5 comments about Drawing as a Sacred Activity: Simple Steps to Explore Your Feelings and Heal Your Consciousness.

1. Heather Williams has written a book for the private person who wants to increase self knowledge in the privacy of their own home, and at their own speed. The sequence of information allows for the reader to browse and do exercises as they are moved. It gives theory blended in with practical suggestions on how to do your own self discovery, one self determined picture at a time. She is sensitive, thorough in her explanations, and offers her own examples so that the reader is reassured that this is a book for everyone,rather than for acclaimed artists. Ms. Williams stresses that everyone has artistic ability and she shows us inroads to discovery of our unique expression of the art within each of us. This book is more than a self-help manual-- it is a self discovery map for the seeker of self knowledge.



2. Heather Williams has written an excellent book that guides the artist and nonartist alike into the deeper realms of emotional experience. She offers unique insights into seeing, feeling, and intuiting both our inner and outer worlds. The nondominant hand exercises bring out deep wisdom in a powerful way. I highly recommend this book.



3. Creativity is the wellspring of our own innate beauty and connection to Creator. Williams gives us simple but powerful tools to nurture, support, and express the Creative Force within each one of us. The nondominant hand work draws out amazing insights into how we can birth our own most powerful Self. Most of all, she gently guides us to create lovely expressions of our Spirit which can utterly transform self-image. Simply the best guide for spiritual self expression available today!



4. This book takes a simple idea, (drawing with the left and right hand)and does amazing things. By bypassing the left brain filter, drawing with each hand (and primarily the left if you are a rightie), will reveal what is REALLY going on in you and with you. Her words and work encourage you to draw, without concerns about skill or talent. All artwork is sacred with this tool. I have used it with my own clients and had amazing and powerful results. The truth really hits home with people, and they are able to SEE what is within, and where healing is calling them. I love this technique for myself too. It is an encouraging, spiritually juicy book. I couldn't put it down!



5. It certainly cannot hurt to try this book. I find that if actually gave me peace of mine doing exercises,I managed to put a curb on my worries and look at things differently.

5 comments about Draw 50 Famous Cartoons: The Step-by-Step Way to Draw Your Favorite Cartoon Characters (Books for Young Readers).

1. I like this book because it has almost all those famous cartoons that you can barely get off the web.



2. I am 9 years old and love to draw. This book tells you how to draw a lot of famous cartoons. Some of the ones I like the best are PopEye, Flintstones and Scooby Doo. If you like to draw, you will enjoy this book.



3. The Lee Ames series of books are good if you already have the basics of drawing down and some minor artist skills. They show how to take your basic skills and make some neat stuff. But this book is basically 1 page to a cartoon star, and about 6 drawings on the page to get a completed look. For some simple ones it works but on others it gets a little tricky. No text instructions here, just the drawings which you are just copying. If you want to LEARN how to draw and get the basic skills first whether you are kid or an adult, the books by Jack Hamm and Ed Emberly are the best place to start. They can make anyone an artist. Then come back to books like Ames.



4. Kids like to duplicate what they know, it helps them to connect to popular art. So this drawing book has 50 characters from popular cartoons for them to copy. They did a great job with the final art and the choice of characters from comic strips and comic books. You may need some basic skills before you try some of these. If you don't have these yet that's OK, we all have to startt somewhere. I might suggest you try Ed Emberly's books (like "the Big Green Drawing Book") or Mark Kistler's books or videos, the best places to start learning to draw. A book like this is more useful when you have some very basic drawing skills, then use a book like this to practice and hone your skills with.



5. A step by step way to draw your favourite cartoon characters. The use of this book should be available to anyone who wants to try another way of drawing. Perhaps, with encouragement you will be persuaded to continue, to experiment, and finally to create your own cartoon style.

No comments about The Ultimate Guide to Painting From Photographs.

5 comments about Beautiful Botanicals.

1. It is a beautiful book with easy to follow instructions arranged in a very organized way to help a student progress step by step. The spiral binding inside the traditional binding cover also makes it really easy to actually use this manual. It stays open flat on your table for easy reference while not looking cheap when standing in a bookcase. This book is actually worth buying and keeping. Unlike a lot of others, it doesn't disappoint and is truly informative rather than just being another pretty flower book.



