2 comments about The Intrepid Art Collector: The Beginner's Guide to Finding, Buying, and Appreciating Art on a Budget.

1. This is a great starter reference for the novice. The guidance is sound, and Lisa Hunter's enthusiasm is contagious. A few color photographs would have been nice, but wisely this book focuses on cultivating the reader's own intelligence and knowledge rather than dictating taste. If you have ever been interested in starting an art collection of your own, or buying that Kashmiri silk rug, a little research is a good thing. This is a grand place to start.



2. I love art but I've always felt nervous buying art. How do you know if you're getting the real thing? How do you know if you're overpaying? What's that rug really worth? Why is a photograph worth so much? What's the difference between a valuable vintage photograph and a copy of it that looks exactly the same? No one can tell you what a piece of art will be worth in ten years, but Ms. Hunter explains how to go about buying the real thing (and avoid buying fakes) -- and why you should buy the real thing. I feel much more confident about buying a few pretty things for the house now.

5 comments about Draw Fashion Models! (Discover Drawing Series).

1. Great book by Lee Hammond that really shows how to draw detail of clothing, different poses, and much more. It is a very good book. She goes into so much detail that you can follow so easily. Lee is a very good instructor. I would highly recommend this book to those wanting to draw clothing, especially!



2. This book briefly goes into how to draw flats, but for learning every other aspect; from shading, to creating fabric folds, to drawing lace, and plaids i would recommend Fashion Sketchbook instead. Hope this helps :D



3. just a common book on how to scratch. talks about drawing models, but has nothing to do with fashion. squeezed the hot word in just to attact more attention. plus, you'll never draw like that for your fashion creative work.



4. This is a very handy reference to use while sketching people. It offers plenty of information and gets right to the nuts and bolts of getting the artwork done right. While other books seem to be filled with the author trying to entertain this one is filled with the author trying to explain and teach. Recommended.



5. i enjoyed this book from an artist point of view, it is really great if you are more so into giving your work a more "polished" artistic look but not much for fashion illustration. Only the section about rendering fabric patterns (gingham,stripes, and fabric folds) are really useful.

2 comments about The Best of Bridgman: Boxed Set (Boxed Sets/Bindups).

1. This is a great set of books on drawing. It is a great reference set to have in an artist's library.



2. This really helped my sketching. It has some written directions, but mostly depictions of specific examples. You still have to practice, but this book has illustrations that usually show exactly what you want.

5 comments about Drawing as a Sacred Activity: Simple Steps to Explore Your Feelings and Heal Your Consciousness.

1. It certainly cannot hurt to try this book. I find that if actually gave me peace of mine doing exercises,I managed to put a curb on my worries and look at things differently.



2. This book takes a simple idea, (drawing with the left and right hand)and does amazing things. By bypassing the left brain filter, drawing with each hand (and primarily the left if you are a rightie), will reveal what is REALLY going on in you and with you. Her words and work encourage you to draw, without concerns about skill or talent. All artwork is sacred with this tool. I have used it with my own clients and had amazing and powerful results. The truth really hits home with people, and they are able to SEE what is within, and where healing is calling them. I love this technique for myself too. It is an encouraging, spiritually juicy book. I couldn't put it down!



3. Creativity is the wellspring of our own innate beauty and connection to Creator. Williams gives us simple but powerful tools to nurture, support, and express the Creative Force within each one of us. The nondominant hand work draws out amazing insights into how we can birth our own most powerful Self. Most of all, she gently guides us to create lovely expressions of our Spirit which can utterly transform self-image. Simply the best guide for spiritual self expression available today!



4. Heather Williams has written an excellent book that guides the artist and nonartist alike into the deeper realms of emotional experience. She offers unique insights into seeing, feeling, and intuiting both our inner and outer worlds. The nondominant hand exercises bring out deep wisdom in a powerful way. I highly recommend this book.



5. Heather Williams has written a book for the private person who wants to increase self knowledge in the privacy of their own home, and at their own speed. The sequence of information allows for the reader to browse and do exercises as they are moved. It gives theory blended in with practical suggestions on how to do your own self discovery, one self determined picture at a time. She is sensitive, thorough in her explanations, and offers her own examples so that the reader is reassured that this is a book for everyone,rather than for acclaimed artists. Ms. Williams stresses that everyone has artistic ability and she shows us inroads to discovery of our unique expression of the art within each of us. This book is more than a self-help manual-- it is a self discovery map for the seeker of self knowledge.

