Showing posts with label beginners guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginners guide. Show all posts

Adobe Photoshop Elements 9: Maximum Performance: Unleash the hidden performance of Elements Review

Adobe Photoshop Elements 9: Maximum Performance: Unleash the hidden performance of Elements
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Adobe Photoshop Elements 9: Maximum Performance: Unleash the hidden performance of Elements ReviewIf you ask most photographers how to do something in Photoshop Elements, they will roll their eyes and tell you they use CS5. Yet Photoshop Elements 9 is a powerful, yet affordable editor which comes with just what you need. I find simple tasks, such as bringing up shadow detail, a quick adjustment in elements using a slider rather than editing the entire exposure curve in the full version of Photoshop. I'm not a big fan of "shop'ing" photos for hours on end. If my image looks flat and dull, I would rather go and re-shoot the image rather than "fixing it in photoshop."
There are times when re-shooting just is not an option. Perhaps there's an image which would have perfect, if there was just a bit more detail in the sky. Or, perhaps you need to work brochure and you just need one or two items from the original photograph to blend on a different background. This is where the book Maximum Performance comes in.
I dislike the terms "advanced" or "beginner" when it comes to software and books. The examples in the book use tools which you might not be familiar with, such as the Place command or the High Pass Filter. You will either become familiar with them or you'll need to buy an additional book which goes into the details of all the tools.
Reading through all the examples was a bit tedious, trying to follow along and figure out where all the options were located in the editor. I downloaded all the video tutorials and examples which had me speeding through the material. The author provides raw files, psd files, and an application to open and follow along with either video or images. You have the choice to explore the book or follow along on the actual software and original files.
Not only did I pick up on the material, but it was great to look over the shoulder of a Photoshop expert to see the work flow. He does things which I never thought of - such as adding an adjustment layer rather than working on the originals. The author unleashed the power of the editor through the use of layer masks, gradient maps, and blending. For example, when I use a sharpening filter I would apply it to the entire image. The video examples demonstrate how to use a layer mask on top of an adjustment layer to paint on the sharpening to selected areas, then pull back using the opacity.
The topic of Photoshop Magic was full explored as well. In one example, a truck was photographed on a dirt road, then copy/pasted onto a river dock. Any beginner can paste one object onto another, but it takes talent to make it look real i.e. not "shop'ed." What would have taken me an hour with a magic lasso the author did with a selection brush, feather, and reduce. He then focused on the small details, such as color temperature. Before I read this book I never had a use for gradients. Now I can't live without them.
The book and the videos will serve as a "cookbook" of techniques to help me out of a jam when I've got a problem image. If I need to do some advanced sharpening or image toning, I can just pull up the video or flip through the chapter to remind me of some techniques which can be used.
I've got a dozen Photoshop books but this is the first one I've read cover to cover.Adobe Photoshop Elements 9: Maximum Performance: Unleash the hidden performance of Elements Overview

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Adobe Photoshop 7.0 for Photographers, First Edition Review

Adobe Photoshop 7.0 for Photographers, First Edition
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Adobe Photoshop 7.0 for Photographers, First Edition ReviewA simply superb book for learning how to use Photoshop 7.0 with images from your digital camera or scanner. I've been using Photoshop since before Adobe purchased it from the Knoll brothers and would assert that this book ranks among the two or three best works ever published on Photoshop, even when compared with Adobe's own excellent Classroom-in-a-Book series.
The book is designed to address the issues that pro photographers face in reproducing and manipulating digital imagery with Photoshop 7.0, but contains a wealth of info and shortcuts that are valuable to anyone using Photoshop with the current generation of digital cameras and scanners. The author also is to be commended for the clarity of his writing, and his ability to explain the more complex concepts of digital manipulation of imagery.
I especially like the inclusion of examples generated by pro photographers using professional models, instead of the poorly lit examples that fill most books covering the use of Photoshop. The CD tutorials included with the book are excellent, as well. The information on color space and calibration in the book can be a bit daunting for new users, but they are well worth the effort to read. The example projects included in the book are very useful and cover nearly all the practical situations that most photographers might face in their work with Photoshop.
The actual book is beautifully printed on fine quality paper and the example photos are reproduced quite nicely by the folks at Focal Press. I would love a bit more on using third-party plug-ins in the next edition, but that is a minor criticism of this wonderful volume. This book represents the current state-of-the-art for improving your work with Adobe's flagship application.
While most certainly geared towards pros, the book is great for those users who aspire to those heights. Even though I've worked with digital imagery for almost twenty years, I still learned an amazing amount from this book, and consider it to be a bargain. Very highly recommended.Adobe Photoshop 7.0 for Photographers, First Edition Overview

