Customer Reviews:
Analysis is great.......2007-10-03
I like that he has a full page to show the drawing and on the facing page he has a smaller version with commentary. He places capital letters on the drawing so you can see exactly which line or shape he is discussing.
Definative.......2007-07-13
Robert Beverly Hale was one of the masters in teaching figure drawing. A must for serious students of figure painting.
Not written by an artist..........2007-05-08
Although this is one of the best compilation books of old master drawings
available on the common market, I would not put too much stock in what
the author says. The author is correct in saying that many of these
great artists had to learn and understand anatomy in order to "make it up"
(e.g., a figure of a rearing horse drawn by Titian, impossible to be
taken from life), but he goes overboard in trying to get the student to
learn about anatomy. For example, he says "Please buy some bones". That's right--the way to paint like Rubens is to...buy some bones. I don't think so. Even if you learned how to draw the figure well, after perhaps 10 years, you'd still have to tackle drapery and then learn how to compose your figures in a painting and, well, be an artist. I have learned after much figure drawing study that after a while, "studies are
useless" (Rubens said that also). It is better for the true artist to simply plan painting after painting, and ignore all this wasteful "study effort" as if art is a science. This is not to say any knowledge of anatomy is bad. But you need to know only as much as it takes to know that
a head looks too big, or a shoulder "doesn't look right", esp. if you are already working from life. I have studied anatomy and tried to draw from my memory, and although my drawings have all the attendant parts, you cannot "guess" at how the aspect of a vastus medialis changes when it is in 10 different positions. It's much easier and quicker simply to draw a model from life--it will look more correct, even WITHOUT a knowledge of anatomy. And if you are a figurative artist, you may even want to "clothe" your figures at some point (Watteau made a name for himself for knowing how to do just that) so knowledge of anatomy, although not to be entirely discounted, should run second to drawing from life, having artistic vision, and working on a plan to make a nice painting instead of engaging in hours of fruitless "studies." After you die, do you want to have a bunch of academic drawings with correct anatomy laying around?
Only the art matters. This book, although much better than those awful books which use hack artists as models of excellence, still falls short
of what you really need to do to become a strong figurative painter. And that is, "draw from life". Pose your friends and family and draw them.
That's what the masters did.
This is one of the best books ever!.......2007-01-25
This is a must have book. No matter what your subject matter you can benefit from reading and doing the exercises in this book. I read it with a highlighter and a pen. I don't usually write in my drawing books, but this one was too good to simply read I had to study it. I will be using this in my current class to help me draw people better. Lots of excellent examples. It doesn't matter what you are trying to learn to draw this book helps you think in terms of mass and shape, not legs, arms, faces, etc.
Must have book for all fine art students!.......2007-01-05
Robert Beverly Hale is the undisputed master of not only artistic anatomy, methods of drawing and the masters' techniques; but he is also a master at conveying ideas in clear concise language. He was the best lecturer on artistic anatomy. I attended his 10 session lectures twice before he died. The book reflects much of what he taught in his lectures, so it's the next best thing to having him in the room.
Amazon.com
Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters provides an anatomical counterpart to Robert Beverly Hale's classic reference book, Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. Terence Coyle, who for several years assisted Hale at the Art Students League of New York, kept detailed notes of Hale's lectures and teaching methods. He combined these notes with 100 drawings to illustrate how the great masters portrayed specific parts of the human physique. As Hale points out, master artists such as Rembrandt, Leonardo, and Raphael "absorbed the technical details of anatomy so well that these details could be set down instinctively.... If an artist has to occupy his mind with the task of clumsily grouping the elemental facts of anatomy as he draws, there can be little room left for really important matters--such as the spirit of the drawing and the artist's expressive intent." Coyle provides several examples within the study of each anatomical area to illustrate the variety of styles and methods employed by the masters. The book treats, in order, the rib cage, the pelvis and thigh, the knee and lower leg, the foot, the shoulder girdle, the arm, the hand, and the neck and head. A complete series of anatomical reference plates by Dr. Paul Richer is included. By applying the timeless anatomical principles the great masters have handed down to us, any artist can begin to acquire the means by which to express the "really important matters." --Mary Ribesky
Book Description
This classic book, whose foremost author was one of the great artistic anatomy teachers of the twentieth century, is an invaluable instructor and reference guide for any professional, amateur, or student artist who depicts the human form. Revealing the drawing principles behind one hundred inspiring masterpieces, the book presents work by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rubens, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, and other greats. These superb portrayers of figures knew that the secret of drawing them was seeing how underlying bone and muscle structures mold the body's surface forms. Readers are shown how to learn from these great examples as the authors guide them through all the steps they would take in a life class or studio working with live models.
