2 comments about The Methodologies Of Art: An Introduction.

1. Excellent introduction to the various approaches to writing about art. She discusses Freudian art criticism, feminist art history, semiotics, biography and autobiography, among other topics, in a clear and cogent style.



2. correction to your listing. Laurie Adams is NOT the editor of Methodologies, she is the author. Delete (editor) from your listing.

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 Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques: Fifth Edition, Revised and Updated (Artists' Handbook of Materials and Techniques).

1. I had this book in the 1980's. Some significant changes on grounds like masonite so it is best to revisit what you thought you knew. But still an excellent resource.



2. The book was useful, but it was a real hard slog to read it all; unlike other books on this subject.
   
   Probably the biggest problems I had with was that many of the materials mentioned... I had no idea what they were because they are called something different in the US, plus many other newer materials weren't mentioned. The book was quite dated, and it made me wish I'd sprung a few extra dollars to get the 5th edition.
   
   But still, this book (perhaps the 5th edition rather than the 4th) IS essential reading for any serious oil painter. (If you can understand all the very technical and long-winded information!)
   
   I wasn't taught MOST of the technical information on oil paints at all at art school! It is great to have a bit of information on how to make your paintings last for many years. (I hate the thought of putting all that work in only for them to warp or crumble or peel in time!)
   
   This book is not suitable however for beginners or amateurs who only want to know the basics about materials and so on. (This is a difficult read and very technical, in my opinion.)
   
   A great book that does that is Encyclopedia of Oil Painting Techniques by Jeremy Galton which is suitable for beginners and serious painters alike (and has a LOT of pictures in it as compared to this book which is all TEXT!).



3. Essential for teachers and anyone wanting to know those hard to answer technical questions. It is the Bible for painting materials and other archival mediums and techniques.
   The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques: Fifth Edition, Revised and Updated (Artists' Handbook of Materials and Techniques)



4. If you are searching for a book that will explain materials and tools for the artist this is the first book you should turn to. I have been referencing this book for a decade now and still have a lot to learn from Ralph Mayer, a man who spent his life investigating various techniques of painting.
   
   If you open this book up, you will come across just about any question you might have. For instance, I recently used Mayer for egg tempra painting. In his book he has a few pages regarding the subject, not many, but enough to fully explain the basics and get you started properly. He covers brushes, pigments, paints, from the obscure to the most basic.
   
   One section of the book that I am keenly interested in is his break down of a massive number of pigments where he goes into more detail on each than any other source I have come across.
   
   This is not exactly a how to paint or draw book. This book is intended for those who want to make a serious study of process practices in the correct manner for archival purposes. This is a must have book that should be in any painters studio.
   
   One last item of note: If you have used this book before and found it of interest, I highly suggest that the next time you are around New Haven CT that you visit the Yale 'Ralph Mayer' center. Yale itself has many museums and buildings worth visiting and the Mayer center is just one small highlight. Its staff was very kind when I visited. When I showed an interest in Mayer, they were eager to share some of the more interesting aspects of the collection.



5. While I don't work in oils, the coverage of oils seemed exceptionally deep. Material on pigments also was relevant to watercolor (something in which I dabble) and pastels (one of my major areas). I was disappointed not to find any real discussion of charcoal, graphite, or colored pencils. It would have been nice to get a slight discussion of materials not "professional", such as wax crayons.

5 comments about How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself: Experimental Techniques for Achieving Realistic Effects.

1. The artist creates visual stories of color and light in such a delightful manner. It leads one to experiment how to try her way of painting with watercolor. Especially helpful is her use of masking gum.



2. This book contains a lot of great techniques for making your watercolors seem more natural and alive. I found the instructions clear and the illustrations helpful. The author knows how to address an audience ranging from beginners to experienced painters (I'm a beginner) and I was motivated to start trying them right away!



3. Book purchased to present to our watercolor instructor at the end of our session. It has so many different techniques, and really lovely examples. At least two members of the class have ordered the book after examing this one. She plans to incorporate some of the unusual techniques in the next session she leads.



