5 comments about Oil Painting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)).

1. I've found much more interesting books out there on oil painting. Yes this one does cover the subject well but for a book on oil painting it may be best to buy it at a store so you can actually get one that fits your painting style.



2. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I felt as though I learned something the minute I opened this book. It is easy to understand and I am very happy with the my results. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is new to oil painting because everything makes sense. It is written so that even a novice like me can come up with a finished project. Love the book. Well worth the money.



3. I am currently working through this book and it is wonderful... a step-by-step guide that is simple, yet advanced.



4. Excellent book; I'd give it 4 stars for traditional oil painting. I'm knocking one star off because there is very little about water soluble oil painting, which is an important topic these days.
   I wish they had included more about water mixable oil painting facts and techniques. One example would be to warn people that you have to settle on one brand since they are not compatible as they are with traditional oil paints. Also, what about explaining about mediums to use? It's not the same as with traditional oil paints. So I have to go through this book ignoring the talk about how to mix with mediums and thus I have to find that information elsewhere, which interrupts the flow of working through this book.
   
   A couple of minor suggestions also:
   Include a checklist of the projects for readers to track their progress.
   The painting on page 15 showing the various stages of the painting process - explain more in detail, pointing out examples on the painting itself, maybe with arrows and circles on the painting explaining the different parts.
   
   I sure wish they would come out with a "Soluble Oil Painting for Dummies" book or incorporate it into this book, especially about how to use water soluble mediums.
   
   But otherwise this is an admirable book. I'm glad they wrote it.



5. I have read through half of the book and, even though I have some experience with oils, am learning something new or different in each section. It is easy reading and is designed to allow you to read each section independently in any order. However, reading it straight through exposes some redundancy - not necessarily a bad thing. The color mixing study, in the end, helps you to understand how to mix colors to create highlighting and shading. But the mixing proportions are not defined clearly enough - so the exercise does not yield accurate results. The author does not explain that the same color in different brands are not truly the same and produce different results. But you get the idea.

5 comments about The Impatient Beader.

1. This book has great ideas for necklace and bracelet designs. The only thing you need to be aware of is this: her list of what you need for each project is not accurate. For example, the grey scale necklace on page 48 calls for 74 pearls. You actually need about 74 for each of the four strings.



2. Almost everything I know about making jewelry I learned from Margot Potter's Impatient Beader book. Seriously. I bought this book because after a winter of being snowed in with nothing to do, I found myself obsessively shopping online auctions and buying piles of pretty beads. I had no idea what to do with them, so I needed to learn--quickly. Margot's book was exactly what I needed. It has excellent visuals (good for the person who is too lazy to read) and truly FUN projects. Most important if you're just learning: The book is set up so that the projects build sequentially in skills and complexity.
   
   Reading the text gives you the impression that Margot is looking over your shoulder (not in a creepy way) giving you good advice and cheering you on in your learning and creative expression. This is also the first craft book I've ever owned that is actually funny.
   
   When I started teaching non-English-speaking, nonliterate refugee women how to make jewelry, this was the first book they wanted to borrow and it's still making the rounds--I haven't seen my copy in months. Margot's work transcends cultures--and language.
   
   I only wish I, too, could get a little cartoon character representation of myself, then my Margot Potter-inspired beading joy would be complete. Buy the book--it will be money well spent!



3. From the cover to the very end, this is definitely a great starter book for the neophyte beader. Margot Potter takes you carefully, step-by-step, in how to use findings and how to attach them to your projects. Not usually shown in other bead primers is the use of a bead board and how to make your own jump rings. The projects are not quite as funky as in Margot's later Impatient Beader books but, after all, she's just preparing you for the uninhibited possibilities in her follow-on books. Her chapters lead you on increasingly more difficult, but still fairly simple, projects that won't serve to discourage a beginner. Get this book first and learn the basics then learn how to go crazy with these basics using Margot's later books.



4. This books is full of really fun projects which I cannot wait to do. However, it's also riddled with typos--especially on the quantity and colors of beads you need so pay attention!!!! I'm working on Mermaid's Bounty and if you follow the instructions, you'll have 120 beads left over.



