5 comments about Best of the Joy of Painting.

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



2. 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.



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. 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.



5. 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 comments about Modeler's Guide to Realistic Painting & Finishing (FineScale Modeler).

1. My modeling interest these days is pretty much limited to model railroads but is sure wish I had had this book in my younger days when everything was fair game. It is a great resource.
   
   It is not a continuous book. Instead, it is a collection of short articles. It starts out with some very basic articles on the tools of the trade and on various methods of painting. The tools article was very basic but I found it very helpful. Now I know what some of those gizmos I see in the hobby shops are for as opposed to what I thought they were for. The articles on painting with spray cans and airbrushes also were very basic but those are the reason I bought the book. I am considering getting an airbrush. Where the book really shines, however, is in the later articles detailing specific methods. Some of these apply to military figurines, some to cars and some to airplanes. Some are applicable across lines. I will probably use few of these but I was fascinated by what can be done.
   
   I was especially fascinated by the article on using aluminum foil to give aircraft a real metallic finish. It makes me want to build a plane just to try it!
   
   This is a great resource for those who want to make their models, of whatever type, look great.



2. Very good photograps and very useful hints for building models.But for some beginners this is kind of hard to learn just reading it. Need some help from more experienced modelers.

5 comments about Bob Ross' New Joy of Painting.

1. As before,each book is full to bursting with ideas and instructions to complete images.All are individual and well thought out.An excellent book yet again...!!



2. I purchased used copy. It was in excellent shape.



3. I have started painting after seeing bob ross pbs episodes. All the books are good for learning and improving.
   
   Very happy.



4. As I have said before with Bob's white cover book. Bob has a step by step approach. His books are wonderful. If you have never picked up a brush or know how to read. You can follow his book. The book gives you that little push to design & make your own master pieces. He was a great great guy.



5. The instructions are clear and easy to follow with beautiful results at the end of each project. I reccomend this to anyone interested in the wet on wet technique.

5 comments about The Paint Effects Bible: 100 Recipes for Faux Finishes.

1. this book arrived in wonderful condition in the specified days.It has proved to have all the receipes I required an more.



2. This book has many finishes and the instructions to complete each. For an experienced painter of faux finishes, this is too simple, but for a person just getting started ion doing this kind of work, this is a good instruction book.



3. This is a good general reference book. I am glad that I purchased it, but it isn't my faux painting Bible. However, if you are looking for many ideas, inspirations and photos, this is a good item for you. I am a seasoned amateur and for me, I need specific product references to really make the recipes work. This is more general. The bottom line; it is a nice book to own.



4. This is a goog book to have.For amateurs like me this book breaks methods down to a step by step illustrated and recipes for paint effects and faux finishes. Worth it.



5. This book is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Perfect condition and rapid delivery. Excellent service.

5 comments about Paint People in Acrylic with Lee Hammond.

1. Having learned to draw from Lee Hammond's books and enjoying her first acrylic book I was on tenterhooks waiting for the publication of this one! I wasn't disappointed. Ms.Hammond's style is straightforward and enables you to tackle the exercises with confidence in order to build skills. This is an important part of Ms. Hammond's technique - the progression and she makes the process enjoyable. I truly believe anyone can learn to draw and paint via Ms. Hammond's techniques and be encouraged by their steady progress. Buy this book you won't be disappointed!



2. I love Lee's instructional art books...she is so down to earth and her easy to follow suggestions make learning fun. I have been drawing portraits for a few years and people can't believe that I never went to art school, this new book has helped me go on to painting portraits in acrylics. I did a baby's portrait in acrylic for the first time and when I presented it to my client she cried. She said it was so beautiful and lifelike. This was due to Lee Hammond's wonderful insight into the world of acyrlic.



3. Lee Hammond really does a good job with her books. I have perused many and this is the best I've found so far. I like the individual facial feature tips and the examples she uses. As a sidenote, perhaps if someone wanted to sell a lot of books and make a lot of money they could develop a book like this but with a particular slant regarding caricature/comic illustration using Photoshop.



4. good book showing basic portraits
   good starting point
   only fault I can find is a big gap in awkward stage to finished product



5. I found this book easy to understand with lots of good information. I would recommend this for anyone learning to paint portraits.

5 comments about Acrylic Painting With Lee Hammond.

1. I picked this up hoping to learn something. There are a few things that are okay, but I was not really impressed by Hammond's paintings in this book. Perhaps they aren't her best works, or maybe they are 'dumbed down' to make this a beginner's book. I think this book is better suited for a beginner. I might also recommend skipping this book, and trying out Hammond's Paint People in Acrylic With Lee Hammond. The work in it is much more fine tuned, and a lot of the same techniques are conveyed in both books.
   
   Lastly, I think Hammond might be a little conceited. Even her simple painting examples for the book have her giant signature stamped right onto the work. Its as though she's worried that someone might think its not her work in her own guidebook.