4. Book has many different techniques.
   Really gives many of her secrets away.You won't be disappointed! A Must for your library.Well written and easy to understand.



5. My quest for an informative and stimulating book on watercolor has been a sucess! One of the best investments you will ever make if you are looking for inspiration and instruction of methods to make your paintings come to life. Good luck in all YOUR quests!

5 comments about The New Munsell Student Color Set.

1. I got the first edition for a great price. it is not very different from the 2nd edition. The colour charts are exactly the same as in the second edition. There is one chart for hue, value and chroma and 10 charts for each colour. The text contents are quite technical. There aren't many pretty pictures. 3 ring binder has colour chips, colour charts and the text.



2. This is an excellent book for the artist wanting to understand color. It's not a mixing guide though, it's about learning to see and identify the properties of color.



3. This edition has been revised and improved. See 2001 edition.



4. if you are a beginning artist, an aspiring designer or just someone fascinated with color, then this is a great publication to train yourself in the many nuances of color vision.

   the format is a small black three-ring binder of 13 white card pages, and 13 small plastic baggies of dull finish color chips, somewhat smaller than postage stamps. each page presents an empty grid of color (light to dark down the page, and dull to brilliant across it) that you must fill in manually by placing each chip in its assigned position. there are no codes or color names printed on the back of the color chips to help you along, but there is an introductory page explaining the basic concepts of hue, chroma (saturation) and value, the three basic attributes of color.

   accompanying the binder is a staple bound color primer by joy turner luke. although the production values are pretty modest, this is one of the best overviews of color i have read anywhere, particularly for artists and designers. luke gets into the history of color research, the basics of color vision, the details of color mixing (she has some sobering critical thoughts about the many commerical "artist's color wheels" on the market today), color design and more.

   the color chips are fussy to work with; they are delivered unattached to the card pages so that you can sort and rearrange them in various color tests or color demonstrations, but it's easy to mix them up. i found it most convenient to glue them into place, so that they wouldn't get lost and were ready for quick reference. that tedious exercise apart, this is a very instructive introductory resource for young adults and color students of any age.




5. This is a great teaching tool for students and professionals. As a student worker for a professor in my Textile and Apparel program at The University of Northern Iowa, I completed the color set and now want one of my own. It helps expand the understanding of hue, chroma, value, and richness

5 comments about 9 Heads: A Guide to Drawing Fashion (3rd Edition).

1. At first i didnt want to pay the price without getting a good look inside, but when i traveled to Europe the fashion school I went to had several copies and I ordered it at once. Definitely worth the money!! Has everything you need for fashion drawing. either for beginners or advanced artists.



2. I took an illustration class and we used a different book and felt that my illustrations were still horrible, even after the class. I saw this book was being used for the next illustration class and looked at my friend's book and decided to get it. Upon receiving this book, I started really sketching and I got a lot of compliments on my new sketches! This is a great instructional book!



3. i could honestly say i have a ton of books and as a fashion designer this is the best book out there.. it will teach you step by step and the best thing to do is to get colors for modern fashion. You have both of these you are set. I had Nancy R. as a teacher and shes the best! the money is worth it !! it will be your fashion bible! :)



4. I can't explain what a great help this book has been for my studies. It is very indepth and the steps to creating the croqui are excellent. I am a first year fashion design student with very limited skills in drawing and this book has helped me improve in my class by leaps and bounds in just a short span of time. A must for all Fashion Illustrators.



5. This book is a must have for anyone who is seriosly into Fashion Illustration. I do some of my teaching with it, and students go crazy over the simplicity of the explanations.

5 comments about The Critique Handbook.

1. Way Cool! Proud to boast about this great project! Kendall Buster and Paula Crawford have tackled a very difficult and taboo subject with wit and wisdon, keen insight and thoughtfulness that transforms the culture of studio art education into a clear discussion of the artistry of creative presentation and all of the thinking, doing, and planning that support it. The authors unravel a mystery for art students to ingest that can only have positive impact on their the work. Artists who are eager for depth, breadth, and better ability to plan and present their ideas to others - this is a must read! The content is completely applicable to all art discipline areas. From painting to sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, design, photography - it cuts across all areas of the visual arts and binds the conceptual with the end product in an engaging discussion of the ways and means of creative evidence, philosophy, and discussion. An excellent required and affordable text for studio classes across the board! Harold Linton, Chair Art & Visual Technology, George Mason University.



