5 comments about Illustrating Nature: Right-Brain Art in a Left-Brain World.

1. Rebeccasreads highly recommends ILLUSTRATING NATURE as an important tool for every budding artist (no matter their age) with an eye for a career in illustration, scientific or otherwise, as well as an extraordinary assistance for elders wanting to keep their brains in tip-top shape!
   
   If you're a bit confused by all this Left Brain/Right Brain stuff, then Irene Brady ably guides you in discovering just what your Left Brain does, & what your magical Right Brain can do. Amazing stuff, folks!
   
   ILLUSTRATING NATURE is a superbly inter-active book -- you are in for an adventure in creating fascinating, realistic images.
   
   ILLUSTRATING NATURE is a textbook you will keep coming back to, as your skill progresses - highly recommended for home schooling, elder art classes & anyone of any age who loves to draw.



2. Irene Brady is an expert, biologically accurate nature artist, but that doesn't stop her from creating (and teaching others to create) lively, interesting nature art. I am very impressed by her book, Illustrating Nature, Right-brain Art in a Left-brain World. From the construction of a leaf or a wing to the hairs in an ear and the fur on the body, Brady leads you to analyze the structure of plant or animal parts. Then she skillfully helps you understand techniques to illustrate these features. You learn how to pay attention to the details and illustrate the entire organism in a realistic and delightful manner. Brady wisely encourages the developing artist to use computer graphics as part of their toolkit. She also provides an appendix with many design ideas for book and magazine layout and design and promotional graphics, brochures and the like for museums and nature centers. This is a superb book for classroom use and the individual learner. I would have given my eyeteeth for this book as a child. Maybe there is hope for me yet!
   
   Nancy Field
   Nature Publisher, Author and Wildlife Biologist
   Dog-Eared Publications
   Author of several titles, including Discovering Sharks and Rays, the winner of a 2004 Ben Franklin Award for Best Juvenile-Young Adult Nonfiction



3. I've looked at a lot of art instruction books, wondering if they'd perform
   as promised. This profusely illustrated book is the best I've seen!
   The first thing you notice when you leaf through Illustrating Nature ~
   Right-brain Art in a Left-brain World is that Irene Brady has skillfully
   constructed exercises to lead you by the hand at your own pace down her
   well-marked trail to professional illustration. For instance, the book begins by
   explaining that artistic skills are natural to most of us and that to open
   the door all you need is the key - then she hands you the key.
   Starting with right-brain exercises to help you access your creative
   skills, she then shows you how to really look at things, noticing and
   comparing shapes and angles. The next step is to convey that information to
   your hand and the paper - and amazingly, out comes a picture you'll be
   amazed you could create. While beginners can get started with this book,
   all artists can jump in at their own skill level and proceed from there to
   a stage of excellence they've only dreamed of. There are exercises to
   advance the artist's skill in such different areas as shading; use of
   pencil, pen, and computer; organizing and designing an illustration; field
   sketching (and taking notes about the subject); and a multitude of procedures and tips, both large and small, that go into creating beautiful, professional
   results. The heavily illustrated instructions for each exercise are clear,
   concise, and lead the artist from elemental to complex in easy increments.
   The appendix outlines steps to guide your art into a career in a wide array
   of professional fields.
   If you've ever thought you might like to jumpstart, improve, or hone your
   artistic skills to a fine point, this book is an excellent choice.



4. I had been wanting to order this book, but for one reason or another kept post-poning. I'm glad I finally ordered it. It is wonderful, inspiring and for any level.



5. Haven't had a chance to really study the book, but from glancing through it there's a lot to be learned. I got to mainly for the pen and ink drawings which are excellent. However, I never really did understand the right side and left side of the brain when it comes to art. Maybe this will help.

2 comments about A Cezanne Sketchbook: Figures, Portraits, Landscapes and Still Lifes (Dover Books on Fine Art).

1. "A Cezanne Sketchbook: Figures, Portraits, Landscapes and Still Lifes" is a reproduction of the informal drawings of the artist Paul Cezanne. These are all black-and-white sketches, accompanied by an informative introduction by Carl O. Schniewind. The sketchbook captures Cezanne's monumental human figures, haunting faces, and lyrical landscapes.

