and was then convinced that you had to be "born with it" to draw. I recieved this book and the exercises convinced me that I could learn to draw. No one had talked about a "picture plane" before and I never experienced it before. I learn better with instruction, and this book gave me the confidence to enroll in an introductory class at SCAD. The instructor, Thomas Key, was absolutely great, and I have been drawing a picture a day ever since, even if it is just, "an apple a day". If it were not for this book I would have never enrolled in a drawing class. It opened my eyes to a new way of looking at things.



2. I've heard that my whole life and never understood that artist draw with their eyes - - until this book. Betty Edwards is like an evangelist for proclaiming this message, and I found out that she's right!
   
   The problem is that we usually think of art as something magical, given at birth to a select few; but the reality is that anyone can draw. I found this out a couple of years ago at a course based on the book at the local senior center. I took the course because I have always loved art, and even if I could only do stick men, I would at least learn to appreciate the great artists more. Well, I found out I could actually draw! I could even do faces that looked recognizable as to who they represented. I was amazed and happy!
   
   Betty Edwards says the key is using your right brain instead of your left brain to draw. Your right brain sees things as they actually are and the left brain sees symbols that represent things instead. The trick is getting into `R-mode' and she has several strategies for doing so: such as painting something upside down, and something called contour drawing. I'll let you read the book for details, but it actually works! She says her book is probably the first practical application of Nobel-prize winning Dr. Roger Speer's studies on the functions of the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
   
   I can't recommend this book too strongly!



3. This is an excellent book to use when learning to draw, or as a means of "seeing" what you want to draw.



4. i used this book and it help me improve my drawing skill. i also recommend another book called "How to Think like Leonardo Da Vinci."



5. I am not experienced in the art of drawing and this book has been a tremendous help to me. I find that I can draw much better than i thought. I highly recommend this book.

1 comments about Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics: Manga, Graphic Novels, and Beyond.

1. I brought an advance copy of this book into a college illustration class I teach. The class was quite impressed. In fact, two students went onto Amazon online and bought it instantly. Usually I discourage shopping during class, but Drawing Words and Writing Pictures is an answered prayer for the aspiring comics artist.
   
   This is an ideal text for a 15-week class in comics. It also has guidance for starting an informal collective class. It includes suggestions for the stereotypical solitary artist, who the authors are gracious enough to refer to as ronin. There is a wealth of info on the narrative process, page design, lettering, pens, and even Photoshop scanning advice.
   
   The authors' individual web pages present a lot this DIY info, so search out their sites, see if their philosophies appeal to you. The book contains multiple perspectives from two remarkable artists. Matt Madden is into "formalist" styles, working within Houdini-like constraints. Jessica Abel's La Perdida is one of the great masterpieces of the long-form graphic novel.
   
   From George Herriman to Robert Crumb, Charles Burns, to Kaz and John Porcillino, the book is crammed with a diversity of styles. Wide-ranging and inclusive, no matter what one's preferred comics style, from manga to superhero to alternative, you will find something to like here.
   
   Instructors will find the bibliography alone is worth the price of admission, I teach a seven-week college comics course each fall. My plan is to email the students over the summer, tell them to get this book and get started on the exercises. The ronins will get a head start and their classmates will lose face.
   
   Scott McCloud's Making Comics is also a valuable college course text for serious students, who have some background in reading comics and thinking critically about the artform. Drawing Words and Writing Pictures, however, has practical exercises for students at any level. Highly recommended.

5 comments about New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook: Guided Practice in the Five Basic Skills of Drawing.

1. This is a very fine guide for learning to draw, understanding the principles of drawing, and practicing drawing in a practical way/



2. Great book for those of us with a creative bent but not sure how to proceed. Recommended by Daniel Pink.



3. i have read the book drawing on the right side of the brain. what this book is can be also taken right out of the original book. it is just more of what it says a work book. or you could just use some drawing pad to do the exercises in it. It takes out of the book the lessons, so save your money and just by the book. which by the way actually is also a very useful book to learn and understand drawing . It is not that it is a bad book, it is just wiser to save your money and buy the actual book to read itself. everything in the workbook is taken from the reading book.