2. I am an adjunct photography professor at a private college. This book was used as a text for a joint workshop on The Critique for the art department of our school and another local college. Given the complexity of the subject matter, this book does a good job of covering the basics of an art school critique. I particularly appreciated the discussion regarding the role of faculty and the personal baggage we sometimes forget we can bring to the party. It's impossible to cover all the possible permutations of The Critique, but this book does a fine job of highlighting the peculiarities of several art disciplines and the details that should be addressed. It gives you a springboard to make the conversion even if your discipline isn't specifically covered.
   
   If you teach art or hold critiques in your class, I believe you will find this book very helpful.
   
   My only quibble is the type size for my aging eyes. Don't be fooled by the physical size of this book. It may be compact but it makes up for it with density.



3. This is a well-written, insightful and important manual that every professor, teacher, curator, gallery owner, student and professional artist should have on their bookshelf. It IS extremely expensive, but worth every single dime. There is a million bucks worth of info between its covers! Run and place your order...I'm glad I did!



4. This book is very specific about how to conduct a critique and how to survive one without becoming emotionally involved. Although it only discusses the traditional fine arts,i.e. painting and sculpture, the techniques involved can be easily adapted to othere less trasditional forms of art, i.e. fiber art or photography. A very good book.



5. What a fantastic idea! How is it that something as essential and ubiquitous as the studio critique had not been examined in this way before? This book takes on the task brilliantly. "The Critique Handbook" is a wonderful mixture of how-to manual, theoretical analysis, irreverent debunker and basic gameplan. The authors' analysis of how to make the best use of the critique applies both to those giving the critique as well as to those receiving them. While students will find the book quite useful in learning how to negotiate the critique and find the best uses for the information presented to them there, professors and other professionals will also find much to think about in the authors' analysis of what makes a critique helpful and harmful. And, delightfully, the authors are not afraid to take on the sacred cows of the profession. Any art professor will appreciate the witty and deadly portraits of their colleagues sketched by Buster and Crawford in their analysis of the types that can be found in the artist's studio.

5 comments about Color Index 2: Over 1500 New Color Combinations. For Print and Web Media. CMYK and RGB Formulas..

1. After working in newspaper/magazine graphic design for nearly 18 years, I was pretty much coasting on complacency and one gigantic mess of a color pallette that I used at work and at home until I finally picked up both of these Color Indexes (the first one as part of the The Designers Complete Index (Boxed Set) ), which finally broke the monotony, expecially on recent freelance gigs (to which I've returned after a time) where I wowed 'em with the kinds of color combos I USED to create off the top of my head, but before I fell into a rut when I realized just how undiscriminating a lot of clients really are. All of Krausse's "Index" books are essential for the beginner AND the jaded veteran, but the color books are crucial in an era of tight deadlines and mass competition from every flapjack with a home computer and a paint program who suddenly decides graphic design is easy. I hope Color Index 2 will one be day added to the box set as well, right alongside it's predecessor. These books are life-savers, and should be recommended products for anyone seriously considering a career in this field, not to mention those fearing they've been in it too long! ;)



2. This product is a jewel for all designers alike. It eliminates all some time in the theory period of designing and allows you to work.



3. I thought the book was a little whacked until I realized my monitor was out of calibration. I used the Eye-One Display 2 Monitor Calibrator to calibrate my monitor and now I am getting colors that are VERY close to the book.
   
   There isn't much to say about it except that is it very easy to use, very intuitive, and will have you making better color choices without having to learn one single thing about color theory. You can be completely color-theory illiterate and still make great choices using this book.
   
   In fact, you could be writing hex code for html on a monochrome monitor, while using this book, and still get it right!
   