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Watercolor Painting Techniques Review

Watercolor Painting Techniques
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Watercolor Painting Techniques ReviewThank you for returning the money and letting me keep the damage book. I appreciate you customer service. I will keep doing business with your store. Thank you very much for your service.Watercolor Painting Techniques Overview

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First Steps Painting Watercolors (First Step Series) Review

First Steps Painting Watercolors (First Step Series)
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First Steps Painting Watercolors (First Step Series) ReviewA great book for the person who wants to try a new medium, or begin painting for the first time. Cathy Johnson's step by step instructional demos and great sense of humor make you want to get in there and just do it. The instructions are VERY clear and easy to understand--she never assumes you know what any given painting term means.First Steps Painting Watercolors (First Step Series) Overview

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The Photoshop Elements 6 Book for Digital Photographers Review

The Photoshop Elements 6 Book for Digital Photographers
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The Photoshop Elements 6 Book for Digital Photographers ReviewLove this book. It has the answers to most of the problems you have with digital photography that you want to fix. Things like something else being in the picture that isn't supposed to be there and taking away flaws in the skin. It gives you the simple way to do these things. I've only had it for 2 days and I've already learned a couple of things I'll use over and over. It even tells you the setting that you need to use as defaults on Elements. The other book I bought with this one "Photoshop Elements 6 the missing manual" is good also but it's so huge. This one goes into more detail on do this and do that. Love it!The Photoshop Elements 6 Book for Digital Photographers Overview

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Adobe Photoshop CS4 Revealed (Adobe Creative Suite)(with CD-Rom) Review

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Revealed (Adobe Creative Suite)(with CD-Rom)
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Adobe Photoshop CS4 Revealed (Adobe Creative Suite)(with CD-Rom) ReviewAs a Mac user very familiar and comfortable with Aperture 2, I decided to try Photoshop CS4 to go the next level of editing and document creation. Twice I walked away from Photoshop finding it unintuitive, confusing, and complicated. But since I had paid so much for the software, I decided to try once again. This time I bought a couple of CS4 How To books thinking that I would be able to learn the program. I tried several books and none had the approach to teaching that would help me learn step by step. Most books I looked at were geared to showing how you can do great things with Photoshop, and how creative one could be. However, they skipped the basics and assumed that you already knew photoshop. Or if they tried to teach basics, their approach was superficial or disjointed. I almost walked away from Photoshop for the last time until I found Adobe Photoshop CS4 Revealed. At first I balked at the price which I thought was outrageous for a paperback. But having paid for the software, I said "what the heck". It turned out to be a very smart decision. The book approaches Photoshop CS4 very methodically and logically. Explains things in detail with great illustrations and in the first few lessons assumes that you have never used Photoshop and gives you the foundation to move on to the creative and advanced features of Photoshop. So, if you are a beginner in Photoshop who understands all that the program can do and want to learn the fundamentals and then move on to the advanced and unique features, then you won't be sorry that you bought this book.Adobe Photoshop CS4 Revealed (Adobe Creative Suite)(with CD-Rom) Overview

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Digital Painting Fundamentals with Corel Painter X Review