2. As someone who is just beginning in botanical illustration, I could not find a better instructional book. The author teaches you what materials to buy, what typse of paper to use, and leads you step-by-step through a number of lessons covering several different types of media.
   
   I could not believe how well my first efforts turned out! I've looked through a lot of drawing books, and this is by far the best I've come across if you are interested in botanical drawing.



3. Whomever thought of the spiral binding inside the traditional binding should be knighted. That was a stroke of genius. If I am trying a new technique, I usually scan and copy a page but with this book, I just leave it open.
   
   Bente's book would be useless (as well constructed as it is,) if it weren't for her terrific explanations. She shows the same painting in different stages, tells the reader where she or he can take short cuts and is over-all a great book for the beginning or advanced student.



4. This gorgeous, well-written "how to" book for drawing and painting
   beautiful botanicals is a treasure! It is spiral bound so the book won't flip closed on you. It is written by Bente Starcke King, a Botanical Illustrator who teaches at Cornell University. She covers everything from form and perspective, materials that she uses in her demonstrations, and beautiful illustrations.
   
   She covers, with clear, easy-to-follow instructions, lessons in drawing with graphite pencil, using pen and ink, ink wash, transparent watercolor and mixed media. It's like having an instructor in a book, and you can go at your own pace.
   
   The most fascinating aspect to me is how she layers watercolors to create her luminous color illustrations. Fabulous.
   Sharyn from Portland, Oregon.



5. If you want to learn to draw and paint flowers and plants from a botanist point of view, this is probably a great book for you. I have the DVD that can be purchased to go with this book and it is also great. Bente Starke King is an incredible artist with an impressive background in botanical illustration. She begins with teaching about basic form and perspective and then teaches about the use of graphite pencil in botanical drawing and how to depict a 3-D surface using 2 step-by-step demonstrations. Next, the book progresses to Pen and Ink with two stepped demonstrations. Next, you learn ink wash and again, demonstrations are given. Chapter 5 is Transparent Watercolor and 7 step-by-step demonstrations are given. Chapter 6 is Mixed Media, where watercolor is combined with other media such as pen and ink and colored pencils, along with 6 step-by-step demonstrations. The end of the book ties the loose ends by including how to choose a mat, framing,exhibiting,
   copyright, etc..
   
   This a beautiful book that can teach you a lot about drawing and painting flowers and plants. It is well-designed and written. I like the way Bente King combines the medias and demonstrates how this method enhances the richness and textures. Her DVD is excellent. I would recommend buying both the book and DVD if you want to speed up your progress. She is a wonderful teacher.

No comments about Dragons (How to Draw).

5 comments about Becoming a Graphic Designer: A Guide to Careers in Design, 2nd Edition.

1. This book rocks! Once you read it you'll know WAAAAAZZZZZUP!



2. There is a lot of good to be said for this book. But the thing that jumps out and slaps me in the face, right off, maybe because I have dealt with new design students and new professionals for the past several years, is a few dumb comments such as "If you are going to be a good designer, fine. If you aren't don't bother. The field is full of mediocre talents as it is."

   And how, pray tell, does one know whether one is going to "be good" during the first year of ones study? --Or even during the first few years of ones professional practice, when sweeping out the place may be included in your job description, and hands-on real world work may come your way slowly and in small discreet bits? And doesn't every creative person at one point or another question the worth and validity of what he or she is doing, EVEN after recognition has started rolling in and they understand that their work is generally perceived by their peers as good? Further, I would ask whether everyone HAS to be a Saul Bass or a Neville Brody. Isn't design a broad enough field to encompass the work of those with less Olympian ambition? Comments such as the one above are relatively few and far between, to be certain. But where on earth was the editor when pompous uninsightful stuff like this flew in under the radar? Although the sheer snideness of the comment may make many jaded pros cheer, I have to wonder what useable information this kind of comment contains for the neophyte at whom the book is supposedly aimed? --To show that a lot of jaded pros have a really bad attitude?

   I do not favor the Pollyanna view whether we are talking art or careers. But I believe it is impossible to know how you will fare at something before you have been doing it a while. Thinking otherwise --for example, that a teacher in a design 101 class can tell you whether you are "any good" (and I have seen or heard about many students asking this very question)-- just intimidates and discourages people from being brave enough to give the life that they would see for themselves a try. To me, that is way too limiting.




