No comments about Watercolor Lesson-a-Day: 2009 Day-to-Day Calendar.

5 comments about Painting with Brenda Harris, Volume 3 - Lovely Landscapes: 10 Step-by-Step Projects (Painting With Brenda Harris).

1. Brenda Harris has some beautiful paintings in this book of art. I like to browse great books like this to come up with my own ideas of things to paint. She does a wonderful job of explaining how she creates her beautiful paintings! Enjoyed this book, and this is one I will not sell, this is a keeper!



2. This is an actual step-by-step book! Tells you paint required, the combination required to make other colours, the brushes required and a template of the actual painting for your own use. Wish I had found this a long time ago. This is a great book for beginners or anyone trying to improve on their painting skills. The only thing I have not yet sorted out is to find other mediums that match the mediums Brenda uses (Whiteblend, Clearblend and Slowblend). I am satisfied.



3. I am an artist who paints in Acrylics and I teach others to do so. I am always looking for ideas and techniques to teach my students. Brenda Harris had a television painting show in the 80's/90's, but I never got to see it as it did not play in my area. I did meet Brenda at a painting convention and got to take some classes from her. She is a wonderful teacher and painter. I have bought most of her books and some of her videos and I use her methods of painting in my work. My students like it when I paint something from Brenda's books. She is one of the few artists left who actually encourages teachers to teach from her books. I like that about her, and will continue to purchase her books and videos because of this generosity. You will not be disappointed if you purchase any of Brenda's books or videos. She's a gracious "southern lady".



4. I enjoy working with her books. She explains everything out. Good for people just starting to paint, learning alot of the techniques.
   Great job !!!!!!



5. Outstanding acrylic instruction.It's too bad my public TV station in Little Rock doesn't broadcast the Brenda Harris shows.

5 comments about Painter's Handbook: Revised and Expanded.

1. Very Good Book! There's no complete informations like Ralph Mayer, but is very simple and atualized in some topics like acrylic grounds and alkyd resins.



2. I do know how I would rate the items I ordered for my son that works in New York City, He makes a wish list of several items he would and etc.
   I have been doing this for several years and I love it as I would never know what to send him, other then Gift Cards. That's ok for some people but he lives away from home and I can choose anything I want and I know he will like the gifts I buy. He greceived gifts htat are wrapped by his Mother and Dad and he never knows what I pick out and send.. I do put other gifts like cookies, home made candy and some other surprises. Over all I would rate every thing I order and makes it so easy for me. A 5.



3. The Painter's Handbook is without doubt to artists' painting materials. Gottsegen's knowledge and expertise in the field allow for an in-depth understanding of the tools of the fine artist, and his book dispels so many of the myths surrounding art materials that have been perpetuated in other resources.
   -Mark Golden, CEO, Golden Artist Colors, Inc.



4. My painting instructor reccomended this book. If you're serious about art, you might want to get this...It's a handy reference to materials (frames,grounds,paints,solvents), techniques and safety/protection...It's also easy to follow, well researched and comprehensive. The 4 stars is because there is some outdated information...e.g. Gottsegen explains how to make oil paints...But given the health risks (of working w/ dry pigments), difficulty and time required in this process, it really isn't feasible.



5. I recommend this book enthusiastically to my students as a concise, clear, easy-to-use and thorough reference on painting materials, especially oil painting (though it does cover other painting media). There hasn't been a technical question about materials that it hasn't answered for me, and the information provided has also led me to experiment with new materials. It is not a "how-to" book on painting and there are no pictures or anecdotes, but it is oriented towards serious students and professionals. For me, "The Joy of Cooking" of painting -- wouldn't be without it.

3 comments about Paint Like Monet (Masterclass).

1. This book offers a nice review of Monet's painting methods, though it suffers along with other art books with chapters explaining what is an easel, what is a paintbrush, etc. I suppose if one had never seen any art materials before it would be just the thing, but for most people this is just unnecessary filler. The demonstrations might be great in real life, but the end result, as portrayed in the book anyway, give the impression (no pun intended) of a poorly painted reproduction. If the finished works were of higher quality it might inspire more people to try their hand at a Monet copy; right now it seems to say "Paint this picture this way and you will end up with a picture apparently done by a five-year old". Despite all this, though, here are interesting insights into tone and color as well as technique, so that it makes nice reading for a rainy afternnoon, but I'm not sure I would buy it again.
   B.O.



2. I think background color of The Regatta at Argenteuil was made of cobalt blue and white instead of ultramarine and white as the book suggested.
   
   Anyway, the overall content is okay.



3. A fantastic book for gaining insight into Monet's painting methods. As an art historian, I've spent years learning the academic facts about the Impressionists, but never picked up a brush until a few years ago. If you're like me, you don't really expect to paint exactly like Monet, but this book just walks you through a number of the artist's better-known works and guides you to create a painting exploring the key techniques. If you do all the exercises in the book, you will certainly gain an enhanced appreciation of painting with color and light. I wish my art history professors had offered us an afternoon with brush and canvas instead of just slides and books. This book would be invaluable for teachers, and it would also make a great gift for anyone interested in learning more about the process of making art.

3 comments about Painting Landscapes Filled With Light.

1. I have many how to paint books and Dorothy Dent's are my favorite. This book includes 5 lessons in acrylic and 5 lessons in oils and her step-by-step instructions are very clear and easy to follow. She also includes exact colors to use which would be helpful to the beginner artist. I have recreated all of her pictures with surprising success. She also includes templates you can enlarge to transfer the image to your canvas. I would highly recommend this book and her other acrylic "Realistic Landscapes" step-by-step book.