4. This is a good guide for students and a great-abbreviated version of the full-length instruction book. It makes it easy to keep a record of your progress especially if you are not interested in keeping a journal while you are learning to draw.



5. I have a family that is full of artists, and always felt really sad that I couldn't draw even a stick figure! A little while ago I realised something important - that drawing is a form of literacy, like writing, and so many of us don't make it past kindergarten.
   
   Visual communication is really under-rated in our school systems, which pretty much relegates most of us to the category of 'non-drawers'. Betty Edwards' book changes that!
   
   
   The work book is really all you need, although if you would like to go into the reasons behind her book, then the text is great. I bought both and am very glad I did.
   
   I am only part-way through the workbook, but it's amazing to see what can be produced in such a short time. If you want to climb that wall that has been bordering in your creativity, then I can't recommend this book highly enough!

1 comments about Lego for Adults - build real working LEGO guns.

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2YF71W9VQD1H8 This video demonstrates how the Thriller Automatic works. It's a slide action lego crossbow featured in this book.

5 comments about Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium.

1. I bought it last week and it can totally be called a reference for you to deal with mixed-media acrylic painting techniques. The only lack of it is that the author does not deal with paintings made by more than one specific technique.
   By the way, is it a necessity? :))



2. I am experimenting with all the techniques and having fun learning. It seems easy to follow.



3. Yes, that's right, this book is so much a part of what I do that it has paint spatters on the pages. And I think that's a real recommendation. This is not a book sitting pretty on my shelf, it's a living companion working with me in my daily art practice. How cool is that? Buy this book...



4. There were some techniques in here that I am truly enjoying in my mixed media work. It is a great book, and the instructions are well written and the pictures are just glorious. A MUST HAVE for every mixed media artist!



5. This may appeal to some folks - to me, it didn't. Will be returning the item, as it is not all that appealing, and does not contain much I would be interested in (I enjoy realism , and this seemed full of gimmicky ideas. sorry.) (Like the way it was bound. though)

No comments about Character Animation Crash Course!.

5 comments about How to Draw What You See (Practical Art Books).

1. This is another excellet guide that I added to my reference bookshelf when taking up drawing at a late age. It is good to read through once, then return to review specific chapters when you are working on projects. At least, this is the way I use it. I would rather not follow an approach step-by-step .. but rather get a good notion on how to get started and go from there.
   
   But, this book helps and supports this approach greatly.
   
   Leon



2. I have owned this book for 10 years. My children and I all learned the basics of drawing from this book. I was so excited when I followed the steps and was able to draw a realistic face! I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn drawing.
   Cyndi Martinez



3. I am an artist and I also teach drawing. I find this book very informative. I teach the basics in pencil drawing and this book shows wonderful demonestrations. Since the authur was an art teacher it's written for class room or individual use. The book's first printing was 1970 and is still well used from what I've read. I highly recommend this book for all art students. My students enjoy what I bring to the classroom from this book.



4. This book is not for novice artists. I'm a Middle School art teacher and was looking for some new ways to TEACH drawing. I have "Drawing on the right side of the brain" and use many of the exercises in it with my students. This book doesn't even come close in my opinion. I didn't take anything from it that I could remotely use in the classroom. Reminded me of my college level drawing classes with professors that just threw a bunch of concepts out without *teaching* how to actually DO.



5. I found this book good for someone just starting out. I have been working with my 6 year old daughter with this book and she likes it and is doing remarkably well. Great for adults and with a little help kids as well.

5 comments about Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge.

1. This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of mixed martial arts. Its easy to understand and the most complete of its kind out there. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning this sport.



2. This book is a great book for anyone interested in MMA. It shows detailed pictures and everything is explained very well. I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone from beginners to experts to learn everything from basic to advanced moves.