Customer Reviews:
Good for Antamoy References.......2007-05-13
I will just say that this is very helpful for reference to specific part of the human anatomy. Especially the skeletal and muscular diagrams at the back of the book.
Good book.......2006-11-23
for us amateaur artists who want inspiration to create great works of art. This book shows the details of the human body and how great artists drew from live and dead bodies as they create the greatest masterpieces in art history.
Practice practice practice.......2006-01-20
I took an art class at the junior college and the instructor suggested copying the masters to improve drawing skills. I bought this book and copied every picture. Not only did it familiarize me with many artists I had not heard of but, over time my drawing skills improved dramatically. I am now buying collections of drawings of other artists and copying. I highly recommend the book not only as a reference but also to be used to improve skills. I have an engineering background, not art and this helped immensely.
Good book, but lacks in the following........2004-01-07
Pick up this book if you are looking for a great artistic anatomy reference book. If you are looking for more than reference, however, you might want to look elsewhere. While this book is definitely good, it doesn't give the artist direction in how to draw or depict the illustrations. The text is pretty much straight-forward, usually only noting the parts of the bodies in the images. Second, this book lacks the poetic and great writing of Robert Beverly Hale.
Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters is more of an extra reference book or a supplement to Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. In that book, Hale really teaches to the reader whats needed to depict anatomy, what steps the artist must take, gives tips on how to become a great or accomplished artist, why the artists of the past were so good, what mistakes beginners of figure drawing usually make, and sooooo much more. It's pretty much an incredible book to have even if you're not into figure drawing.
I think Anatomy Lessons would probably be more highly regarded in my eyes had Drawing Lessons been nonexistent. Anatomy Lessons is great for further reference, if thats what you're looking for though. I probably wouldn't recommend anyone to buy this book unless you already own or have thoroughly read and studied Drawing Lessons by the Great Masters.
Excellent content.......2002-09-29
An excellent book on artistic anatomy. Reading this one book has taught me more than some figure drawing classes. A systematic deconstruction of how the masters of artistic anatomy have integrated their knowledge into some of the greatest drawings of all time. The book goes through the drawings of famous artists, categorized by the region of the body on which the drawings are focused, and attempts to explain how extensive knowledge of anatomy has been effectively applied. It touches on how these artists could create drawings which are more powerful than merely a photographic rendering of the model through their use of anatomy.
Unfortunately, the book is very cheaply bound. Entire leaves have detached themselves from the spine, though I have treated the book very well. My copy has turned into a stack of paper and scotch tape, wrapped loosely in its former cover. Despite that fact, I still consider it worth the purchase.
I have both this book and "Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters." Both are excellent books, but if you must only buy one, get this one. It is the better of the two.
Book Description
The foundation for drawing manga begins with the artist copying the works of an admired manga artist. The artist learns the traits of the characters' faces and figures while replicating the eyes, the mouth, and other features and recreating the overall images projected. The first chapter of this volume painstakingly explains the artistic development process beginning with copying professional artists' work to the point where the beginning artist is able to produce his or her own original manga. The second chapter covers the basics of a character's face and body, as well as portraying backgrounds. Chapter Three demonstrates how characters from professional manga artists' work are portrayed.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect For Begginer Manga Artist.......2007-03-07
This was my very firt book my daddy bought me and let me tell you, he made a smart decision on buying How To Draw Manga: Ultimate Manga Lessons! This book is great for the basics of Manga.
My personal favorite was the deep detail the author went into when drawing the head. I also liked how the author clearly showed the differences on age of the child, protagonist, younger adult, mother, and an elder.
I would recommend this book to all ages, only one page with minor, let me repeat, MINOR nudity. Overall, this was a pretty great book.