Digital Painting Fundamentals with Corel Painter X
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Digital Painting Fundamentals with Corel Painter X ReviewThis is the best book I have found on Painter. I think it will have special appeal to those like me who are not (yet!) professional artists, but wish to learn to paint and draw on the computer. The title says Painter X, but it covers versions 8 thru X. Grossman has a humorous and down to earth teaching style that pulls you right in. She uses a tutorial approach, with 10 main projects and variations, and includes an excellent CD. Rather than trying to cover every bell and whistle of Painter the way Cher Thereinen-Pendarvis does in the Painter Wow! books, Grossman focuses just on drawing and painting, with forays into pixel animation and caricature, which is her professional specialty. The book has so much substance, but is so non-intimidating and just plain fun, I think new and experienced Painter users of every artistic level will learn a great deal from it.Digital Painting Fundamentals with Corel Painter X Overview

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Photoshop Elements 5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) Review

Photoshop Elements 5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))
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Photoshop Elements 5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) ReviewThis book is one of the best written on Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0, compared to others I found this book much easier to understand and use (hence the name "...For Dummies").
If this is your first time using Photoshop 5.0 the program can be confusing. I've personally spent hours trying to figure out simple commands, and making repetitious mistakes. This book put an end to all that. It's writting is clear and concise and the book moves at a pace I think most people would find comfortable. The book also brags (in its introduction pages) that it is cross-referenced in case the reader wants to jump around. A feature I found very convenient.
At roughly 400 pages there is more than enough information to learn from. It is also packed with tips, warnings, and technical jargon (marked with icons throughout the book) that help the reader pick up a thing or two quickly.
After using Adobe Photshop Elements 5.0 for months and running in circles with it's advanced features, I really wish I had found this book sooner.Photoshop Elements 5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) Overview

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The Complete Guide to Watercolor Review

The Complete Guide to Watercolor
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The Complete Guide to Watercolor ReviewWhen I think of watercolor, my mind wanders to the past where we were in art class trying to paint a still life. What a pity my teacher didn't have this book around. For some reason, I was always allowed to leave art class and go to the library where they felt I could be more useful. I guess I've been recently trying to "renew" my interest in drawing and painting.
There are just so many expenses when it comes to "art" projects. So, watercolor is a nice way to get your feet wet again.
Some great hints:
1. Stretching Watercolor Paper
2. Toning Paper - Gives your art a nice color background
3. How to use a sponge to soften details.
4. Letting each layer dry before building up the colors.
5. Expert Color Mixing Techniques.
6. How to Frame your art.
You will also learn interesting things about paintings of the past. How they mixed in egg yolk to make the pigment a stronger medium. Giovanna Garzoni's Still Life with a Bowl of Cherries looks tempting or you could just start by making a sketch of apples and cherries and coloring them in.
The "Gallery" sections feature works by artist like Philip O'Reilly, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, June Berry, Sue Sareen, Winslow Homer, Philip Fraser and Paul Cezanne.
Contents:
Materials: Pain brushes, Brushmarks, Other Marks, Gallery of Brushstrokes, Paper, Stretching and Toning, Gallery of Paper.
Techniques: Ways of working, capturing an Image, Composition, Drawing, Laying a Wash, Washes, Gallery of Washes, Tone and Color, Building up Layers, Sponging Out, Scratching Out, Resist Techniques, Using Gouache, Gallery of Techniques.
Color: The Language of Color, Color Mixing, Gallery of Limited Color, Warm and Cool Color, Complementary Color, Gallery of Complementaries, Color Influence, Exploring Composition, Harmonious Color, Gallery of composition, High-key Color, High-key Still Life, Low-key Color, Low-key Interior, Gallery of Light, Warm Summer Light, Cool Autumn Light, Gallery of Atmosphere, Expressive Color, Portrait Study, Color and Pattern, Pattern in Landscape, Gallery of Pattern and Shape, Abstract Color, Gallery of Abstracts.
Landscapes: Getting Started, Venturing Outside, Monochrome Study, Monochrome Gallery, Receding Color, Limited Color, Effective complementaries, Gallery of Trees, color Unity, Gallery of Light, Creating Atmosphere, Skies Gallery, Sketching Buildings, Painting the City, Gallery of Buildings, Sketching Water, Painting Water, Sketching Figures, Toward Abstraction, Abstract Landscape, Abstract Gallery.
Still Life: Introduction, Gallery of Colorists, Making Sketches, The Working Studio, Creating a Composition, Selection vs Inspiration, Seashore, gallery of composition, Light and Form, Tonal Painting, Creating Form and Tone, Negative Space, Gallery of Perception, Transparent Painting, Opaque Painting, Gallery of Paint Types, Day and Night, Special Effects, Gallery of Effects, Presenting Your work.
This is really a comprehensive introduction to Watercolor painting. All you need to get started is a small watercolor box, water, a couple of brushes and a pad of paper. If you follow the basic guidelines, you can achieve a surprising degree of expertise in a relatively short time.
Highly Recommended.
~The Rebecca ReviewThe Complete Guide to Watercolor Overview