2. I am really enjoying this book. It illustrates some of the different techniques used by Lee Hammond. I am taking some local art classes, and this book gives me some interesting projects to work on at home. Even the simple example of making a round ball or shere look three-dimensional is helpful to a new painter and is not as easy as it looks. She stresses that there is an "Awkward Stage" in any painting, and she points this stage out in each of the projects in the book. This has helped and encouraged me to give my paintings the final details needed to make my paintings more realistic.



3. I have thoroughly enjoyed using this book on acrylic painting. It shows step by step how to produce fantastic paintings using all kinds of techniques and ideas. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone wishing to know how to make your paintings look professional and have a great time doing it.



4. This is a good book for anyone interested in acrylic painting. It covers various techniques and subjects. Very good !



5. This book is good for a beginner
   I have 3 of her books and they are all the same basic techniques
   can be a bit boring but I see where she comes from in her work
   these books can definitely help a new artist venturing into these areas

5 comments about The Acrylics Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist.

1. I recommend this for the beginner level acrylic painter. What you need to know to get started with a lot of great product information.



2. Very informative with regard to brands of paints, brushes, mediums, and surfaces. Has recommendations for your beginning palate, brush set, etc. Expands on technique with demonstrations. REALLY like this book and glad I bought it.



3. I found this book just as I was beginning to paint. It helped me confirm that it was acrylics, rather than some other medium, that I wanted to use; and it gave me great instruction to get me going. I have subsequently read other painting-technique books (some excellent, others not) and I still think that, as a general discussion of acrylics, this book is perhaps the best I've seen. It has beautiful paintings as examples of what can be accomplished in acrylics.
   
   I was probably a bit stingy in giving only 4 stars, but I feel that, on a very few points, there might have been more detail or elaboration. Still, overall, I know of no better book for anyone new to acrylics--indeed it continues to be a favorite of mine. I recommend this book together with the website of Golden Acrylics; those two resources might be all you will need to educate yourself about the use and manipulation of acrylic paints and acrylic mediums.



4. This book gives a really good intro into acrylics for beginners. I've dabbled in acrylics, but the info in this book gave me the why as well as the how to different techniques. It's absolutely a beginner's book, but very thorough on the basics.



5. I borrowed this book and am planning to buy it. There are a lot of ideas to expand on. It's not really a step by step book although some steps are shown for each style the artist introduces. He shows how watercolor, oil and other looks are achieved. I feel, it's the best comprehensive book directed specifically at acrylics I've come across to date...

5 comments about Painting Flowers A to Z with Sherry C. Nelson, MDA.

1. The book's presentation is excellent (good quality photos), well-organized (material, techniques, clear explanations) and it gets to the point, that is the actual painting, fairly rapidly. No time wasted on painters' nitty gritty debates. Her advice for best-quality-you-can-afford material is no non sense and convincing.
   The book includes 50 projects, all presented in the same way: a photo reference, a black line drawing of the flower which you may photocopy, and a series of steps to follow to get the result.
   But be warned: she uses mostly reds and yellows (6 of each) in all of the 50 flowers in spite of the fact that the pictures are in different other colors (for example: the magnolia photo presents the white and pink variety, while the painting exercise gets you to do it all in white). The same with peonies & tulips which are invariably tought in yellows and reds. That was the reason I returned the book.
   Was it out of concern for the quantity & pricey material ? No way of knowing, but just getting 1 pink and 1 blue doesn't provide enough variety to learn how to manipulate various colors. And it does get boring after 3 such exercises. Sure, you could substitute other colors if you're advanced enough.
   The lack of emphasis or encouragement to draw your own flowers displeased me. Just rush to that photocopier. So you're frozen in placement and don't get a chance to ''feel'' your scene (this is a drawer's criticism).
   Despite a few downsides, it remains a concise collection of exercises, simple enough for beginners, kept to a minimum of steps, therefore not overwhelming at all.



2. This book is excellent for a beginning painter like me who wants to paint stunning, life-like flowers. The illustrations are beautiful, the step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and the results make you want to paint the next flower, and the next.... I find the color range to be excellent; of the 50 flowers taught, 18 are pinks, purples, and blues, 16 are red and/or yellow, 6 are predominantly white, and the rest, like pansies, foxgloves, and daisies, are multiple colored.
   
   The instructions not only give the colors needed for each project, but also how to mix that particular shade. With this help, I am learning to mix the colors I see and need for my own compositions. The line drawings are easy to work with and mean I can concentrate on painting, instead of struggling with getting the shape of the flower just right.
   
   All in all, if what you really want to learn is to paint something beautiful, this is the book you need.



