2 comments about Painting Fabulous Flowers with Donna Dewberry.

1. This is an excellent book for beginners and experienced decorative painters. Donna Dewberry always has clear instructions and wonderful ideas.



2. Absolutely WOW!! Makes several of her other books look mundane. She has many that I was interested in learning to paint. Excelllent

3 comments about Traditional and Contemporary Chinese Brush Painting: Using Ink and Water-Soluble Media.

1. I have half a dozen books on Sumi painting and this is my favorite. Mr. Yan is an extremely talented artist and the examples he uses to teach his techniques are just beautiful. He is very thorough in his explaning how to achieve various effects. I found his explanation of the role and significance of the traditional implements and supplies used in Chinese brush painting facinating. In summary, I learned many new things from this book even though I've been taking lessons for a year and read many other books.



2. This is a wonderful book. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn Chinese Brush painting. Very beautiful work and easy instruction. One of my favorite art books.



3. This book is probably one of the best for beginners who want to get a full grasp of how to load brushes with multiple colors, do sequential washes (both wet and dry), as well as lists a full set of materials required for the lesson. Some would argue that it doesn't show the full range of Chinese calligraphy styles available, but I'm saying this book was just what I was looking for. It has several very nice projects to choose from, and all of them are beautiful when finished. It focuses mostly on animals and plants, but is thorough none the less. I did have the privlidge of looking at this book in a bookstore first, before buying it online.

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 Pumpkin Painting.

1. This would be the book to take along before boarding the S.S. Minnow. You might also want to take along some acrylic paints, brushes, and a few other items which are clearly listed beside each project. This book would cure boredom over and over again as it contains many different easy-to-duplicate designs for not only pumpkins, but gourds, melons (and possibly coconuts). This book can be helpful for adults as well as children (and even possibly the natives). After all what else would there be to do on that desert isle after the sun goes down?!



2. We use this book every year to paint about 30-40 pumpkins for table center pieces where I work. We have found, after searching for books on pumpkin painting, that this is our favorite one and we call it "our pumpkin bible". Then, the night of the children's halloween party, we let the kids take them home. All the patterns are easy (even for those who are not artistically talented). We highly recommend it!

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

1. 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 comments about Decorative Murals with Donna Dewberry.

1. Being a huge Donna Dewberry fan, I was not at all surprised when I opened this book. The pictures are fabulous and Donna's murals provide the reader with a plethora of ideas for many aspects of home decorating. Donna's books seem to have a magical quality about them making even the novice painter feel as though he/she could paint anything!

   However, after I was mesmorized by the artwork, I felt disappointed with the lack of directions for each project. All of the other Dewberry books give explicit instructions, worksheets and patterns, this one does not. After studying this book intensely, I was left with the feeling one gets while looking at an Art book, like " gosh, what a talented artist, I wish I could create like that." In otherwords, instead of inspiring me and building my confidence as her other books have done so consistently, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of my budding talent. I think I'll stick to her other books and just use this not for reference, but as an addition to my coffee table.




2. Donna Dewberry consistently produces fine detailed instructional books.........this book on murals is not much more than a "see what Donna did" book, the photographer did a brilliant job......... No patterns, no detail, I could care less what part of a house has these painted walls ,(content is divided by rooms). I bought the book to learn HOW she did it. Lot of pictures, beginners beware, you admire her, you wish to paint her technique, this book will tell you next to ZIP!



3. As a decorative artist I found this book somewhat revolting.Then again, I didn't know Donna Dewberry's work before.Well,she is great at the one stroke painting tecnique if that's what You like, You'll find some of that, but She can't draw at all.Wherever any basic drawing skills are required ,she just doesn't cut it.Her colors are in place though,and the book fills You in on the basics,here and there, but it's not detailed enough for a complete beginner, or would mislead him/her, and just useless for a pro.I keep it as a reference for clients, who like this folksy style,but I find it rather primitive.



4. Although this book was visually nice to look at I found it lacked in teaching me how to paint murals. I have stumbled across a great site that has free tutorials on it. I hope you find this helpful. The site is [...]



5. Had I not obtained a copy of this book for free, I never would have come to own a copy. I was going to toss it in the trash when we moved, but my children begged me to keep it for comic relief. I am a trained working artist and in my opinion, Ms. Dewberry needs some serious lessons in perspective, depth of field, tonal values, and drawing before she undertakes a book about mural painting. Even my kids could pick out numerous blunders. The cover shows a mural on an exquisite floating staircase in a bazillion dollar home....with edges slopped with paint because they were not even taped off. If I was the new owner of that house, even if I knew nothing about art, my first investment would be some wall paint and a roller.

5 comments about Silk Painting: The Artist's Guide to Gutta and Wax Resist Techniques (Practical Craft Books).

1. This book has great, inspirational photos and very good instructions. My main disappointment with it is the authors attitude toward silk paints (i.e., not dyes). I have used several varieties of the paints that are made to mimic dyes and find them to work very well, leave the silk soft and be very easy to use. They are a great way for a beginner to get started and try most of the same techniques used with dyes without the hassle of steaming or the toxicity. I am glad that I had some experience silk painting before I got this book because her attitude would have discouraged me from every trying. Aside from that - it's an excellent book, worth the price and full of great pictures to inspire you.



2. I love this book! I think the blend of historical content and variety of techniques described make this the perfect book in your resource library!



3. An excellent, comprehensive guide for the beginning silk painter. The author demonstrates many inspirational designs and recommends her preferences for dyes (by brand), gutta, and other resist options. I've not painted on silk before and, after reading this book, I feel I have all the knowledge I need to begin painting on silk.



4. You name it she tells you how to do it. For beginner & Intermediate silk painters. Educational, Informative and well formatted. My only suggestion is a ring binding so the book could lay flat when it is being used for refeence.



5. An excellent book showing many and varied techniques with very easy instructions. This book is very inspiring.

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.

3 comments about Painting Acrylic Flowers A to Z.

1. You can not find many books for painting flowers in acrylic. Painting Acrylic Flowers A to Z, gives you different shapes, styles and colors. No disappointment here. If you want to get a more accurate drawing for your flowers you should get the following book The Watercolor Flower Painter's A to Z: An Illustrated Directory of Techniques for Painting 50 Popular Flowers. Both are very good buys!!



2. I am really enjoying this book. It is fun and helpful, very easy instrucions. I have painted many of the flowers in the book now and plan to do more. Thank you for the time to review this book.
   Sincerely,



3. To date, I have read the book through twice and will get around to trying the exercises in the book. Well illustrated and comprehensive...encourages an aspiring artist to "give it a go".

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.