5 comments about Bouguereau.

1. I bought this book in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where we were able to see some of the originals. They're compelling and just draw you in! This book allowed me to bring the paintings home, and study them. It's easy to read, and goes into detail explaining not only about Bouguereau, but also explains a lot of the detail and symbolism that he used in his paintings. So now I can enjoy them on a whole new level. I'm not a big art buff, but I know I'm drawn to his paintings, this was just a perfect book to cut my teeth on, and help to develop a better understanding of some very famous paintings. Buy the book. You won't regret it!



2. Yes the reproductions are great and deserve full stars yet there is much fault with Wissman's ignorant statement that Bouguereau did not use (paint from) photographs. This comment potentially questions the creadability of what otherwise would have seemed to be a very good analysis. For alternative comments, see "W.B" - Montreal Museum's '84 publication for a traveling show. It offers more "behind scenes" info. about the production of his work and their authors more credibly state, he "actively collected photographs" but "he almost never worked from photos" which is still an understatement. Included are photos of him in his studio painting and with another photo of Mich's. Pieta in background. I found a used copy here on Amazon, ISBN 2-89192-047-3 Mr. B. was a transitional figure in art history, caught between early 19th C. "tail end" classical art and late 19th C. art when photorealism began rearing its evil head, destroying classical art and bringing this "ism" to a point of extreme today. It is impossible to determine what extent he used them, yet it is clearly evident to a more trained eye, that he used photos, particularly with some of the complex children/cherubs he incorporated. This occasionally created a quality which, no doubt, helped to inspire criticism (noted in Wissman's bk)regarding the overly polished, sometimes cut-out and outlined aspects of some of his figures. He was able to get away with it for the most part because he had a more proper training as a student prior to exposure to photos. (I myself am a painter/sculptor studying classical art - I admire B. greatly yet to say he was a purest would be false since he clearly had an opportunist streak about him as many others did, and to a certain extent I can't blame him. But he helped to start a terrible trend which has turned classical painting and sculpture into a virtually lost art).



3. The art of Bouguereau is stunning. It stirs a beauty from deep within us that blooms in recognition of a beauty made visible by the stroke of his brush. So full and intoxicated with passion, his work seems an extension of gratitude for life itself. Through the canvas of this fine French Academic Artist, we witness how love is truly more persistent than time.
   
   I am so taken by the art; I have yet to read what Wissman has written about his life. I think his art speaks with such clarity; he must have been a man with a great capacity to fully embrace the nature of the life he was given.



4. Adolphe-William Bouguereau (1825-1905) is in many ways the French equivalent of the British Victorian class of figurative painters - Lawrence Alma Tadema, Lord Leighton, JW Waterhouse - and had he lived in England rather than in the Impressionist laden France, he would be much better known today. Not that Bouguereau is unfamiliar to collectors and museums: in his time his portraits and luxurious paintings of shepherdesses and mythological creatures in a world of eternal beauty were popular and were added to important collections. It is only now with the new respect for the figure in painting that his name is becoming more recognizable.
   
   Fronia E. Wissman has written a concise and illuminating text for this monograph and her style of exposition matches her subject. The book is filled with magnificent illustrations of Bouguereau's paintings with details and full-scale works allowed the prestige of excellent color reproductions. This is a fine monograph and one that belongs in the libraries of collectors and art historians who remain fascinated with the fin de siècle schools of painting. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 05



5. Wissman did a great job providing a fair and balanced view of French painter Bouguereau's career. And it's a good thing too! Everything else related to the artist is either out of print or a flimsy postcard book. How could this be? Well, the unfortunate stereotype of Bougeureau buffs is that they "don't know much about art but know what they like." It may be that many editors assume that if you like Bougeureau's paintings, you aren't the type to read a serious art book. I like to believe this is wrong. I enjoy Bougureau's art very much and am glad that someone published a reasonable paperback history and criticism of the artist. I hope that one day, others write similarly good books about other "forgotten" 19th century artists.

5 comments about The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss.