The Good 'n Bad.......2005-11-08
The Good:
Compared to the other How to Draw Manga series, I would say this book was a summary of every book in the series. With multiple artists and varying styles, it offers a beginning artist a definite edge and foundation for drawing manga. Not only does it show a more stylized version of manga, and also shows a more realistic version. This was one of the more useful books for head angles. The heads are a variety of , high, low, and side angles. This is very useful for a beginning artist so that their work doesn't look dull or monotonous.
The Bad:
I somewhat felt a little ripped off when I saw the price for such a small book. Also, it seems as if this book doesn't go deeply into each specific section. It's more of a 'general' help book. For instance, if you want to know more about anatomy, I recommend buying the 'Bodies and Anatomy' book in the How To Draw Manga series. This book is more of a 'overall' book.
In conclusion, I'd recommend buying this book if I was a beginner or intermediate. You can always improve as an artist. Hope you found this helpful.
it's alright.......2005-08-03
okay this is my first review ever so hang in there with me alright? Now I purchesed this book "How to Draw Manga: Ultimate Lessons vol. 1" mainly because I like the other HtDM books and I wanted to see what this had to offer me. When the book came I was expecting it to be as big as the other HtDM books. Boy was I wrong! it was as thick as the others but the hight and with were 'shorter' none the less the content of the book itself prooved to be of some help. The book itself starts off with the begining mini comic or 'manga' if you will then the table of contents, and then the actual material. The first chapter is all about the basics, starting with "practice by starting with copying" then it moves onto how to go and create your own charatures by showing you the basics of drawing (start with a rough general outline of blah blah blah then refine it and add detale blah blah blah). First they start with the head and face the move down to the torso, arms, and legs. In the book they also show examples of expressing emotions, depicting 'cool action poses', a little bit of sceanery, and how to properly hold your drawing tools. IN the book itself it says these are the goals it's trying to teach you:
1) The Basics of Faces
2) Basics of Figures
3) The ABC's of Tools ans Materials
4) Basic Background and Special Effect Techniques
and
5) Producing and Original Draft of Manga
In all it's a pretty helpful book; however it'll do you jack if you don't put it to use.. in other words keep on drawing. The book is only there to help you get ideas on how you may want it to look. It's not going to do it for you, or magically you'll be able to draw "manga" the instant after you read it.
Now I gave it 4 stars because for some reason I felt that it was lacking a little something in it.. other then that it's a great refference book for anyone, not just people who want to draw manga/anime, who wants to improve their drawing technique.
Good Book.......2005-07-15
How to draw Manga: Ultimate Manga Lessons Volume 1 is a good book to start with if you are trying to learn the art of drawing manga. This book covers almost all the basics and helped me alot. It tells you how to use different drawing materials and how to start drawing your own manga. It also showes you the differenses between male and female cheracters. Also as to be acspected in any how to draw manga book there is some mild nudity (but nothing that detailled). So alaround I think this is a very good book to start drawing manga with.-_-
Absoulutely amazing!.......2005-07-03
This is the most amazing drawing book I have ever purchased. This book is extremely helpful, especially towards the end. It shows characters in different poses to help you learn how to draw them. It does suggest in the beginning to copy some of your favorite artists' work. I copied pictures out of my manga books and then tried to do something original, and I have improved greatly! GET THIS BOOK!!
Customer Reviews:
If You're Beginning, You Need This Book.......2007-10-16
"Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner," though not everything you are going to need, will probably be indispensible for your first steps in serious colored pencil drawing. Bet Borgeson gives the basics you have to have in color theory, composition, and how to keep your inspiration flowing. She also talks about the ins and outs of how to sell your wares and actually establish a career in the arts. So there is alot of good here.
I didn't find all that I wanted, though, to tell the truth. In addition to the composition and mood and so forth of a piece, I was hoping for some more prosaic advice on how to do things like make an apple look like an apple instead of a tomato, or a blueberry look like a blueberry instead of a grape. "Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner" was frustratingly short on topics like this, or what colors to belnd together to get flesh tones, or what colors to use to make convincing shadows, and so forth.
So you won't find everything in this book, but what book will give you everything anyway? In summary, it's pretty good for what it's intended for, and if you're a beginner, you're probably going to need it. Four stars.
I guess it depends on what you mean by serious.......2007-04-08
When she says serious... in the last few pages she tells you about becoming a full time artist, pros and cons kind of thing and options. She gives suggestions of places you can look into to show your work, but does not tell you how, just where to go. She does however say to go to the library to find out more or the internet. I guess most people don't know that, to me it is obvious. But hey, now you know and you didn't have to buy the book!