3. When I recently read Victory Belt's publication 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' with Eddie Bravo, I was impressed. It made considerable strides in improving over his last book 'Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed' and gave a detailed insight into one of the most misunderstood positions in today's Jiu-Jitsu world. Well, as far as I'm concerned, Victory Belt has done it again with BJ Penn's 'Mixed Martial Arts - The Book of Knowledge'.
   
   Giving a book a title like that one is a fairly bold move. Those words suggest that this is more a tome - or even "bible" - than a book. And at first glance, it looks like it might be the goods. The black and grey reminded me of later editions of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding' - a book with a similarly anticipative title. At 308 pages, it also fits the bill size-wise, as well.
   
   Opening up at the contents pages, you'll soon see that the book is very comprehensive. After the introduction, you see that the book is divided into two parts - 'The Standing Game' and 'The Ground Game'. Each of these parts is then subdivided into positions and then further into techniques. One of the things I most enjoyed about the book is the introduction. Most newer martial art books open with a discussion from the authors, but Victory Belt's introductions seem to speak to me a little more.
   
   In this case, the introduction gives you about ten pages of BJ's philosophy and how he arrived where he is. From his early days boxing with "old, ratty gloves" through his eventful MMA career, he gives a little insight into his life. He talks about the sport and how he trains for it. He discusses his philosophy for both technical and physical training and gives some broad ideas the reader can take on board.
   
   I won't get into too much detail about what you'll find in the two fighting parts of the book. I will say this, though. While it looks like a "technique catalogue", it's not really. The book shows BJ working many techniques and combinations against opponent's from his gym. However, each technique fits into his particular fighting structure. What you see here is a collection of the techniques BJ Penn actually uses in a fight and how he strings them together.
   
   If you want to see what BJ would do if he finds himself on his back against a skilled ground 'n' pound guy, the answer's here. So is how to use your striking to set up a takedown (a subject not discussed often enough) and vice versa. Another thing I like is that we see what BJ does from a defensive perspective. We see a lot of defensive postures and escapes, which suits me fine as I'm often the one getting hit. Too often, books like this ignore that part of the strategy and just assume your awesome technique will win out.
   
   As I'm not much of a standup fighter, nowadays, I can especially see myself making use of the simple strategies in the section 'Striking for the Takedown'. That is pretty much my weak point. Honestly, though, there's something here for everyone. You'll see how the various open guard positions play out in MMA. You'll see how to minimise your exposure if you're weak in one area with the more defensive oriented techniques. You'll also learn how Penn counters some very common and tough positions.
   
   From a quality perspective, I didn't notice any grievous spelling or grammatical errors (a small problem I had with 'Mastering the Rubber Guard'). All pictures are colour and are clear and easy to interpret. The descriptions are also quite clear to me, another bugbear I've often had. Although the entire field is getting a lot better in that area.
   
   All up, I really like this book. From this point on, I consider this essential reading for anyone considering a foray into Mixed Martial Arts. However, it's probably more important for coaches and athletes who need to move their game to a multi-dimensional approach. That's something Penn himself has done and done well. I think this makes my "Best of the Best" category.



4. I watch a mma event on dvd everyday and let me tell you; this book covers pretty much all you need to know to compete.Don't get me wrong,there is always more to learn; but this book covers all the basics at the least for sure! Like I said about Randy Couture' book; these guys are the best mma fighters in the world,charge hundreds of dollars an hour and this book in particular gives you about four months of training for only $35.00 dollars!



5. If you do martial arts and don't know how to fight - what are you doing? This is an essential compliment to whatever martial art you're studying, as it will flesh out your studies and get you to rethink a few things.

5 comments about Drawing with Children.

1. Hi, when I went through this book I was excited with it. It really teaches theory and gives great lessons to develop your skills. If I was using it to teach my own children or just one or two kids at a time I think it would be great. But it seems to need a lot of one on one time with the child, or at least several more sessions than I had available for my class.
   Be aware that this book requires a lot of preparation (in my opinion)to be able to sit down and teach a child even if you only have one or two children. This is a great book if you have the time to first teach yourself, then you will be prepared to teach children.