1. It was a nice surprise to discover Dr. Seuss' "other" art, the art less known by the public. Theodor Seuss Geisel created wonderful paintings and sculptures, of which I was not aware prior to hearing about this book. Of course, his "other" art is just as imaginative and creative as the art seen in his children's books. "The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss" is a beautiful addition to my living room coffee table.
   
   Betsy Hammer



2. A visually stunning body of work. This book shares rare and unusual images not seen in the series of children's books Dr. Seuss penned. Some of the images are dark and disturbing but then that's what makes it worth seeing. A wonderful and beautifully written forward by Maurice Sendak, another children's author, adds an interesting insight to the quirky and unique personality, of my beloved childhood hero, Theodore Geisel aka Dr. Seuss.
   
   I recommend this book for kids and adults and anyone interested in animation or comic art.



3. this book is moving. in the way that a rainy day or a kitten effect your mood, this book too, will leave you changed.
   
   i love this book.



4. This book gives you some of the everyday images from Dr. Seuss' children books and sketches for those characters, but also invites you into a secret world of other at that he created, some reminiscent of his popular books, but some much more abstract and interesting.
   
   This book is a good buy for those who want to see more of who Dr. Seuss really was and what other art he created.



5. Ted Geisel, more widely known as Dr. Seuss, was a consummate writer and illustrator. His children's books have sold millions of copies; it is a near certainty that few children grow up in the United States without being exposed to Seuss books. This book contains some of Seuss's art that has not had a great deal of exposure. Most are paintings, although there are some works of three-dimensional art.
   There are some very subtle messages in these paintings. On page 67 the image has the title "A Man Who Has Made an Unwise Prochess (sic)." A sad-looking man is walking from a distant building along a trail where there are sharp drops on both sides. The image caught and held my eye as I tried to determine what was so familiar about it. Then I realized that the man looked a great deal like Adolph Hitler. The eyes, hair, mustache and shape of the face all match.
   Most of the other works contain characters similar to those that have appeared in his books. They are all well done, exuding a brightness and joy so typical of the Dr. Seuss books. Geisel was just as much an artist as he was a writer, perhaps even more so. If you examine this book, you may also reach that conclusion.

5 comments about On This Earth: Photographs from East Africa.

1. This artist is just amazing, since I saw his exhibition, I never forgot the intensity of these original masterpiece. So why only 4 stars?? I don't know, the book is too small? The printing? it's never perfect but the photographs... The photographs ...



2. As an avid photographer - and one who has spent a lot of time shooting in EA - these are precisely the sort of images that make me want to grab my camera and rush back into the Serengeti. It's a well selected collection - perhaps not the greatest photographs I have ever seen, but a beautiful selection nontheless. A wonderful departure from the stock "post-card" photograpy that's been pouring out of the continent, and some are so breathtakingly vivid (like the image used on the cover) that you can almost feel the dust swirl around you, and feel the hot African sun on your neck.
   
   It's a beautiful book. Would make an an ideal gift for the nature photographer, and for the nature lover...



3. This is a wonderful book with some great pictures of the African wildlife. The black and white photos were striking and the book appeals to 3 years of age to 65. It captured the African wildlife that I have had the privilege of seeing first hand on two occasions.



4. Amazing BW pictures. Very nice and a good edition. Very interesting for all photo-africa lovers....



5. This is a collection of beautiful photographs. The prints are warm, with good blacks. This made a great gift for our friends that had travelled in Africa.

5 comments about Abstract and ColourTechniques in Painting.

1. This book arrived in three days! It is a beautiful book, as well.Totally satisfied with service and product.



2. I really found this to be the most helpful book on creating abstract art that I've found yet. Plus, there are many vivid and inspiring examples.



3. As an 'emerging' artist and someone who is only starting to try more abstract and different ways of painting I found this book stimulated my thinking. I have found that looking at painting from a different perspective has improved my end results. This book is one I can read many times to push me to try something different.



4. This is not a 'how to' book so much as a 'make you want to' book. Packed with juicy, colourful images it's sure to make any artist feeling stuck or bored want to grab some paint and paper and get going again. I think this book is a useful addition to any artist's bookcase, whatever their preferred style or medium.