The artwork in the book sucks. It lacks depth and looks flat. Sure there is color, but it all seems to have the same pressure to it. Some may be better than others, buy my eyes don't want to look at it long. So, a tip that I know in becoming a serious artist is that if you actually want people to buy your work, you will want to create something that captures the attention of the viewer and keeps them there. The more they look at your work or the longer, the more likely they will buy it. The only one in there that looked pretty cool was the monopoly picture.
It's odd, she shows some basic examples of creating the illusion of 3D using tonal values from light to dark as well as discussing form, volume and space... but does not fully carry it through in her own work.
I just think if your going to learn from an artist, you would want to learn from someone who can give a good example. Why not learn it the right way the first time? There are too many other books that could do it better for ya. Check out books by Ann Kullberg, Janie Gildow, Gary Greene, Vera Curnow, or even Bernard Poulin. These artists have books for beginners and advanced, check them out and find the level best for you. They are better examples to follow. And if you want to start selling find a book strickly for that. Though Ann Kullberg, in "colored pencil portraits step-by-step has a section where she explains how she sells her portraits.
Are you kidding?.......2007-03-30
How did this artist ever get this published? The artwork in this book is so amateurish I did not even want to read what he/she had to say. I don't want my pieces to look like theirs. It looked like junior high artwork. The proportions of animals were totally incorrect, color wasn't eye catching, pieces looked like crayon drawings. This must be self published. I returned the book I didn't even care that I lost my shipping costs, I would never look at it or read it again.
Not for beginners.......2007-02-06
I think this may be a fine book for more advanced artists. There was little help for true beginners,even"serious " ones. There was much philosophy and opionion, but little practical help.
THE book on Colored Pencil........2007-01-25
If you can only have one book on colored pencil, let it be this one. I had to buy another one when my professor saw it. It is another book that I read with pen and highlighter in hand. I couldn't just read it I had to study it.
Book Description
This book tries to capture the major topics that fall under the umbrella of "Variation Management." The book is laid out so that the reader can easily understand the variation management process and how each chapter maps to this process. This book has two purposes. It is a "one-step" resource for people who want to know everything about dimensional management and variation management. It is a useful reference for specific target audiences within the variation management process. This book includes many new techniques, methodologies, and examples that have never been published before. Much of the new material revolves around Six Sigma techniques that have evolved within the past 5 years. This book offers high level information and expertise to a broad spectrum of readers, while providing detailed information for those needing specific information. The contributors are practitioners who have hands-on experience. Much of the expertise in this book is a result of identifying needs to solve problems in our companies and businesses. Many of the chapters are the documented solutions to these needs.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding Desktop Reference.......2005-12-07
I looked long and hard for a book this thorough. A buddy of mine had Crevelings tolerancing book and I thought that was excellent. As I finished my masters degree, I needed a thorough desktop reference that I thought represented best in class. That's exactly what this book is. Since each chapter is written by the major players in these areas, this book is much more than one authors views on the topics. Rather, it is a best in class compilation from some of the sharper folks here in the US doing dimensioning and tolerancing. Paul's chapters themselves are excellent and very thorough. His discussion on how to incorporate the geometric controls into stackup analyses is excellent. Overall, this book should be on every mechanical engineers desktop along with the ASME GD&T standard and Montgomery's books on Quality Control and Design of Experiments. Hats off to Paul and all the other authors for their excellent work!
bought used, great value.......2003-03-31
I would say the first 1/2 is GD&T. The 2nd 1/2 covers tolerancing methods. I have learned a lot from the 2nd half. It covered a lot of new information, in clear terms. I have been through six sigma certification. This is a valuable book in my toolbox.
Dimensioning and Tolerancing Handbook.......2000-09-25
This book includes an extraordinary consolidation of cutting edge information and innovative authors that are truly on the "bleeding edge of technology"! Each chapter covers different topic areas by individuals practicing these design techniques and tools in the real world today. The chapters cover everything from an overview of the various quality thursts, to tolerance allocation techniques, to maximizing GD&T, to Statistical tolerancing, to developing process capability models for DFSS (Designing for Six Sigma), and much more. This text is surely one of the best ever compiled as a consolidation of the contained related subject matter. This is a priceless body of knowledge in a single book!