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Photoshop Elements 7: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) Review

Photoshop Elements 7: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)
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Photoshop Elements 7: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) ReviewThis is an essential and easy to use book for Photoshop Elements. If you can click, double click, and drag (prerequisites from the author); you can use this book and Photoshop Elements to imrpove your pictures.
My digital photography goes back to when 3MegaPixel cameras were $1000 and computer speeds were measured in MHz. I have over 30,000 digital pictures, and have used every version of Photoshop Elements. This is one of the best books I have ever seen to better use a piece of computer software. It truly is the manual they should have shipped with this software.
The author does start slowly and carefully. She makes sure that everyone knows the basics. She also makes it clear, you won't get to editing with layers in the first week. Read and digest only those topics important to you at that moment, and practice. It's very easy to skip around and work on the particular topic your photograph needs. Red eye correction, something we all do frequently. It's very clear, there's the very simple approach with some tweaks to size things correctly, how to do it automatically, and then a box with Power User suggestions (using the eyedropper tool) when things don't work exactly right.
The author's approach is to present the simple, should work most of the time procedure, then some simple options for improvement, and what to do if that procedure doesn't work. It's chock full of tips and hints all well organized.
This book should speak volumes to the new user, the upgrader from previous versions, and fairly skilled users. Even those basic topics I've taken for granted, (using grids to straighten a photograph), include things I wouldn't have known, (you can change the grid color - black can be very annoying when working with sports pictures). As another reviewer has mentioned, the upgrade from 6 to 7 was pretty minor for the things you need to do every day, edit and improve your pictures, so this book applies reasonably well.
The book is in color, but the printing is not exactly the most fabulous I've ever seen. The color photographs are kind of gray and not terribly high resolution, must have kept printing costs down. The good news, the pictures are available on line to try, so you can see the effects for yourself. The binding also feels like it will fall apart with heavy use, another cost cutting measure.
I did not realize when ording this book that David Pogue is behind this series. That's a fabulous thing. He is an amazing tech writer, and has been in the computer business for a very long time (I remember his Macintosh series when an SE/30 was cutting edge). He knows how to balance fun and technology without excluding people with tech language. This book follows that philosophy to the letter.
Strongly recommend this book for everyone that wants to know how to better use Elements, from the beginning amateur to the advanced photographer. If you are a fairly advanced user and have sought out this book, I think you will be impressed with the depth of coverage at a very reasonable price.Photoshop Elements 7: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) Overview

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The Drawing Bible Review

The Drawing Bible
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The Drawing Bible ReviewI do not know what kind of background the previous reviewer has but as artist and art teacher I highly recommend this book. The idea of valuing it according to price, like some kind of bean counter is absurd.
The book covers the fundamentals and the drawings are superb. It is easy to carry and also serves as a continuous source of style and inspiration.
As for the price it is worth every penny. If you want beautiful though realistic images to act as an ideal and have enough intelligence not to need Parental consent to see the nudes in the book please DISREGARD THE FATUOUS AND INCREDULOUS REVIEW ABOVE.
The book dose exactly what it claims and dose so with great art, style and composition. Craig Nelson is one of the most accomplished draftsman of this era and has made, and shows great choices.
Need to be taken by the hand through everything pertaining to drawing then head for your nearest art school, as no book can do what a serious series of classes in drawing fundamentals can do. However don't trash a perfectly fine and inspirational book for the price or the heck of it.
And, yes I do own the book and am very pleased with it. So are my many students.The Drawing Bible Overview

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Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide Review

Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide
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Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide ReviewI have just recieved Cathy Johnson's new book, "Creating Nature in Watercolor, an Artists Guide." I sat down and read it through, and found it felt like an beautifully illustrated letter from a good friend, who is encouraging me to join her in her love of nature and creating. The art work is superb of course, as I expected, since I already own several of her books, and recently took one of her wonderful Online Classes...and she has been drawing and painting for her whole life...but I also found much more in it than artwork. She not only shares many, many, many valuable techniques and tips...but they seem unique to her charming way of helping us out with some of the little things that become big things when you dont know how to deal with them. And she adds so many details and makes them all so interesting!
Her 'personal relationship' with nature pulls the reader and artist into a close connection with creation and creating.
It is a book for everyone...beginning and professional artists as well as all who appreciate nature.
For me this is her best book....so far...:)Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide Overview

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Photoshop 7 for Dummies Review

Photoshop 7 for Dummies
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Photoshop 7 for Dummies ReviewI'm saving the best for last, so I hope you're still reading! Deke McClelland sets the standard for Photoshop authors, and MyMac.com plans to cover every item he publishes on the topic. What makes this Dummies entry into the Photoshop 7 arena worth raving about?
Two pages (four sides) of card stock are the first items you encounter when opening Photoshop 7 for Dummies. These quick reference "cheat sheets" present separate Windows and Macintosh keyboard commands for toolbars, selections, layers, palettes, and more. Worth a hefty portion of the price of this book, all on their own.
These authors write with a zippy, witty style that makes learning and using Photoshop fun (almost) and enjoyable (always). Did you know about "Dr. Photo and Mr. Shop"? If not, you need to begin with Chapter One and turn off the phone until you understand the difference.
Both Windows and Mac (OS X) screen shots are plentiful, making this book truly cross platform. Illustrations are bold and easy on the eyeballs, and tutorial steps are printed in bold type. Why don't other publishers realize how important printing and inking are to readers learning difficult material from scratch?
You want tips? How about warnings? Photoshop 7 for Dummies has them in profusion, on page after page. Special mention is given to each feature new to Photoshop 7, for all you upgraders. The brief color section has some mind-expanding examples of projects enumerated within the text.
I'm having a difficult time maintaining focus on this review, friends, because I'm itching to use the book to help me learn tons more about Photoshop 7. So let's stop here, with our highest recommendation of MacMice Rating: 5 out of 5. Bravo, Deke and Barbara. Thanks for your terrific book.
WOULD I BUY IT? Yes, and give it as a gift.
WOULD I USE IT IF IT WAS THE ONLY PHOTOSHOP BOOK AVAILABLE? We should be so lucky!
DO I RECOMMEND IT? Ubetcha.
http://www.mymac.com/book_bytes/fiveps7_12.6.02.shtmlPhotoshop 7 for Dummies Overview

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The Art of Oil Painting (Collector's Series) Review

The Art of Oil Painting (Collector's Series)
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The Art of Oil Painting (Collector's Series) ReviewOverall, I am satisfied with the book. It has useful tips and depicts different oil painting techniques. The book was delivered in the condition listed.The Art of Oil Painting (Collector's Series) Overview

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The New Acrylics: Complete Guide to the New Generation of Acrylic Paints Review

The New Acrylics: Complete Guide to the New Generation of Acrylic Paints
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The New Acrylics: Complete Guide to the New Generation of Acrylic Paints ReviewJust wanted to write a review because the title doesn't give you much info as to what's in the book- I bought it just because I love acrylics and there aren't many books on the subject compared with other mediums. Much of the book is about textural acrylics- acrylics made thick with mediums. They really get into showing you many photos of obscure working methods like cutting up sheets of tinted (dry) acrylic gel into squares to make a mosaic or how to make a stained glass panel with transparent acrylics. This is a very good book for learning about the paint itself, what it's made of, what effects can be achieved by manipulating it, how to do silkscreening, monoprinting, and acrylic transfers. You won't find any paintings of flowers in this book! If you love acrylics this is the book to broaden your horizons. :)The New Acrylics: Complete Guide to the New Generation of Acrylic Paints Overview

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DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School) Review

DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School)
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DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School) ReviewI've been drawing for years, but hit a ceiling of sorts where I wasn't able to teach myself anything new. I've had negative experiences with the strictures of drawing classes. (I confess-I am one of those who have to look at the paper when I draw.)
Then I was lucky enough to come across this book while literally holding "DK Art School: An Introduction To Oil Painting" in my hand. I sat in the store and compared them side to side, page by page. The chapter on oil painting was exactly the same as the book on oil painting. It seems that DK decided to make this a compilation of their other art books. This edition includes:
An Introduction to Drawing
An Introduction to Perspective
An Introduction to Watercolor
An Introduction to Pastels
An Introduction to Oil Painting
An Introduction to Acrylics
An Introduction to Mixed Media
Don't let the price turn you off because you are actually buying seven volumes. Each one sells separately for around half the price of this one. Included are history, materials and technique for each medium described. The only drawback is that you're getting one hulk of a book.
For people like me who have not taken classes, it will prove indispensable. The pictures are great and there are plenty of tips and step by step examples for practice. Not for in-depth study, but a high quality overview. This edition is a great value for any amateur artist and useful for those more experienced as well. Beautiful.DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School) Overview

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Oil Painting For The Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Oil Painting Review

Oil Painting For The Absolute Beginner: A Clear and Easy Guide to Successful Oil Painting
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Oil Painting For The Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Oil Painting ReviewThree years ago I reviewed Mark and Mary Willenbrink's "Drawing for the Absolute Beginner" and was highly enthusiastic in my praise. The book was true to its title, more so than the majority of introductory drawing books out there, and gave me a wonderful introduction to the complex world of visual art.
In May of last year, the Willenbrink's 2nd volume - "Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner" - was reissued by North Light Books. And now comes the 3rd and possibly best installment in the series - "Oil Painting for the Absolute Beginner".
Being a beginner at anything is often uncomfortable, confusing and frustrating, and art is certainly no exception. I once attended a "beginner's" art class and was almost immediately subjected to lengthy discussions about intensity, composition, symmetry, negative space and a dozen other terms I had never heard before. When it came time to put brush to canvas, the things I really needed to know seemed so basic that I was too embarrassed to ask...How much paint should I use? Do I start with a pencil sketch? How should I hold the brush? How high should I set my easel? How do I use all these tools and materials? Etc. Because of the instructor's assumptions and my lack of a proper foundation, the class was, for me, discouraging and largely unproductive.
And this is what makes the "Absolute Beginner" series so wonderful. The authors, while clearly very serious and very talented artists, are completely aware of what it means to be a beginner. They understand the importance of those first baby steps in getting their students on the correct path, while not confusing them with concepts they may not yet be ready for. As such, the layout of this book is an example of perfect simplicity. Chapter one presents a fine overview of oil painting materials; chapter two looks at basic art principles, each one clearly explained in terms any student can comprehend; chapter three takes the student through the basic techniques of oil painting - paint mixing, brushstrokes, applying and lifting paint, cleaning brushes, and more; and finally, chapter four guides the student through more than fifteen painting exercises, covering still lifes, landscapes, figures and portraits. As with their two previous books, the Willenbrinks have succeeded magnificently in their presentation.
Since pencils and watercolors are easier to work with than oils, you would do yourself a huge favor by picking up the drawing and watercolor volumes of the "Absolute Beginner" series and working through those books before proceeding to this wonderful volume. You will be well on your way to great success in the incredible world of art.Oil Painting For The Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Oil Painting Overview

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The Art of Encaustic Painting: Contemporary Expression in the Ancient Medium of Pigmented Wax Review