3. This book is a good overview of what it means to be a graphic designer. It goes through the different areas of design, and different job positions.
   Everything you need to know about the design world is in this book.



4. This book is a good overview of what it means to be a graphic designer. It goes through the different areas of design, and different job positions.
   Everything you need to know about the design world is in this book.



5. I am finishing up by degree in Graphic Communications in December. I checked this book out of our school library and didn't want to give it back...so I bought my own! What I love about this book is that it breaks it down by industry and specialty area. I also like the way it breaks down what you should include in your portfolio for those areas. It is nice knowing that there is more to Graphic Design than just being a Graphic Artist in a print shop or a newspaper. This book gives you an idea and an overview on what's out there. Awesome!

5 comments about JLA Vol. 4: Strength in Numbers.

1. I've been reading the graphic novels in order, and this is the best so far. Following the awful "JLA: Rock of Ages", "JLA: Srength in Numbers" is comprised of a number of shorter stories; each of which is filled with adventure and soul. Yes, these stories have a soul, or a spirit. One of which even brought tears to my eyes. I can't say any other comic in recent memory has had that effect on me. Zauriel is a great addition to the JLA team. Wonder Woman is under used. But as a whole, these stories worked to entertain and inspire. What else can you ask for?



2. Following the disbanding of the JLA in the Rock of Ages, the fathers of JLA decide to reform the team and increase the member number, the new members are Zauriel, Steel, Huntress, Plastic Man. This collection also introduces Prometheus and how he takes out the enitre JLA on their own Moonbase. I thought that this was the best story in the trade. The next story was about the case of Julian September and about how he alters probability and how the most normal occurrences are thereby changed, i.e. Bruce Wayne's parents were never killed etc. The final stories were of Adam Strange (the worst one in the trade). All in all pretty entertaining.



3. These stories were originally published as JLA #16-#23.
   
   The stories begin with Superman, Aquaman and Batman reforming the JLA that was disbanded in the last book. It is never made clear why the JLA was disbanded by the three, and, when it is put back together at the end of the first story in this issue, it is the same characters as before, plus Zauriel, Huntress, Steel and Plastic Man (with Oracle behind the scenes). Maybe they disbanded cause the old rules said they could only have seven? And, not that I'm arguing, but who put Superman, Batman and Aquaman in charge? I guess no Wonder Woman at the top because she died and her place was taken by her mother? Superman says the league is the world's only hope, it may be that they needed to add more talents to defeat upcoming opponents.
   
   The storylines with Prometheus and Julian September are excellent, the last two with Adam Strange and the Sandman less so. Prometheus makes his powers equal to all of the JLAers...but he forgets a couple of new members and interlopers. He escapes so expect to see him in later books. Julian September opens up the world to probabilities and events that are million to one shots begin happening regularly. Both of these are great challenges for the team.
   
   Favorite panels: the pictures of the reformed JLA, pg 24, 52 and 90 are spectacular. And the panel on page 202 with J'onn looking down on the eastern Canada, Great Lakes, Greenland area with the monster in the water is great.



4. A longer trade compilation, the JLA has to deal with the very deadly Prometheus, and really only do so with the help of a couple of ringers.
   
   They journey to Rann to assist Adam Strange, and meet an old enemy who has started a careful takeover plan. Throw in Dream, the Sandman, as well.



5. So by this point, I'm pretty much into the groove of Grant Morrison's writing and I didn't really think he would surprise me with anything new or exciting, but with the first story in here he did it. We are introduced to a new villain, Prometheus, and he is just too cool. He's basically the anti-Batman, except he gains all his knowledge and abilities by downloading it into his helmet. But he sure knows how to plan a one man attack on the JLA in their own watchtower of all places. A great way to kick it off.
   
   Next is a cool story about a villain Julian September who has the ability to increase the odds in his favor, and he has a thing about the number 7. JLA members mysteriously dissapear and the remaining members have to figure out why. My second favorite story in this volume.
   
   Next is a two parter featuring Adam Strange, but don't think he's there to team up with the group. I wasn't too crazy about the twist in this one but is has an all right ending.
   
   Last is a story featuring Sandman. I have never read any Sandman previously so I can comment on if he was represented here faithfully, but overall this story was kind of bland.
   