Dimensioning and Tolerancing Handbook.......2000-06-20
This is an excelent guidebook for dimensioning information.
Book Description
This book, which marks the final edition to the six-volume series, unfolds using a unique format, whereby an entire work of manga is created as if it were a cinematic feature being formulated and shot. This volume features topics such as casting the actors (i.e. designing characters), creating the set (i.e. establishing and portraying the setting and setting up the background), dramatizing memorable scenes (i.e. camera work, lighting, detailed dramatization) and other totally new content.
Customer Reviews:
A great book, just not for me........2007-07-06
So, I bought this book based on a review by another aspiring artist. The review said it was "good for beginners". So, naturally I thought being a NOOB, that it meant me too. Unfortunately, it was good, but in the "here it is, draw it" kind of sense. Now, while perspective is better, I found it hard to break down some of the more complex hairstyles, among other things. This book is good for clothing, hair, setting, perspective, and pretty much everything in it. However, being "good for beginners", but not in the A, B, C, D sort of sense. Still a great book, but don't expect miracles if you can't draw a circle...
Striking the right note? Fleshing out characters? Are they the same book?.......2007-01-19
Though it covers a topic that is covered in many how to draw books, I have to say it is a pleasant addition to my reference collection. I bought it because the title was 'striking the right note,' which I assumed would help to translate mood into environment, and other basic storytelling-meets-illustration techniques; however, the book is not appropriately titled. "How to draw manga: Ultimate Manga Lessons Volume six: Fleshing Out Characters" is the actual title, and to be honest, I would not have purchased it if I had known that it would be mostly about developing characters. However, the book has decent artwork, and some pretty good reference and review, so I'm keeping it. I'm giving it a four out of five because this book belongs in anyone's reference collection!
Definitely worth your money.......2007-01-04
Another book that I am proud to own from my fav how to draw artist Hikaru Hayashi. In this volume of how to draw manga ultimate manga lessons, Hikaru shows us how to flesh out our characters. This book teaches you about using hair styles to distinguish the character as well as their personality,their costumes,
designing the settings such as backgrounds, stylized backgrounds, hand-on practice on drawing easy backgrounds, and backgrounds to establish a setting,
The lighting and angles of your scenes to make them more dynamic, and learning from the orginal manga draft.
This book is truly worth looking into, and I think you will be very pleased with this book, as well as all the other volumes to this book (which I own all 6!) A must buy, I totally recommend this book!!
Average customer rating:
- Excellent work...sadly out of print
- I searched the earth for this book
- I searched the earth for this book
|
Lessons from Michelangelo
Michael Burban
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Michelangelo
| Painters, A-Z
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Drawing
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Figure Drawing
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Drawing
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0823027481 |
Customer Reviews:
Excellent work...sadly out of print.......2002-10-02
I just spoke to Michael Burban a few weeks ago, and am trying to convince him to release a new version of the book. He says he has learned much since he first wrote it, so the new book--if it ever comes out--should be exciting.
I searched the earth for this book.......2000-11-29
When I was very young, I borrowed this wonderful book from a Brooklyn Public Library. The Author, Michael Burban, was a student of Robert Beverley Hale, and in his footsteps, he taught through dissecting old master drawings. There was no greater draughtsman than Michelangelo. Imagine how much can be learned from when one of the most respected artists of the Students art League, picks apart the drawings of Michelangleo. Lessons from Michelangelo. The drawings are unparalled. Burban, chooses, old and late drawings that span the life of Michelangelo. Burban, starts out by pointing out the very basics of form, perspective, proportion, gesture, then delves into artistic anatomy, and finishes with some thoughts on drapery. It stresses discipline and basics, and doesn't sell any shortcuts. After keeping this book out of the library for quite some time, it was mistakenly returned. I searched the library for months, never to see it again. I ventured to the Students art league in NY, unfortunately Burban was away for that term. I contacted a used book specialist. Nearly two years passed, and I received a phone call, the book was found, the price was twice the retail, 75 dollars, what a deal. It was the easily the best book I ever bought. I love this book, it is one of only a few books which I can say has real sentimental value. In a way it changed my life. I appreciate Michelangelo and his beautiful drawings, in no small part, thanks to this book. I wish Burban would write another book, or at least that this book would see a reprint. If you ever have a chance to buy this book, don't think twice. Its a great book.