5. When I first viewed this book something within me leapt. I had not been artistically motivated for some time but reading this book has given me a direction. I have so enjoyed this book. It's informative and inspiring. I'm thrilled to have found it and very glad I purchased it.

5 comments about Painting the Impressionist Landscape: Lessons in Interpreting Light and Color.

1. Good instuctional book on painting with light. Step by step illustrations as well as written instruction makes this book a great teaching tool. I will be trying out the new techniques with my next paintings.



2. I found this book a valuable addition to my library. As an Artist it proved to be a wonderful learning tool, with detailed explainations, examples, and a number of practical step by step learning project. It has added great depth to my paintings. I would recommend it to both experienced artist and beginners. Beautiful colour photos!!!



3. This is an excellent book for learning color theory. You can tell she loves teaching because she doesn't hold back. She is really trying to help you learn the concepts. She paints in an impressionist style, but her methods would work no matter what your style is.



4. It just didn't motivate me like I wanted it to.... so I sold it. But, it does have some good steps to getting that impressionistic look. I suggest trying out the book by Susan Sarback, Capturing Radiant Color in Oils (Paperback)
   ISBN: 1581800614. I've been on her website, and she has some remarkable paintings as well.



5. This discussed painting in a way I needed to hear. It was easy to work with and inspired ideas for me to try. Great book

2 comments about J.J. Pizzuto's Fabric Science Swatch Kit.

1. The shipping was very quick and the kit was complete and in good condition.



2. the book helps out a lot for a fabric and textiles class

5 comments about Perspective (Artist's Library series #13).

1. Showed the basics, not a lot of depth in the material, but enough for you to get the gist of drawing in perspective.



2. This book is a good for beginner artist and people who want to learn more about how to correctly draw perspective. For the price of the book you are getting a great deal of information about 2 point, 3 point perspective. I ordered this book for my college level class just to better understand perspective and it has taught me a lot that I have forgotten. I recommend this book to any artist who has had trouble with perspective and wants a inexpensive book to teach them that.



3. This was the first perspective book I went through where I actually "got" perspective. It clearly illustrates the principles in a concise and easy-to-read manner.



4. This book was ok if you have taken a perspective class then is really just a review and not really needed.



5. I had to use this book in one of my first drawing classes for college. The ease and depth which the topic of perspective is presented is easy enough to understand but, very useful for learning the proper art of perspective. I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn this fundamental principle that is perspective.

5 comments about The Ultimate Airbrush Handbook (Crafts Highlights).

1. I am self-teaching myself how to airbrush. Already an artist I am finding this book to be very helpful. This book has very thorough, clear step by step description of just about all aspects of airbrushing accompanied by illustrations. There are specific exercises to develop skill. This is a great purchase if you want to teach yourself airbrushing.



2. It's chock full of different tutorial types. From model building to fingernail airbrushing. It has become VERY useful.



3. This book does a great job of going over almost all the facets of starting and airbrushing. One of the most complete books I've seen.



4. I gave this book to my husband along with a new airbrush & it's been a great help to him, includes info that even the airbrush didn't company give.



5. The "Ultimate Airbrush Handbook" is exactly what it's title says is! No hyperbole in the title. It covers all aspects of airbrushing, useful to everyone, including newbies like myself. Well worth the money spent!

5 comments about Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy: A Primer in the Social History of Pictorial Style (Oxford Paperbacks).

1. This was my first introduction to the art historian world and it was fascinating. Unfortunately, but only for me, is the fact that both my educational level and acquired knowledge of the subject were insufficiently advanced to fully appreciate the author's insights. That just calls for more work on my part to study up in advance. It should be taken as praise for Mr. Baxandall's pedagocic style which -- as the best teachers tend to do -- opened up new vistas, if only I choose to look.
   
   My only crticism is not of the contents or the author but of the publisher or more likely the editor. Perhaps it is pure economics which resulted in this insecure form of binding and too much type on each page to save space, while the juxtaposition of plates against the relevant text reference was very poor.