5 comments about Don Bluth's Art Of Storyboard.

1. Short on pages, but not on useful information: a fabulous book for people who want to actually control the process of animation. The only real shame about the book is how the material is becoming rather dated: it's kind of sad to see such an influential legend drown in a meaningless sea of CG, when he poured so much thought and energy into the craft.



2. Admittedly, I was drawn to the book (no pun intended) from the many hours I spent as a child playing the animated game, Dragon's Lair. The book is great for the examples that it provides from Bluth's studio animations -video games and feature film animations. It provides great insight into the process, although you can tell that it is a little dated in technique (computer references are a little lean). But the drawings, pages and pages of storyboards, and the transcripts from pre-production conversations are invaluable for providing creative insight. I would highly recommend this book to accompany other materials on the storyboarding process (such as Storyboarding Design Course by Giuseppe Cristiano). This is a great book and a has a wealth of content.Don Bluth's Art Of Storyboard



3. "Don Bluth's Art Of Storyboard" is a great "crash-course" for those interested in storyboarding. I loved the references to musical tempo as well as the commentary on the boards of past Bluth films.
   
   The storyboards for "The Secret Of NIMH" are covered in detail, and are among the most beautifully staged boards I've seen! Bluth (and crew) used pen and grey markers to convincingly portray texture, perspective, and relatively sophisticated lighting (personally, markers and I never got along, so I can appreciate the difficulty level). Many cinematography and acting cues seen in other, more technical books are cleverly and entertainingly utilized in the storyboards of films like "NIMH", "All Dogs Go To Heaven" and "Anastasia".
   
   Overall I'd say this is an excellent tool for beginners. It can also be a great gift for the experienced story artist who just happens to be a Don Bluth fan...



4. Very helpful book on stroyboarding from the master himself Don Bluth. Really enjoyable and fast read.



5. I think this is a decent overview of the storyboarding process. OF course each of his subjects could require a college-level class and large book to seriously cover, but I appreciate Bluth's perspective on what he views as the signficant elements of the workflow and his explanation of why they are important.

5 comments about Light Up Your Watercolors Layer by Layer.

1. The artist is a master a lighting up watercolors. Easy to follow instructions, informative and enlightening. Suggested great reading for the novice watercolorist and exceptional reading for the master.



2. Enamoured by the beautiful watercolor paintings in this book, i purchased it as a learning resource. The concepts of color theory & using color, & light, explained here are useful. However,instructions with more details would definitely have helped understand the artist' technique, as well as further my painting experience.



3. It is very important to me as a serious artist to be able to understand thru detail of how am image is painted. Why buy and spend the money for a book unless it is completely useful. I can look at pictures all day and try to figure out how to paint it but if I buy a book to show me, I expect to learn a lot.



4. I LOVE Moyer's work, unfortunately the mini lessons provided in the book, while useful, will not lead to a rendering of images anywhere close to those you'll drool over in this book.
   I enjoy just looking at her work and aspiring to paint in this style, but this book is not in-depth enough or step-by-step enough to get you to this level of work.



5. I used this book as a resource. Her techniques are very different from the relaxed teachings of my earlier days. I am more able to see the effects layering will have on my final results. I am able to better see the end effect of layering several colors over one another in my mind since completing these lessons. Much of it is admiring the beautiful and observing "mini lessons" which really do need to be full lessons. I would recommend at least some painting experience for this book.

5 comments about How To Draw Manga Volume 28: Couples (How to Draw Manga).

1. When I bought this book I was a little unsure if it would be helpful or not, but I'm relly glad I got it! It has tons of helpful poses and some I probaly wouldnt have thought of! It has some nudity so be wary of that, and it also has some bedroom scenes at the end. Not for young children, but other than that very good book.