I searched the earth for this book.......2000-11-29
When I was very young, I borrowed this wonderful book from a Public Library in Brooklyn. The Author, Michael Burban, was a student of Robert Beverley Hale, and in his footsteps, he taught through dissecting old master drawings. There was no greater draughtsman than Michelangelo. Imagine how much can be learned when one of the most respected artists of the Students art League, picks apart the drawings of Michelangleo. Lessons from Michelangelo. The drawings are unparalled.
Burban, chooses, old and late drawings that span the life of Michelangelo. Burban, starts out by pointing out the very basics of form, perspective, proportion, gesture, then delves into artistic anatomy, and finishes with some thoughts on drapery. It stresses discipline and basics, and doesn't sell any shortcuts.
After keeping this book out of the library by renewing it for quite some time, my mother, bless her heart did me a favor and mistakenly returned it. I returned and searched the library for months, never to see it again. I even attempted to go to the source and ventured to the Students art league in NY, hoping to buy an extra copy from the author - unfortunately Burban was away for that term. I contacted a used book specialist and asked them to track down a copy of this book which had made such an impression on me. Nearly two years passed, one day I received a phone call, the book was found, the price was twice the retail, 75 dollars. I was still young and poor, but I didn't think twice about buying it. It was the easily the best book I ever bought.
I love this book, it is one of only a few books which I can say has real sentimental value. In a way it changed my life. I appreciate Michelangelo and his beautiful drawings, in no small part, thanks to this book. I wish Burban would write another book, or at least that this book would see a reprint, so others too can appreciate it. If you ever have a chance to buy this book, don't hesitate.
Its a great book.
Book Description
The latest entry in the successful Serious Beginner Series. Now the world's leading authority on oil pastel demonstrates, step by step, how you can become a master of this increasingly popular medium! Oil pastels are easy and flexible to work with, offering artists a virtually unlimited treasury of creative potential. They're also considered a safe alternative to soft pastels. Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner shows both new and veteran artists how to make the most of this fabulous medium. Lessons progress simply and clearly from easy subjects and techniques to the more difficult and complex. First, artists learn how to use oil pastels to create traditional paintings in still life, landscape, and portraiture. Then, they'll discover 12 special, experimental techniques that push the medium of oil pastel to its limits-including impasto, etching, washes, and monoprint; stencil and screen techniques; and even methods for combining oil pastel with soft pastel and mixed media. Whether one is an an amateur artist or experienced veteran, Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner is the ideal one-stop source for mastering of this popular medium.
Customer Reviews:
Misleading ....Title Implies an Overview.......2006-11-23
I am primarily interested in landscape painting, this artist is an accomplished portrait/figure pastellist but his florals and landscapes as evidenced in this book are so poor,,flowers are bright blobs and his landscapes are uninspired heavily into muddy ugly earth colors and of a quality that if i were offered one of his pics I would not give it wall space, The advice in general is pretty good but in no way is this small tome a source of true inspiration,,,unless you are a figure specialist and even then the details as to what hues/actual colors were used are very scanty (if given at all ) To me a near worthless instruction book,,pass on this one as it promises much more than it delivers,,
good introduction to oil pastels.......2006-09-16
The author is a pioneer and talented artist in oil pastel.He gives very valuable info about this medium--a long forgotten and underrated, even though promoted by Pablo Picasso...The book ,however, is 'sketchy' in details and techniques.The illustrations and art work are excellent, but somewhat repetitive...A good introductory book for enthusiasts of oil pastels and beginners, till a better book is written by someone else---after this medium becomes better used and established in the fine art world.Soft pastels have been with us for many decades, thanks to Degas and Mary Cassatt...Oil pastels are still to be pushed by great masters....Fortunately oil pastels are available at various price ranges for students and professionals...One learns more by trying different brands rather that sticking to just a few brands---Holbein or Sennelier...
With increasing concern for toxic dust particles from Soft pastels, oil pastels would be more widely used and this book would serve the newcomers well.
Good if you are already an artist.......2006-05-23
If you are a painter or illustrator who is looking to move from another medium into oil pastels, then this is the book for you. Mr. Elliot is a really talented artist and knows his subject. You will gain a lot from this book.