2. I am a new Porcelain painter and wanted to develop the skill of drawing my own subjects instead of tracing them on my china.
   I have enjoyed learning the history of this program, the drawing tips and lessons.
   The book is well written and easy to understand and is just as helpful for an adult as a child.
   
   I am looking forward to purchasing the next book,"Drawing With Teenagers."
   
   Kelda



3. This book captures wonderfully the spirit of art instruction: a simple method + supportive non-judgmental attitude + respect and encouragement of individual creative expression.
   
   I must note that this is a guide for self-exploration, learning and growth rather than a step-by-step instruction manual for mastering a skill. If you are interested in the latter, you should rather get the "Draw Write Now" or related books.



4. My stepmother taught me to draw with this book when I was 7 and now I'm using it with my homeschooling cirriculum for my kids. It's a terrific tool to de-mystify the artistic process and help find your own artistic voice. As an adult, I found the refresher course extremely useful. My 9 year old son, who is notoriously technical-minded, immediately understood the five families of shape and started breaking down the objects he saw into manageable mediums to put onto paper. He had been frustrated with his drawing until I found the copy I had used as a child and began using it in our curriculum.
   
   The best thing about the book is that it teaches you to accept your creative voice. Children's pictures are often primitive and they get frustrated that it isn't an exact copy, but (as the book states) if they really want it that perfect they could just take a picture. Their creative voice is what makes a drawing special, after all.
   
   I would definitely recommend this product and the use of resources like the addendum lesson plans here: http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/dwclp.htm



5. This book was very informative and useful in teaching a basic drawing class. I really liked the layout of the book, it was pretty cohesive.

5 comments about Facial Expressions: A Visual Reference for Artists.

1. If you are a sculptor looking for some good references to work with, try the better [albeit more expensive] Virtual Poser series. This book is not for 3D work!!
   
   This book doesn't have a lot of competition. There aren't many authors or artists which compile images like this just to use as references. I was looking for something just like this and I was happy to find it however there are some improvements which could be made to make this book even better. I would have liked color photographs instead of the B/W, maybe releasing 2 editions of this series would be a good idea [but I am probably dreaming]. I would definitely pay the extra $ for a color edition if it were a hardcover. It would have also been nice to feature better Illustrations with higher caliber real-life examples in the samples after each model's set of images. Overall, this book is what it says and works for what it says it works for. Simple expressions on varying faces with different ethnicities and ages. The further you get in the book, the better the models used get. I'd recommend this for any 2D artist who needs to get a hold of small library of facial expressions for animation, illustration or just general drawing work. This is not a good choice for 3D artists as most images only provide a frontal view of the subject.



2. This book contains black and white headshots of people showing different emotions. It starts with younger adults and moves through the ages. Each person is shown from different points of view of the same emotion. The personality types are varied too. Not just glamour girls and boys, average Americans of different ethnicities. As an illustrator this is a big help.



3. It's a great idea, but as a comic artist I could have used a lot more younger models. The models transition to old age groups too rapidly. I would love to see a 'volume II' that included more children and teens, and perhaps some additional models in the age groups that were included, but in different racial choices.
   
   Even so, it is well done, very useful, and six months after I bought it, already getting a little dirty from all the use it has gotten (too much eraser dust in the air!) Thumbs up.



4. I purchased this book to use as a reference for sculpting faces on dolls. The book shows different angles of the expressions and that was what I needed. Unfortunately what I did not need was an entire book filled with goofy expressions that you'd never even see on a human face!! There was no romantic expressions or serene, contented, laughing mildly at something mildly funny expressions. Just over the top, completely over exaggerated mutated faces! If you need some serious or normal faces, Don't buy this book.



5. This book was just what it stated, however, I was looking for a book of instruction for the photos included. The book was returned.