2. This book is an execellent tool for intermediate to advanced artists. It contains some sexual content.



3. This is gonna be a simple review. This book is the best book HTDM haves ^^ i own about 10 or 13 HTDM books and this one is by far my favorite one, i use this one alot so it well deserves its 5 stars



4. 
   I received this book as a gift recently. It is a very helpful addition to my "arsenal" of "How to Draw Manga" books. This book covers many things, including holding hands, embracing, and kissing. There is also a bit about love making, but it is by no means graphic.
   I was also quite happy to find that the book covers same sex couples in addition to male-female couples.
   
   I highly recommend this book to any aspiring manga artist!



5. I use it all the time for my couples and such. This shows great ways to draw kissing to intimate to marriage scene. It's reocmmended if you do this a lot and you love it. The illustrations are out of this world on how they show things popular with couple drawings. ^^

5 comments about Design for Communication: Conceptual Graphic Design Basics.

1. I am just starting out in graphic design and this book, though interesting, is very hard for me to grasp at this time. I think I will really enjoy doing the instructionals as I learn more about design though. I tried a few of the exercises and (for me) they are hard to do right now.



2. This review was sent to me by a colleague.
   
   "I am particularly impressed with the strength of the sections and introductory texts for each section. It is very cleverly planned and well written. More importantly, the strength of the book for me lies on the fact that the assignments do not illustrate but on the contrary, strengthens your observations, aims/objectives, methodology, structure and propositions for the design education.
   
   The book is also in excellent record of what goes on in design colleges in terms of methods of working (to record students statements and instructors evaluations is, on its own right, a great contribution to knowledge within the design education). The interaction between students statements and instructors evaluations are very important for me. The two different texts create a dialogue within the book.
   
   The book brings theory and practice together for the students and educators which is very rare in design publication and education and even more so at the BA/ undergraduate level.
   
   Thank you for your great work!"



3. Professor Resnick's new text, Graphic Design for Communication offers a fresh, innovative approach to teaching visual communication in general and graphic design in particular. She presents many conceptual design principles in a format that is easy-to-understand, practical, and clear in its organizational hierarchy. The book provides intelligent, pragmatic lessons about design that will be of use to both students and teachers alike.

   The book's most notable strength lies in its author's unique approach to the subject matter. In the past, most authors have tackled the task of writing an instructional text on design by focusing on a few basic principles of the craft and supplementing these with exercises designed to impart specific skills and techniques to the reader. In contrast, Resnick has employed a far more inclusive, conceptually focused approach. Like her peers, as an educator she does offer text that presents her perspective on various basic design principles. Yet unlike many others her focus is clearly on the reason we design-namely to effectively express and communicate ideas. And again unlike some other texts, ideas about BOTH form and content are give their due here. The different principles explored each section are illuminated with appropriate exercises. This is where Resnick's book shines as a unique accomplishment. For her illustrative exercises, Resnick invited a remarkable group of international educators to work with her as collaborators. All were invited to submit their best assignments along with student work for inclusion. In this respect, Graphic Design for Communication is unlike most other texts because it offers an inclusive diversity of approaches to design and will certainly be a great tool for educators. As a text for use at all levels of instruction, it offers the best, "road-tested", assignments for lecturers to draw upon as inspiration when explaining the principles of design to students. The numerous exercises impart information in a manner that is at once both practical and conceptually expressive.

   Graphic Design for Communication features a structure that is pragmatic and clear. Each section opens with a well-written, articulate introduction to a different design principle (e.g., basic elements of design; typography as both image and semiotic message; word and image relationships; the grid and visual hierarchy; and visual advocacy). This text is followed by a series of design assignments (from basic to advanced) that teach students how to effectively integrate ideas with various techniques and processes. The design exercises are amply illustrated with examples of real student work completed in response to the assignments. In addition, most of the student samples include a brief process statement from the student as well as a critical instructor evaluation. As another reviewer pointed out, students will certainly appreciate the many illustrations (some in color) and the opportunity to examine both the process and critical evaluation of peer work outside the classroom. By using student work for examples (as opposed to those created by master designers), Resnick succeeds in bringing both the assignments and the creative design process to life.

   Because of the great range of exercises included, this text will serve both students and educators as a useful handbook. For anyone who has either audited a class or wished they could have, the book is a joy. It is a little like auditing the "best of" graphic design education-all the more rewarding because the author was enlightened enough to collect some assignments and visual examples from cultures outside the U.S.