5. This book is all that it is supposed to be...fun, fast, and funky! Margot Potter has a sparkling personality that shines through in her off the wall designs. She doesn't take herself nor jewelry making too seriously and that is why it is so much fun to read this book. Even if you don't make all the designs in the book you can't help but be inspired by her infectious style. It also helps you to see outside of the jewelry box and think about things that aren't meant for jewelry in a whole new light. Both this book and the follow up books are worth having in your personal library no matter what type of jewelry you like to design. Ms Potter brings a lot of fun to an age-old art and challenges us all to be inspired by the mundane ordinary things around us.

5 comments about Writing Mysteries.

1. I've always had a mystery novel floating around inside my head, so with my husband's encouragement, I thought I'd give it a whirl! Before I start, though, I want to make sure I really know what I'm doing, so I bought this book (no sense in getting a brand new copy if a used copy will do!). I've skimmed through it, and it looks just like what I was hoping for. With the holidays approaching faster than I'd like, I need to wait until the 'dead' of January to start! My first impression is that this book will definitely give me the guidelines I've wanted, and I know Ms. Grafton won't steer me wrong!



2. I used this book as a way to refresh my perspective on a mystery novel after finishing a second draft. I highlighted perhaps a dozen relevant/useful passages in the entire 300-page book. There are a handful of interesting ideas, but the biggest challenge I encountered is that the quality of the advice is entirely dependent on the author of each chapter - so, if what you want to learn about happens to have been written about by an average advice-giver, you're out of luck. For a better treatment - more concise and productive, and of better quality throughout - consider Hallie Ephron's "Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel."



3. I have other books concerning this subject. What I like about this book is that it contains chapters by different authors. There is nothing like hearing advice from the very authors that you enjoy reading so much.



4. Mystery Writing is an art in itself. It requires a lot of planning and preparation in order for the mystery story to work. Planting 'red herrings' and false clues in a story is an art that novice writers will have trouble in achieving with their first attempt. That is the reason why this book is so good -- it brings together the creative geniuses in the field of Mystery writing -- and these writers tell you their secrets to producing mystery. Definitely worth the money.



5. I found the book to a helpful review of everything from the unwritten rules of writing a mystery through the submission process. Personally, I enjoyed having different people present their views. I can see that it might be annoying if you want just one point of view. My advise is to read whatever section you are interested in and skip sections that you do not care about. Good job!

5 comments about Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Serious beginner).

1. firstly I would like to know the great reviews this book got were written by actual users or just few fellow artists who were friends with the author & obliged her.
   
   This book talks abt. everything yet when you finish it you are not a dime wiser. The section on design prinicipals in particular is either lifted from some other book or written by someone else. The contrast in the language is too evident .Besides this it's non effective , you don''t get an applicative understanding . Read stuff on internet that this.
   
   Plus the paintings(done by the author) have a cheapy glaze look to it.
   
   
   I am a beginner I found book by Patricia Seligman a much better book..teaching you in a practical way .
   
   
   
   
   People please write true reviews and it should represent your opinion and not for obliging friends.



2. I liked this book because it gives you lots of ideas to think about as you grow and learn to watercolor paint. However, I didn't feel it was a must-have for my collection. The pictures are beautiful and the ideas are good to remember but if you're really enthusiastic about painting, I think you'll be doing all these things she speaks about anyway. I guess it's a good book to have if you need a reminder once in a while.



3. Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Serious Beginner)
   this is a fantastic book. The information is clear and concise, and the lessons move one along at a good pace. I should mention that the title of this book is a key to understanding it. This book is for the SERIOUS watercolorist. If one wants to really become serious about their water color studies. This is an excellent place to begin.



4. This is a good book to learn a variety of techniques in watercolor painting. This was for my teenage daughter who enjoys watercolor painting, so she can expand her level of techniques. She sat for hours going through the book to learn and study what it had to teach her.



5. Was a welcomed Book in my collection and is extremely helpful in applying new techniques in a new student of watercolor.

3 comments about Draw 50 Cars, Trucks and Motocycles (Draw 50).

1. I was recommended this book from a co-worker. It is great for someone without a big drawing background. Breaks down the drawing step by step. Great for beginners and professionals alike!



2. This book is fine if what you want to draw is older models, but my son was disappointed because he wanted to draw hotrods and the like. I was disappointed because the book's cover should have indicated its contents better.