However, if you have little-to-no drawing/painting experience or you are an absolute beginner (like me), you will find yourself very, very frustrated by this book. I have found a few helpful things here, but overall, I think that I would need a year's study *before* I could effectively utilize Mr. Elliot's book.
fussy but fair.......2006-05-06
This book is a very good book expressly devoted to oil pastels-but that said, in comparison with the only other book on the subject that I know of, it is a distant second. (There are a couple other obscure ones which I haven't seen) My favorite is "Oil Pastel: Materials & Techniques For Today's Artist", by Kenneth Leslie, 1990, Watson-Guptill Pub. Because it is out of print & only available second hand at inflated prices, unless Amazon can bring it back in print, or you are prepared to pay inflated prices (for something you cannot see & evaluate for yourself in advance), we are left with the book by Elliot.
Elliot covers a moderate (compared with Leslie!) amount of basic info & gives you a look at the oil pastel works of other artists as well--something I consider very important, especially if the author's work doesn't grab you, & also because you get to see how other sensibilities handle the medium. And he gives a taste of the history of oil pastels; he talks about various papers, etc; he mentions only two brands: Sennelier & Holbein (both premier brands) but there are others he does not mention which are evaluated in Kenneth Leslie's book. Leslie gives you a ton of facts & ideas: shows you how to make your own oil pastels if you desire, & how to prepare paper, etc., for receiving oil pastels (whose oil content can deteriorate paper) & lots of other info very useful for anyone wishing to know technical stuff about the medium.
Elliot's book is a good companion to the one by Kenneth Leslie, & I consider myself fortunate to have both. But if you could only choose one, & it were available, I would choose Kenneth Leslie's book!
Oil Pastel a medium worthy of more recognition.......2005-10-11
This book is a dream come true for the lovers of the long under-rated medium of oil pastel. Despite the fact that this worthy artists medium was first commissioned by none less than Pablo Picasso, it has remained at most despised by 'serious' artists, as a tool for students or the kindergarten or regarded as a means for sketching or preliminary working of ideas.
John Elliot demonstrates with unbridled enthusiasm that oil pastel is not only an exciting form of expression but perhaps the medium of the future standing along-side oil, soft pastel and the usurper, acrylic as a real option for artistic expression.
The book is a joy to own and J. Elliot leaves no doubt as to the power and flexibility of this medium.
Everything is covered clearly and the illustrations again demonstrate the full versitality of oil pastel, both wax and the new water-soluble media. Instructions are clear and concise drawing from years of experience.
This book is perhaps the 'Bible' of the oil pastel.
At last oil pastel gets the recognition it desesrves.
Book Description
Action is an integral component of manga. Manga without action lacks impact. Yet, some find themselves at a loss as to how to portray speed and dramatization techniques. This book teaches such beginning artists techniques used by professional Japanese manga artists. A must-have!
Customer Reviews:
Lil book of Helpful Hints.......2007-06-11
This book may be small in stature but chalk full of good pointers and reference material! Out of the 4-5 or so books I have referencing body dynamics or people in various action poses, I'd have to say this one is oneof the top 2.
Books:
- Entering the Castle: An Inner Path to God and Your Soul
- Fighter Escort (Tales of the RAF - Book 2) (Tales of the RAF)
- First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
- Fitness Is Religion: Keep the Faith
- Flash Math Creativity: Second Edition
- Flying At Night: Poems 1965-1985 (Pitt Poetry Series)
- Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations
- Good Night Blue (Blues Clues)
- Groups: Process and Practice (with InfoTrac)
- He Loved Me, He Loves Me Not
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Body Surfing: A Novel
- The Great Hunt
- Flow Injection Analysis: Instrumentation and Applications
- Nobody Knows My Name
- Jonathan Lasker 1977-1997
- The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
- Oh, If Only That Old House Could Talk
- Gender and Power in the Japanese Visual Field
- Like a Prayer: A Jewish and Christian Presence in Contemporary Art, January 31st-June 1st, 2001
- World War Ii, from a Private Point of View
Master Class in Figure Drawing
Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters
The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study
The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing: A Contemporary Perspective on the Classical Tradition
Sargent Portrait Drawings: 42 Works by John Singer Sargent (Dover Art Library)