   The really wonderful surprise in the sketchbook is the fact that the artist allowed his young son Paul (b. 1872) to also draw in the sketchbook. Thus we see these charming childish sketches alongside the work of a master artist. When you also consider the many portraits of little Paul by his father in this volume, the "Cezanne Sketchbook" becomes a moving testament to the love that binds a father to his son.




2. This is a copy of a sketchbook of Cezanne's pencil sketches. It has a good introduction and explanation followed by a listing of the sketches and then finally all the sketches. Interesting to see if you like to draw, and especially to see if you enjoy Cezanne's paintings.

5 comments about An Eames Primer.

1. In 1988, filmmaker Eames Demetrios made the film, 901: After 45 Years of Working, a family record of the closing of the Eames Office shortly after the death of Ray. It was an objective attempt to capture the essence of the studio and design work created by Charles and Ray Eames and their multi-talented staff. Now more than ten years later, Demetrios has again recorded the studio and work in the book, An Eames Primer. The modest title implies an introduction and starting point to all the work of his grandparents but it is much more informative. What makes this book essential reading is the personal nature of the writing, connections, and the concept of "design addressing itself to the need."

   Much of this personal nature is expressed in the chapter on the life of Charles Eames and Ray Kaiser before their meeting at Cranbrook, including extensive writing on each family history. This early period of their lives is illustrated by several drawings and paintings by Charles and Ray with each piece exhibiting a pleasing combination of color and form that would later become the hallmark of their work.

   Demetrios devotes two pages on the issue of the Eameses signing with either Knoll or Herman Miller for the plywood group. This analysis, which isn't really dealt with in other books, is a rational and logical explanation of Charles and Ray's principles and their main concern about simply marketing a "good chair". For anyone interested in this crucial choice the author has formulated an essential case for the decision to go with Herman Miller.

   One of the many highlights of the book is a wonderful collection of color photographs of different objects hanging from the ceiling of the Eames House that is pure aesthetic delight. Also, the bottom right corner of each page serves as a flipbook tour of the expansive 901 Studio.

   What must have been an amazing event in film exhibition is Glimpses of the USA at the American Pavilion in Moscow in 1959. The seven-screen presentation of life in the United States shows a cultural identity of amazing diversity and Demetrios explains the process behind the production of this film. In an unbelievable set of circumstances, the American government had given Charles and Ray complete freedom to produce this film at the height of the Cold War with no "final cut" approval from Washington. Several pages also describe the production of the two versions of Powers of Ten. These films required experiments in film technology and camera work and Demetrios fully describes the process. The many contributions of staff members and outside consultants are thoroughly explained.

   Throughout the book, many former Eames Office members and consultants describe their experience of working in the studio on the amazing variety of projects. Issues of design attribution are commented upon and examined for several projects.

   Two days after finishing the book I retrieved Eames Design and several other excellent books and realized that everything now seemed much clearer after reading Primer. Perhaps Demetrios is correct in giving his work that modest title. The clean and clear connection has been analyzed and described so that it all seems so perfectly obvious. This is an informative educational book written in a casual but serious style and a worthy addition to a personal library.




2. As you might imagine and the title implies this is a wonderful introduction to the work of the Eames' design office. More importantly it is a warm fun filled story of two wonderful and creative human beings who truly sought to make a difference in the world by living with integrity. I feel they succeeded and I think that anyone who reads this little gem will begin to see the connections that weave all life's little mysteries into a comprehensive story .



3. This is a great insight into the lives of the Eames'. I think many designers (myself included) think we know something of their lives and importance. This book is a true eye opener into their influence around the world. There is so much to learn not just from their work, but HOW they lived their lives. Very well written. A must read for any designer.



4. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Eames House and the Eames Family (incldg Eames Demetrios--author and grand-son and Lucia --Charles's only child) on the occasion of the Charles's 100th birthday anniversary. What a delight! Before that wonderful trip, I had the benefit of reading this book which helped me fully understand the history and legacy of this important creative team and the family life that influenced them
   
   It's a must have for any mid century devotee. Get it for your library and be inspired!