The Art of Encaustic Painting: Contemporary Expression in the Ancient Medium of Pigmented Wax
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The Art of Encaustic Painting: Contemporary Expression in the Ancient Medium of Pigmented Wax ReviewI have long been fascinated by the technique of encaustic painting and this book fills a void in references on the subject. It contains a vast array of detailed information on everything from making your own paints to exhibiting your artwork.
The book starts out with a history of encaustic art. A gallery section then showcases four different portfolios of art including representation, color and pattern, dimension and modular work. Captions include artist, title, materials used, size and date introduced. Artwork is displayed in a variety of sizes. Some of my favorites are a beautiful face by Tony Scherman and the organic looking "Miasma Morph" by Sylvia Netzer, made of wax with pigment fired on ceramic.
The next sections focuses on encaustic materials. It starts out with details on the wax types. A reference chart of all the wax types, their source, composition, properties, melting point, flash point, color range and average price is here too. Information on heating equipment and well as melting and fusing the wax are next. Then pigments and making your own paints is covered. Selecting and caring for brushes is also here. There is even a great section on using materials safely.
Painting preparation and techniques follow. These include information on substrates and grounds with step-by-step instructions on how to make your own. Recipes of rabbit-skin glue and gesso, as well as tips on using them are explained as well. Then techniques and tips for textured, smooth, scraped and incised surfaces accompanied by example artwork are given. There are also details on collage, mixed media, creating artwork on paper and making large-scale pieces. I loved the helpful answers common questions such as what are good beeswax mixes, what wax is best for glazing, how does one get rid of bloom and what do if you get a wax burn?
In the back of the book there are very helpful resource sections including supply sources, galleries, a glossary and bibliography as well as photo credits and an index. This book is an indispensable reference for anyone wanting to learn about and create encaustic art.The Art of Encaustic Painting: Contemporary Expression in the Ancient Medium of Pigmented Wax Overview

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Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks) Review

Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips and Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips and Tricks)
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Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks) ReviewAdobe Photoshop has had a long and well-deserved reign at the top of the heap of digital image editors. The broad-ranging capability of this behemoth to parse and modify pixels in just about any way imaginable, and the dedication of its parent company Adobe to continue to improve it and make its tools available to as many high-level users as possible has helped it carve a rather niche in the industry. But one of the drawbacks is a steep learning curve.
If want to teach yourself more about a number of Photoshop CS3's capabilities and you prefer complex issues carved up into small, illustrated packets - that is, you're a visual learner - this book would be an excellent choice. One of the "Simplified Tips & Tricks" series, it is part of Wiley's 5-Star Visual Learning System, all of which have these features: 1. Minimal text and maximum illustrations; 2. Task-oriented, step-by-step approach; 3. Navigational aides connect instructions to illustrations; 4. Self-contained, two-page lessons; 5. Uniform layout makes it easy to read less, learn more.
It's important to note the presumption by the author that you already know Photoshop CS3 basics; the intent is not for this book to be your first tutorial, but to help you learn more shortcuts, tips, and tricks quickly and efficiently after you've mastered the fundamentals of installation, opening files, and other basic operations of the program.
Does the book succeed? Very well, in my view. Though my personal learning style tends to be more old-school, textbook oriented, I was very positively impressed with how well the book meets the goals of the 5-Star Visual Learning System. The limited commentary is direct, informative, and spare without falling into the trap of trying to be distractingly trendy, quippy, and cute. Illustrations are well done, covering much of each two-page spread, and companion instructions are clear and concise. And the Tips boxes contain really useful additional information that in effect broadens the scope of the book well beyond the original 100 topics.
Conclusion -- highly recommended. While I'm generally put off by book publisher's promises to make learning difficult topics easy, this is one example that actually succeeds.Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks) Overview

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How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling Review

How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling
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How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling ReviewEverything in the book is explained simply and clearly with lots of personal examples. He tries to address the many approaches to creating noir comics and does them well. For example when explaining the tools he used, he would talk on the type of ink to buy (fade and erase-proof), how to maintain them and choosing the right tools for the job.
The main bulk of the book deals with comic creation specific to noir style. He explains the ways to create mood, lighting and texture to aid the story. And also touches the comic creation part like paneling, pacing, creating drama, choosing backgrounds, using references and more. All the examples included are well caption to emphasis the techniques reviewed.
At the end of the book is a 16-page noir style graphic novel to show readers the finished product.
This book is a great introduction to noir comics and serves as a great reference.
You can view more of Shawn Martinbrough's work at Verge Entertainment, which is a company he founded with his partners.
(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling Overview

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