2. I really can't add more to Robert W. Moore's insightful review. However, I feel a need to counterbalance the ranting reviews posted by others on this page.
   
   In particular, the one-star reviews listed here are simply embarrassing. Clearly, these reviewers do not represent the intended audience for this book. It's not Michael Baxandall's fault that these reviewers were unable or unwilling to engage themselves with the depth, detail, and scope of his book. Ignore them.
   
   Here's a useful litmus test: If you would consider taking an art history course because you think it would be an "easy A," avoid this book. On the other hand, if you hold a genuine interest and enthusiasm for art history in general - and for Renaissance art in particular - this book should be well worth your time.



3. This book is what I would call hard to read, unless of course you already have a masters degree in Florentine art. As a student in an art history class that required this as one of our reads, I can say this book is crap, yes I mean crap. I have read many more well written books covering this subject in an easier to read format. I would defiantly not recommend this overpriced piece of firewood.



4. This is the kind of book that History of Art departments throw at you early on in their courses to instil the right respect and awe for the whole academic ritual. When I first saw this book I was duly impressed and intimidated into thinking this was somehow a classic. In this work Baxandall is the exemplary academic, slowly building up a case from painstaking research and cleverly interpreted trivia. This approach is fine and dandy until you reflect that at the end of it the conclusions Baxandall has laboured so hard to arrive at are perhaps a little banal -- i.e. Renaissance painting was influenced by such contemporary phenomenon as religious practices, dancing, and (oddly) the ability to judge quantities by eye. The reason this book works is that the Renaissance is such an attractive period that Baxandall's painstakingly dull technique receives a charming counterpoint in the endearing trivia of the period. Unfortunately this effect is not replicated in other works by Baxandall that I have looked at. To college students getting a dose of this, I would say, 'Enjoy the period, but think about how relevant this kind of hairsplitting really is.'



5. ... this book was tedious. there are very few books that make me say, "i'd rather be working!"
   you have to have a really high tolerance for italian art, or even art in general. a passing interest simply will not allow for an enjoyable read.
   ...

4 comments about Exploring Watercolor: Creative Exercises and Techniques for Watercolor and Mixed Media.

1. The book features detailed instruction in three unique approaches to painting transparent watercolors. The spiral page format is convenient when following the exercises. All in all, it stimulates new creativity. I wouldn't say it is for the beginnner - more for one with some painting experience. I felt it was worth acquiring.



2. This is a great book , easy to read and follow...she does go into design,focal point,composition, etc., but does it in a very descriptive way that doesn't get bogged down and boring.
   She also introduces quite a lot of different textures, which a lot of people like, bubble wrap, stamps, modeling clay, sponges, but it is not my thing....but at least her explainations and pictures make it easy to understand.
   She has a few step by step demonstations, simple, easy to follow, but my favourite is her pages of colour combinations.
   A book worth buying even if you are a beginner like me, and of course the more advanced artists should love this book.



3. I was drawn to this book because of the colorful pictures. I couldn't believe it was possible for watercolor paintings to be this vibrant. I was really motivated to dust off my paintbrushes and paint along with the many demonstrations. This book goes into the usual detail about how to design your painting, playing with color, and of course techniques of wet-in-wet, dry brush, glazing, etc., but unlike a lot of watercolor books the finished demonstrations look like something I would want to frame and hang on my walls. The best part of the book, for me, was the chapter on color. I have a pretty good grasp already of the color wheel and mixing colors, but it never occurred to me that there were so many ways to mix different greens, for example, or grays. I consider myself an advanced-beginner at watercolor and would definitely recommend this to other beginners, but surely someone with more experience would find techniques/hints here that would inspire them.



4. I thoroughly enjoyed "exploring warercolor". I found that the book covered a lot of territory in the watercolor field and that the explanations given were very clear. I have been painting watercolors for many years now and still learnt quite a lot from this book. In conclusion I would reall recommend it to anybody who is interested in watercolors.