5. Before reading this book I would have found it difficult to believe that I would be able to use the word hyperbole and the Eames Office in the same sentence. The work of the Eames Office remains beyond reproach and this book does offer some genuine insight into its multifaceted work but tends to avoid difficult questions and for the most part gives simple answers.
   
   The book glosses over the realities and complexities of the Eamesian approach to design and the creative atmosphere of the Office. However, I think the title itself makes the authors intent clear. As a "primer" this book fits the bill in terms of the information included. My main criticism is that the author should have followed through and been more concise and direct. This book is verbose and practically glows with the repetitive and nearly-universal fond memories of the individuals interviewed. Worst of all, the prose has the faint sent of re-contextualization and hero worship (hard to avoid for a grandson).
   
   Secondary to the above but still significant is the books poor quality of design and production. I found the book extremely difficult to read. The font and point size selected, compounded by the overly-wide text line length, made for uncomfortable reading. To top it off the paper selected displayed a surface glare that made reading the book all but impossible except in the best light conditions. The design renders it more a pretty-object rather than a functional book. On the other hand it looks good on the shelf... if you want to impress your friends.
   
   If it weren't for the fact that this book is really about as good as any other design book, it would fair far worse. If you couldn't tell, I would recommend getting the book as there is not much out there on the subject thats any better.

2 comments about Looking Closer 3, Vol. 3: Classic Writings on Graphic Design (Looking Closer).

1. This is the latest in a series of books that consist of collections of essays about the theory and practice of graphic design. The essays in the first two volumes were mostly from contemporary sources, particularly the AIGA Journal of Graphic Design. This third, retrospective volume is of even greater value in the sense that it gathers under one cover some of the most important historic writings on design from the late 19th century to the early 1980s, arranged chronologically. It contains over fifty hard-to-find articles by prominent figures in graphic design, among them William Morris, W.A. Dwiggins, El Lissitzky, Varvara Stepanova, Gyorgy Kepes, Alexander Rodchenko, Ladislav Sutnar, Beatrice Warde and Wolfgang Weingart. Graphic designers need to know where they came from, in order to better decide where to go. A substantial contribution to that effort, undoubtedly this is a book that should be on the reading lists of all designers, design students and teachers. (Copyright by Roy R. Behrens from Ballast Quarterly Review, Vol. 15, No. 1, Autumn 1999.)



2. An excellent text survey, Looking Closer 3 provides an anthology of classic writings on graphic design. This is a 'must' for any who would study the foundations of graphic design theory: it's the first to gather early critical writings from the turn of the century to modern times, grouping rare essays under one cover.

1 comments about Driveways, Paths and Patios: A Complete Guide to Design, Management and Construction.

1. Driveways, Paths and Patios: A Complete Guide to Design, Management and Construction provides an excellent survey of how driveways and paths are constructed, packing over two hundred color photos and drawings with a step-by-step guide for any who would build their own. From basic driveway and path design to choosing proper materials, estimating costs and considering drainage, this is the book to turn to for any driveway or path project start to finish.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about Building Type Basics for Transit Facilities (Building Type Basics).

No comments about Comickers Art 2: Create Amazing Manga Characters.

1 comments about How Designers Think, Fourth Edition: The Design Process Demystified.

1. I have followed the many editions of this book. It is a classic. In this latest offering, the author has managed to keep it up to date - not easy in today's fast changing world. Well done. Look forward to the next edition.

2 comments about Building A Fireplace: Step-by-step Instructions For Contemporary To Classic Styles.

1. Good book for learning to construct your own fireplace with how to instructions



2. If you are an amatur builder and want to size your new firplace, this is not the book for you. The book focuses on the building steps from contractor's or builder's point of view and not designer's point view. You will find many good ideas on custom fireplace construction. However, you will not find how to size your fire chamber, the geometry of the fire chamber, the relationship between the fire chamber and the flue size or chimney hight, and many other specific data necessary for designing the fireplace.

No comments about AutoCad 2009 Instructor (The Mcgraw-Hill Graphics Series).