   This volume also features Mark Waid as a guest writer which was a nice change of pace. Plus Superman finally reverts back to his original suit which after two volumes of that was a welcome change. The new members in here include Steel, Huntress, Barda, Orion, Zauriel, Plastic Man (great comic relief) and Oracle. A nice improvement over the previous issues as I liked the switching up of the team each issue. I guess the more the merrier.

3 comments about From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design.

1. Dr. Todd presents us with clear, easy and very logical ideas of how we should live and build our cities. This book should be a required reading for most professionals that deal with development. I would like to see a second book with more hands on examples.



2. While I find Dr. Todd's work inspiring, this time around I was disappointed by this particular book. There isn't much new in it since the 1985 publication of Bioshelters, Ocean Arks, and City Farming: Ecology as the Basis of Design. For example, Eco-Cities lifted at times the same paragraphs and sentences from Bioshelters when describing the Cape Cod Ark, the Margaret Mead sailing boat, the Lindisfarne Hamlet, and rooftop gardens.

   If you haven't read the 1985 book, then I could see how Eco-Cities deserves a throrough reading. If you have read Bioshelters than I would not purchase the new book, Eco-Cities, but take a glance at it at your local library instead.

   I'm currently trying to organize an association in Paris, France to build an apartment complex using the ideas found in both Bioshelters and Eco-Cities. But I'm finding it difficult to gather concrete examples, blueprints, or even contact numbers for architectural firms with the experience to do so. I'd like to encourage the folks at Ocean Arks International to publish a book like Eco-Cities but move past concepts and give us a technological guide for actually creating eco-cities.




3. I found the book to be very informative. It was specific enough to understand his work even if you aren't a biologist yet tied together nicely with an holistic paradigm that wasn't overdone. His vision of the ideal future for urban planning seemed reasonable and worth aiming for.

No comments about Sustainable Healthcare Architecture.

5 comments about Atlas of Foreshortening: The Human Figure in Deep Perspective (Second Edition).

1. It's a great material!!!! a great research book and reference!!! there really are few chances for people in arts field to gain the knowlege this book provide. Usually the best way is real life observation, but you don't have a model any time you want to draw, do you? so this book is a great material when you don't have that chance and a guide for those who want to improve his work with a real model.
   My only complaint is the poor contrast on the pictures. It doesn't have to show deep black shadows but a little bit more of contrast could emphasize better different muscular groups. Any way, most of reference books are the same at end, but not this one!!! Foreshortenig is one of the hardest views to archive for artists (painters, art and human figure students, comic book artist and illustrators, etc)



2. If you're an artist like myself and have trouble imagining parts of the body in odd perspectives then this book will probably help you. It contains literally hundreds of photos of both male and female models in various angles. My only issue with this book is that sometimes a pose will spread between the two pages, loosing some of the model in the binding.
   
   As a student I worked with drawing real models in a studio environment, and find this to be the next best thing to having a real person in front of you. This is a book any serious artist should not be without!



3. I happen to like the fact these are in black and white, since the simplicity of it makes you familiar with the form. I already have The Nude Figure for my other references for life drawing. As another person said, this is not the best book to get reference for illustrative foreshortening. This book is more to train your eye to capture various parts of the form in foreshortening.
   
   I thought it was interesting how the author noted that it was difficult these days to find models because of people's need to do body alternations like piercings and tattoos.
   
   While I find the models average, I would have liked to seen a few different models like overweight or even more athletic to get variations of the form in perspective. I wouldn't even mind old people, but I'm not sure if the elderly could perform in some of those poses.
   
   Most of the poses are in seated or lying down positions, I remember the author saying also that a lot of poses even in perspective started looking the same.
   
   I got some use out of the book, for the photography was clear enough for me. I also like using it as an exercise to recognize the form, like certain muscle and bone groups would look like in certain perspectives. I think too many people want to copy and not understand the true value of learning and utilizing reference.
   
   It's not an AMAZING book, but it's still useful.



4. I saw a copy of this book for all of about 5 minutes before I
   knew this was it for demonstrating foreshortening in figure drawing.
   I have not had much time to spend with the book in the interim, but I
   fully believe it will stand up to it's promise.



5. This book is a valuable tool for drawing and understanding human bodies. I actually used it a lot. It's worth the price. (But there arent any shots of standing people from the top).