   The book is split up into sections based on color. "Combination of blue hues" is the first section cluster. Within that section is "Blues + neighboring hues", "Blues + opposing hues", "Blues + neutral hues", and "Blues + black and tints of black." These section clusters continue for Reds, Violets, Orange, Yellow, and Greens. At the end you will find "Mixed combinations of Saturated Hues", "Mixed Combinations of Semi-muted Hues", "Mixed Combination of Neutrals and Muted Hues", Mixed Combination of Neutrals and Saturated Hues."
   
   I highly recommend this book, just be sure that your monitor is calibrated before you start complaining about the book's color numbers being wrong (like I initially did.)



4. This book is really helpful when you're stuck using the same color palettes over and over. His first book was good too, but this one is grouped by colors instead of being so random. It's a small book and great to have near computer for when you need a creative boost.



5. this book is FULL of color combinations to the point it may be borderline overwhelming. the CMYK formulas are extremely helpful and is a handy small book to jog your inspiration. the side of the book shows what colors are where so you can easily turn to the section of the book you need and flip along. if you do lots of graphic design, this is great to have within arms reach

5 comments about Fashion Artist (Fashion Design Series).

1. I wore holes in piles of paper trying to work up to the basic points so magnificently outlined in this book! It's like having an art teacher with you (without the snide remarks) to bring your abilities to the top.
   
   If you are planning on studying fashion, or just doing it for fun, you need this book.
   
   Highly recommended!



2. This book is a great start for beginners who want to work in the fashion industry or for those who consider fashion designing a hobby and want to improve on their illustration skills, like myself. Burke starts with the basics, like learning how to draw the female figure in different poses and drawing some examples of clothes, but she also touches upon fabric rendering and ideas on how to make a presentation. There's even a section on designing for men, childeren, and costumes. Overall a very informative, clear and consise book to get started and to encourage and inspire amateurs to want to learn more.



3. I haven't really had a chance to play a lot with this book since I got it a month ago, but so far, I like it. There are very colorful designs, croquis', and many illustrations. It seems like it gives a lot of information in a short amount of time.



4. I'm wanting to become a fashion designer and i bought this book and i was amazed. it really teaches you how to draw fashion models (and people in general) in all different poses. it shows you so many different poses both with an actual person modeling the pose and then a block figure showing you how to draw it. after the structure is learned, it teaches you in a really easy way how to flesh it out, and then how to draw the clothes and how the clothes are supposed to look at folds and creases. if you like this book, i recommend Draw Fashion Models! by Lee Hammond, a great book that goes in depth into more poses and how you should draw the clothes and how they look when the arms are raised, when you're leaning on one hip, etc.
   
   i really recommend buying this amazing book, it's straightforward and very helpful!



5. I bought this book for my 16 yr old daughter who is an aspiring fashion designer. To get into design school & possibly qualify for a scholarship, she must prepare a portfolio. She expressed concern that her sketching skills would look amateurish so she asked for a book to help her.
   
   This book shows in picture and text detail the supplies needed to do a project & an easy format to follow. She loved it and was so excited to have a guide to help her. This book not only helps in this regard, but has several sections that gives pointers on design elements and much more pertinent information.
   
   If you or someone you know is an aspiring fashion designer, do not hesitate to get this book. It will be a valuable tool that will be put t good use.

5 comments about Grammatically Correct.

1. I wish I had read Grammatically Correct years ago. It is an excellent resource. L.Scott Boise, Idaho 8-9-2008



2. First, my hardback version came poorly bound and the pages are likely to begin falling out soon. Second, the book indeed presents some good grammar rules, but it is rather simplistic overall (i.e., 8th grade like), so do not expect anything too great or cool grammar constructions to impress your peers. Lastly, I found several grammar problems in the text itself (e.g., on page 90 it states "These [should be there] is essentially no difference in meaning between these pairs of sentences"), which is quite shocking for a grammar book!



3. I have wanted to replace these books. I think they are essential in helping you write any and everything.



4. This product will be of assistance to anyone who is writing articles,books or even just business letters. It has been a great help to me.



5. The 3 books I've recently purchased via Amazon are far too old. I feel taken advantage of. Henceforth, I shall be buying books on line only from sellers who furnish the copyright & latest revision dates.