2. Dorothy Dent's Painting Landscapes Filled With Light provides ten step-by-step projects for both beginners and advanced painters who want to paint light-filled landscapes depicting different seasons and times. Color values are surveyed in landscape projects which show how to capture sunsets and sunrises, autumn foliage, moonshine on water, and more. More than just an exercise book, each project includes diagrams showing light direction and color tonal values and a commentary on how experts fine-tune paintings such professional finishing touches.



3. Another excellent book from Dorothy Dent. From the beginner to the seasoned painter there is something for everyone to learn in this book. Her explanations of light are easy to understand and follow. Recommend highly.

No comments about Mary Heilmann: To Be Someone.

2 comments about Artist's Digital Photo Reference - Landscapes.

1. This book/photo media is perfect to create oil paintings. Included in this book is a handful (various media) demonstration as well. The ability to use these files as detail reference is wonderful.
   
   I send the files to be printed to scale of my painting by sending a quick photo file to Walmart or where ever and printing LARGER. Therefore my source material and canvas are the same dimensions. This helps me proportionally and allows me to PAINT... and tinker with moods, details, and color palette.
   
   WOW, this is a great tool for many types of artists.
   
   And then I tuck the source photo behind the canvas itself so that at a later date, I can always review my interpretation of the scene.
   
   WOW, a great tool.
   I have been able to focus on my craft...



2. The CD that comes with this book is great. It has lots of hi-res photos, organized by category. I was less impressed with the example projects in the book. Load these photos into Photoshop, and go crazy!

No comments about Painting People: Figure Painting Today.

5 comments about Best of the Joy of Painting.

1. I was so looking forward to this book. I wanted to follow the step by step instructions and to hopefully improve my technique.
   
   These Joy of Painting books are ridiculous. The idea is fantastic, follow step-by-step instructions.
   
   All the instructions are in black and white!!! You can't even figure out what they're trying to show because the photos are tiny and a bit blurry.
   
   Whomever decided to print these in black and white wasn't too bright.
   
   It's a waste of money. Instead invest in "Oils: Step by Step Art School" by Patricia Seligman.
   It gives really good, important, clear and concise information and instruction for beginners.



2. The idea behind Ross' concept of wet painting may be intriguing, but, as this book shows, the results cannot match any seriously crafted oil painting. The paintings all look the same and have the same faded 80ies style. I would not even recommend this book (or style of painting) to novices as it would spoil your technique and hinder you in developing your own style. This is not instant art. It`s instant trash. Sorry. And yes I have bought this book and am allowed to review it.



3. Even if you never picked up a brush. Or didn't know how to read. Anyone could get an idea from this book. Maybe it's boring to others. Maybe because he does everthing step by step. So that you can make your own creations. I have never used oils in my life. But I wanted to learn. My Grandmother was a great artist. But when she could teach me, I was to young. When I was old enough, she passed away. I hope she can look down and see. I really did enjoy what she made. Now, I can make something beautiful too. I bought this and the red cover book. Super



4. Good old Bob Ross! I used to watch his series in high school and his shows were great. This book conveys their tone and has the added bonus of giving us his finished landscapes to look at as long as we want. I got this book so I could see the paintings, but under his step by step instruction I've also tried my hand at creating my own---and making art this nice isn't as easy as Bob makes it look! Whether you want to use this as a how-to guide for your own time in front of a canvas, or you simply like Bob Ross' artwork, this is a friendly visit with everyone's favorite PBS guru of oil painting.



5. I actually purchased this book as a gift. The comments I received were: Good book but, not much variety in details of paintings.

5 comments about Vintage Furniture Painting.

1. Great artist and wonderful instructions. Customer service is great too! She is prompt at answering questions and I love this book. Flynn Gentry-Taylor



2. As an artist, I'm continually searching for fresh, new, inspiration and information. This book presents page after page of beautiful painting ideas and instructions. I was very pleased with the information provided- start to finish, with each project. The beautiful worksheets covering layout ideas, borders, and artwork illustrations were extremly helpful. I have been painting with the one-stroke technique for years and now have a new avenue to explore. This book would be of great value to a longtime painter like myself or someone ready to try furniture or home accessory painting for the first time. I have paid far more for many books that had much less to offer. A great value!



3. As a small antiques and collectibles dealer, I have had the opportunity to purchase hand painted furniture and gift items from Karen Petrus Williams for the last twelve years. I knew she had a book coming out and was expecting great things. WOW!! She exceeded even my expectations. I have purchased books to display with her work in the shop. This review is to encourage other artists to follow her techniques. There is a market out there. Grandma's Keepers Katy, Texas



4. Ok, so I wrote it- this is Karen and I want you all to know I did my best to put everything I look for in a painting book- in this book. As an artist I am very visual so there are design ideas, adaptable patterns, and step by step instruction to turn your simple brush strokes into your own beautiful designs. And all the designs can be used on multiple surfaces- not just furniture.
   My purpose in writing this book was to give you the tools, the information, and the tricks of the trade I have learned for the past 15 years to create your own pieces and enjoy doing it! I did my best and I hope you learn and enjoy the wonder of paint and design transformations.
   And yes I did give it a 4 because I think its good but you always want it to be a little better. If you are an artist you always see where you could make improvements. Maybe on my next book. Thank you for your time and to all who helped me and encouraged me on this project. I truly hope you enjoy this book- but mostly I hope you learn from it.



5. I'm not artistically inclined, but think that after reading this book, I might actually be able to transform one of my old pieces of furniture into something quite nice! The photos and instructions are well thought out. There are patterns to enlarge and follow, too. Pretty much everything you need but paint and brushes is in the book. I'm going to give it a try. I've been inspired! There are 'workbook' pages for vines and roses and so on, so I think I'll practice some of the easier looking ones and then jump right in and paint my furniture and see what happens. Wish me luck!