   Professor Resnick deserves special credit for her concise editing and clean layout. I suspect one of the challenges in a compilation of this sort had to be the careful editing of her collaborator's assignments. It would appear that she did not just leave them to their own devices in this regard. Rather, as an educator herself she has thoughtfully and carefully applied her writing skills to the task. The result is a well-considered, consistent survey of the principles that guide modern graphic design. In addition, I must add that her bibliography is outstanding. It should be adopted as a standard reading list for anyone interested in the field.

   As with the very best cookbooks (I am thinking of the classics here, such as Rombauer and Becker's Joy of Cooking or Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking) this book will find a place in the libraries of both novices and experienced students of design. Like those texts, it effectively explains the important principles that guide all design work. Her decision to present contemporary master "recipes" (those proven to work in the classroom) introduces students to design as a thoughtful "process" without forfeiting any artistry or pleasure along the way. It is clear that Professor Resnick is passionate about her work as BOTH a designer and educator and in this book she she shares that pleasure with us, the reader.




4. This new book, like Elizabeth Resnick's earlier one (Graphic Design: A Problem-Solving Approach to Visual Communication), that was published in the early '80s, has a generous amount of student work on its pages, providing the reader with some wonderful and useful examples of solutions to the problems presented. There's even a section with some of these shown in full color!

   When Ms. Resnick wrote her first book, no graphic design was being done on a computer. This current text, published now that we're fully into the digital age, also very wisely steers clear of a "how to" approach. It's all too easy for students starting out in graphic design now to think that it's about "how to use QuarkXPress" or some other software package, but Resnick's book stresses concepts, communication, and the art of creating fresh and thoughtful solutions to design problems. It will help students to learn the importance of research, and how to develop the analytical and conceptual skills they will need as professional designers later on.

   The idea of using quality student work as a teaching tool is a very good one. It results in a book that is much more appealing to the student. Each solution has a statement by its creator as well as the instructor's feedback. I think students will find the author's approach to the subject fresh, direct, and very accessible. The presentation of each problem consists of: the Assignment Brief, Objectives, Specifications, Process, and Critiques. This results in a very clear, useful, and well-structured text. I highly recommend this book!




5. There are so many books out there on graphic design that are merely pretty picture books, and focus only on what a piece LOOKS like. What students need is something with depth, something that addresses the conceptual aspects that can be so difficult to grasp.
   Resnick's book really targets this need, by presenting an integration of formal and conceptual issues and respecting the students' intelligence in the process. It shows them how FORM influences and strengthens CONCEPT, which I haven't seen in any other text. This is one of the most important (and elusive) issues in graphic design education.

   The book is illustrated entirely with student work, all high quality. Students will love this approach; they are used to being shown only the work of experienced professionals.

   The book is also going to be really useful for instructors
   who want to improve the rigor and depth of their assignments but aren't sure how to go about it.

5 comments about Carnivora: Druuna.

1. This continues the dream-like story around Druuna, the delectable figure in the cover drawing. She continues to fight her way through an shifting sequence of characters and nightmare settings. Druuna barely stay one step ahead of the shape-changing invasion or infestation of - well, it's never quite clear what.
   
   "Barely" describes her adventures in another way, too. Her outfit, when present at all, consists of a thong and a cropped top barely covering her cantilevered curves. She doesn't hold on to even that little, though. Her sexual encounters, the ones that seemed inevitable from the start, leave her dressed only in her beauty. These encotuners won't suit all tastes, since at least one is quite non-consensual and has some disturbing elements.
   
   But, this was never for kids in the first place. Serpieri's lush drawing carries this story. That's good because the plot certainly doesn't - it jumps and shifts with reasons that never become apparent. Still, Serpieri gives the reader enough to create a story line of a sort, and Druuna's womanly attraction was the real point all along.
   