3. I love this book, it is very clear with lots of details too!



4. A wonderful painting book, great step by step instructions, easy to follow, a book I would constantly refer to for instruction. I have Four books from this lady and each one is a tresure I highly reccomend all of her painting books they are very detailed easy to follow books with lots of pictures as that is what I need.



5. This book is one to have if you are interested in learning to paint flowers. The detail is just what you need to get started on any art project which has flowers. The painting techniques will help with other things you want to paint, not just flowers!! Excellent book! :)

5 comments about How to Start a Faux Painting or Mural Business: A Guide to Making Money in the Decorative Arts.

1. I bought this book for my brother who is an artist and he loves the book.



2. The first thing I learned from this book is that I'm NOT ready to start my own faux/mural painting business!! This book is chuck full of information from someone that has been there. The author really explains scenarios well, and prepares you for, from what I can tell, every situation. In the back of the book she provides sample forms, and check lists, etc. I really feel that this is a true gift for anyone interested in this field. Even people that have been doing it for a few years might get some good tips here. Great job!



3. I have been painting murals and doing faux finishing, decorative paint, etc. for 11 years myself, and this is the first book that isn't laden with pretty pictures...it has the nuts and bolts of a business. When I started out professionally in this business I was 19 and had no idea how to run a successful business. Sure, I could paint anything I was asked, but that's not how you become a success, alone. Understanding the labor and customer service skills required, the marketing techniques and time management, those are the pitfalls of many artists, like myself. I learned the game as I went, but I made many mistakes. Reading this book gave me some clarity on my own business issues, and gave me some insight on how to tackle them. Most of us looking into purchasing this book are talented artists of some sort, usually people like us aren't the type to run a business too well, until you learn the ropes. Ever heard of a starving artist? WIth this book you will no longer be one!



4. Is your question, "After reading this book, will I be able to start and run a successful business doing decorative painting"?
   
   My opinion? This book follows through on what it promises! The focus here is learning how to start a business in Faux Painting/ Murals, and make money in the Decorative Arts Trade. This book gives facts, and proven successful business practices and technique, needed by Right Brainers, Artists, and those blessed with Creative Genius. If you need some help with how to go from being a hobby artist, to making real money with your talent, Rebecca has written your instruction manual. This book will save you time, money, and a ton of first time business owner headaches!
   
   Rebecca's book (manual), puts Art and Business together in an easy to read format. It can springboard the Artist/ budding Business-Person into starting a viable business with their artwork.
   
   I found this book easy to understand, well written, clear, and to the point. It will appeal to Artists who want to take their Art to the next level; start a business, market your art, and make money selling it! Don't we all want to do what we love and have the money follow? This book can make it happen for you!



5. How To Start A Faux Painting Or Mural Business by Rebecca Pittman is a book that appears to consider every aspect of starting this kind of business. This is about the decorative arts, and this kind of thing has been needed for so long in all of the Fine Arts. This is not a book about generalizations. It is so impressive regarding: The details of setting up this business; how to dress; the briefcase or carrier; proper etiquette in every kind of situation; how to bid; preparing and securing the client. There are quesions and information regarding: Working conditions; the steps for presentations; assessing the environment; bidding; negotiating; several methods for estimations; landing commercial jobs and home jobs; dealing with contractors; subcontracting free lance artists; taxes; ceilings versus walls; and homes and commercial sites. There are salient points regarding what constitutes plagiarism, as well as motivation and goals. There are useful forms; sample contracts; sample commercial and sample home contracts; invoices; record keeping; and ledgers. In addition to several business forms, there are references for further reading. This is an excellent book for starting a faux painting or a mural painting business.

5 comments about A Kaleidoscopia Coloring Book: Abstract Adventure (Kaleidoscopia Coloring Book).

1. Thank you for bringing these wonderful coloring books to Amazon.com! Year after year, at Minneapolis's Art a Whirl I look forward to finding Kendall Bohn's art studio because of the colorful and intellectual art he produces. Kendall is an artist who has not forgotten our children (and the children at heart) and their need for abstract, creative and fun art. Each coloring book is a flawless masterpiece which makes them a fantastic gift for cultivating imagination. At any age, anyone can color one of these beautiful pages to match any room and frame them for all to admire. I look forward to your continued releases!



2. This is one that I have already started on,..with colored pencils,...,..I really enjoyed what little that I have started on,.last night,..Arcystal



3. I Love this abstract coloring book !! This is a wounderful product and i would recomend this to anybody who loves to color abstract coloring pages.



4. This coloring book is imaginative and fun! The pages are full of interesting & creative designs. a++



5. The wild designs to color here present the most perfect break from your other daily activities -- creative or otherwise. This book is so good for releasing stress that Amazon should require a perscription to purchase it. That's some powerful tension-release!
   
   A Kaleidoscopia Coloring Book: Abstract Adventure is filled with beautiful images just waiting for your finishing touches. It's an inspiration.