3. This book takes you line by line through drawing cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Some are relatively simple, others complex. It is not perhaps an excellent way to learn to draw, but it will help you get a feel for drawing. It also has good explanations for the quartered wheel technique of circles. All in all a pretty good buy for the price-if cars, trucks, and motorcycles are what you want to draw.

5 comments about The Birth of Graffiti.

1. The Birth of Graffiti...I will begin by saying that if you have an inner soul of graff...the curiosity of where it was conceived...of how it was back in the day...the day where you werent even thought of...THIS IS THE BOOK THAT SPEAKS TO YOU THROUGH VISION.
   
   I have never seen a book where the images speak to you as strong as they do in this book...but that is maybe because I have a love for NY and its Graff.
   
   I have a GREAT amount of respect for Naar, and I thank him for bringing us these images of art(as we see it). He did not have to give us this gift, but he did. And the best way you can thank him is by purchasing this book AND adding it to your personal collection, as I have.
   
   The photography is amazing...the shots are unique...and you can tell that the subject of the book IS the begginings of graff...where it all lived up to the hype that we are know. I was born in '79 and arrived to the USA in '84...so I never lived the days of which NYC was NYC...where the walls spoke in MANY voices and many ages in many languages. I have caught a glimpse here and there, but never what I have now captured with this BEAUTIFUL book of NYC-a city I love and GRAFF-the form of art I love.
   
   If you really desire to know what it was like back in the day-on the real-how NYC really was...not no postcard propoganda stuff...GET THIS BOOK.
   
   GREAT BOOK...take it from a cat who's introduction to graff was back in '92 seeing all the Kez5-Bruz-MsMaggs-FLone-Ench throw-ups all over Queens...
   
   Get the damn book...you won't regret it.
   
   NAAR...thanks man.



2. this magnificent book speaks to me like no other book on graff, and i have many. aside from a nice introduction, there are no explanations about the photos, nor interviews with the writers, and none are needed. there is such a profound simplicity to these photographs. they expose the beautiful ugliness of urban blight in a sad and delicate light. you want to go there to relive a moment when things were louder, smellier and uglier but that much more innocent.(or so it seemed.) before digital, micro, macro, and the information super highway there was this; innocence, ignorance and bliss. there were no books, magazines or videos about it, there were no websites and rest of the world to share your passion with. there was just you and somewhere out there others like you. whole youthful identitys condensed into an alter ego embellished onto a steel messenger then sent to announce "you were there". unknown in the flesh but known in word and deed. we all spoke and wrote an esoteric language that only a choosen few really understood. to have been there, to have seen it, to have breathed it, ate it, sleeped it, to have known it as it was, not as it is now will remain to me always, a privlidge. how lucky we are that jon naar choose to preserve these precious moments in time as if it truly might mean something one day. i thank you sir. p.s. great review by j.son.



3. Birth of Graffiti could easily have been titled Faith of Graffiti 2. It is basically Faith of Graffiti with added photos from Jon Naar's archives. Some of these photos such as a The Man 550 piece and marker tags on long extinct subway vending machines bring me back to the days before a slew of talking heads with erroneous sociological and psychological theories started writing books explaining our culture. Mr. Naar's photos are striking and capture graffiti in the transitional period between tagging (single hits) and piecing. Many of the writers documented quit before piecing became the fashion , but the emphasis they put on handwriting style is more formidable than the signatures most writers throw up today. I watched this movement from birth to death on the NYC subways and was lucky enough to participate in it. Although not as visually dynamic as the work that came later, this period fascinates me more than any other. I grew up seeing the names featured in Naar's photos, wanting to meet them and follow in their footsteps. We all owe Jon Naar a debt of thanks for preserving the roots of an ever-changing culture. The book is a must have for any old-timers who want to re-live their glory days and neophytes who want to learn who the real pioneers of the culture were.