   -- wiredweird



2. The Druuna books are erotic horror fantasies, it's that simple. Yes, they are unapologetically violent and exploitive towards our main character, Druuna, but if that turns you off, then don't buy the books. What makes Druuna's adventures so lovely to me is that her figure is in now way like a small child, which seems to be all the rage today. Admittedly her proportions are a little . .. how shall I say? Heroic! Yes, that's it. She's an erotic protagonist of heroic proportions. Oh, and the plot is only "so so" as mostly it's a vehicle to put Druuna into even more strange encounters of the naked kind.



3. Serpieri is the best! One of the few erotic comics with taste and artistic sense. And incredibly horny ofcourse. It's a pity that the publisher pushes Serpieri to censorship. It shouldn't have to be incomplete and seperately collected in an uncensored album like druuna X and X2. A little more broadmindedness of the publisher would be nice.



4. This is actually the 4th book of the series, preceded by Morbis Gravis 1 and 2 as well as Creatura. The art is top notch, which is true of each installment. The story is more complex than most comics, never using a tagged "meanwhile" approach to scene changes, favoring a more cinematic method of simply letting the story unfold, and those who trust it and follow along even while things seem contradictory or non-sensical, will be very pleased by the end. The sex is hot and the action is great. A very good buy within the series or as a standalone. A warning to the viewer, however... don't plan of purchasing just one... after owning this book, you'll HAVE to buy the remaining ones. INCREDIBLE!



5. This is the third episode of the saga describing the trips, travails, and tribulations of Druuna, Serpieri's yummy heroine. There are actually two more episodes following Carnivora (Madragora and Aphrodisia) which I bought in the French version. The sci-fi plot is somewhat muddy and the references to AIDS (mutants, etc.) are transparent, but the real attraction is Druuna. She's always in mortal danger but never really afraid. Her healthy libido lets her ride the roughest carnal encounters with little damage and provides her with much pleasure when involved with "normal" humans. It's obvious that Serpieri is focused on showing off her backside, but hey, who's complaining? This is an album to be savored slowly. One will not only enjoy Druuna in her glorious nakedness, but also the rich, complex graphics for which Serpieri has become a BD (French for comics) master.

5 comments about Alphabetica: An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists (Quarry Book).

1. This is not a book for people who don't want to be messy. This is a book about digging into your art supplies and learning what they are for and learning the ones you love to use.
   
   This book is truly wonderful in that it gives examples of top-in-their-field artist examples, shows many different styles of ORIGINAL work, tells the steps the artists used to get there, gives "Try This" ideas to get your wheels turning and finally, gives a small glimpse into the artist's studios and their lists of who inspires them.
   
   This book does assume you have some knowledege of artistic supplies already. It does not give step-by-step instructions on "how to" do a journal page. It does discuss gesso, acrylic paints, dimensional items and so much creativity it is incredible. The "Try This" segments run throughout the book and give easy to find items and outlines for you and your creativity to explore yourself and your own style of work.
   
   Fabulous!



2. This book is FULL of actual artist examples in full color! You couldn't ask for anything better in this form of art. AWESOME!



3. Out of all the books I own, Alphabetica is the most insightful creative book on my shelves...and even though I just received it, I can already tell it will be a book I go to again and again. There is more eye candy than is possible to comprehend in a single sitting - and the ideas put forth by the artists in the book are nothing short of amazing. Ms Perrella had a stroke of genius with this book - and the pure talent she has is showcased beautifully in Alphabetica. The other artists in the book stand on their own, adding to the inspirational factor - each artist produces fascinating work. The interplay between each contributor is awesome - although each work is interesting and makes you want to grab your supplies, the pieces play well together - there is not one single instance where the pieces are competing for the spotlight. There is definitely something to be learned from every page of this great book - whether you are a novice artist, or find yourself further along on the experience ladder. Alphabetica is a book you'll refer to time and again - as much for technique ideas as inspiration. I'm definitely a fan of Ms Perrella's after reading this book - she fills the roll as writer very well, and as artist with raw excellence. This is a must have!



4. This book is loaded with fun and funky ideas for any artist. Some reviewers mentioned that they believe the ideas contained here to be geared more toward altered book artists, but I disagree. Any artist can adapt the principles found in this book to inspire their own work. This book is a go-to resource for me on a regular basis. Love it!



5. This book is well laid-out and easy to follow. The illustrations are exciting and explanatory. This allows me to use a little or a lot of collage in my artwork.