4. It was thrilling to see such a vivid documentation of early seventies New York and the graffiti of the period. The prints in this book mark an important period of graffiti's history where the building blocks of the craft were being developed for the first time on the walls, buses, and subways of New York City. Graffiti, for the first time became means of expression for a generation of urban youth in New York. The Birth Of Graffiti demonstrates the inception of style which was evolving on the walls of every borough of the city. Today the techniques and traditions pioneered during that period have been passed down through generations of graffiti writers to develop into one of the strongest and most innovative art movements of the last century. Before graffiti was on every brand of clothing, on billboard advertisements, and used for marketing schemes across the world, it appeared on, city buses, subway cars and the gritty brick walls of 1970's New York City. The youth of New York who created this work were the first innovators of this powerful craft which has now evolved into a worldwide art movement. Jon Naar's photography captures many important moments in a period of great change and turmoil for the city of New York.



5. This is a really well done book - the photographs are incredible and the printing is perfect. Unlike many graffiti books, this one is very well laid out and is "arty." A very professional treatment of the rough edges of the first spray can art. If you lived in NYC in the 1970's this book will take you down memory lane. You will pick this book up time and time again.

5 comments about Writing Better Lyrics.

1. A lot of great ideas here. The exercises in the first couple of chapters and the instructions about using a rhyming dictionary and thesaurus were very helpful to me. I find the layout to be a bit confusing. Some times it takes me a little while of reading to try and figure out what he is talking about. (for example one exercise says to write about a "real" object, and then he uses "holding your breath" as an example). I find I have to really work hard to make sure I'm doing the exercises right. I would have also liked a little more in-depth analysis of the songs. Very good book.



2. This book is a gem. Any songwriter who wishes to improve their lyric writing will find techniques and tools which are immediately applicable and which can also be referred to time and time again.
   
   As far as insights and tools to aid your own writing process this book is by far the best I have read.
   
   I have had this book two years now and I still have "aha" moments when I read it today.



3. I'm a serious student of songwriting. This book was recommended to me by a multi-award winning songwriter and I can see why. The exercises and presentation of concepts are extremely valuable. A must-have book.



4. In short, I feel this book is focussed too strong on technique and excercises that require a LOT of time to grasp. It is written for people who have a mission in life to WRITE and have a lot of time on their hands trying to learn and practice. I feel the writer sometimes confuses poetry with lyrics, but coming from a Berklee Professor that is probably fair...



5. If you do, her exercises will help you jump right in with an idea. I agree with someone else who recommended Jimmy Webb's Tunesmith (the best songwriting book I've read) but this is my second favorite- very practical, very creative.

1 comments about The Fourth Garfield Fat Cat Three Pack.

1. I have never been a big Garfield fan (Walt Kelly is more my style), but my seven year old found a "Fat Cat Three Pack" at a used bookstore and got hooked so we have been buying them at Amazon. The humor is acceptably challenging for a 7 year old, and my son, being more visually and artistically inclined than I am, has managed to show me that the strip does have fairly creative sight gags and design. I notice it more in the fat cat three packs than in the newspaper.
   
   These books are great when you have a couple-hour car drive. I try to keep a couple in reserve for that purpose. Big format, font, and simple graphics means they can be read in the car without too much fatigue, and it keeps a seven year old (and 13 year old in a pinch) entertained.

5 comments about Watercolor: For the Artistically Undiscovered (Klutz).

1. I bought this for my niece as a Christmas gift. She really enjoyed it!



2. Watercolor for the Artistically Undiscovered has been a fun workbook for our whole family. My daughter received one for a gift and it was so entertaining we had to order two more so everyone could sit and do it together. The book's layout is in page by page exercises that might inspire further fun and thinking, as well as build on each other to create a more versatile way of looking at painting. In my opinion, the most fun part is being able to paint in a book and even cut out parts and glue them elsewhere. Kids have a chance to breakout from the usual parental mantra of "Be sure not to write in the book, watch out with the paint...". The pages are very sturdy and good quality and the author's sense of humour is wonderful. I have my very own copy to play in, which is sometimes just the thing to inspire me in my own work. And well, there is something about turning squiggles into bugs....



3. This is a great place to start. The paints and paper provided are 1st class quality allowing serious exploration, and the excerises are fun. Add a few more colors - dark green and light blue- and a extra, nicer brush, and there is no better way to start



4. I am extremely intimidated by painting, so I took baby steps and bought this book. It comes with some beautiful watercolors that are rich and color--and a brush as well.

   They start you off with painting some small pictures, even blobs if you are comfortable with it, and you will be amazed to see how much your lil paintings look like paintings instead of a piece of crap (which is what i expected---can i say crap?) anyway, they give you pages where you can "play" and you don't start color mixing and other frightening things until later.

   Later on, you do landscapes and play around with some light and shadow. Its like the fisher price version of learning to paint!! Sometimes, my pictures blended in with their little pictures along the way, which made me happy. They just turn something very scary, into something a lil more easy.

   If you run out of paints or brushes, or you want some more paper, there's a phone number in the back you can call to order some more!! I love klutz products, cause I am one!! Highly recommended!!




5. This fun, whimsical book takes the mystery and frustration out of painting with watercolors. Learn watercolor basics by following the book's simple instructions and then practicing alongside on its watercolor-paper pages. Witty sidebar commentator Thatcher Hurd adds humor to an otherwise indimidating process. Discover what makes you the best painter you know--paint this book and unmask your watercolor painting personality

5 comments about World Of Warcraft: The Art Of The Trading Card Game (World of Warcraft).

1. I am another person who bought this book who doesn't even play Warcraft but is just a lover of Fantasy art. I've always loved the Warcraft universe, which seemed like an expansion of/variation on the fantasy universe first created by Tolkien.
   
   When I got this book I was surprised by just what a hefty volume this is. This is a very thick book printed on the finest quality heavy-duty stock.
   
   Not only did this book live up to my expectations, but I found that the great variety of styles and artists included has also helped me to clarify my own tastes in Fantasy art, and has even introduced me to some great new artists I had never heard of before.
   
   The spectrum includes everything from the breathtaking photo-like hyper-realism of Clint Langely (check out his great new solo book "The Art of Clint Langely" by the way!), to the brilliant use of colour in the works of Jim Murray (very Bisley-esque) and Michael Komarck, to well-established artists like Todd McFarlane (--why are both of the pieces credited to him signed as "Greg Capullo"???) and Udon Studios, to the cartoony cuteness of the works of the book's editor Samwise Didier (sorry Samwise, but just gotta say YECH~!)
   
   It was also interesting observing the differences in the variety of mediums used (--I found I preferred good ol' non-digital art.) And a few pieces of preliminary sketches are also included to give us a brief taste of the process from concept to finished work (In some cases I found I liked the initial sketch better than the finished product. Samwise Didier, you ninny, what were you thinking? [...])
   
   The book is organized into sections according to Warhammer race of the subject of the painting. And in the back it also includes indexes of the works by title and by artist, making it easy to look up other works by an artist you may find you particularly like.
   
   I am happy to highly recommend this book, and look forward to further volumes in this series (this book says "Volume 1" on it, hooboy!). I really feel like I got my money's worth with this one. Well done people!
   
   And to all you publishers out there, I hope that other series of trading card art will be made into beautiful art books like this. (--Hear that Wizards of the Coast?) It's such a waste just having it on those tiny little cards. It deserves to be enjoyed properly like this!
   
   And to you people over at Blizzard, how about some art books for Diablo and Starcraft too? I love them too!



2. I bought this as a gift. The person who received it just loves the book. He really enjoy the art work. So if you need a gift for someone who plays world of warcraft I'd recommend it as a good gift.



3. This is a wonderful book, and any fan of fantasy art, or Warcraft, would absolutely love it, I've had it for over a month, and i still open it up and just stare at some of the wonderful artwork. Just buy it, you won't be disappointed.



4. I am not a World of Warcraft gamer, but the beautiful art in this book drew me to it the moment I saw it on the shelf in my local book store. This book is filled with page after page of gorgeous renditions of highly stylized creatures and monsters that entrance the viewer. Discovering some of these artists for the first time was a treat for me, so much so, that I had to go online to find out more about some of them. This is a wonderful book with some great art in it. I highly recommend it for both WoW gamers and non-gamers alike!



5. I was looking for the perfect book to display the beautiful works of art I had seen in the world of warcraft franchise. This book certainly delivered. There is nothing low quality about this book. It included many of the pictures I'd already seen on the internet and many beautiful paintings I had never seen before. I'll let each buyer see for themselves, but the book is organized in a very simple and interesting way. It is so full of paintings, even after a month, I can look through and find a painting I'd never noticed before, and as an amateur artist, I find plenty of inspiration. A valuable book for any fan of warcraft or fan of fantasy art.